The accomplished beau in air and mein how blest,
His hat well fashioned, and his hair well drest,
Is yet undrest within: to give him brains
Exceeds his hatter’s or his barber’s pains.
This Fable is levelled at that numerous part of mankind, who, out of
their own ample fortunes take care to accomplish themselves in every
thing but common sense, and seem not even to bestow a thought upon
the important consequences of cultivating their understandings. The
smooth address and plausible behaviour of the varnished fop may indeed
pass current with the ignorant and superficial, but however much he
may value himself upon his birth or figure, he never fails exciting
the contempt or the pity of men of sagacity and penetration, and the
ridicule of those who are disposed to amuse themselves at the folly
and vanity of such as put on the mask of wisdom to cover their want of
brains.
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