THIS mixed system of opinion and sentiment had its origin in the
ancient chivalry; and the principle, though varied in its appearance
by the varying state of human affairs, subsisted and influenced
through a long succession of generations even to the time we live
in. If it should ever be totally extinguished, the loss I fear will be
great. It is this which has given its character to modern Europe. It
is this which has distinguished it under all its forms of
government, and distinguished it to its advantage, from the states
of Asia and possibly from those states which flourished in the most
brilliant periods of the antique world. It was this which, without
confounding ranks, had produced a noble equality and handed it down
through all the gradations of social life. It was this opinion which
mitigated kings into companions and raised private men to be fellows
with kings. Without force or opposition, it subdued the fierceness
of pride and power, it obliged sovereigns to submit to the soft collar
of social esteem, compelled stern authority to submit to elegance, and
gave a domination, vanquisher of laws, to be subdued by manners.
But now all is to be changed. All the pleasing illusions which
made power gentle and obedience liberal, which harmonized the
different shades of life, and which, by a bland assimilation,
incorporated into politics the sentiments which beautify and soften
private society, are to be dissolved by this new conquering empire
of light and reason.
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