<p><SPAN name="link2H_4_0148" id="link2H_4_0148"></SPAN></p>
<h2> LETTER CXLVI </h2>
<h3> GREENWICH, June 10, O. S. 1751 </h3>
<p>MY DEAR FRIEND: Your ladies were so slow in giving their specific orders,
that the mohairs, of which you at last sent me the patterns, were all
sold. However, to prevent further delays (for ladies are apt to be very
impatient, when at last they know their own minds), I have taken the
quantities desired of three mohairs which come nearest to the description
you sent me some time ago, in Madame Monconseil's own hand; and I will
send them to Calais by the first opportunity. In giving 'la petite Blot'
her piece, you have a fine occasion of saying fine things, if so inclined.</p>
<p>Lady Hervey, who is your puff and panegyrist, writes me word that she saw
you lately dance at a ball, and that you dance very genteelly. I am
extremely glad to hear it; for (by the maxim, that 'omne majus continet in
se minus'), if you dance genteelly, I presume you walk, sit, and stand
genteelly too; things which are much more easy, though much more
necessary, than dancing well. I have known many very genteel people, who
could not dance well; but I never knew anybody dance very well, who was
not genteel in other things. You will probably often have occasion to
stand in circles, at the levees of princes and ministers, when it is very
necessary 'de payer de sa personne, et d'etre bien plante', with your feet
not too near nor too distant from each other. More people stand and walk,
than sit genteelly. Awkward, ill-bred people, being ashamed, commonly sit
bolt upright and stiff; others, too negligent and easy, 'se vautrent dans
leur fauteuil', which is ungraceful and ill-bred, unless where the
familiarity is extreme; but a man of fashion makes himself easy, and
appears so by leaning gracefully instead of lolling supinely; and by
varying those easy attitudes instead of that stiff immobility of a bashful
booby. You cannot conceive, nor can I express, how advantageous a good
air, genteel motions, and engaging address are, not only among women, but
among men, and even in the course of business; they fascinate the
affections, they steal a preference, they play about the heart till they
engage it. I know a man, and so do you, who, without a grain of merit,
knowledge, or talents, has raised himself millions of degrees above his
level, simply by a good air and engaging manners; insomuch that the very
Prince who raised him so high, calls him, 'mon aimable vaut-rien';—[The
Marichal de Richelieu.]—but of this do not open your lips, 'pour
cause'. I give you this secret as the strongest proof imaginable of the
efficacy of air, address, 'tournure, et tout ces Petits riens'.</p>
<p>Your other puff and panegyrist, Mr. Harte, is gone to Windsor in his way
to Cornwall, in order to be back soon enough to meet you here: I really
believe he is as impatient for that moment as I am, 'et c'est tout dire':
but, however, notwithstanding my impatience, if by chance you should then
be in a situation, that leaving Paris would cost your heart too many
pangs, I allow you to put off your journey, and to tell me, as Festus did
Paul, AT A MORE CONVENIENT SEASON I WILL SPEAK TO THEE. You see by this
that I eventually sacrifice my sentiments to yours, and this in a very
uncommon object of paternal complaisance. Provided always, and be it
understood (as they say in acts of Parliament), that 'quae te cumque domat
Venus, non erubescendis adurit ignibus'. If your heart will let you come,
bring with you only your valet de chambre, Christian, and your own
footman; not your valet de place, whom you may dismiss for the time, as
also your coach; but you had best keep on your lodgings, the intermediate
expense of which will be but inconsiderable, and you will want them to
leave your books and baggage in. Bring only the clothes you travel in, one
suit of black, for the mourning for the Prince will not be quite out by
that time, and one suit of your fine clothes, two or three of your laced
shirts, and the rest plain ones; of other things, as bags, feathers, etc.,
as you think proper. Bring no books, unless two or three for your'
amusement upon the road; for we must apply simply to English, in which you
are certainly no 'puriste'; and I will supply you sufficiently with the
proper English authors. I shall probably keep you here till about the
middle of October, and certainly not longer; it being absolutely necessary
for you to pass the next winter at Paris; so that; should any fine eyes
shed tears for your departure, you may dry them by the promise of your
return in two months.</p>
<p>Have you got a master for geometry? If the weather is very hot, you may
leave your riding at the 'manege' till you return to Paris, unless you
think the exercise does you more good than the heat can do you harm; but I
desire you will not leave off Marcel for one moment; your fencing
likewise, if you have a mind, may subside for the summer; but you will do
well to resume it in the winter and to be adroit at it, but by no means
for offense, only for defense in case of necessity. Good night. Yours.</p>
<p>P. S. I forgot to give you one commission, when you come here; which is,
not to fail bringing the GRACES along with you.</p>
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