art or science, you should not make it the subject of your discourse, or in common conversation express your sentiments in the terms of art belonging to it; as it would make you appear pedantic and ostentatious. I once was acquainted with a gentleman who was a great mathematician. Whenever I was in company with him, he always used the same expressions, which differed very little from geometrical problems. When he was asked if he chose cream in his tea, this was his constant answer: "Yes, Ma'am ; because the globular particles of the cream render the acute angles of the tea more obtuse." This reply might be tolerably well received for the first time; but from the repetition, and being often ill-timed, disgusted. A mere professional character is always disagreeable. If I were perpetually talking to you of the declension of nouns, or the idioms of the French language, would you not think me a very tiresome companion? How grave you would look, if I insisted before you eat a cake, of your informing me whether it was of an octagon or pentagon form. There are many times I would entirely divest myself of the instructor to partake of your recreations, and be considered in no other light than your friend. Lord Lord G. What did the gentleman mean by the globular particles of the cream rendering. the acute angles of the tea more obtuse? Ment. It is a generally received opinion, that all soft liquors, such as oil or cream, are composed of round or globular particles, which cause that smoothness in the taste; whilst, on the contrary, acids, such as vinegar or cyder, consist of acute or sharp particles, which make them irritate the palate: hence the supposed richness of the cream would render the roughness of the tea more obtuse; which. means blunt.. Lady M. I hope, my good Madam, you: are not going to take leave of us for this morning! Ment. It gives me infinite pleasure, my dear Lady Mary, to find you so attentive to my instructions; and as Lady Louisa and Lord George are equally so, I must bestow the same commendations on them. To excite in your minds a desire to attain all possible perfection. in knowledge and virtue, I shall subjoin an exhortation to this laudable purpose, which I sent some time ago to an amiable youth at Eton, entreating him to prosecute his studies with assiduity and attention. Go Go on, dear youth, deep Learning's path pursue, This will expand and animate thy hopes Let sympathetic feelings urge thee strong Lady L. But these lines, my dear Mentoria,. can only be a lesson to Lord George, as you wrote them to a young gentleman. Ment. They are (if I may be allowed the expression) epicene instructions, and in their tendency of general use to both sexes. I earnestly intreat you to regulate your conduct by the plan therein proposed. Think learning to be the best riches you can acquire, and the works of nature the best lesson you can study. Feel Feel for the distresses of others, and be ever inclined to redress their grievances. Be guided in all your actions by the dictates of conscience, and the precepts of your holy religion. Dedicate your whole life to the service of God; which will entitle you to receive the reward promised to his faithful servants, namely, eternal life and happiness. DIALOGUE DIALOGUE X. WEDNESDAY. ON THE RELATIVE DUTIES OF LIFE; WITH A GENERAL EXHORTATION TO VIRTUE. Lady Mary. My dear Mentoria, I hope your discourse this morning will be on an entertaining subject. Mentoria. I wish it to engage your attention, as from its great importance it will require your serious consideration. Some days ago, I pointed out to you your religious duties, or those you owe to your Creator. It now remains for me to enumerate the moral and relative duties, which all persons are bound to discharge to their fellow-creatures. Lady Louisa. Why are they called relative Duties? Ment. |