(93) 



legibus et exemplo, denique ex onini vitae ratione, ad tnajorem hu- 

 manitatera sese conforraare discerent, nam : cc egenis, afilictis fceminis, 

 viduabus , orplianis aliisque succurrere, eosque vindicare ab impetu 

 potentiorura , oflicium erat tam sancte, tarn diligenter excolendum, ut 

 ) qui ab hoc discessisset , per omnem vilam infamiae dedecus sibi con- 

 traxisse putaretur. Legibus non tantura cautuni erat, ut fide starent et 

 promissis, ut mendaciae periidiarn detestarentur, sed etiam omni studio 

 in id incumbebant, ne quid peccarent contra aequitatem vel genero- 

 si l .1 1 cm : cum et justitiae seventatem bellique calamitates temperare 

 humanitate tenerentur" (1). Hsec res equestris in primis fuit, quac 

 singulares illas virtutes, quae paene novae erant dicendac, gentibus Euro- 

 paeis indiderit (2). Inde singular-is illius humanitatis, quae hodiernain 

 aetatem cum pacis turn belli tempore distinguit, semina : inde sexus se- 

 quioris amor et assentatio, illeque verbo sensus, qui tempori nostri plane 

 proprius vernacule galanterie dicitur, cujus saluberrimam vim cum in 

 vitatn nostfam publicam, turn in privatam, nemo non videt et experitur : 



(i) Regenbogen, \. c. Curne de la Ste Palaye, Mem. sur 1'anc. chevalerie , p. I. p. II. 

 Ducange, Gloss, voce Miles et Dissert. 22 , sur Joinville in Mem. Petitot. tiallam. 1. c. 488. 



(i) Longum hie, sed eximium proponamus Robertsonii, p. -jZ , locum : a This singular in- 

 ii siitnlion, ait, in which valour, gallantry and religion were so strangely blended, was 

 wonderfully adapted to the taste and genius of martial nobles; and its effects were soou 

 visible in their manners. War was carried on with less ferocity, when humanity came to 

 " be deemed the ornament of knighthood , no less than courage. More gentle and polished man- 

 ners were introduced, when courtesy was recommanded as the most amiable of knightly 

 virtues. Violence and oppression decreased, when it waa reckoned meritorious to cheek 'and 

 a to punish them. A scrupulous adherence to truth , with the most religious attention to fulfil 

 every engagement, becam,e the distinguishing characteristic of a g entleman" (cujus verbi etiam 

 propria signirkatio, quee antiquis latuit, peculiare quid recentiorum temporum est), cr becanae 

 chivalry was regarded as the school of honour , and inculcated the most delicate seusibilily 

 with respect to that point.' The admiration of these qualities, together with the high distinc- 

 lions and prerogatives conferred on knigthood in every part of Europe , inspired persou* of 

 noble birth on some occasions 'with a species of military fanaticism, and led them to extra- 

 v.ig.uit enterprises. But they deeply imprinted on their minds the principles of generosity and 

 honour. These were strengthened by every thing , that can affect the senses or touch the heart. 

 Perhaps, the humanity which accompanies all the operations of war, the refinements of 

 gallantry, and the point of honour, the three chief circumstances, which distinguish' modern 

 > from ancient manners, may be ascribed in a great measure to this whimsical institution, 

 a seemingly of little benefit to the mankind." 



