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the Macedonians。＇12＇ Thus Livia disgusted Tiberius by placing her
own name before his in an inscription。＇13＇
No advantages in this world are pure and unmixed。 In like
manner； as modern politeness； which is naturally so ornamental；
runs often into affectation and foppery； disguise and
insincerity； so the ancient simplicity； which is naturally so
amiable and affecting； often degenerates into rusticity and
abuse； scurrility and obscenity。
If the superiority in politeness should be allowed to modern
times； the modern notions of ； the natural produce of
courts and monarchies； will probably be assigned as the causes of
this refinement。 No one denies this invention to be modern：＇14＇
But some of the more zealous partizans of the ancients； have
asserted it to be foppish and ridiculous； and a reproach； rather
than a credit； to the present age。＇15＇ It may here be proper to
examine this question。
Nature has implanted in all living creatures an affection
between the sexes； which； even in the fiercest and most rapacious
animals； is not merely confined to the satisfaction of the bodily
appetite； but begets a friendship and mutual sympathy； which runs
through the whole tenor of their lives。 Nay； even in those
species； where nature limits the indulgence of this appetite to
one season and to one object； and forms a kind of marriage or
association between a single male and female； there is yet a
visible complacency and benevolence； which extends farther； and
mutually softens the affections of the sexes towards each other。
How much more must this have place in man； where the confinement
of the appetite is not natural； but either is derived
accidentally from some strong charm of love； or arises from
reflections on duty and convenience？ Nothing； therefore； can
proceed less from affectation than the passion of gallantry。 It
is in the highest degree。 Art and education； in the
most elegant courts； make no more alteration on it； than on all
the other laudable passions。 They only turn the mind more towards
it； they refine it； they polish it； and give it a proper grace
and expression。
But gallantry is as as it is 。 To
correct such gross vices； as lead us to commit real injury on
others； is the part of morals； and the object of the most
ordinary education。 Where is not attended to； in some
degree； no human society can subsist。 But in order to render
conversation； and the intercourse of minds more easy and
agreeable； good…manners have been invented； and have carried the
matter somewhat farther。 Wherever nature has given the mind a
propensity to any vice； or to any passion disagreeable to others；
refined breeding has taught men to throw the biass on the
opposite side； and to preserve； in all their behaviour； the
appearance of sentiments different from those to which they
naturally incline。 Thus； as we are commonly proud and selfish；
and apt to assume the preference above others； a polite man
learns to behave with deference towards his companions； and to
yield the superiority to them in all the common incidents of
society。 In like manner； wherever a person's situation may
naturally beget any disagreeable suspicion in him； it is the part
of good…manners to prevent it； by a studied display of
sentiments； directly contrary to those of which he is apt to be
jealous。 Thus； old men know their infirmities； and naturally
dread contempt from the youth： Hence； well…educated youth
redouble the instances of respect and deference to their elders。
Strangers and foreigners are without protection： Hence； in all
polite countries； they receive the highest civilities； and are
entitled to the first place in every company。 A man is lord in
his own family； and his guests are； in a manner； subject to his
authority： Hence； he is always the lowest person in the company；
attentive to the wants of every one； and giving himself all the
trouble； in order to please； which may not betray too visible an
affectation； or impose too much constraint on his guests。＇16＇
Gallantry is nothing but an instance of the same generous
attention。 As nature has given the superiority above
； by endowing him with greater strength both of mind and
body； it is his part to alleviate that superiority； as much as
possible； by the generosity of his behaviour； and by a studied
deference and complaisance for all her inclinations and opinions。
Barbarous nations display this superiority； by reducing their
females to the most abject slavery； by confining them； by beating
them； by selling them； by killing them。 But the male sex； among a
polite people； discover their authority in a more generous；
though not a less evident manner； by civility； by respect； by
complaisance； and； in a word； by gallantry。 In good company； you
need not ask； Who is the master of the feast？ The man； who sits
in the lowest place； and who is always industrious in helping
every one； is certainly the person。 We must either condemn all
such instances of generosity； as foppish and affected； or admit
of gallantry among the rest。 The ancient Muscovites wedded their
wives with a whip； instead of a ring。 The same people； in their
own houses； took always the precedency above foreigners； even＇17＇
foreign ambassadors。 These two instances of their generosity and
politeness are much of a piece。
Gallantry is not less compatible with and
； than with and ； and when under
proper regulations； contributes more than any other invention； to
the and of the youth of both sexes。
Among every species of animals； nature has founded on the love
between the sexes their sweetest and best enjoyment。 But the
satisfaction of the bodily appetite is not alone sufficient to
gratify the mind； and even among brute…creatures； we find； that
their play and dalliance； and other expressions of fondness； form
the greatest part of the entertainment。 In rational beings； we
must certainly admit the mind for a considerable share。 Were we
to rob the feast of all its garniture of reason； discourse；
sympathy； friendship； and gaiety； what remains would scarcely be
worth acceptance； in the judgment of the truly elegant and
luxurious。
What better school for manners； than the company of virtuous
women； where the mutual endeavour to please must insensibly
polish the mind； where the example of the female softness and
modesty must communicate itself to their admirers； and where the
delicacy of that sex puts every one on his guard； lest he give
offence by any breach of decency。
Among the ancients； the character of the fair…sex was
considered as altogether domestic； nor were they regarded as part
of the polite world or of good company。 This； perhaps； is the
true reason why the ancients have not left us one piece of
pleasantry that is excellent； （unless one may except the Banquet
of Xenophon； and the Dialogues of Lucian） though many of their
serious compositions are altogether inimitable。 Horace condemns
the coarse rail