It is very hard to be acquainted with great French people, but when you are, it is your own fault if you are not intimate with them.
"Most English people have a kind of diffidence and scruple at calling in the evening--this is perfectly misplaced: the French are never ashamed of themselves, like us, whose persons, families, and houses are never fit to be seen, unless they are dressed out for a party.
"Don't imagine that the ease of French manners is at all like what we call ease: you must not lounge on your chair--nor put your feet upon a stool--nor forget yourself for one single moment when you are talking with women.
"You have heard a great deal about the gallantries of the French ladies; but remember that they demand infinitely greater attention than English women do; and that after a month's incessant devotion, you may lose every thing by a moment's impolitesse.
"You will not, my dear son, misinterpret these hints.

I suppose, of course, that all your liaisons are platonic.
"Your father is laid up with the gout, and dreadfully ill-tempered and peevish; however, I keep out of the way as much as possible.

I dined yesterday at Lady Roseville's: she praised you very much, said your manners were particularly good, and that you had already quite the usage du monde.

Lord Vincent is, I understand, at Paris: though very tiresome with his learning and Latin, he is exceedingly clever and repandu; be sure to cultivate his acquaintance.
"If you are ever at a loss as to the individual character of a person you wish to gain, the general knowledge of human nature will teach you one infallible specific,--flattery! The quantity and quality may vary according to the exact niceties of art; but, in any quantity and in any quality, it is more or less acceptable, and therefore certain to please.
Only never (or at least very rarely) flatter when other people, besides the one to be flattered, are by; in that case you offend the rest, and you make even your intended dupe ashamed to be pleased.
"In general, weak minds think only of others, and yet seem only occupied with themselves; you, on the contrary, must appear wholly engrossed with those about you, and yet never have a single idea which does not terminate in yourself: a fool, my dear Henry, flatters himself--a wise man flatters the fool.
"God bless you, my dear child, take care of your health--don't forget Coulon; and believe me your most affectionate mother, "F.

P." By the time I had read this letter and dressed myself for the evening, Vincent's carriage was at the porte cocher.