when people of fashion speak to him; and when he is to answer them, blushes, stammers, can hardly get out what he would say, and becomes really ridiculous, from a groundless fear of being laughed at; whereas a well-bred man would speak to all the kings in the world with as little concern and as much ease as he would speak to you.
Youthful Emulation.—This is the last letter
I shall write to you as to a little boy; for, to-morrow,
if I am not mistaken, you will attain your ninth
year; so that for the future I shall treat you as a
youth. You must now commence a different course
of life, a different course of studies. No more levity;
childish toys and playthings must be thrown aside,
and your mind directed to serious objects. What
was not unbecoming of a child would be disgraceful
to a youth. Wherefore, endeavor, with all your
might, to show a suitable change; and, by learning,
good manners, politeness, and other accomplishments,
to surpass those youths of your own age,
whom hitherto you have surpassed when boys.[1]
May the Almighty preserve you and bestow on you
his choicest blessings.
True Respect.—The strictest and most scrupu-*
- ↑ Written in Latin. Philippus Chesterfield, Phillippo Stanhope adhuc puerulo, sed eras e pueritiâ egressuro. S. D. Dated, Kalend, Maii, 1741.
