330 On National Character. 
objects in directing the mode of dress and 
other attentions to the person. 
In general, the customs formed during the 
age of barbarism are continued. through suc- 
cessive generations, modified by circumstan- 
ces; but to the custom itself the people are in- 
separably attached. It is wrong to call it cha- 
racter; it is habit, to which the. people’ are. 
attached.. When Ferdinand attempted to assi- 
milate, the dress and customs of the Spaniards 
to those of the French, the people revolted from 
his government. What character can be given 
to the transaction, but that of a fondness for 
national customs, common to every people ? 
and also, when Peter of Russia ordered his sub- 
jects to be shaved; although his people loved 
him as their father, they were unwilling to 
submit. to this supposed degradation, this 
yielding up an ancient custom. What hap- 
pened in Scotland when the Highlanders were 
required to change their dress, is familiarly 
known to most of us. With such evidence 
before us, and much more might be adduced, 
we may infer that. national customs are well 
calculated to keep up national distinctions, 
and even national animosities; but they do 
not express the character. The same dignity 
of office commands equal homage, whatever 
‘the costume of that office may be. A Mo- 
