CHAPTERXXII
　　OFCUSTOM，ANDTHATWESHOULDNOTEASILYCHANGEALAWRECEIVED
　　Heseemstometohavehadarightandtrueapprehensionofthepowerofcustom，whofirstinventedthestoryofacountry—womanwho，havingaccustomedherselftoplaywithandcarryayoungcalfinherarms，anddailycontinuingtodosoasitgrewup，obtainedthisbycustom，that，whengrowntobeagreatox，shewasstillabletobearit。For，intruth，customisaviolentandtreacherousschoolmistress。She，bylittleandlittle，slilyandunperceived，slipsinthefootofherauthority，buthavingbythisgentleandhumblebeginning，withthebenefitoftime，fixedandestablishedit，shethenunmasksafuriousandtyranniccountenance，againstwhichwehavenomorethecourageorthepowersomuchastoliftupoureyes。Weseeher，ateveryturn，forcingandviolatingtherulesofnature:
　　"Ususefficacissimusrerumomniummagister。"
　　["Customisthebestmasterofallthings。"
　　——Pliny，Nat。Hist。，xxvi。2。]
　　IrefertoherPlato’scaveinhisRepublic，andthephysicians，whosooftensubmitthereasonsoftheirarttoherauthority;asthestoryofthatking，whobycustombroughthisstomachtothatpass，astolivebypoison，andthemaidthatAlbertusreportstohaveliveduponspiders。
　　InthatnewworldoftheIndies，therewerefoundgreatnations，andinverydifferingclimates，whowereofthesamediet，madeprovisionofthem，andfedthemfortheirtables;asalso，theydidgrasshoppers，mice，lizards，andbats;andinatimeofscarcityofsuchdelicacies，atoadwassoldforsixcrowns，allwhichtheycook，anddishupwithseveralsauces。Therewerealsoothersfound，towhomourdiet，andthefleshweeat，werevenomousandmortal:
　　"Consuetudinismagnavisest:pernoctantvenatoresinnive:
　　inmontibusurisepatiuntur:pugiles，caestibuscontusi，neingemiscuntquidem。"
　　["Thepowerofcustomisverygreat:huntsmenwilllieoutallnightinthesnow，orsufferthemselvestobeburnedupbythesunonthemountains;boxers，hurtbythecaestus，neverutteragroan。"——Cicero，Tusc。，ii。17]
　　Thesestrangeexampleswillnotappearsostrangeifweconsiderwhatwehaveordinaryexperienceof，howmuchcustomstupefiesoursenses。WeneednotgotowhatisreportedofthepeopleaboutthecataractsoftheNile;andwhatphilosophersbelieveofthemusicofthespheres，thatthebodiesofthosecirclesbeingsolidandsmooth，andcomingtotouchandrubupononeanother，cannotfailofcreatingamarvellousharmony，thechangesandcadencesofwhichcausetherevolutionsanddancesofthestars;butthatthehearingsenseofallcreaturesherebelow，beinguniversally，likethatoftheEgyptians，deafened，andstupefiedwiththecontinualnoise，cannot，howgreatsoever，perceiveit——[ThispassageistakenfromCicero，"DreamofScipio";seehisDeRepublica，vi。II。TheEgyptiansweresaidtobestunnedbythenoiseoftheCataracts。]——
　　Smiths，millers，pewterers，forgemen，andarmourerscouldneverbeabletoliveintheperpetualnoiseoftheirowntrades，diditstriketheirearswiththesameviolencethatitdoesours。
　　Myperfumeddoubletgratifiesmyownscentatfirst;butafterIhavewornitthreedaystogether，’tisonlypleasingtothebystanders。Thisisyetmorestrange，thatcustom，notwithstandinglongintermissionsandintervals，shouldyethavethepowertouniteandestablishtheeffectofitsimpressionsuponoursenses，asismanifestinsuchaslivenearuntosteeplesandthefrequentnoiseofthebells。Imyselflieathomeinatower，whereeverymorningandeveningaverygreatbellringsouttheAveMaria:thenoiseshakesmyverytower，andatfirstseemedinsupportabletome;butIamsousedtoit，thatIhearitwithoutanymannerofoffence，andoftenwithoutawakingatit。
　　Plato——[DiogenesLaertius，iii。38。ButhewhomPlatocensuredwasnotaboyplayingatnuts，butamanthrowingdice。]——reprehendingaboyforplayingatnuts，"Thoureprovestme，"saystheboy，"foraverylittlething。""Custom，"repliedPlato，"isnolittlething。"Ifindthatourgreatestvicesderivetheirfirstpropensityfromourmosttenderinfancy，andthatourprincipaleducationdependsuponthenurse。
