doore or other straight passage giving way that hee may passe 7 Walking in Company of the like thou shalt give them the more worthy hand according to the custome of the countrey in which speaking in generall it seemeth to be the most common use that the more noble place is on the right hand the right I say in such sort that hee who doth honour to any other placing himselfe on his left hand giveth him the right But if three walke together the cheifest place in rank is for the most part that of the middest then that which is on the right hand and the last that of the left Yet in France for so much as the place neer the wall is ordinarily more high more sure for easie walking and cleaner commonly one giveth it to the more worthy namely where there are but two 8 Being with thy equals bee not the first to take the best place but if one present it unto thee bee not wilfull in refusing it thou mayest well expresse some act of civill courtesie shewing that thou exceptest it rather to obey them or for that thou wouldest not enter into importunate striving than for any merit of thine at least let it appeare that thou rendrest thanks 9 If any one farre surpassing others either in age or in desert would give place to a meaner than himselfe in his owne lodging or elsewhere even as hee ought not to accept of it so hee on the other part should not use much earnestnesse nor offer it unto him more than once or twice to the end he be not suspected of incivilitie 10 But to him who is ones peere or almost the same one ought to give the cheivest place in ones own lodging he ought gently to refuse it then at the second offer to accept it with thanksgiving and recognizance 11 In walking to and fro an house thou oughtest to observe the same but it is enough that one put ones selfe on the left hand at the first and afterwards continue where one is Which may likewise bee observed being with ones superiours yet use the most common custome of the Country 12 They who are in dignitie or in office have precedence in all places but whilst they are young they ought to respect them who are their equals in birth or other qualities although they have not any publique charge if they be much more aged principally if they have the degree of Doctership nay when they give to them the chiefest place they ought notwithstanding at the first to refuse it afterwards to take it civilly with thanksgiving 13 It is good manners to preferre them to whom one speaketh before ones selfe especially if they be farre aboue us with whom in no sort ought one to contend 14 Meeting by the way the Bishop of the Citie the soveraigne Lord or other person of like qualitie it is the duty of each one to do them the reverence which appertaineth to them staying ones selfe untill they are passed by 15 For that which concerneth ceremonies or complements we ought to have respect of time place age and condition of persons and with them who are much imployed wee must bee briefe nay rather wee should make them understand by signe that which we would say unto them 16 Even as Artificers and other persons of low conditions ought not to trouble themselves to use many ceremonies to them who are great Lords but respect them and humbly honour them so likewise on the other part they ought to treat with them in all sort of affabilitie and courtesie keeping themselves from each action or sine of arrogancy 17 Speaking to men of qualitie leane not and looke not them wistly in the face Approach not too neere them and at the least keepe thy selfe a pace from them or thereabout 18 Visiting any sick body doe not play suddenly the Doctor of Physicks part if thou therin understand nothing 19 Writing Letters or speaking to any person of honour and qualitie thou shalt give to each one the title which belongeth unto him answerable to his degree and the custome of the Country and it will not bee to ill purpose to read over again that which thou hast written to the end thou mayest correct the faults if any therein bee found 20 ⋆ Strive not with thy superiours in argument or discourse but alwayes submit thy opinion to their riper judgment with modesty since the possibility of Erring doth rather accompany greene than gray haires 20 ⋆ Doe not undertake to teach thy equall in the Art himself professeth for that will savour of Arrogancy and serve for little other than to brand thy judgment with Rashnesse 21 ⋆ Let thy Seremonyes in Courtesy be proper to the dignity and place of him with whom thou conversest For it is absurd to honour a Clown with words covrtly and of magnificence 22 ⋆ Do not thou expresse joy before one sick or in paine for that contrary passion will easily aggravate his misery But do thou rather Sympathize his infirmityes for that will afford a gratefull easement by a seeming participation 