And yet, generally speaking, a Trowel is a more effectual Instrument than a Pencil for Flattery.
Men generally do so love the Taste of Flattery, their Stomach can never be overcharged with it.
There is a Right Reverend Flattery that hath the Precedence of all other Kinds of it.
This Mitred Flattery is of all others the most exalted. It ever groweth in proportion, and keepeth pace with Power. There is a noble Stroke of it in the Articles sent to Princess Mary from Henry VIII. “Such is his Majesty’s Gracious and Divine Nature—shewing Mercy to such as repentantly cry and call for the same.”
Forgetfulness.
Forgetting is oftner an Aggravation than an Excuse.
The Memory will seldom be unmannerly but where it is unkind.
Good-manners.
There needeth little Care to polish the Understanding; if true Means were used to strengthen it, it will polish itself.
Good-manners is such a Part of Good-sense, that they cannot be divided; but that which a Fool calleth Good-breeding is the most unmannerly thing in the World.