"Give the world assurance of a man!"
And the same shield is presented by those whose profession precludes their adopting the means of self-defence permitted to the world at large. Nothing can be more vulgar—setting aside the immorality of the thing—than to speak disrespectfully of religion, or of its advocates and professors, in society—what then shall be said of those who assail the ears of the acknowledged champions of Christianity with infidel sentiments, contemptuous insinuations, or profane expletives? Depend upon it, a man of the world, whatever his honest doubts, or unorthodox convictions, will be as little likely to present himself as a mark in regard to these matters for the suspicious distrust, or the palpable misapprehension of society, as to subject himself to the charges of extreme juvenility and low breeding by assailing a clergyman with ridicule, or a woman with libertinism, however exquisite may be his wit in the one case, or apparently refined his insinuations, in the other.
While recommending to your attention the selection of suitable and tasteful subjects of general conversation, I should not omit to remind you that nothing but acknowledged intimacy sanctions the manifestation of curiosity respecting the affairs of others. As a rule, direct questions are inadmissible in good society. Listen with politeness to what may be voluntarily communicated to you by your associates, regarding themselves, but on no account, indulge an impertinent curiosity in such matters; and when courtesy sanctions the manifestation of interest, express your desire for information in polite language, and with a half-apologetic manner, that will permit reserve, without embarrassment to either party. Let me add, that an uncalled-for exhibition of your familiarity with the private affairs of a friend, when his own presence and manner should furnish your proper clue to his wishes, is to prove yourself unworthy of his confidence. As well might one boast of his acquaintance with the great, or assume an unceremonious manner towards them, on unsuitable occasions. In either case, one is liable to the repulse sustained by an unfortunate candidate for fashionable distinction, who, approaching a member of English haut ton in the streets of London, said, "I believe I had the honor of knowing you in the country, sir."—"When we again meet in the country," was the reply, "I shall be pleased to renew the acquaintance!"
Quickness of repartee may be reckoned among the graces of the colloquial art, and those who are gifted with activity of intellect, and have acquired facility in the use of expressive language, should possess the power thus to embellish their social intercourse. Every one is now and then inspired in this way, I believe; but few persons, comparatively, even among the most practised conversationists, excel in this respect. How few, for instance, would have responded as readily, in an emergency, as did the half-drunk servant of Swift:
"Is my fellow here?" inquired the Dean, pushing open the door of a low tavern much frequented by his often-missing valet.
A nondescript figure came staggering forward, and stuttered out—"Your L-Lordship's f-a-l-l-o-w can't b-be f-found in all I-Ire-Ireland!"
I have lately met, somewhere in my reading, with the following anecdote of the elder Adams, as he is frequently called. I remember, at this moment no better illustration of ready repartee:
"How are you this morning, sir?" asked a friend who called to pay his respects to this patriotic son of New England, during the latter days of his life.
"Not well," replied the invalid; "I am not well. I inhabit a weak, frail, decayed tenement, open to the winds, and broken in upon by the storms, and what is worse, from all I can learn, the landlord does not intend to make repairs!"
A ready and graceful reply to a compliment, may, also, be regarded as a conversational embellishment. It is not polite to retort to the language of courtesy with a charge of insincerity, or of flattery. Playfulness frequently affords the best resource, or the retort courteous, as in Lord Nelson's celebrated reply to Lady Hamilton's questions of "Why do you differ so much from other men? Why are you so superior to the rest of your sex?" "If there were more Emmas, there would be more Nelsons." One may say, "I fear I owe your commendation to the partiality of friendship;" or, "I trust you may never be undeceived in regard to my poor accomplishments;" or, "Really, madam, your penetration enables you to make discoveries for me." Then again, to one of the lenient sex, one may reply—"Mrs. Blank sees all her friends through the most becoming of glasses—her own eyes." And to an older gentleman, who honors you with the fiat of a compliment, thus proving that it may sometimes be false that