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becomes more and more agreeable and absorbing。
Similar circumstances have led other aristocracies in Europe to
nearly similar ways and habits。 There also the monarchy has given
birth to the court and the court to a refined society。 But the
development of this rare plant has been only partial。 The soil was
unfavorable and the seed was not of the right sort。 In Spain； the king
stands shrouded in etiquette like a mummy in its wrappings； while a
too rigid pride； incapable of yielding to the amenities of the worldly
order of things； ends in a sentiment of morbidity and in insane
display。＇2＇ In Italy； under petty despotic sovereigns； and most of
them strangers； the constant state of danger and of hereditary
distrust； after having tied all tongues； turns all hearts towards the
secret delights of love and towards the mute gratification of the fine
arts。 In Germany and in England； a cold temperament； dull and
rebellious to culture； keeps man； up to the close of the last century；
within the Germanic habits of solitude； inebriety and brutality。 In
France； on the contrary； all things combine to make the social
sentiment flourish； in this the national genius harmonizes with the
political regime； the plant appearing to be selected for the soil
beforehand。
The Frenchman loves company through instinct； and the reason is
that he does well and easily whatever society calls upon him to do。 He
has not the false shame which renders his northern neighbors awkward；
nor the powerful passions which absorb his neighbors of the south。
Talking is no effort to him； having none of the natural timidity which
begets constraint； and with no constant preoccupation to overcome。 He
accordingly converses at his ease； ever on the alert； and conversation
affords him extreme pleasure。 For the happiness which he requires is
of a peculiar kind： delicate； light； rapid； incessantly renewed and
varied； in which his intellect； his vanity； all his emotional and
sympathetic faculties find nourishment； and this quality of happiness
is provided for him only in society and in conversation。 Sensitive as
he is； personal attention； consideration； cordiality； delicate
flattery； constitute his natal atmosphere； outside which he breathes
with difficulty。 He would suffer almost as much in being impolite as
in encountering impoliteness in others。 For his instincts of
kindliness and vanity there is an exquisite charm in the habit of
being amiable； and this is all the greater because it proves
contagious。 When we afford pleasure to others there is a desire to
please us； and what we bestow in deference is returned in attentions。
In company of this kind one can talk； for to talk is to amuse another
in being oneself amused； a Frenchman finding no pleasure equal to
it。＇3＇ Lively and sinuous； conversation to him is like the flying of a
bird； he wings his way from idea to idea； alert； excited by the
inspiration of others； darting forward； wheeling round and
unexpectedly returning； now up； now down； now skimming the ground； now
aloft on the peaks； without sinking into quagmires； or getting
entangled in the briers； and claiming nothing of the thousands of
objects he slightly grazes but the diversity and the gaiety of their
aspects。
Thus endowed； and thus disposed； he is made for a régime which； for
ten hours a day； brings men together； natural feeling in accord with
the social order of things renders the drawing room perfect。 The king；
at the head of all； sets the example。 Louis XIV had every
qualification for the master of a household： a taste for pomp and
hospitality； condescension accompanied with dignity； the art of
playing on the self…esteem of others and of maintaining his own
position； chivalrous gallantry； tact； and even charms of intellectual
expression。 〃His address was perfect；＇4＇ whether it was necessary to
jest； or he was in a playful humor； or deigned to tell a story； it was
ever with infinite grace； and a noble refined air which I have found
only in him。〃 〃Never was man so naturally polite；＇5＇ nor of such
circumspect politeness； so powerful by degrees； nor who better
discriminated age； worth； and rank； both in his replies and in his
deportment。 。 。 。 His salutations； more or less marked； but always
slight； were of incomparable grace and majesty。 。 。 。 He was admirable
in the different acknowledgments of salutes at the head of the army
and at reviews。 。 。 。 But especially toward women ； there was nothing
like it。 。 。 。 Never did he pass the most insignificant woman without
taking off his hat to her； and I mean chambermaids whom he knew to be
such。 。 。 Never did he chance to say anything disobliging to anybody。
。 。 。 Never before company anything mistimed or venturesome； but even
to the smallest gesture； his walk； his bearing； his features； all were
proper； respectful； noble； grand； majestic； and thoroughly natural。〃
Such is the model； and； nearly or remotely； it is imitated up to
the end of the ancient régime。 If it undergoes any change； it is only
to become more sociable。 In the eighteenth century； except on great
ceremonial occasions； it is seen descending step by step from its
pedestal。 It no longer imposes 〃that stillness around it which lets
one hear a fly walk。〃 〃Sire；〃 said the Marshal de Richelieu； who had
seen three reigns； addressing Louis XVI； 〃under Louis XIV no one dared
utter a word； under Louis XV people whispered； under your Majesty they
talk aloud。〃 If authority is a loser； society is the gainer；
etiquette； insensibly relaxed； allows the introduction of ease and
cheerfulness。 Henceforth the great； less concerned in overawing than
in pleasing； cast off stateliness like an uncomfortable and ridiculous
garment； 〃seeking respect less than applause。 It no longer suffices to
be affable； one has to appear amiable at any cost with one's inferiors
as with one's equals。〃＇6＇ The French princes； says again a
contemporary lady； 〃are dying with fear of being deficient in
favors。〃＇7＇ Even around the throne 〃the style is free and playful。〃
The grave and disciplined court of Louis XIV became at the end of the
century； under the smiles of the youthful queen； the most seductive
and gayest of drawing…rooms。 Through this universal relaxation； a
worldly existence gets to be perfect。 〃He who has not lived before
1789；〃 says Talleyrand at a later period； 〃knows nothing of the charm
of living。〃 It was too great； no other way of living was appreciated；
it engrossed man wholly。 When society becomes so attractive； people
live for it alone。
II。 SOCIAL LIFE HAS PRIORITY。
Subordination of it to other interests and duties。 … Indifference
to public affairs。 … They are merely a subject of jest。 … Neglect of
private affairs。 … Disorder in the household and abuse of money。
There is neither leisure nor taste for other matters； even for
things which are of most concern to man； such as public affairs； the
household；