FORMS OF ADDRESS. 157 



phrases of adulation and humility, first used in intercourse 

 with rulers and afterwards spreading, have elaborated to 

 such extremes that in inquiring another s name the form is 

 &quot; Mav I presume to ask what is your noble surname and 

 your eminent name; &quot; while the reply is &quot; The name of 

 my cold (or poor) family is - , and my ignoble name 

 is .&quot; If we ask where ceremony has initiated the most 

 elaborate misuses of pronouns, we find them in Japan, 

 where wars long ago established a despotism which acquired 

 divine prestige. 



Similarly, on contrasting the Europe of past times, char 

 acterized by social structures developed by, and fitted for, 

 perpetual fighting, with modern Europe, in which, though 

 fighting on a large scale occurs, it is the temporary rather 

 than the permanent form of social activity, we observe that 

 complimentary expressions, now less used, are also now 

 less exaggerated. Xor does the generalization fail when 

 we compare the modern European societies that are organ 

 ized in high degrees for war, like those of the Continent, 

 with our own society, not so well organized for war; or 

 when we compare the regulative parts of our own society, 

 which are developed by militancy, with the industrial 

 parts. Flattering superlatives and expressions of devotion 

 are less profuse here than abroad; and much as the use 

 of complimentary language has diminished among our rul 

 ing classes in recent times, there remains a greater use of it 

 among them than among the industrial classes: especially 

 those of the industrial classes who have no direct relations 

 with the ruling classes. 



These connexions are obviously, like previous ones, 

 necessary. Should any one say that along with the en 

 forced obedience which military organization implies, and 

 which characterizes the whole of a society framed for mili 

 tary action, there naturally go forms of address not express 

 ing submission; and if, conversely, he should say that along 

 with the active exchanging of goods for money, and services 