23 ⋆ Shew thy self humbly tractable to thy Superiours especially to Magistrates and men in Authority let thy demeanour towards thy equals be such as may argue thee free from arrogancy And be thou assured that gentle affability towards thy inferiours will fix to thy name the Epithite of courteous CHAP. III. Of the fashion of qualifing or titling of Persons to whom one speaketh to advise them to breake a jest 1 TOuching the Titles and Attributes which comomonly one giveth to great persons it is needfull to observe the use of times and of the Country and to take counsell of them who are versed and experienced in such things Also one ought to take heed in speaking to such an one that one change not his Title giving unto him sometimes one sometimes another if one be not mistaken at the first 2 To persons of lesser ranck one saith you without thou-ing any body bee it not some little childe and that thou wert much more aged and that the custome it selfe amongst the more courteous and better bread were to speake in such manner Yet Fathers to their Children untell a certaine age as in France untill they bee set at libertie Masters to their little Schollers and others of a like command seeme according to the more common use to have power to say Thou Thee even plainly for what concerneth familiar friends amongst them the custome doth comport in certaine places that they Thou one another more freely in other places one is more reserved 3 When a man doth the uttermost hee can and ought although it succeedeth not to thy wishes take heed to blame him for in it hee rather deserveth praise 4 Having whereof to advise or reprehend any one take good heed whether it ought to be done in publique or in private or indeed whether it bee fit to remit it to another time consider in what termes thou shouldst doe
it especially when hee who should bee counselled seemeth not to give hope of remedy to his passed or future faults above all in reproving any one shew no signe of choler nor speake to him with too high an accent but doe it with all sweetnesse 5 Being admonished of any whosoever and in what time and place soever shew to take it in good part thanking him who hath done thee such an office but if afterwards being not culpable it seeme to thee necessary to justifie thy selfe thou mayst doe it in time and place and with decency rather to content him who adviseth thee than to excuse thy selfe especially if hee bee thy superiour 6 Reproach not anyes imperfections although they bee naturall Take not pleasure to make any body blush either by thy deed or word 7 Neither mock nor scoffe in a thing of importance nor be reproachfull nor also breake a jest in biting like a dogge but if thou deliverest any conceit which is ready and not too much permeditated and without offence to any body thou mayest do well Wittie conceits and passages of the tongue ought not to be in base and mis-beseeming things such as are those of jesters and when so it falleth out that thou deliver some happy lively an jolly conceit abstaine thou and let others laugh 8 ⋆ Be sure thy conversation be in that poynt vertuous wherein thou art desirous to retaine another least thy Actions render thy advice unprofitable Since the ratification of any advice is the serious prosecution of that virtue For example hath ever been more prevalent than precept 9 * In writing or speaking to any deprive then not of their acquired Titles least thou seeme Censorious of their deserts 10 * Thou oughtest not too sudenly to be seen a flying Rumour of a freind or any other But let charity guid thy judgment untill more certanty for by this meanes thou securest his Reputation And free 's thy self of rashnesse 11 * Use no reproachfull language against any man nor Curse or Revile For improperations and imprecations will rather betray thy affections to censour than in any manner hurt him against whom thou utters them CHAP. IV. Of Cloaths and Arraying the Body 1 BE not too solicitous in setting thy bands thy haire or thy beard Carry not about thee any sweet smell Weare not thy hat too high on thy head nor too cloase on thine eyes nor in the fashion of swaggerers and jesters 2 Untrusse not thy selfe nor make thy selfe ready for the cloase stoole in the presence of others afterwards if thou be to touch any meat first wash thine hands but if it may bee not in the sight of any whosoever 3 It is a poynt of cleanlinesse and of wholesomnes to wash ones hands and face as soone as one is up and to combe ones head in time and season yet not too curiously 4 Weare not thy cloathes foule unsowed dusty nor old looke that they be brushed commonly once a day Take heed where thou sittest or kneelest and whom thou approachest for feare that there be dust or some uncleannes Carry not thy Cloake under thine arme like