"Courts And Camps Are The Only Places To Learn The World In.
There alone
all kinds of characters resort, and human nature is seen in all the
various shapes and modes ...
Whereas, in all other places, one local
mode generally prevails."[366]
Moreover, the earl did not think that a company wholly composed of men
of learning could be called good company. "They cannot have the easy
manners and tournure of the world, as they do not live in it." And an
engaging address, "an insinuating behaviour," was to be sought for early
in life, and, at the same time, with the solid parts of learning. "The
Scholar, without good breeding, is a Pedant: the Philosopher, a Cynic:
the Soldier, a Brute: and every man disagreeable."[367]
The five years of young Stanhope's travel were carefully distributed as
follows: a year in Lausanne,[368] for the rudiments of languages; a year
in Leipsic, for a thorough grounding in history and jurisprudence; a
year spent in visits to such cities as Berlin, Dresden, and Vienna, for
a view of the different Courts; one in Italy, to get rid of the manners
of Germany; and one in Paris, to give him the final polish, the supreme
touch, of gentlemanly complaisance, politeness, and ease.
We may pass over the years in Germany, as the earl did, without much
comment. Young Stanhope was quite satisfactory in the more solid parts
of learning, and it was not until he reached Italy, there to begin his
courtly training, that Chesterfield's interest was fully aroused.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 125 of 199
Words from 34714 to 34971
of 55513
