Harley could not help stealing a look of surprise at him; but his
friend, who knew his humour, returned it by annihilating his
presence in the like manner, and, leaving him to his own
meditations, addressed himself entirely to Harley.

In their discourse some mention happened to be made of an amiable
character, and the words HONOUR and POLITENESS were applied to it.
Upon this, the gentleman, laying down his pipe, and changing the
tone of his countenance, from an ironical grin to something more
intently contemptuous: "Honour," said he: "Honour and Politeness!
this is the coin of the world, and passes current with the fools of
it. You have substituted the shadow Honour, instead of the
substance Virtue; and have banished the reality of friendship for
the fictitious semblance which you have termed Politeness:
politeness, which consists in a certain ceremonious jargon, more
ridiculous to the ear of reason than the voice of a puppet. You
have invented sounds, which you worship, though they tyrannize over
your peace; and are surrounded with empty forms, which take from the
honest emotions of joy, and add to the poignancy of misfortune."
"Sir!" said Harley--his friend winked to him, to remind him of the
caution he had received. He was silenced by the thought. The
philosopher turned his eye upon him: he examined him from top to
toe, with a sort of triumphant contempt; Harley's coat happened to
be a new one; the other's was as shabby as could possibly be
supposed to be on the back of a gentleman: there was much
significance in his look with regard to this coat; it spoke of the
sleekness of folly and the threadbareness of wisdom.

"Truth," continued he, "the most amiable, as well as the most
natural of virtues, you are at pains to eradicate. Your very