new concerning you, from those who have seen you last: not that I shall
much rely upon their accounts, because I distrust the judgment of Lord
and Lady-------, in those matters about which I am most inquisitive. They
have ruined their own son by what they called and thought loving him.
They have made him believe that the world was made for him, not he for
the world; and unless he stays abroad a great while, and falls into very
good company, he will expect, what he will never find, the attentions and
complaisance from others, which he has hitherto been used to from Papa
and Mamma. This, I fear, is too much the case of Mr.; who, I doubt, will
be run through the body, and be near dying, before he knows how to live.
However you may turn out, you can never make me any of these reproaches.
I indulged no silly, womanish fondness for you; instead of inflicting my
tenderness upon you, I have taken all possible methods to make you
deserve it; and thank God you do; at least, I know but one article, in
which you are different from what I could wish you; and you very well
know what that is I want: That I and all the world should like you, as
well as I love you. Adieu.




LETTER CLXV

LONDON, April 30, O. S. 1752.

MY DEAR FRIEND: 'Avoir du monde' is, in my opinion, a very just and happy
expression for having address, manners, and for knowing how to behave
properly in all companies; and it implies very truly that a man who hath
not those accomplishments is not of the world. Without them, the best
parts are inefficient, civility is absurd, and freedom offensive. A