_The late Lord_ CHESTERFIELD _having been universally allowed to be one
of the best bred men of the age, and most intimately acquainted with the
principles and manners of mankind, the Editor of the following pages
humbly apprehends he could not do the rising generation a greater
service, than by collecting those valuable precepts which are contained
in his celebrated letters to his son, digesting them under distinct
heads, and thereby forming a system of the most useful instruction._
_To that end, he has diligently selected every observation and remark
that can possibly improve or inform the mind, within the rules of
morality: and where there seemed a deficiency in any part of the system,
from the occasional chasms in Lord Chesterfield’s correspondence, he has
endeavoured to supply it. Much might have been said on the subject of
indelicacy, but as instructions on that head, to persons possessed of a
liberal education, must have been unnecessary, they are here purposely
omitted. Some may be apt to think, that many things in this work are too
frivolous to be mentioned; but when it is remembered they are calculated
for the multitude, it is presumed they will be received as respectable
admonitions. In short, it has been the Editor’s study to make Lord
Chesterfield useful to every class of youth; to lay that instruction
before them, which they with difficulty must have found amidst a heap of
other matter; in a word, to give the very essence of his letters, and at
a tenth part of the_ price _those letters sell for_.
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PRINCIPLES
OF
POLITENESS, &c.
ADDRESSED TO
EVERY YOUNG GENTLEMAN.
As all young men, on their first outset in life, are in want of some
experienced and friendly hand to bring them forward, and teach them a
knowledge of the world; I think I cannot do the rising generation a
greater service, than by directing the young man’s steps, and teaching
him how to make his way among the crowd. I will suppose him already
instructed in the principles of religion, and necessity of moral
virtues; (for without these he must be most unhappy) of course shall, in
a series of chapters, point out, under distinct heads, the
qualifications necessary to make him well received in the world; without
which, he cannot expect to bear his part in life, agreeably to his own
wishes, or the duty he owes to society; and as modesty is the basis of a
proper reception, I shall begin with that.