Tempers of Men to be studied.

TO STUDY the tempers and dispositions of men, will, therefore, be of infinite use in your commerce with the world---both to carry your own points, and secure you from the designs of others, In the first of which cases, be sure never to solicit a man against his ruling passion; for, to induce a miser to act liberally, a coward bravely, or a selfish man disinterestedly, exceeds all power of persuasion; and you may as well hope to reduce all faces to the same similitude, as to work them to such ends as contradict their own views of things. But, nevertheless, all may be made serviceable, if managed with dexterity and address; and the miser, in particular, to secure his purse from importunities, will give you as much of his time or industry as you please. He wishes to be on good terms with his fellow-creatures, and will purchase their friendship on any terms but that of parting with his money. However sordid, therefore, his principles or practice, it is not amiss to have such a character among the number of your acquaintance; and, especially in arbitrations, no. body more deserves your confidence:- he will there stickle for your interest, and wrangle obstinately for trifles that you would be ashamed to mention wheĥce it will arise, that he may chance to procure you better terms than you either ex

·

pected,

pected or could have attained by your own en

deavours.

Of their Faces.

But, to be able to turn all the different inclinations of men to your own advantage, you ought closely to study that expression which the hand of Nature has engraved on every FACE. Men may disguise their actions, but not their inclinations; and, though it is not easy to guess, by the muscles of the countenance, what a man will do, yet it is as difficult for him to conceal what he wishes to have done. Judge, therefore, of characters by what they are constitutionally, and what habitually; that is to say, in other words, what they would be thought, and what they really are: but, principally, the last; for, however diligently a man may keep a watch over his passions, they will sally out, sometimes, in spite of him; and those escapes are a never-failing clew to trace out the whole labyrinth of his life.

Take, therefore, your first impressions of men. from their faces; and, though it is extremely difficult to lay down rules to inform your judgment, or assist your conjectures in this business, you have nothing to do but to make the study familiar to you, and you will very rarely be mistaken. --You may, however, with advantage, read LA

VATER, a German author, on this subject. Observation and experience alone can properly unveil the mystery, and even hypocrisy will hardly be able to preserve itself from the rigour of your scrutiny. Not that I would advise you to be too peremptory in your decisions, neither; but compare men's faces with their actions, and their actions with their faces, till, from the light mutually thrown upon each other, you are able to ascertain the truth. Nor is this custom alone serviceable in judging of a man in the gross ; it will, likewise, help you to judge of every extempore, or sudden impulse, that for the time governs the heart. Thus, while you barter, purchase, solicit, or in any other way converse with a person, the involuntary emotions of the countenance will more infallibly point out his purposes and intentions than any thing he utters, and give you earlier notice to be upon your guard. But, in order to do this effectually, your own eye must narrowly watch every motion of his, especially when you are stating what will affect him most: you must, likewise, weigh every hasty syllable he let falls; for these are generally the imbecilities of human nature, as well as the involuntary symptoms in the face; and, what deliberate speeches and cool reasonings conceal, these discover at once, without warning, and beyond recal. But, however curiously you examine the eye or heart of another, it will be to little purpose, unless you'

have art enough to conceal your own; for, you may depend upon it, if you let the net be seen, you will lose your game.

Of Artificial Insensibility.

Now, the best and nearest way to attain this self-command, is, to cultivate an artificial insensibility of fear, anger, sorrow, and concern, of any sort whatever. He that acutely feels either pain or pleasure cannot help expressing it in some way or other; and, whoever makes the discovery, has the springs of the affections at his command, and may manage them at pleasure: 'whereas, he that exhibits no sensations of the mind, betrays no weakness, and is, consequently, wholly inaccessible by the keenest penetration. Labour, then, indefatigably, to subdue your resentments; for, as you are to bustle through the busy world, the more exquisite your sensations are; the more frequent and more severe will your pangs be.

The passions are, like the elements, excellent servants, but dreadful masters; and, whoever is under their dominion, will have little leisure to do any thing but obey their dictates.

Dissimulation of Injuries.

With respect to injuries, it is, above all things, necessary, sometimes, not only not to resent them,

them, but even to dissemble the very feeling them. Whoever complains, declares he would punish if he had the power; and, from that moment, your adversary both thinks his animosity justifiable, and will do you all the mischief he can by way of self-defence: whereas, if you affect to be ignorant of the ill turn he has done you, he concludes himself safe from your expostulations or reproaches, and will consider it as his interest to behave so as to avoid an explanation. Again; in contending with those who have more strength and power than yourself, though equity is on your side, it is ten to one but you are more hurt by striving for redress than by the very grievance itself. Remember, then, at all events, to avoid this double evil.

I have known many a man interpret the most innocent action, or expression, into an affront, and, in the foolish pursuit of what he called justice, has lost the best friend he had in the world: and, therefore, those forward tongues, or peevish temwhich rather chuse to vent their present spleen than make it give place to their future convenience, not only involve themselves in perpetual troubles, but also shut the door against those opportunities which, otherwise, might have presented themselves to their advantage.

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