Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The National Manners Of The French And English.
when you are gone , you are thought of no more ; for such is the versatility of their minds , that the same train of ideas seldom lasts long , and , unless revived by something very striking , does not often recur . In their address'and deportment they are easy , familiar , and graceful ; and are never at a loss for conversation , when they first accost you , —Initiated early into the mysteries of etiquette , and accustomed , from their cradles , to company , they always know what rules and
ceremonies to observe , and are scarcely ever disturbed by the dreadful and perplexing agitations of bashfulness . — - The French , in short , are ' an agreeable people , and their society is always cheerful and entertaining . ¦ .. ¦ The character of the English is , perhaps , less brilliant ; but it is more respectable . It does not excite so much of our astonishment ; but it commands more of our veneration It does not so immediatel
. y amuse the fancy ; but if Jays a stronger iiold of the heart . " An Englishman , when you are introduced to him , receives you politely , without overloading you with compliments and professions . If he likes your society , he tells you so ; and when once you have made an impression on his feeling , that impression is lasting , and his friendship is sincere . —Both bhabit and educationbeing accustomed
y , to think for himself , and not to adopt the opinions of others ( unless after reflection and scrutiny , he finds them superior to . his own ) , he is , on important matters , a long time determining ; but when he has once determined , he does not readily change . —His mind being thus frequently occupied in the solution of intricate and knotty problems ,
it is perhaps on tins account , that he possesses not that facility of expression and volubility of tongue , for which the French are so remarkable . —What , however , ire ioses in number of words , is abundantly made up in weight , and no language furnishes more modes of forcible expression than our own . Not naturally much addicted to pleasure or to public amusements , the English have acquiredfrom their long and close intercourse
, with their nei ghbours , an artificial taste for them , which has pro- ; gressively increased with the riches arid luxury of the country . In society they are cheerful , without straining their spirits to the highest pitch of elevation ; and they go into company , as much for the promotion of friendship as fbr immediate enjoyment . —Our manners used to be coarse and abrupt ; but they are now , I conceive ,
quite sufficiently polished , and I could wish that'they may not make nearer approaches to what is , improperly , called refinement . Such are the distinctions which I have been able to make between the characters of these two rival nations : which is the most valuable , I shall leave you to determine .-After having said so much about the menI cannotespecially as I
, , am writing to you , with any propriety , altogether desert the ladies .. — Their characters , however , are soon drawn . The French women , like the men , are thoughtless , lively , and dissipated ; bewitching companions ; but for wives , my fair countrywomen may challenge the whole female creation . The French women captivate for a day ; the English women for life .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The National Manners Of The French And English.
when you are gone , you are thought of no more ; for such is the versatility of their minds , that the same train of ideas seldom lasts long , and , unless revived by something very striking , does not often recur . In their address'and deportment they are easy , familiar , and graceful ; and are never at a loss for conversation , when they first accost you , —Initiated early into the mysteries of etiquette , and accustomed , from their cradles , to company , they always know what rules and
ceremonies to observe , and are scarcely ever disturbed by the dreadful and perplexing agitations of bashfulness . — - The French , in short , are ' an agreeable people , and their society is always cheerful and entertaining . ¦ .. ¦ The character of the English is , perhaps , less brilliant ; but it is more respectable . It does not excite so much of our astonishment ; but it commands more of our veneration It does not so immediatel
. y amuse the fancy ; but if Jays a stronger iiold of the heart . " An Englishman , when you are introduced to him , receives you politely , without overloading you with compliments and professions . If he likes your society , he tells you so ; and when once you have made an impression on his feeling , that impression is lasting , and his friendship is sincere . —Both bhabit and educationbeing accustomed
y , to think for himself , and not to adopt the opinions of others ( unless after reflection and scrutiny , he finds them superior to . his own ) , he is , on important matters , a long time determining ; but when he has once determined , he does not readily change . —His mind being thus frequently occupied in the solution of intricate and knotty problems ,
it is perhaps on tins account , that he possesses not that facility of expression and volubility of tongue , for which the French are so remarkable . —What , however , ire ioses in number of words , is abundantly made up in weight , and no language furnishes more modes of forcible expression than our own . Not naturally much addicted to pleasure or to public amusements , the English have acquiredfrom their long and close intercourse
, with their nei ghbours , an artificial taste for them , which has pro- ; gressively increased with the riches arid luxury of the country . In society they are cheerful , without straining their spirits to the highest pitch of elevation ; and they go into company , as much for the promotion of friendship as fbr immediate enjoyment . —Our manners used to be coarse and abrupt ; but they are now , I conceive ,
quite sufficiently polished , and I could wish that'they may not make nearer approaches to what is , improperly , called refinement . Such are the distinctions which I have been able to make between the characters of these two rival nations : which is the most valuable , I shall leave you to determine .-After having said so much about the menI cannotespecially as I
, , am writing to you , with any propriety , altogether desert the ladies .. — Their characters , however , are soon drawn . The French women , like the men , are thoughtless , lively , and dissipated ; bewitching companions ; but for wives , my fair countrywomen may challenge the whole female creation . The French women captivate for a day ; the English women for life .