Produced by David Widger
LETTERS TO HIS SON 1749
By the EARL OF CHESTERFIELD
on the Fine Art of becoming a
and a
LONDON, January 10, O. S. 1749.
DEAR BOY: I have received your letter of the 31st December, N. S. Yourthanks for my present, as you call it, exceed the value of the present;but the use, which you assure me that you will make of it, is the thankswhich I desire to receive. Due attention to the inside of books, and duecontempt for the outside, is the proper relation between a man of senseand his books.
Now that you are going a little more into the world; I will take thisoccasion to explain my intentions as to your future expenses, that youmay know what you have to expect from me, and make your plan accordingly.I shall neither deny nor grudge you any money, that may be necessary foreither your improvement or your pleasures: I mean the pleasures of arational being. Under the head of improvement, I mean the best books, andthe best masters, cost what they will; I also mean all the expense oflodgings, coach, dress; servants, etc., which, according to the severalplaces where you may be, shall be respectively necessary to enable you tokeep the best company. Under the head of rational pleasures, Icomprehend, first, proper charities, to real and compassionate objects ofit; secondly, proper presents to those to whom you are obliged, or whomyou desire to oblige; thirdly, a conformity of expense to that of thecompany which you keep; as in public spectacles; your share of littleentertainments; a few pistoles at games of mere commerce; and otherincidental calls of good company. The only two articles which I willnever supply, are the profusion of low riot, and the idle lavishness ofnegligence and laziness. A fool squanders away, without credit oradvantage to himself, more than a man of sense spends with both. Thelatter employs his money as he does his time, and never spends a shillingof the one, nor a minute of the other, but in something that is eitheruseful or rationally pleasing to himself or others. The former buyswhatever he does not want, and does not pay for what he does want. Hecannot withstand the charms of a toyshop; snuff-boxes, watches, heads ofcanes, etc., are his destruction. His servants and tradesmen conspirewith his own indolence to cheat him; and, in a very little time, he isastonished, in the midst of all the ridiculous superfluities, to findhimself in want of all the real comforts and necessaries of life. Withoutcare and method, the largest fortune will not, and with them, almost thesmallest will, supply all necessary expenses. As far as you can possibly,pay ready money for everything you buy and avoid bills. Pay that money,too, yourself, and not through the hands of any servant, who alwayseither stipulates poundage, or requires a present for his good word, asthey call it. Where you must have bills (as for meat and drink, clothes,etc.), pay them regularly every month, and with your own hand. Never,from a mistaken economy, buy a thing you do not want, because it ischeap; or from a silly pride, because it is dear. Keep an account in abook of all that you receive, and of all that you pay; for no man whoknows what he receives and what he pays ever runs out. I do not mean thatyou should keep an account of the shillings and half-crowns which you mayspend in chair-hire, operas, etc.: they are unworthy of the time, and ofthe ink that they would consume; leav