A Little Pretty Pocket-book/Rules for Behaviour in Children/Chapter II/In Discourse
Behaviour in their Discourse.
1Among Superiours speak not until thou art spoken to, and bidden to speak.
2 Hold not thine Hand, nor any Thing else before thy Mouth when thou speakest.
3 Come not over near to the Person thou speakest to.
4 If thy Superiour speak to thee while thou sittest, stand up before thou givest any answer.
5 Sit not down until thy Superiour bid thee.
6 Speak neither very loud: Nor too low.
7 Speak clear, not stammering, stumbbling nor drawling.
8 Answer not one that is speaking to thee until he hath done.
9 Loll not when thou art speaking to a Superiour, or spoken to by him.
10 Speak not without Sir, or same other Title of Respect, which is due to him to whom thou speakest.
11 Strive not with Superiours in Argument or Discourse; but easily submit thine Opinion to their Assertions.
12 If thy Superiour speak any Thing, wherein thou knowest he is mistaken, correct not nor contradict him, nor grin at the hearing of it but pass over the Errour without Notice or Interruption.
13 Mention not frivolous or little Things among grave Persons or Superiours.
14 If thy Superiour drawl or hesitate in his Words, pretend not to help him out, or to prompt him.
15 Come not too near two that are whispering or speaking in secret, much less mayest thou ask about what they confer.
16 When thy Parent or Master speaks to any Person, speak not thou, nor hearken to them.
17 If thy Superiours be relating a Story, say not, I have heard it before, but attend to it as if it were to thee altogether new: Seem not to question the Truth of it: If he tell it not right, snigger not, nor endeavour to help him out, or add to his Relation.
18 If any immodest or obscene Thing be spoken in thy hearing, smile not, but settle thy Countenance as though thou didst not hear it.
19 Boast not in Discourse of thine own Wit or Doings.
20 Beware thou utter not any Thing hard to be believed.
21 Interrupt not any one that speaks though thou be his Familiar.
22 Coming into Company, whilst any Topick is discoursed on, ask not what was the preceding Talk, but hearken to the remainder.
23 Speaking of any distant Person, it is rude and unmannerly to point at him.
24 Laugh not in, or at thy own Story, Wit or Jest.
25 Use not any contemptuous or reproachful Language to any Person, though very mean or inferiour.
26 Be not over earnest in talking to justify thine own Sayings.
27 Let thy Words be modest about those Things which only concern thee.
28 Repeat not over again the Words of a Superiour that asketh thee a Question, or talketh with thee.
