more convenient season I will speak to thee." The most convenient season for business is the first; but study and business, in some measure, point out their own times to a man of sense; time is much oftener squandered away in the wrong choice and improper methods of amusement and pleasures. [March 5, 1752.]
Formation of Manners.—Nothing forms a
young man so much as being used to keep respectable
and superior company, where a constant regard
and attention is necessary. It is true, this is at first
a disagreeable state of restraint; but it soon grows
habitual, and consequently easy; and you are amply
paid for it, by the improvement you make, and the
credit it gives you. [Same date.]
The Best School.—Company, various company,
is the only school for this knowledge. You
ought to be, by this time, at least in the third form
of that school, from whence the rise to the uppermost
is easy and quick; but then you must have
application and vivacity, you must not only bear
with, but even seek, restraint in some companies,
instead of stagnating in one or two only, where
indolence and love of ease may be indulged. [March
16, 1752.]
