438 ON THE MANNERS OF EUROPE. June 22, 



nure, binding a vaflal, on the birth-day of his lord, to 

 dance and f — t before him. In the fame period, the 

 judgment of Paris was a favourite theatrical entertain- 

 ment : Three women ftark-naked, rfeprefented the three 

 Godcffes, Juno, Venus, and Minerva. 



Nicknames, fo common not long ago, are an inftance 

 of the fame coarfenefs of manners ; for, to fix a nick- 

 name on a man, is to ufe him with a contemptuous fa- 

 miliarity. 



Swearing, as an expletive of fpeech, is a violent 

 fymptom of rough and coarfe manners. Such fwear- 

 ing prevails among all barbarous nations. Swearing 

 prevailed in France and Spain, till it was banifhed by 

 polite manners. Elizabeth Queen of England was a 

 bold fwearer ; and the Englnh populace, who are rough 

 beyond their neighbours, ^re noted by ftrangers for 

 that vice. Swearing renders facred names too familiar. 

 God^s beafd, the common oath of William Rufus, iug- 

 gefted an image of our maker, as an old man with a 

 long beard. In vain have acts of Parliament been made 

 againft fwearing : It is eafy to avoid the penalty by 

 coining new oaths ; and as that vice proceeds from ai^ 

 overflow of fpirits, people In that condition brave pe- 

 nalties. Polifhed manners are the only effectual cure 

 for that malady. 



When people begin to emerge out of barbarity, loud 

 mirth and rough jokes come in place of rancour and, 

 refentment. About a century ago, it was ufual for 

 the fervants and retainers of the court of Seffion in 

 Scotland to break out Into riotous mirth and uproar, 

 the laft day of every term, throw'ing bags, duft, fand, 

 or ftones all around. 



An aft of the court paffed for prohibiting this difor- 

 der, is fufficient evidence of its being cuftomary. 



Inns were unknown in Germany, and, to this day, 

 are unknown in the remote parts of the Highlands of 



