It is of no use to try to console and
distract ourselves with lofty thoughts, and to try to keep eternity
and the hopes of man in mind. We so become only more self-conscious
and superior than ever. The fact remains that the shyness of youth
causes agonies both of anticipation and retrospect; if one really
wishes to get rid of it, the only way is to determine to get used
somehow to society, and not to endeavour to avoid it; and as a
practical rule to make up one's mind, if possible, to ask people
questions, rather than to meditate impressive answers. Asking other
people questions about things to which they are likely to know the
answers is one of the shortest cuts to popularity and esteem. It is
wonderful to reflect how much distress personal bashfulness causes
people, how much they would give to be rid of it, and yet how very
little trouble they ever take to acquiring any method of dealing
with the difficulty. I see a good deal of undergraduates, and am
often aware that they are friendly and responsive, but without any
power of giving expression to it.
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