a Braggadoche If thou layest by thy Cloake or thy Gowne wrap it up takeing heed where thou puttest it 5 For what concerneth cloathes accommodate thy selfe to the fashion of thy equals civill and orderly men according to the use of times and places Yet thy Cloathes ought to bee rather more plaine and grave regard had to others than richer and beter 6 ⋆ Ever be modest in thy apparell rather seeking to Accommodate nature then curious by Art to procure admiration Cloathes may give thee ornament but the juditious will never seeke thy perfection on thy outside And I 'me sure if decency be thy only aime thou wilt be sure to shoulder off the censure of a Phantastick 7 ⋆ Admire not thy selfe in thy apparrell for that will so farr monstrate thy defects as thou art willing to seeke perfection in the skill of a Taylour CHAP. V. Of walking be it alone or in Company 1 RUnne not in the streets also goe not too slowly nor with thy mouth open Move not to and fro in walking goe not like a ninnie nor hang thy hands downwards Shake not thine armes kick not the earth with thy feet Throw not thy leggs a-crosse here and there and walking draile not thy feet after thee Trusse not up thy breeches at every hand-while goe not upon the top of thy toes nor in a dauncing fashion nor in a stooping nor in a capering or in a tripping manner with thy heeles 2 Play not the Peacock looking every where about thee whether thou beest well decked and trimme if thy shooes sit well if thy stocking bee fitly drawn up and thy other clothes handsome and well accommodated Goe not out of thy chamber with thy pen in thine eare cap or hat carry not thy handkerchiefe in thy hand nor in thy mouth nor hang it at thy girdle nor under thine arme nor upon thy shoulders or under thy gowne but put it in a place where others see it not and from whence thou mayst take it out when thou needest Beware although thou hadst scarcely made use thereof to present it to others 3 Eat not in the streets principally in the Towne beest thou alone nor in company nor in the house out of season and in the presence of strangers 4 Laugh not nor speake not thou being alone for it is not the part of a man Walking alone sing not in such manner that thou be over-heard Make not any signe of admiration as if thou thoughtest of some great businesse Also throw not in the streets a stone a stick or any other thing Tread not purposely one the pebble stones and remove them not out of their places for it is the act of a foole Goe not with thy head too high nor too low nor hanging to the right or left and looke not giddily here and there 5 Above all things if thou esteemest of thy reputation associate thy selfe with men of good qualitie but if it cannot be because thou knowest none or for some other reason it were better as one saith to bee alone than ill accompanied 6 If thou goest with one of thy rank take not the upper hand and amuse not on points of precedence and having not the place which belongeth to thee let it not trouble thee but goe on roundly It indignitie he be more eminent than art thou give him the right hand or the most worthy place and beware thou goe not before him 7 Walking up and downe an house with one only if he be greater than thy selfe at first give him the right hand and stop thou not then when he stayeth bee not thou the first to returne and turne not thy back to him but thy selfe towards him If he bee a man of great qualitie walke not at all by him cheeke by joule but somewhat behind him yet in such manner that he may easily speak to thee If he
bee thy equall carry thy selfe so that thou turne proportionably with him and make him not alwayes the first Likewise stop not too often at mid-way if there bee not great necessitie for that savoreth of superioritie is accounted troublesome Hee in the middest walking with equals or as it were equals ought to turne himselfe now to the right then to the left hand and if so bee that they be not equals let him turne for the most part towards him who deserveth best Finally they who are on the side ought alwayes to turne themselves towards him who is in de midst neither before him nor behinde him 8 ⋆ In thy walkings alone expresse no passion in thy gesture lest by that meanes thou shouldst turne thy breast into Cristall and let others reade thy minde at a distance 9 ⋆ Let thy conversation be without malice or envye for that is a signe of a tractable and commendable nature And in all causes of passion admit reason for thy governesse so shall thy Reputation be either altogether inviolable or at the least not stayned with common Tinctures 10 ⋆ Never expresse any thing unbeseeming nor act against the Rules morall before thy inferiours For in these things thy owne guilt will multiply Crimes by example and as it were confirme Ill by