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 Seventh Qualification of a Wheedle, Civility.

CIvility is another Ingredient which contri∣butes to the composition of our Wheedling Proteus; and this is most observable in these four things, Choaths, Countenance, Words, and Actions.

His habit ought to be suited according to the people he is to concern himself withal, never superfluous or Phantastick, yet proper and sometimes indif∣ferently Fashionable, sometimes improper, when (as I have said before) treating of his humility, necessity compels him to joyn with the Brethren for the edification, and building up of the outward man. He must have a special care of his Countenance, it must be full of Kindness, continually smiling, avoiding feigned or affected simpering, for that is utterly destructive discovering the Hypocrisy of his heart too plainly; and all sour looks must be utterly banisht his company; in short his looks much be like the Companies, in every respect conformable.

His manner of speaking must be yielding, ob∣liging, and not polemical, or opposing, conclu∣ding with what every one says, though non∣sense, it is right indeed; your proposition is undeni∣able; or all your Arguments are invincible.

Lastly, his actions seem to aim at nothing more than what is honest, and just, whilst he draws his arrow at profit only; when he is amongst Irreligious persons, who make a scoff at Divinity, he will be then as Debaucht as the worst, Drink, Drab, and draw his Sword, according as the honorable company is inclined; for those three Vices, if he finds them in rich men (into whose acquaintance he hath subtilly insinuated himself) he makes them his Exche∣quer, which suplies him with Money, as necessity requires; for Drinking breeds Surfeits, which call upon the Physitian for remedy, and such a one he knows Skilful enough to kill the Patient, with whom he goes Snips; Whores he hath enough of all Sizes and Complexions, from Female perfection in Epitome, to the largest Volume of the Sex, whom he furnisheth with Customers of his own acquaintance, and they repay the kindness with a Pox to 'em. What more necessary man in this extremity, or fitter to be sent for, than Mr. Wheedle, to consult about the Cure, who is a man of known Secrecy, and will procure an able Chirurgion, who will faith∣fully and speedily perfect the Cure; he need not go far for such a one, having always two or three brace of them at his command, with whom he agrees in gross by the year, by rea∣son of the multiplicity of Patients he helps them

to, and hardly one of them Clapt, but by his Procuration.

Lastly, he is infinitely pleas'd if any of his company in their Cups is so Fool-hardy as to draw, no man then shall be more active than himself to part them, blaming them much for their unadvised rashness, and pretends with his utmost power to make them Friends, whereas in effect, he makes their breach the wider, on purpose in that suddain heat they may challenge each other, and knowing the next day, in cool Blood, they will be sorry for what was done, he hugs himself to think what fine work he will make with them both (especially if inclined to Cowardice) in reconciling them together. He hath-been so often imploy'd in deciding diffe∣rences arising from drunken Quarrels and Chal∣lenges, that he is not ignorant in the way of doing it, but will not stir a foot, unless he is cer∣tain to receive (as the Serjeant doth) Mony on both sides: Sometimes he will seem to espouse the quarrel himself, and Fight for his Friend, (when he is sure there is no fear of danger) and this must pass for such an infinite Obligation, that no satisfaction can be made, answerable to so great a tender of Friendship.