Proteus redivivus, or, The art of wheedling or insinuation obtain'd by general conversation and extracted from the several humours, inclinations, and passions of both sexes, respecting their several ages, and suiting each profession or occupation / collected and methodized by the author of the first part of the English rogue.

The Policy of the Passions briefly sum'd up.

SInce Men by Nature are addicted to Con∣versation, and one dependeth upon another, therefore it is a business of importance for a man to know how to second or cross other mens af∣fections, how we may please, or displease them; making them our Friends, or Enemies: but since the Subject is infinite, I will only set down some general Rules, whereby the Wheedle makes his advantage in all Societies what ever.

First all men (commonly) are pleas'd with them whom they see affected with those Passions whereunto they are subject and inclined. The reason of this Rule is this; all likeliness causeth love; it follows therefore that he who would advantagiously please must apparel himself with the affections of them he converseth withal; love,

where they love, and hate, where they hate, no matter whether real or pretended; sooth∣ing of other mens humours (so that it be not discovered to be Flattery) is the path that leads men into an universal friendship, and how ad∣vantagious a general friendship is, I will leave it to any one to judge; out of this Rule may be deduced this

Second, which ought no less to be observed in conversation than the former; that men usu∣ally hate those, who they know to be of con∣trary Passions; hence comes that Proverb, He that hateth whom I love, how can he love me? Fire and fire may, but fire and water will never agree.

Thirdly credulity must be avoided, having danger continually for its attendant, and yet there must be a seeming belief; as we must not be∣lieve every thing, so we must have a care of be∣lieving nothing that is said; there is a mediocri∣ty to be observed, you may hear and say (in a thing that is very doubtful) it may be so, but never conclude any thing to be so, till you have evident demonstrations thereof before your eyes; a crafty proposal (weli backt) may make a man believe things contrary to sense, and reason; where∣fore it behoves every man to stand upon his guard when an overture of advantage is made: every man is for himself, and he that hath attain'd to the greatest height in the Art of Perswasion, is capable

of Out-Wheedling all the rest.

Fourthly, let judgment be suspended where a question is demanded, or evaded, and put off upon some other, by whose arguments you may find his weakness, and means to strengthen your own.

Fifthly, There is no opposing any vehement Passion by reprehension, or indignation; the Whee∣dle always complies with it, or says nothing, or wisely withdraws the matter of anger out of sight.

Sixthly, no man ought to be employ'd to any Office, nor put upon any design, act, or exercise contraty to his humour, passion, and inclination. This observation very much concerns all sorts of Persons, in all Professions, and Occupations; Masters in the employment of Servants; Pa∣rents in the education of their Children; School∣masters in the instruction of their Scholars; Vide Examen d'los Ingenios; the Trial of Wits in En∣glish, &c. and every one knows a Play must be rightly cast, or it cannot be so well acted, as to Merit an Applause.

Seventhly, and this Rule hath a respect to great Persons, who seldom resist their Passions, therefore if a man once understand their inordi∣nate affections, he may be very well assured to have gained much ground in prevailing with them. Whosoever then intends to work upon

such a person addicted to this or that affection, to win upon him, he must foster up such fancies in him; if delighted in Musick, he must furnish him with Voices, or instruments; if Venereally inclined, Pimp for him, and prostitute his Wife, rather than lose an opportunity for preferment; if he delights in riding, he must play the Iockey, and show him horses well shaped, far Fetcht and dear Bought; if in hunting, he must pro∣cure him Dogs; If he disesteems his own Coun∣try-breed, he must present to his View such as are really so, yet must swear that they were stoln from several Noblemen in France, brought hither with great labour and expence, and for no other intent than his Recreation. If his delight con∣sist in books, he must bring him the Annual Cata∣logues of Franckfort Mart, or what are printed elswhere, that out of them all he may pick what is most agreable to his study; and if he have so much ingenie to play the part of a cunning Book∣seller, he may recommend waste paper for com∣mendable pieces, and with a little prejudice to the Buyers time, he shall not only have the large thanks of the Seller, for vending his bad commo∣dities but reap some more substantial benefit to himself.

To these general Rules let me add these cauti∣ons, which ought to be imprinted in all mens memories.

Before the Ingenious, and Judicious, beware of showing either Extravagancy, or Stupidity.

Before the Wise, or Considerate, seem not Heedless or Sottish.

Before the Prudent, and well advised, seem neither Simple, nor Crafty.

Before the Diligent, be neither Slothful, nor over hasty.

Before Just and Honest men, be not Mischie∣vous.

Before the Modest, be not Bold, or Impudent.

Before the Temperate, be not Immoderate.

Before the Religious, be not Profain or Impious.

Before the Faithful, and the down-right man, avoid Flattery.

Before the Affable, and the Civil, show no Rusticity.

Before the Continent, be not Petulant.

Before the Liberal, be not Avaritious, or Co∣vetous.

Before the Compassionate, show no symptoms of Cruelty.

Before the Frugal, be not Prodigal.

Before the Moderate, be not Voluptuous.

Before the Humble, or Ambitious, be not Proud, or Lofty.

Before the Magnanimous, be not Presumptu∣ous, or Pusillanimous.

Before the Cheerful, be not Sowr, or austere.

Before the Serious, play not the Mimick, or Buffoon.

Some Centuries of such like Sentences might be here inserted, which I pretermit for brevity sake; hastning to the discovery of the practices of the several Wheedles of the times, according to each Sex and Profession; but before I enter upon it, I shall conclude the preceding Theory with a short account of Conversation.