to avoid thoſe unmeaning compliments, which ſlip from the tongue, but have not the leaſt connection with the affections that ſhould warm the heart, and animate the conduct. By this falſe politeneſs, ſincerity is ſacrificed, and truth violated; and thus artificial manners are neceſſarily taught. For true politeneſs is a poliſh, not a varniſh; and ſhould rather be acquired by obſervation than admonition. And we may remark, by way of illuſtration, that men do not attempt to poliſh precious ſtones, till age and air have given them that degree of ſolidity, which will enable them to bear the neceſſary friction, without deſtroying the main ſubſtance.
The way to render inſtruction moſt uſeful cannot always be adopted; knowledge ſhould by gradually imparted, and flow more from example than teaching: example directly addreſſes the ſenſes, the firſt inlets to the heart; and the improvement of thoſe inſtruments of the underſtanding is the object education ſhould have conſtantly