authority 11 ⋆ Be not imumodest in urging thy friend to discover his secrets lest an accidentall discovery of them worke a breach in your amitye CHAP. VI. Of Discourse 1 VTter not frivolous things amongst grave and learned men nor any very difficult question or subject amongst the ignorant nor things which are hard to bee beleeved Farce not thy language with Sentences especially amongst thy equals and much lesse amongst thy betters Speake not of mischances and dolefull things inopportunely and to the company In time of mirth or at the Table speake not of melancholick things of wounds of sculls of death and if others speake in that kind change the discourse if thou canst dexterously Tell not thy dreames if it bee not to thy intimatest friends when they might seeme to bee of great and notable presage to which notwithstanding thou shalt not give credit 2 A man well bred ought not to vaunt himselfe of his brave atchievements or rare qualities of wit of vertue or of the like much lesse speake of his noblenesse honour riches or his kindred if hee bee not more than constrained also he ought not to depresse himselfe too much without occasion 3 It is to no purpose to breake a jest there where one taketh no pleasure in mirth Laugh not aloud and to the disfiguring of thy countenance or without subject onely be custome Deride not the mis-fortune of any one although there seeme to bee some cause why 4 Speake not an injurious word bee it in jest or in earnest Nip not any by word Likewise one ought not to scoffe any body especially if they be greater than thy selfe although they give occasion 5 Be not froward but friendly and courteous and the first to salute others heare and answer and bee not pensive when it is a time to converse and discourse 6 By no meanes detract from any other nor speake of things which belong unto him also bee not too excessive in praysing 7 Go not thither where thou knowest not whether thou shalt bee welcome Give not thy advice except one aske it of thee bee it not that thou art the best there principally out of season and where there is no hope of profiting and being intreated to deliver what thou thinkest be briefe and come quickly to to the point 8 If two contend amongst themselves take not the part of either if thou be'st not compelled and take heed that thou bee not obstinate in thine opinion In things indifferent bee thou on the part of the most of the Company who deliver thereon their opinions 9 Reprehend not the imperfections of others for that is the part of Fathers Masters and Superiours thou mayest well shew notwithstanding that they distast thee Likewise may'st thou now and then sagely give some good counsell in time and place 10 Stay not to gaze on the markes or blemishes appearing on others although they be naturall principally if they bee in the face and aske not from whence they come and that which thou well mayest speake in secret to thy friend deliver not in the presence of orhers 11 Speake not in an unknown language or in what thou knowest not well be it not in case of necessitie to be better understood but use thine own naturall tongue as men of qualitie of the Town speake it not like the meane sort especially take thou heed to utter words which savour of immodestie although in secret or to move mirth Use not homely and clownish words when things sublime and serious are treated of 12 Speake not before thou thinkest what thou would'st deliver and in the vulgar language And make not a shew of nimble conceits and clinches Pronounce not imperfectly nor hastily bring forth thy words Likewise utter not thy words so slowly that thou trouble the hearers 13 When another speaketh take heed that through thee hee bee not neglected by his auditors and be attentive turning not thine eyes here and there nor busie thy selfe in ought else If any drawl forth his words help him not therein nor prompt him bee it not that hee intreat thee so to doe or that it were in private or that thou hadst great familiaritie with him Likewise interrupt him not nor answer him untill hee have brought his speech to a period 14 Being in the midst of a discourse aske not of what one treateth since that it is a draught of authoritie but thou mayst well intreat gently that hee proced if thou perceivest that for thee hee hold his peace On the contrary if any one come on a sudden whilst thou talkest especially if hee bee a person of qualitie it is seemely to make a little Epilogue and briefe collection of what thou deliveredst then afterwards go on with thy discourse 15 Thou ought'st not to make face or use any other action of undecency with thy mouth eyes or thy hands to expresse what thou wouldest deliver neither ought'st thou to hold thy hand behind thy back either clasped ar acrosse for that savoureth of ones preheminence but place thy hands before thee one over the other somewhat under thy brest or under thy girdle When thou talkest be circumspect how thou carriest thy body Shake not thy head nor move thy hands much and hold thy feet still 16 Whilst thou speakest put not on thy hat nor ought else before thy mouth Chew not paper nor other thing Shake not thy head Deale not blowes with thy elbowes Stand not tittertatter on one foot Put not one legg overthwart the other 17 Point not with thy finger at him of whom thou speakest Approach not too nigh his person lesse his face to whom thou talkest 18 If thou be'st in Company speake not in
