delivering your sentiments, when occaſions offer, yet that you be much readier to hear than to speak; far to this purpose it has been ſignificantly observed, that Nature has given man two ears, and but one tongue. Lay in therefore, by observation and modeſt ſilence, such a ſtore of ideas, that you may, at their time of life, make no worse figure than they do: and endeavour to benefit yourself rather by other people’s ills than your own. How muſt those young men expose themselves to the contempt and ridicule of their seniors, who having seen little or nothing of the world, are continually ſhutting out, by open mouths and closed ears, all poſſibility of inſtruction; and making vain the principal end of conversation, which is improvement? A ſilent young man makes, generally, a wise old one; and never fails of being respected by the beſt and moſt prudent men. When, therefore, you come among ſtrangers, hear every one speak before you deliver your own sentiments; by this means you will have opportunity to judge of the merit and capacities of your company, and avoid expoſing yourself, as I have known many do, by ſhooting out haſty and inconſiderate bolts, which they would have been glad to recal; when, perhaps, a ſilent genius in
