第85章 LETTER LX(2)
Though,should you get there before him,he says that Comte du Perron,with whom you are a favorite,will take that care.You see,by this one instance,and in the course of your life you will see by a million of instances,of what use a good reputation is,and how swift and advantageous a harbinger it is,wherever one goes.Upon this point,too,Mr.Harte does you justice,and tells me that you are desirous of praise from the praiseworthy.This is a right and generous ambition;and without which,I fear,few people would deserve praise.
But here let me,as an old stager upon the theatre of the world,suggest one consideration to you;which is,to extend your desire of praise a little beyond the strictly praiseworthy;or else you may be apt to discover too much contempt for at least three parts in five of the world,who will never forgive it you.In the mass of mankind,I fear,there is too great a majority of fools and,knaves;who,singly from their number,must to a certain degree be respected,though they are by no means respectable.And a man who will show every knave or fool that he thinks him such,will engage in a most ruinous war,against numbers much superior to those that he and his allies can bring into the field.Abhor a knave,and pity a fool in your heart;but let neither of them,unnecessarily,see that you do so.Some complaisance and attention to fools is prudent,and not mean;as a silent abhorrence of individual knaves is often necessary and not criminal.
As you will now soon part with Lord Pulteney,with whom,during your stay together at Leipsig,I suppose you have formed a connection,I imagine that you will continue it by letters,which I would advise you to do.
They tell me that he is good-natured,and does not want parts;which are of themselves two good reasons for keeping it up;but there is also a third reason,which,in the course of the world,is not to be despised:
His father cannot live long,and will leave him an immense fortune;which,in all events will make him of some consequence;and,if he has parts into the bargain,of very great consequence;so that his friendship,may be extremely well worth your cultivating,especially as it will not cost you above one letter in one month.
I do not know whether this letter will find you at Leipsig:at least,it is the last that I shall direct there.My,next to either you or Mr.Harte will be directed to Berlin;but as I do not know to what house or street there,I suppose it will remain at the posthouse till you send for it.Upon your arrival at Berlin you will send me your particular direction;and also,pray be minute in your accounts of your reception there,by those whom I recommend you to,as well as by those to whom they present you.Remember,too,that you are going to a polite and literate court,where the Graces will best introduce you.
Adieu.God bless you,and may you continue to deserve my love,as much as you now enjoy it!
P.S.Lady Chesterfield bids me tell you,that she decides entirely in your favor against Mr.Grevenkop,and even against herself;for she does not think that she could,at this time,write either so good a character or so good German.Pray write her a German letter upon that subject,in which you may tell her,that,like the rest of the world,you approve of her judgment,because it is in your favor;and that you true Germans cannot allow Danes to be competent judges of your language,etc.