CEREMONIAL RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT. 229* 



pendent. From observances which, in their primitive 

 forms, express partly subordination to a superior and partly 

 attachment to him, and which, spreading downwards, be 

 come general forms of behaviour, there finally come observ 

 ances expressing a proper regard for the individualities of 

 other persons, and a true sympathy in their welfare. Cere 

 monies which originally have no other end than to propiti 

 ate a dominant person, pass, some of them, into rules of po 

 liteness; and these gather an authority distinct from that 

 which they originally had. Apt evidence is furnished by 

 the &quot; Ritual Remembrancer &quot; of the Chinese, which gives 

 directions for all the actions of life. Its regulations &quot; .are in 

 terspersed with truly excellent observations regarding mu 

 tual forbearance and kindness in society, which is regarded 

 as the true principle of etiquette.&quot; The higher the social 

 evolution, the more does this inner element of ceremonial 

 rule grow, while the outer formal element dwindles. As 

 fast as the principles of natural politeness, seen to originate 

 in sympathy, distinguish themselves from the code of cere 

 monial within which they originate, they replace its author 

 ity by a higher authority, and go on dropping its non-essen 

 tials while developing further its essentials. 



So that as law differentiates from personal commands, 

 and as morality differentiates from religious injunctions, so 

 politeness differentiates from ceremonial observance. To 

 which I may add, so does rational usage differentiate from 

 fashion. 



433. Thus guided by retrospect \ve cannot doubt 

 about the prospect. With further development of the so 

 cial type based on voluntary co-operation, will come a still 

 greater disuse of obeisances, of complimentary forms of ad 

 dress, of titles, of badges, &c., &c. The feelings alike of 

 those by whom, and those to whom, acts expressing subor 

 dination are performed, will become more and more averse 



to them. 



73 



