Children, these are the most essential of those rules of behavior, the observance of which will deliver you from the disgraceful titles of sordid and clownish, and entail upon you the honor of being called well-bred children; for there is scarcely a sadder sight, than a clownish and unmannerly child. Avoid, therefore, with the greatest diligence, so vile an ignominy. Be humble, submissive, and obedient to those who have a just claim to your subjection, by nature and providence: such are parents, masters, or tutors, whose commands and laws have no other tendency than your truest good. Be always obsequious and respectful, never bold, insolent, or saucy, either in words or gestures. Let your body be on every occasion, pliable, and ready to manifest, in due and becoming ceremonies, the inward reverence you bear towards those above you. By these means, by timely and early accustoming yourselves to a sweet and spontaneous obedience in your youthful stations and relations, your minds being habituated to that which is so indispensably your duty, the task of obedience in farther relations will be performed with greater ease and pleasure; and when you arrive at manhood, there will remain in your well-managed minds no presumptuous folly, that may tempt you to be other than faithful and good citizens. TO SUPERIORS. Among superiors, speak not till you are spoken to, or are asked to speak. Hold not your hand, nor anything else before your mouth when you speak. Come not very near the one you speak to. If your superior speak to you while you sit, stand up before you give an answer. Speak not very loud, nor too low. Answer not one who is speaking to you, till he is done. Strive not with your superiors, in argument or discourse; but easily submit your opinion to their assertions. If your superior speak anything wherein you know he is mistaken, correct not, nor contradict him, nor laugh at the hearing of it; but pass over the error, without notice or interruption. Speak not, without Sir, or some other title of respect, which is due to him to whom you speak. Mention not frivolous or little things among grave persons or superiors. If your superior hesitate in his words, pretend not to help him out. Come not very near to two that are whispering, neither ask what they converse upon. When your parent or master speaks to any person, speak not, nor hearken to them. If immodest words be used in your hearing, smile not, but settle your countenance, as if you did not hear it. Boast not in discourse of your own wit or doings. If your superior be relating a story, say not, “I have heard it before,” but attend to it as if it were altogether new to you. Seem not to question the truth of it. If he tell it not right, suggest not, nor endeavor to help him out, or add to his relation. Beware how you utter anything hard to be believed. Interrupt no one in speaking, though he be your intimate.