Letters Written by the Earl of Chesterfield to His Son (Volume 3) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1827. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... LETTER CCLI. MY DEAR FRIEND, Versatility as a Courtier, may be almost decisive to you hereafter; that is, it may conduce to, or retard your preferment in your own destination. The first reputation goes a great way; and if you fix a good one at Hanover, it will operate also to your advantage in England. The trade of a Courtier is as much a trade, as that of a shoemaker; and he who applies himself the most will work the best: the only difficulty is to distinguish (what I am sure you have sense enough to distinguish) between the right and proper qualification's and their kindred faults; for there is but a line between every perfection and its neighbouring imperfection. As for example, you must be extremely well bred and polite, but without the troublesome forms and stiffness of ceremony. You must be respectful and assenting, but without being servile and abject. You must be frank, but without indiscretion, and close, without being costive. You must keep up dignity of character, without the least pride of birth, or rank. You must be gay, within all the bounds of decency and respect; and grave without the affectation of wisdom, which does not become the age of twenty. You must be essentially secret, without being dark and mysterious. You must be firm, and even bold, but with great seeming modesty. With these qualifications, which by the way are all in your own power, I will answer for your success, not only at Hanover, but at any Court in Europe. And I am not sorry that you begin your apprenticeship at a little one; because you must be more circumspect, and more upon your guard there, than at a great one, where every little thing is not known, nor reported. When you write to me, or to any body else, from thence, take care that your letters contain commenda...