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hat politeness which would render the country frequented by strangers？
It is the business of the legislature to follow the spirit of the nation； when it is not contrary to the principles of government； for we do nothing so well as when we act with freedom； and follow the bent of our natural genius。
If an air of pedantry be given to a nation that is naturally gay； the state will gain no advantage from it； either at home or abroad。 Leave it to do frivolous things in the most serious manner； and with gaiety the things most serious。
6。 That Everything ought not to be corrected。 Let them but leave us as we are； said a gentleman of a nation which had a very great resemblance to that we have been describing； and nature will repair whatever is amiss。 She has given us a vivacity capable of offending； and hurrying us beyond the bounds of respect： this same vivacity is corrected by the politeness it procures； inspiring us with a taste of the world； and； above all； for the conversation of the fair sex。
Let them leave us as we are； our indiscretions joined to our good nature would make the laws which should constrain our sociability not at all proper for us。
7。 Of the Athenians and Laced？monians。 The Athenians； this gentleman adds； were a nation that had some relation to ours。 They mingled gaiety with business； a stroke of raillery was as agreeable in the senate as in the theatre。 This vivacity； which discovered itself in their councils； went along with them in the execution of their resolves。 The characteristic of the Spartans was gravity； seriousness； severity； and silence。 It would have been as difficult to bring over an Athenian by teasing as it would a Spartan by diverting him。
8。 Effects of a sociable Temper。 The more communicative a people are； the more easily they change their habits； because each is in a greater degree a spectacle to the other and the singularities of individuals are better observed。 The climate which influences one nation to take pleasure in being communicative； makes it also delight in change； and that which makes it delight in change forms its taste。
The society of the fair sex spoils the manners and forms the taste； the desire of giving greater pleasure than others establishes the embellishments of dress； and the desire of pleasing others more than ourselves gives rise to fashions。 Thus fashion is a subject of importance； by encouraging a trifling turn of mind； it continually increases the branches of its commerce。＇8＇
9。 Of the Vanity and Pride of Nations。 Vanity is as advantageous to a government as pride is dangerous。 To be convinced of this we need only represent； on the one hand； the numberless benefits which result from vanity； as industry； the arts； fashions； politeness； and taste； on the other； the infinite evils which spring from the pride of certain nations； as laziness； poverty； a total neglect of everything in fine； the destruction of the nations which have happened to fall under their government； as well as of their own。 Laziness is the effect of pride；＇9＇ labour； a consequence of vanity。 The pride of a Spaniard leads him to decline labour； the vanity of a Frenchman to work better than others。
All lazy nations are grave； for those who do not labour regard themselves as the sovereigns of those who do。
If we search among all nations； we shall find that for the most part gravity； pride； and indolence go hand in hand。
The people of Achim＇10＇ are proud and lazy； those who have no slaves； hire one； if it be only to carry a quart of rice a hundred paces； they would be dishonoured if they carried it themselves。
In many places people let their nails grow； that all may see they do not work。
Women in the Indies＇11＇ believe it shameful for them to learn to read： this is； they say； the business of their slaves； who sing their spiritual songs in the temples of their pagods。 In one tribe they do not spin； in another they make nothing but baskets and mats； they are not even to pound rice； and in others they must not go to fetch water。 These rules are established by pride； and the same passion makes them followed。 There is no necessity for mentioning that the moral qualities； according as they are blended with others； are productive of different effects； thus pride； joined to a vast ambition and notions of grandeur； produced such effects among the Romans as are known to all the world。
10。 Of the Character of the Spaniards and Chinese。 The characters of the several nations are formed of virtues and vices； of good and bad qualities。 From the happy mixture of these； great advantages result； and frequently where it would be least expected； there are others whence great evils arise evils which one would not suspect。
The Spaniards have been in all ages famous for their honesty。 Justin＇12＇ mentions their fidelity in keeping whatever was entrusted to their care； they have frequently suffered death rather than reveal a secret。 They have still the same fidelity for which they were formerly distinguished。 All the nations who trade at Cadiz trust their fortunes to the Spaniards； and have never yet repented it。 But this admirable quality； joined to their indolence； forms a mixture whence such effects result as to them are most pernicious。 The rest of the European nations carry on in their very sight all the commerce of their monarchy。
The character of the Chinese is formed of another mixture； directly opposite to that of the Spaniards； the precariousness of their subsistence＇13＇ inspires them with a prodigious activity； and such an excessive desire of gain； that no trading nation can confide in them。＇14＇ This acknowledged infidelity has secured them the possession of the trade to Japan。 No European merchant has ever dared to undertake it in their name； how easy soever it might be for them to do it from their maritime provinces in the north。
11。 A Reflection。 I have said nothing here with a view to lessen that infinite distance which must ever be between virtue and vice。 God forbid that I should be guilty of such an attempt！ I would only make my readers comprehend that all political are not all moral vices； and that all moral are not political vices； and that those who make laws which shock the general spirit of a nation ought not to be ignorant of this。
12。 Of Customs and Manners in a despotic State。 It is a capital maxim that the manners and customs of a despotic empire ought never to be changed； for nothing would more speedily produce a revolution。 The reason is that in these states there are no laws； that is； none that can be properly called so； there are only manners and customs； and if you overturn these you overturn all。
Laws are established； manners are inspired； these proceed from a general spirit； those from a particular institution： now it is as dangerous； nay more so； to subvert the general spirit as to change a particular institution。
There is less communication in a country where each； either as superior or inferior； exercises or is oppressed by arbitrary power； than there is in those where liberty reigns in every station。 They do not； therefore； so often change their manners and behaviour。 Fixed and established customs have a near resemblance to laws。 Thus