witty man, over-run with the fault I am now speaking of.

'DEAR SIR,

I spent some time with you the other day, and must take the liberty of a
friend to tell you of the insufferable affectation you are guilty of in
all you say and do.

17. When I gave you a hint of it, you asked me whether a man is to be
cold to what his friends think of him? No, but praise is not to be the
entertainment of every moment: he that hopes for it must be able to
suspend the possession of it till proper periods of life, or death
itself. If you would not rather be commended than be praiseworthy,
contemn little merits; and allow no man to be so free with you, as to
praise you to your face.

18. Your vanity by this means will want its food. At the same time your
passion for esteem will be more fully gratified; men will praise you in
their actions: where you now receive one compliment you will then
receive twenty civilities. Till then you will never have of either,
further than,

SIR,

Your humble servant.'

SPECTATOR, Vol. 1. No. 38.

19. Nature does nothing in vain; the Creator of the Universe has
appointed every thing to a certain use and purpose, and determined it to