Do not begin speaking unless you are quite prepared, and have well studied your subject. In ordinary conversation do not seek periphrases, subtleties, or figures of speech. Do not let your words become confused by too abrupt or hesitating a delivery, and do not let your speech be so slow and broken as to become tedious.
74th When Another Speaks be attentive your Self and disturb not the Audience if any hesitate in his Words help him not nor Prompt him without desired, Interrupt him not, nor Answer him till his Speech be ended
Chapter vii. 13. Quand quelque autre parle, prenez garde de donner suiet à ses Auditeurs de s'en detourner; & pour vous, écoutez-le fauorablement & auec attention, sans destourner les yeux d'vn autre costé, ou vous arrester à quelqu'autre pensée. Si quelqu'vn a de la peine à tirer ses mots comme par force, ne vous amusez pas á luy en suggerer, pour faire paroistre quelque desir d'aider celuy qui parle, si'l ne vient à vous en prier, ou que le tout se passe dãs le particulier, & qu'encore cette persõne soit de vos plus intimes & familiers amis; & apres tout ne l'interrompez point, & ne luy repliquez en aucune maniere, iusques à ce que luy-mesme ait acheué.
[Sidenote: Hawkins: 'If any drawl forth his words, help him not']
[Sidenote: The later French book has: 'It is not Civil when a Person of Quality hesitates or stops in his discourse for you to strike in, though with pretence of helping his memory.']
When another person is speaking, beware of drawing off the attention of his hearers; and as for yourself, listen to him favourably and attentively, without turning your eyes aside or directing your thoughts elsewhere. If any one finds difficulty in expressing himself, do not amuse yourself by suggesting words to him, so as to show a desire to assist the speaker unless he so requests or you are quite in private, and the person is also one of your most intimate and familiar friends. Above all, do not interrupt him, and in nowise reply to him until he has finished.
75th. In the midst of Discourse ask [not what it is about], but if you Perceive any Stop because of [your arrival, rather request the speaker] to Proceed: If a Person of Quality comes in while your Conversing its handsome to Repeat what was said before
Chapter vii. 14. Quand vous arriuez sur la moitié de quelque discours, ne vous enquerez pas du suiet de l'entretien; car cela est trop hardy & ressent l'homme d'authorité. Suppliez plûtost honnestement & courtoisement que l'on le poursuiue, si vous voyez qu'il se soir interronpu à vostre arriuée, parquel que sorte de deference. Au contraire s'il suruient quelqu'vn, lors que vous parlerez, & particulierement si c'est vne personne qualifiée & de merite, il est de la bien-seance de faire vne petite recapitulation de ce qui a esté auancé, & de poursuiure la deduction de tout le reste de la matiere.
[Sidenote: Hawkins: 'It is seemely to make a little Epilogue and briefe collection of what thou deliveredst.]
If you arrive in the middle of any discussion, do not ask what it is about; for that is too bold and savours of one in authority. Rather ask, genteelly and courteously, that it may be continued, if you see that the speaker has paused on your arrival, out of civility. On the other hand, if any one comes whilst you are speaking, and particularly if it be a person of quality or of merit, it is in accordance with good manners to give a slight recapitulation of what has been advanced, and then carry out the deduction of all the rest of the matter.