258 The Duchess of Newcastle 



or behaviours were out of fashion, they are accounted 

 fools or ill-bred persons ; indeed most men and women 

 in this age, in most nations in Europe, are nothing 

 but mode, as mode -minds, mode-bodyes, mode- 

 appetites, mode - behaviours, mode - cloaths, mode- 

 pastimes or vices, mode-speeches and conversations, 

 which is strange to have minds according to the mode, 

 as to have a mode-judgment, for all will give their 

 judgments and opinions according to the mode, and 

 they love and hate according to the mode, they are 

 couragious or cowardly according to the mode, 

 approve or dislike according to the mode, nay, their 

 wits are according to the mode, as to rallery, clinch, 

 buffonly jest, and the like, for better wit is not usually 

 the mode, as being alwayes out of fashion amongst 

 mode-gallants, but true and good wit Hves with the 

 seniors of the time. Such as regard not the mode, but 

 chuse or prefer what is best, and not what is most in 

 fashion, unless that which is best be in fashion, which 

 is very seldom if ever known for that which is best or 

 good, is not general, especially wit, for the right, true 

 and best wit keeps to particulars, as being understood 

 by particulars ; some modes have oftener wit in their 

 mouths than in their brains, that is, they speak the 

 wit of others, but have none of their own. But grave, 

 experienced and wise men give their judgment or 

 opinion, not according to the mode or fashion, but 

 according to probabihty, sense and reason; neither 

 do they say, such or such a thing will or shall be, or is 

 so, why ? because it is the general opinion, but they 

 say, such or such a thing may be, or 'tis Hkely will be, 

 or is so, why? because there is a probability or 

 reason for it: neither do the just and wise hate or 

 love, approve or dislike, because it is the mode, as to 

 hate what is not generally loved, or love what is not 



