86 MANNERS AND FASHION. 



space. Suffice it to point out, that where the civil power 

 has been weak, the multipHcation of thieves, assassins, and 

 banditti, has indicated the approach of social dissolution ; 

 that when, from the corruptness of its ministry, religion 

 has lost its influence, as it did just before the Flagellants 

 appeared, the State has been endangered; and that the 

 disregard of established social observances has ever been 

 an accompaniment of political revolutions. Whoever 

 doubts the necessity for a government of manners propor- 

 tionate in strength to the co-existing political and religious 

 governments, will be convinced on calling to mind that 

 until recently even elaborate codes of behaviour failed to 

 keep gentlemen from quarrelling in the streets and fighting 

 duels in taverns ; and on remembering further, that even now 

 people exhibit at the doors of a theatre, where there is no 

 ceremonial law to rule them, a deg^ree of aojorressiveness 

 which would produce confusiou if carried into social inter- 

 course. 



As might be expected, we find that, having a common 

 origin and like general functions, these several controlling 

 agencies act during each er^ with similar degrees of vigour. 

 Under the Chinese despotism, stringent and multitudinous 

 in its edicts and harsh m the enforcement of them, and 

 associated with which tliere is an equally stern domestic 

 despotism exercised by the eldest surviving male of the 

 flimily, there exists a, system of observances alike compli- 

 cated and rigid. There is a tribunal of ceremonies. Pre- 

 vious to presentation at court, ambassadors pass many days 

 in practising the required forms. Social intercourse is 

 cumbered by endless compliments and obeisances. Class 

 distinctions are strongly marked by badges. The chief 

 regret on losing an only son is, that there will be no one to 

 perform the sepulchral rites. And if there wants a definite 

 measure of the respect paid to social ordinances, we have 

 H 'P. *.he torture to which ladies submit in having their feet 



