New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-04-10
Chesterfield Revived, Improved and
Adapted.

NuC0lCTUClU ACS1VCUs AnpEOSCu Aut
Adapted.
The following communication, though
not strictly original in conception, yet con
tains some valuable hints, and is in some
respects worthy of that model of socia
selfshness, Lord Chesterfield himself
RULES OF IMPROVEMENT BY CONVERSATION
l. If we would improve our minds by
conversation, it is q great happiness to be
acquainted with persons wiser than our
selves. 1t is piece of useful advice, there
fore, to get the favor of their conversation
frequently. as far as circumstances will
allow; ana if they happen to be a little
reserved, use all ObligiDg methods to draw
out of them what may increase your own
knowledge.
:. Whatsoever company you are in, waste
not the time in tritiDg and jmpertinence.
1t YOU spend some hours among children.
talk with them according to their capacity;
mark the Young buildings of infant reason
observe the different motions and distinct
workings Of the animal and the mind 80
far as you discern them; take notice by
what degrees the little creature grows up
to the use of his reasoning powers, and
what early prejudices beset and endanger
his understanding. BY this means you will
learn how you may derive some useful
philosophemes or theOrems for your own
entertainment.
3. If you happen to be in company with
a merchant or a sailor, a farmer or me-
chanic, milkman or a spinster, lead them
into q discourse of the matters of their own
peculiar province or profession, for every
one knows or should know his own busi-
ness best. In this sense common mechanic
is wiser than philosopher. BY this means
you may gain some improvement in kDowl-
edge from every one you meet.
4. Cuntine not yourself to one sort of
company or to persons of the same party or
opinions, either in matters of learning, re-
igion or the civil life. lest if you should
happen to be nursed uD or educated in
early mistake you should be confirmed and
established in the same mistake by con-
versing only with persons Of the same senti-
ments. A free and general conversation
with men of very various countries and of
different parties, opinions and practices, SO
far as it may be done safely, is Of excellent
use to undeceive in many wrong judg
ments which we may have framed,
and to lead us into juster thoughts. 1t is
said when the King Of Siam first conversed
with some European merchants, who sought
the favor of trading on his coast, he in
quired of them some Of the common appear
ances of summer and winter in their cOun-
try; and when they told him of water grow
ing SO hard on their rivers that men, horses
and laden carriages passed over it, and that
rain sometimes fell down as white and light
as feathers, and sometimes almost as hard
as stones, he would not believe syllable
they said; for ice, snow and hail were names
and things utterly unknown to him, and to
his subjects, in that hot climate. He re-
nOunced all trnfic with such shameful liars,
and would not suffer them to trade with his
people. See here the natural effects of
gross ignorance.
Converse ton with foreigners on various
occasions has happy influence to enlarge
our minds, and to set them free from many
errors and gross prejudices we are ready to
imbibe concerning them. Domicillus has
never travelled five miles from his mothers
and he imagines all outlandsh
men are Papists and worship nothing but
. cross. Titimus, the shepherd, was bred
up ali his life in the country and never saw
Rome. He fancied it to be only huge
village, and was, therefore, infinitely sur
prised to find such palaces, such streets, such
ylittering treasures and such magnifcence
ss his first journey to the city showed him,
ind with wonder cOnfesses his folly and
Conversation would have given |
Citimus better notion of Rome, though he |
lad never happened to travel thither.