it not that the Master intreat him to take freely or that one were in the house of a familiar friend Also one ought scarce offer ones selfe as undesired to serve others out of ones house where one might have little power bee it not that the number of the guests were great and that the Master of the house could not have an eye on all the company then one may carve them who are neer ones selfe 10 Blow not upon thy meat but if it bee hot stay untill it bee cold Broath may bee cooled turning it gently with a spoone but it is not comly to sup ones broth at Table it ought to bee eaten with a spoone 11 Smell not to the meat and if thou holdest thy nose to it set it not afterwards before another 12 Be-smeare not thy bread round about with thy fingers but when thou wilt cut some bread wipe them first if they bee greazy Therefore take heed as nigh as thou canst of fouling thy hands or of greazing thy fingers And having a spoone or forke make use of it as becometh thee according to the custome of the best bread 13 If thou soakest thy bread or meat in the sauce soake it not againe after that thou hast bitten it dip therein at each time a reasonable morsall which may be eaten at one mouthfull 14 One ought not to cast under the Table or on the ground bones parings wine or such like things notwithstanding if one bee constrained to spet something which was to hard to chew or which causeth irksomnesse then may one throw it forth dext'rously upon the ground taking it decently with two fingers or with the left hand halfe shut so that it be not a liquid thing in such case one may more freely spet it on the ground turning ones selfe if it bee possible somewhat aside as hath beene said here above 15 Likewise it appeareth not a seemly thing to spet forth the stones of Plummes Cherries or such like on a dish but one ought first to gather them neatly as it hath beene said in the left hand bearing it to ones mouth and then lay them upon the brimme of a trencher 16 Put not thy meat in thy mouth holding thy knife in thy hands as doe the Cuntrey clounes 17 Cast not thine eyes upon the trenchers of others and fix them not wistly upon the meat on the table lift them not up whilst thou drinkest or whilst thou puttest the meat in thy mouth 18 Cut not much bread at once and make not too great shives but of a small or middle size Cut thy bread even without framing a tub thereof taking unto thee onely the crumme thereof also flaw it not solely taking the crust thereof Cut not morsels of bread upon thy trencher 19 If thou hast bad teeth in such manner that thou canst not eat a crust of bread or bread burned or too hard it seemeth better to pare the peece thou cuttest than the whole loafe 20 It is mis-beseeming to stoope much to ones dish or meat it sufficeth to bow a little then when one carrieth the morsell which is sauced to ones mouth to the end that one foule not ones selfe and afterwards to sit up right againe 21 One ought sometimes to looke off the meat yet without gazing to and fro or wistly looking upon the guests or them who wait or on the meat which is before others 22 In like manner it is undecent to soyle the Table cloth and that which is worse to cleane ones face or wipe away ones sweat with the Napkin or with the same to cleane ones nose ones trencher or the dish 23 Present not to others that whereof thou hast first tasted bee it Wine or other thing 24 Wipe not thy hands on thy bread if it bee a whole loafe yet if they be greazy it seemeth that thou may'st cleane them first with a peece of bread which thou art to eate forwith then with a Napkin to the end that thou foule it not much 25 When thou eatest or drinkest make not much noise with thy teeth neither in supping nor in grinding too hard nor in any other manner 26 Suck no bones at least in such wise that one may heare it Take them not with two hands but with one solely and properly Gnaw them not nor teare the flesh from the bones with thy teeth as dogs doe but make use of thy knife holding them with one hand or rather with two fingers as nigh as thou canst Knock no bones upon thy bread or trencher to get out the marrow of them but get out the marrow with a