STUDY XIII. 153 



he proceeded to the opening of his thefis, when 

 fome one interrupts him with a flat contradidion» 

 His opponents are contradifted in their turn, by 

 other wits who think proper to enter the lifts; 

 then the converfation becomes general and noify, 

 Sarcafms, harfh names, perfidious infmuations, 

 grofs abufc, ufually conclude the fitting ; and each 

 of tlie guefts retires, perfedly well-pleafed with 

 himfelf, and with a hearty contempt for the reft. 



You find the fame fcenes afted in our coffee- 

 houfes, and on our public walks. Men go thither 

 exprefsly to hunt for admiration, and to play the 

 critic. It is not the fpirit of Society which allures 

 us toward each other, but the fpirit of divifion. 

 In what is called good company matters are ftill 

 vvorfe managed. If you mean to be vvell received, 

 you muft pay for your dinner at the expenfe of the 

 family with whom you fupped the night before. 

 Nay, you may think yourfelf very well off, if it 

 cofts you only a few fcandalous anecdotes ; and if, 

 in order to be well with the hulband, you are not 

 obliged to bubble him, by making love to his 

 wife 1 



Tlie original fource of thefe divifions is to 

 be traced up to our mode of education. We 

 are taught, from carlieft infancy, to prefer our- 

 felves to another, by continued fuggeftions to be 



the 



