322 hiiits-cn chivalry. ^t'g' ^S* 



their followers, even in the intervals of peace, was 

 rot to be relaxed, ror their ardor suffered to grow 

 cool by a total disuse of martial exercises : hence 

 the origin of Tournaments, those images of war, 

 which were kept up in the castles of the barons ; 

 and, by an useful policy, converted into the amuse- 

 ment of tlie knights, when their arms were employ- 

 ed on no serious occasion*. 



The singular institution of chivalry, in which va- 

 lour, galaniry, and religion, were so strangely blend- 

 ed, was wonderfully adapted to the taste and genius 

 of martial nobles ; and its beneficial effects were 

 soon visible in their manners. War was carried 

 on with lefs ferocity, when humanity no lefs than 

 courage, came to be deemed the ornament of knight- 

 hood. More gentle and poliftied m.anners were 

 introduced, when courtesy was represented as the 

 most amiable of knightly virtues. Violence and 

 opprcfsion decreased, when it was reckoned meri- 

 torious to check and to punifh them. A scrupulous 

 adherence to truth, with the most religious attenti- 

 on to fulfil every engagcmrnt, became the distin- 

 guiibing characteristic of a gentleman ; because chi- 

 valry was regarded ns the school of honour, and in- 

 -culcated tlie most delicate sensibility with regard to 

 these points. The admiration of these qualities, 

 ■together with the high distinctions and prerogatives 

 conferred on knighthood in every part of Europe, 

 inspired persons of noble birth on some occasions 

 with a species of military fanaticism, and led them 



* Let. on diiv. 



