You cannot imagine how much this solid and useful knowledge of other countries will distinguish you in your own (where,to say the truth,it is very little known or cultivated),besides the great use it is of in all foreign negotiations;not to mention that it enables a man to shine in all companies.When kings and princes have any knowledge,it is of this sort,and more particularly;and therefore it is the usual topic of their levee conversations,in which it will qualify you to bear a considerable part;it brings you more acquainted with them;and they are pleased to have people talk to them on a subject in which they think to shine.
There is a sort of chit-chat,or SMALL TALK,which is the general run of conversation at courts,and in most mixed companies.It is a sort of middling conversation,neither silly nor edifying;but,however,very necessary for you to become master of.It turns upon the public events of Europe,and then is at its best;very often upon the number,the goodness or badness,the discipline,or the clothing of the troops of different princes;sometimes upon the families,the marriages,the relations of princes,and considerable people;and sometimes 'sur le bon chere',the magnificence of public entertainments,balls,masquerades,etc.I would wish you to be able to talk upon all these things better,and with more knowledge than other people;insomuch that upon those occasions,you should be applied to,and that people should say,I DARESAY MR.STANHOPE CAN TELL US.
Second-rate knowledge and middling talents carry a man further at courts,and in the busy part of the world,than superior knowledge and shining parts.Tacitus very justly accounts for a man's having always kept in favor and enjoyed the best employments under the tyrannical reigns of three or four of the very worst emperors,by saying that it was not 'propter aliquam eximiam artem,sed quia par negotiis neque supra erat'.
Discretion is the great article;all these things are to be learned,and only learned by keeping a great deal of the best company.Frequent those good houses where you have already a footing,and wriggle yourself somehow or other into every other.Haunt the courts particularly in order to get that ROUTINE.
This moment I receive yours of the 18th N.S.You will have had some time ago my final answers concerning the pictures;and,by my last,an account that the mohairs were gone to Madame Morel,at Calais,with the proper directions.
I am sorry that your two sons-in-law [??D.W.],the Princes B----,are such boobies;however,as they have the honor of being so nearly related to you,I will show them what civilities I can.
I confess you have not time for long absences from Paris,at present,because of your various masters,all which I would have you apply to closely while you are now in that capital;but when you return thither,after the visit you intend me the honor of,I do not propose your having any master at all,except Marcel,once or twice a week.And then the courts will,I hope,be no longer strange countries to you;for I would have you run down frequently to Versailles and St.Cloud,for three or four days at a time.You know the Abbe de la Ville,who will present you to others,so that you will soon be 'faufile'with the rest of the court.
Court is the soil in which you are to grow and flourish;you ought to be well acquainted with the nature of it;like all other soil,it is in some places deeper,in others lighter,but always capable of great improvement by cultivation and experience.
You say that you want some hints for a letter to Lady Chesterfield;more use and knowledge of the world will teach you occasionally to write and talk genteelly,'sup des riens',which I can tell you is a very useful part upon worldly knowledge;for in some companies,it would be imprudent to talk of anything else;and with very many people it is impossible to talk of anything else;they would not understand you.Adieu.
