This is to tell us, that Good Humour goes further many times in the
Reputation of the World, then Profound Learning; though Undoubtedly both
together are Best. There is a certain Knack in the Art of Conversation,
that gives a good Grace to many things, by the Manner and Address of
Handling ’em, which in the ordinary way of bringing Matters about, would
give great Offence to the Common Rules, even of Civility and Discretion.
The Skill on’t lies in the Nicety of Distinguishing, First, what Liberty
is necessary in such and such a Case. And Secondly, How to Temper and
Accommodate that Freedom to a Consistence with Good Manners: And this
must be done too without Formality and Affectation; for a Studied and
a Labour’d Forecast toward the Setting of such a Humour Abroach, is
Putrid and Nauseous to the Highest Degree; and better Fifty such Conceits
were lost, then that any thing of Contrivance or Premeditation should
appear in’t. There are a sort of People, that when they have once hit
upon a Thought that Tickles them, will be still bringing it in by Head
and Shoulders, over and over in several Companies, and upon several
Occasions; but ’tis below the Dignity of a Man of Weight, to Value
himself upon such a Levity; for it makes him look as if Trifling were his
Master-piece. Now these Turns of Fancy and Entertainment, should pass off
as they came on, Carelesly and Easily, without laying any stress upon
them; for they are then only Happy and Agreeable, when they are Play’d
off at Volly, and _pro Re Nata_, and only made use of, in fine, as a
Sauce to the Conversation. The Philosopher in this Instance, was not
without some Difficulty how to gain his Point: There were better Fish at
the Table, and the Question was how to come at them, without being either
Rude or Importune; and yet if he were not clear enough to be Understood,
he was in danger still to lose his Longing. So that he found out such a
way of Asking, as to Provoke a Question without speaking a Word to’t; and
he did it in such a Fashion of Respect too, that it might not look like
Begging on the one Hand, or Reproaching on the other. And he was much in
the Right once again too, when the Riddle was already set a Foot, rather
to wait till the Explanation should be Desir’d, then to prompt the Master
of the Feast to call for’t.