knife To speake better it is the counsell of the most wise that it is not fit to handle bones and much lesse to mouth them 27 Make not use of a knife to breake bones plum-stones or other hard thing also breake them not with thy teeth or other thing but let them alone 28 Take not from the common dish that which is before thy companion but onely that which is on thy side and also no more than others And if they be fruits or such like handle them not to take the best yet if any one eat of thy dish take no heed what hee doth 29 Put not a bit in thy mouth untill the former bee swallowed let them bee such that puffe not up thy cheekes notably Serve not thy selfe with both thy hands to carry a morsell to thy mouth but make use of the customary way that is the left 30 Fill not thy glasse in such manner that the wine run over and fall upon the Table-cloath 31 Drink not with meat in thy mouth Call not for drink then speake not then Fill not thy glasse to drinke and drinke not whilst thy next companion drinketh or he who sitteth at the upper end of the Table 32 When thou drinkest gaze not here and there 33 Drinke not too leisurely nor too hastily nor as chawing the wine nor too often Before and after that thou hast drunke wipe thy lips and breathe not with too great a noise then nor ever for it is an uncivill thing 34 Cleanse not thy teeth with the Table-cloath or Napkin nor with thy finger forke or knife much worse would it be to do so with thy nailes but use thy picktooth It seemeth likewise uncomely to cleane them at the Table were it so that the others doe not the same and that it were the custome of the best bread 35 Rince not thy mouth with wine to spet it out before others but when thou shalt be risen from the Table usually wash thy hands with the others For the mouth it seemeth unfit to wash it in mens presence and therefore when water is given at the Table one ought to wash onely ones hands 36 It is a thing litile praise-worty and now adayes almost out of use to call upon the company to eat principally too often and with importunitie for it seemeth that one bereaveth them of their libertie much lesse shouldst thou drinke to others every time thou drinkest but if one drinke to thee thou mayst refuse it civilly rendring him thanks for his courtesie and acknowledging that thou yeeldest or rather tast a little of the Wine especially with men who are accustomed to it and take a deniall in ill part 37 When others have left eating dispatch also and hold not thine armes upon the Table but rest thy hands only on the edge thereof 38 It is peculiar to the chiefest of the company to bee the first to unfold his Napkin and fall to the meat and therefore it is the dutie of others to attend patiently without setting hand on any thing before him 39 On the contrary part he ought to be solicitous to begin in time to provide all and entertaine the guests and finish all with such dexteritie that he may give time to the slowest to eate at their leisure entertaining himselfe if it bee needfull in slightfull tasting meats or when it is lawfull to discourse at the Boord intermingling some little Relation untill the company might make an end 40. Bee not angry at the Table whatsoever happeneth or if so bee thou bee vexed make no shew thereof especially there being strangers at the Table a cheerefull Countenance makes one dish a Feast 41. Set not thy selfe at the upper end but if it bee thy due or that the Master of the house would have it so contend not mcuh for thy going thither that thou trouble all the Company 42 If one read or talke at the Table be thou attentive and if it be expedient that thou speake talke not with meat in thy mouth 43. ⋆ Let thy Speeches be seriously reverent when thou speakest of God or his Attributes for to jest or utter thy selfe lightly in matters divine is an unhappy impiety provoking heaven to justice and urging all men to suspect thy beliefe 44. ⋆ In all things which are to be learned whether it bee in the contemplation of humane actions let not precept bee neglected for what at the first view may seem uselesse upon thy second thoughts thou mayst finde worth observing 45. ⋆ Since Wisedome is the perfection of understanding let Prudence to practise be the end of all thy Science for the knowledge of Precepts teaching thee what is good is not of sufficiency to entititle thee vertuous no more then thy body in thy soules absence can expresse thee a man Therefore neglect not to adorn thy intellect with knowledge directive nor be thou wanting in such actions as may truely crowne thee happy 46. ⋆ Content not thy selfe with the bare knowledge of these Precepts but when thou hast imprinted them in thy minde expresse them in thy conversation for vertue consists in Action not in Contemplation Laus Deo trino-uni FINIS