To acquire the _bon ton_, and excel in address, Are points upon which I must ever lay stress; So useful they are, of importance so great, You'll find 'em, through life, so essential a bait; That without them as soon may you hope to succeed, As a man teach the Classicks that never could read: My counsel is sterling, pray bear it in mind, A Statesman I was, and belov'd by mankind; In pleasure, or bus'ness, _les grace_, _les manieres_, Ensure one success, with the grave, or the fair. "Your manners to polish, and time to amuse, "I hope you have chosen a good [9]_décrotteuse_; "[l] While aukward and gauche, which at present I fear" You must not, the hem of my garment come near; "Great merit esteem will procure it is true, "But merit alone, be assur'd will not do. "[m] Your riding and dancing I hope will conduce "To fash'on your limbs, and to teach them their use;" I'd have you describ'd, by your air _degagée_, In order to which, _il vous faut dégourdis_,[10] Of women, you best, _les agrément_ will learn, But be sure, in your choice, that you rightly discern, 'Twixt the dissolute fair, that wou'd ruin your fame, And her, that real lustre will add to your name: My joy were compleat, could I hear the world say, Ah! _comme il est galant ce petit Anglois_! [l] Page 92. second volume. [m] Page 18. ditto. "[n] At Paris arriv'd, you must take 'special care, "To dress as the people of fash'on do there; "This does not in finery so much consist, "As the manner of wearing your cloaths, and the taste. "Employ the best taylor the place will afford, "Since much will depend on your _premier abord_, [11]_Comme un homme du grand monde il vous faut habillé_[B] [12]_Toûjours à la mode, et bien proprement mis_: "Pray find a good _frisieur_ to do your hair well, "Since that of your dress, is a part material: "[o] Apropos, of your legs,--garter well up your hose, "Lest careless they hang o'er the tops of your shoes; "For nought gives a man a more slovenly air, "Than aukward dress'd legs, and a rough head of hair "[p] Be powder'd, be feather'd, be lac'd I entreat," From the crown of your head, to the soles of your feet; They must not of fashion, an atom neglect, That hope, from the women, to challenge respect; "Whose suffrage to gain, I must beg you'll aspire, "Since only of them you can lustre acquire." [n] Page 73. third volume. [o] Page 220. second volume. [p] Page 332. second volume.