importance enough to have their favour courted. But in most
eases it is necessary that the flattery should appear to be
the honest offspring of the feelings. _Such_ flattery _must_
succeed; for, it is founded upon a principle in our nature
which is as deep as life; namely, that we always love those
who we think love us.

It is sometimes flattery to accept praises.

Never flatter one person in the presence of another.

Never commend a lady's musical skill to another lady who
herself plays.

It has often, however, a good effect to praise one man to his
particular friend, if it be for something to which that
friend has himself no pretensions.

It is an error to imagine that men are less intoxicated with
flattery than women. The only difference is that esteem must
be expressed to women, but proved to men.

Flattery is of course efficacious to obtain positive
benefits. It is of, more constant use, however, for purposes
of defence. You conquer an attack of rudeness by courtesy:
you avert an attack of accusation by flattery. Every:one
remembers the anecdote of Dr. Johnson and Mr. Ewing.
"Prince," said Napoleon to Talleyrand, "they tell me that you
sometimes speculate improperly in the funds. "They do me
wrong then," said Talleyrand. "But how did you acquire so