There’s a Great Difference betwixt an Orator in the Schools, and a Man of
Bus’ness upon a Stage of Action. Many a Man that Passes for a Philosopher
in Private, behaves himself most Ridiculously in Publick; as what’s more
Uncouth (with Respect be it spoken) then a Pedant out of his Element?
There are Flattering Chambers, as well as Flattering Glasses, and the One
Helps out a Bad Voice, as the Other Countenances an ill-Favour’d Face;
That is to say, the One Drowns the Harshness of the Pipe, as the Other
Covers, or Disguises the Coursness of the Complexion. But Men must not
think to Walk upon These Stilts, if they come to set up in Publick once;
The One, for an _Italian Capon_, the Other, for an _English Beauty_:
Wherefore it will become All People to Weigh and Measure Themselves,
before they Venture upon any Undertaking that may bring their Lives,
Honour, or Fortune in Question. Some _Songsters_ can no more Sing in any
Chamber but their Own; then some _Clarks_ can Read in any Book but their
Own; Put them out of their Road once, and they are Meer _Cat-Pipes_ and
_Dunces_.