Drawing on my fine command of language, I said nothing.

Drawing on my fine command of language, I said nothing.

We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God
in company.

We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God
in company.

Tom Birch is as brisk as a bee in conversation; but no sooner
does he take a pen in read more

Tom Birch is as brisk as a bee in conversation; but no sooner
does he take a pen in his hand, than it becomes a torpedo to him,
and benumbs all his faculties.

With thee conversing I forget the way.

With thee conversing I forget the way.

I attribute the little I know to my not having been ashamed to ask for information, and to my rule read more

I attribute the little I know to my not having been ashamed to ask for information, and to my rule of conversing with all descriptions of men on those topics that form their own peculiar professions and pursuits.

They would talk of nothing but high life and high-lived company,
with other fashionable topics, such as pictures, taste, read more

They would talk of nothing but high life and high-lived company,
with other fashionable topics, such as pictures, taste,
Shakespeare, and the musical glasses.

Conversation is an art in which man has all mankind for competitors.

Conversation is an art in which man has all mankind for competitors.

Conversation would be vastly improved by the constant use of four simple words: I do not know.

Conversation would be vastly improved by the constant use of four simple words: I do not know.

But conversation, choose what theme we may,
And chiefly when religion leads the way,
Should flow, like read more

But conversation, choose what theme we may,
And chiefly when religion leads the way,
Should flow, like waters after summer show'rs,
Not as if raised by mere mechanic powers.