doing so too, if he hath, as I think he hath, all the other qualifications that you allow him? [Same date.]
Knowledge of Literature.—A gentleman
should know those which I call classical works, in
every language: such as Boileau, Corneille, Racine,
Molière, etc., in French; Milton, Dryden, Pope,
Swift, etc., in English; and the three authors above
mentioned[1] in Italian: whether you have any such
in German I am not quite sure, nor, indeed, am I
inquisitive. These sort of books adorn the mind,
improve the fancy, are frequently alluded to by, and
are often the subjects of conversations of, the best
companies. As you have languages to read, and
memory to retain them, the knowledge of them is
very well worth the little pains it will cost you, and
will enable you to shine in company. It is not pedantic
to quote and allude to them, which it would
be with regard to the ancients. [March 2, 1752.]
Nothing by Halves.—Whatever business you
have, do it the first moment you can; never by
halves, but finish it without interruption, if possible.
Business must not be sauntered and trifled with; and
you must not say to it, as Felix did to Paul, "at a
- ↑ Ariosto, Tasso, and Boccaccio: the Orlando, Gierusalemme, and Decamerone.
