easy and unreserved as they can desire.

The cautions to be given for avoiding these dangers, and to render
conversation innocent and agreeable, fall under the following
particulars: silence; talking of indifferent things; and, which
makes up too great a part of conversation, giving of characters,
speaking well or evil of others.

The Wise Man observes that "there is a time to speak, and a time to
keep silence." One meets with people in the world who seem never to
have made the last of these observations. And yet these great
talkers do not at all speak from their having anything to say, as
every sentence shows, but only from their inclination to be talking.
Their conversation is merely an exercise of the tongue: no other
human faculty has any share in it. It is strange these persons can
help reflecting, that unless they have in truth a superior capacity,
and are in an extraordinary manner furnished for conversation if
they are entertaining, it is at their own expense. Is it possible
that it should never come into people's thoughts to suspect whether
or no it be to their advantage to show so very much of themselves?
"O that you would altogether hold your peace, and it should be your
wisdom." {9} Remember likewise there are persons who love fewer
words, an inoffensive sort of people, and who deserve some regard,
though of too still and composed tempers for you. Of this number
was the Son of Sirach: for he plainly speaks from experience when
he says, "As hills of sand are to the steps of the aged, so is one
of many words to a quiet man." But one would think it should be
obvious to every one, that when they are in company with their
superiors of any kind--in years, knowledge, and experience--when
proper and useful subjects are discoursed of, which they cannot bear