This piece was written in 1748. It is about what it takes to be a gentleman.
In every language, pray attend carefully to the choice of your words, and to the turn of your expression. Indeed, it is a point of very great consequence. To be heard with success, you must be heard with pleasure: words are the dress of thoughts; which should no more be presented in rags, tatters, and dirt, than your person should. By the way, do you mind your person and your dress sufficiently? Do you take great care of your teeth? Pray have them put in order by the best operator at Rome. Are you belaced, bepowdered, and befeathered, as other young fellows are, and should be?
Wow “words are the dress of thought”, very thought provoking. I think we went through a period where aesthetics played a big part of everyday life. And class was something that needed to be held onto. I’d like to think that’s behind us but ones language invariably is tied to ones social class. It an abstract thought really, and one I thank you for! Great read man!