"[d] On carving, a hint I shall venture to give, "Attention it claims, ev'ry day that you live: "Do you carve with _adroitness_, the truth prithee own, "Without hacking, at least half an hour cross a bone: "Or spatt'ring the sauce in your company's faces, "And into their pockets o'erturning the glasses;" While labouring you seem, and at no common rate, With your sleeve, all the time, in your next neighbour's plate? Such aukward behaviour admits no excuse, 'Tis avoided with ease, by attention and use; I therefore shall hope, that e'er this you are able, To acquit yourself well at the head of a table: The reverse shou'd it prove (which good heav'n avert) Believe me, the shock, I but ill could support; To find you _distrait_, aukward, clumsy, ill-bred, And only in books, not in manners well read; I frankly confess, I shall wish from my soul, We two may be distant, as South from North pole. [d] Page 68. ditto. With regard to your gallantry, much has been said, 'Tho silence profound, you observe on that head, "[e] Your converse with women, respectful must be, "But likewise observe _au meme temps enjoué_: "[f] On score of their beauty, good sense, or their graces, "The sex you may flatter, all times, in all cases; "They love admiration, and think it can ne'er, "On any conditions be purchas'd too dear: "These hints from the sex, must with care be conceal'd, "No mercy expect if they once are reveal'd;" Revenge is their passion, and well I discern, "[g] Like Orpheus, in pieces, by them you'd be torn:" "[h] One maxim pray treasure as long as you live, "No mark of contempt either sex will forgive; "The vanity flatter'd of women, or men, "Ensures you success with just nine out of ten:" [e] Page 332. second volume. [f] Page 57. ditto. [g] Page 57. second volume. [h] Page 178. third volume. Resolve me a question I wish much to know, "[i] Your passion, how stands it, for _Madame de Blot_? "Does she list to your tale, are there hopes of success? "To me, you the secret, may safely confess: "On giving the _mohair_, occasion will serve, "_Pour faire le galant_, which you'll doubtless observe;" Te Deum I'll sing when the vict'ry is sure,-- 'Tho much I suspect you'll not prove her _meilcour_; "She, constant has been to her husband, they say, "And married, poor soul! 'bove a year and a day;" Small chance do you stand with a woman so chaste,-- Exclude her, at once, from the region of taste A beauty obdurate, to lovers a score! At Paris, the thing was ne'er heard of before; By you, if the willow, for her must be worn, No French woman she, in her heart, I'll be sworn. [i] Page 351. second volume.