238 hints on chivalry, -^ttg. 21. 



which arose naturally from the state of society at 

 that period *. 



Characteristics of chivalry. 



The rise of chivalry from the circumstances of 

 the. feudal government, having been fliewn, it will 

 fee easy to account for the several characteristics of 

 this singular profefsion. 



1st, The pafsion for arms, the spirit of enter- 

 prise I he honour of knighthood, the rewards of va- 

 lour, the splendour of equipages ; in fhort, every 

 thing that raises our ideas of the prowefs, gallantry, 

 and magnificence of the sons of Mars is easily ex- 

 plained in this supposition. Ambition, interest, glo- 

 ry, all concurred, under such circumstances, to pro- 

 duce these effects. The feudal principles could ter- 

 minate in nothing else And when by the necefsa- 

 rj operation of that policy, this turn was given to 

 the thoughts and pafsions of men, use and faftiiori 

 •would do the rest, and carry them to all the excefsej 

 of military fanatism. 



id. Their romantic ideas of justice, their pafsi- 

 on for adventures, their eagernefs to run to the suc- 

 cour of the distrefsed, and the pride they took, in re- 

 drefsing wrongs, and removing grievances, all these 

 distinguiOiing characters cf gtMoi e chivalry areex- 

 plained on the same prmciple. For the feudal state 

 being a state of perpetual war, or rather of conti- 

 nual violence, it was unavoidable that in their con- 

 stant flcirmiihes and surprises, numbers of the fol^ 



* Ibid page 83, 



