290 NOTES. 



themfelves. I find thofe general rcafons fo happily detailed, in 

 the excellent Chapter of Montaigne's Eflays, On the Art of Con- 

 verjation^ that I cannot reprefs my inclination to infert a fhort 

 extract from it, in hope that the Reader may be induced to pe- 

 rufe the whole. 



" As the mind acquires new vigour from communication 

 *' with vigorous and well regulated minds, it is impoffible to ex- 

 *' prefs how much it lofes and degenerates by the continual 

 *' commerce and intimacy of grovelling and puny characters. 

 " There is no contagion that fpreads fo rapidly as this. I have 

 " paid very dear for my experience on this fubjeft. I am fond 

 " of arguing, and of difcuflion ; but with few men, and in my 

 " own way : for to ferve as a fhow to the Great, and to make 

 ** an emulous parade of wit and prattle, I confider as a moft dc- 

 *' grading employment for a man of honour." 



So much for the aftive converfation of a gentleman, among 

 men of the World, and now, a few pages farther down, for the 

 paffive converfation. 



*' The gravity, the robe, and the fortune of the perfon who 

 ** fpeaks, frequently give currency to infipid and trifling tittle- 

 *• tattle. It is prefumable that a Gentleman fo followed, fo aw- 

 *' fal, muil poflefs within himfelf a fund very fuperior to one of 

 *' the herd ; and that a perfon entrufled with fo many employ- 

 " ments and commiflions of importance, fo difdainful and fo 

 " felf-fufficient, muft poflefs much greater ability than that 

 *' other who falutes him at fuch a refpeétful diflance, and whom 

 " no one employs. Not only the words, but the very grimaces 

 *' of thofe confequential perfonages, attraci confideration, and 

 " turn to account, every one vying with another to put fome 

 *' flattering and fignificant glofs upon them. If they let them- 

 " felves down fo far as to converfe with ordinary men, and meet 

 " with any thing from them except approbation and reverence, 

 " you are fare to be levelled to the dull by the authoi ity of their 

 " expérience. They have heard, they have I'een, they have 

 " done : you are quite overwhelmed by an accumulation of ia- 

 " ftances." 



What, 



