The third work of which I remember to have seen the sketch on the Fantastical Tree, was entitled, Rules of Conduct for the Eighteenth Century, addressed to a young Babylonian, who is coming into the world. It contained the following Maxims. “Every country has its customs, every age its manners; and, in human wisdom, the only unchangeable Maxim is, to change with the times and places. The most unquestionable Maxims of the Babylonians, and of the present times are such as these:
303“To have true merit does not much signify; but to have small talents is essential. To make one’s court, for example, and pretty verses, is sufficient to prosper: and even farther than can be imagined.
“Great faults shall be forgiven you, but the least ridiculous ones are unpardonable. You think right, and say excellent things: But take care you do not sneeze; it will be such an indecorum, that all the Babylonish gravity would not be able to hold; and you might speak still better things, and not a soul hear you.
“Be particularly careful to act entirely with reference to yourself, and to talk always with reference to the publick-good. It is a fine word, that 304publick-good............