- plaint of the French authors; but, indeed, chiefly of
the bad ones. No wonder, say they, that England produces so many great geniuses; people there may think as they please, and publish what they think. Very true, but who hinders them from thinking as they please? If, indeed, they think in a manner destructive of all religion, morality, or good manners, or to the disturbance of the state; an absolute government will certainly more effectually prohibit them from, or punish them for publishing such thoughts, than a free one could do. But how does that cramp the genius of an epic, dramatic, or lyric poet? Or how does it corrupt the eloquence of an orator, in the pulpit or at the bar? [Same date.]
Graceful Behavior.—There is another object
that must keep pace with and accompany knowledge;
I mean, manners, politeness, and the graces;
in which Sir Charles Williams, though very much
your friend, owns you are very deficient. The manners
of Leipsic must be shook off; and in that
respect you must put on the new man. No scrambling
at your meals, as at a German ordinary; no
awkward overturns of glasses, plates, and salt-cellars;
no horse-play. On the contrary, a gentleness
of manners, a graceful carriage, and an insinuating
address, must take their place. I repeat, and shall
