meant by it, than common speech, or mere articulation. I fear that still remains to be wished for, and I earnestly wish it you. Gratia and fama will inevitably accompany the above-mentioned qualifications. The valetudo is the only one that is not in your own power, Heaven alone can grant it you, and may it do so abundantly! As for the mundus victus, non deficiente crumenâ, do you deserve, and I will provide them. [Dec. 26, 1749.]
Poets and Orators.—A man who is not born
with a poetical genius can never be a poet, or, at
best, an extreme bad one: but every man, who can
speak at all, can speak elegantly and correctly, if
he pleases, by attending to the best authors and
orators; and, indeed, I would advise those who do
not speak elegantly, not to speak at all; for, I am
sure, they will get more by their silence than by their
speech. As for politeness; whoever keeps good company,
and is not polite, must have formed a resolution,
and taken some pains not to be so; otherwise
he would naturally and insensibly acquire the air,
the address, and the tone of those he converses with.
[Same date.]
Method of Study—the World and Books.—Your
first morning hours, I would have you devote
to your graver studies with Mr. Harte; the middle
