163 TO HER DAUGHTER. peace of it ; 'tis a preparation so chuity, and an imitation too ot humility. True politenes is more dett; and as it aims to please, it knows that the way to carry its point, is to thew that we do not prefer ourſelves to others, but give them the frit rank in our efteem.
Pride keeps us of from fociety: our feif. love gives us a peculiar rank, which is always diſ- puted with us. Such a hich eſteem of ourſelves as makes others feel it, is almoſt always puniſhed with an univerſal conteinpr. Politeneis is the art of reconciling agreeably what we owe to others, and what are owes to one's felf; for the e duties have their bounds, which when they exceed, 'tis flattery with regard to others, and pride with re- gard to yourſelf 'tis the mot fedacing quality in The mof police perſons have generally a good deal of ſweetneſs in their converiation, and en- gaging qualities : 'tis the gircle of Venus; it fets off, and gives graces and charms to all that wear it; and with it you cannot fail to pieale.
There are several degrees of politeneſs. You carry it to a higher point in proportion to the deii- cacy of your way of thinking: ic diſtinguiſhes itself ina:I your behaviour, in your converiation, and evea in your filence.
Perfect politeneſs forbids us to diſplay our parts and talents with aſſurance; it even borders upor craelry, to fhew one's telf happy when we have certain misfortunes before our eyes. Con- verſation in the world is enough to poliſh our curvard behaviour; but there muit be a good deal of delicacy to form a politeneſs of mind. A nice politencís formed with art and taite, will
