5 



to consider the origin of what is called 

 Fashion, and by the multitude generally 

 considered as Taste. 

 Origin of Although each individual may have 



Fashion. " p , . , . - ^ 



the power or thmking, yet the mass or 

 mankind act without thought, and like 

 sheep follow a leader through the various 

 paths of life. Without this natural pro- 

 pensity for imitation, every member of 

 society would hold a diiferent opinion, 

 and the world would be at perpetual war- 

 fare. Indeed every disagreement, from 

 the enmity of nations to the petty squab- 

 bles of a parish, is caused and conducted 

 by some leader, whom the nmltitude fol- 

 low, imitate, and support. 



This is the origin of changes in cus- 

 toms or fashions in every shape. Opi- 

 nions are declared by one man, and fol- 

 lowed by the many. If persons only of 

 superior sense were the leaders, or if 

 mankind always examined what they fol- 

 lowed, fashion might perhaps be more 

 reasonable: but this suppo'ses mankind 

 always to act like rational beings, which 

 is contrary to every test of experience. 



