22 6 The Duchess of Newcastle 



and much nonsense, and it is impossible, at least 

 improbable, for any particular person to please all 

 the several companies they come into, or are visited 

 by, if the resort be many ; by reason every one hath 

 as different humours as faces, wherein some will be 

 displeased, if others should be pleased; and most 

 commonly they are so far from pleasing all, as none 

 is pleased. For if any particular person should praise 

 every one, it would be thought flattery; if he should 

 praise none, it would be conceived to be envy; if he 

 should praise but some, it would be judged to be 

 partiality. The like for discourse ; if one should address 

 his discourse to any one, or to some more than to 

 others, it would be taken as a disrespect ; if generally 

 to the whole company, it would be accounted pride, 

 as taking one's self to be the onely singular person that 

 must have a general audience; neither can any one 

 person fit his discourse to every one's humour, fancy, 

 capacity, understanding, knowledge, or dehght. Nay, 

 most commonly, whatsoever is spoken, is interpreted 

 to the worst sense, at least, contradicted ; and when 

 they are parted, their words or discourses is repeated 

 to their disadvantage, and commented on, and 

 interpreted to an evil sense ; and if they say nothing, 

 or but little, they are accounted ill-natured, or 

 thought fools. And yet they love not to hear any one 

 speak but themselves, every one desires to be heard, 

 yet takes it ill not to be spoken to ; also if particular 

 persons make an entertainment, if they invite not 

 those they have no acquaintance with, as well as 

 those of their acquaintance, if they are within the 

 distance of coming to the entertainment, they take 

 it for an affront, but if they should leave out any 

 acquaintance, it is a breach for ever, and they become 

 their enemies : also, if particular persons be accoutered 



