By far the most important thing to be attended to, is ease of
manner. Grace may be added afterwards, or be omitted
altogether: it is of much less moment than is commonly
believed. Perfect propriety and entire ease are sufficient
qualifications for standing in society, and abundant
prerequisites for distinction.

There is the most delicate shade of difference between
civility and intrusiveness, familiarity and common-place,
pleasantry and sharpness, the natural and the rude, gaiety
and carelessness; hence the inconveniences of society, and
the errors of its members. To define well in conduct these
distinctions, is the great art of a man of the world. It is
easy to know what to do; the difficulty is to know what to
avoid.

Long usage--a sort of moral magnetism, a tact acquired by
frequent and long associating with others--alone give those
qualities which keep one always from error, and entitle him
to the name of a thorough gentleman.

A young man upon first entering into society should select
those persons who are most celebrated for the propriety and
elegance of their manners. He should frequent their company
and imitate their conduct. There is a disposition inherent,
in all, which has been noticed by Horace and by Dr. Johnson,
to imitate faults, because they are more readily observed and
more easily followed. There are, also, many foibles of manner
and many refinements of affectation, which sit agreeably upon