　　Mothersaremightilypleasedtoseeachildwritheofftheneckofachicken，ortopleaseitselfwithhurtingadogoracat;andsuchwisefathersthereareintheworld，wholookuponitasanotablemarkofamartialspirit，whentheyhearasonmiscall，orseehimdomineeroverapoorpeasant，oralackey，thatdaresnotreply，norturnagain;andagreatsignofwit，whentheyseehimcheatandoverreachhisplayfellowbysomemalicioustreacheryanddeceit。Yetthesearethetrueseedsandrootsofcruelty，tyranny，andtreason;theybudandputoutthere，andafterwardsshootupvigorously，andgrowtoprodigiousbulk，cultivatedbycustom。Anditisaverydangerousmistaketoexcusethesevileinclinationsuponthetendernessoftheirage，andthetrivialityofthesubject:first，itisnaturethatspeaks，whosedeclarationisthenmoresincere，andinwardthoughtsmoreundisguised，asitismoreweakandyoung;secondly，thedeformityofcozenagedoesnotconsistnordependuponthedifferencebetwixtcrownsandpins;butIratherholditmorejusttoconcludethus:whyshouldhenotcozenincrownssincehedoesitinpins，thanastheydo，whosaytheyonlyplayforpins，theywouldnotdoitifitwereformoney？Childrenshouldcarefullybeinstructedtoabhorvicesfortheirowncontexture;andthenaturaldeformityofthosevicesoughtsotoberepresentedtothem，thattheymaynotonlyavoidthemintheiractions，butespeciallysotoabominatethemintheirhearts，thattheverythoughtshouldbehatefultothem，withwhatmasksoevertheymaybedisguised。
　　Iknowverywell，forwhatconcernsmyself，thatfromhavingbeenbroughtupinmychildhoodtoaplainandstraightforwardwayofdealing，andfromhavinghadanaversiontoallmannerofjugglingandfoulplayinmychildishsportsandrecreations（and，indeed，itistobenoted，thattheplaysofchildrenarenotperformedinplay，butaretobejudgedinthemastheirmostseriousactions），thereisnogamesosmallwhereinfrommyownbosomnaturally，andwithoutstudyorendeavour，Ihavenotanextremeaversionfromdeceit。Ishuffleandcutandmakeasmuchclatterwiththecards，andkeepasstrictaccountforfarthings，asitwerefordoublepistoles;whenwinningorlosingagainstmywifeanddaughter，’tisindifferenttome，aswhenIplayingoodearnestwithothers，forroundsums。Atalltimes，andinallplaces，myowneyesaresufficienttolooktomyfingers;Iamnotsonarrowlywatchedbyanyother，neitheristhereanyIhavemorerespectto。
　　Isawtheotherday，atmyownhouse，alittlefellow，anativeofNantes，bornwithoutarms，whohassowelltaughthisfeettoperformtheserviceshishandsshouldhavedonehim，thattrulythesehavehalfforgottentheirnaturaloffice;and，indeed，thefellowcallsthemhishands;withthemhecutsanything，chargesanddischargesapistol，threadsaneedle，sews，writes，putsoffhishat，combshishead，playsatcardsanddice，andallthiswithasmuchdexterityasanyothercoulddowhohadmore，andmoreproperlimbstoassisthim。ThemoneyIgavehim——forhegainshislivingbyshewingthesefeats——hetookinhisfoot，aswedoinourhand。Ihaveseenanotherwho，beingyetaboy，flourishedatwo—handedsword，and，ifImaysosay，handledahalberdwiththemeremotionsofhisneckandshouldersforwantofhands;tossedthemintotheair，andcaughtthemagain，dartedadagger，andcrackedawhipaswellasanycoachmaninFrance。
　　Buttheeffectsofcustomaremuchmoremanifestinthestrangeimpressionssheimprintsinourminds，whereshemeetswithlessresistance。Whathasshenotthepowertoimposeuponourjudgmentsandbeliefs？Isthereanysofantasticopinion（omittingthegrossimposturesofreligions，withwhichweseesomanygreatnations，andsomanyunderstandingmen，sostrangelybesotted;forthisbeingbeyondthereachofhumanreason，anyerrorismoreexcusableinsuchasarenotendued，throughthedivinebounty，withanextraordinaryilluminationfromabove），but，ofotheropinions，arethereanysoextravagant，thatshehasnotplantedandestablishedforlawsinthosepartsoftheworlduponwhichshehasbeenpleasedtoexerciseherpower？Andthereforethatancientexclamationwasexceedingjust:
　　"Nonpudetphysicum，idestspeculatoremvenatoremquenaturae，abanimisconsuetudineimbutispeteretestimoniumveritatis？"
　　["Isitnotashameforanaturalphilosopher，thatis，foranobserverandhunterofnature，toseektestimonyofthetruthfrommindsprepossessedbycustom？"——Cicero，DeNaturaDeor。，i。30。]
　　Idobelieve，thatnosoabsurdorridiculousfancycanenterintohumanimagination，thatdoesnotmeetwithsomeexampleofpublicpractice，andthat，consequently，ourreasondoesnotgroundandbackup。Therearepeople，amongstwhomitisthefashiontoturntheirbacksuponhimtheysalute，andneverlookuponthemantheyintendtohonour。Thereisaplace，where，wheneverthekingspits，thegreatestladiesofhiscourtputouttheirhandstoreceiveit;andanothernation，wherethemosteminentpersonsabouthimstooptotakeuphisordureinalinencloth。
　　Letusherestealroomtoinsertastory。
　　AFrenchgentlemanwasalwayswonttoblowhisnosewithhisfingers（athingverymuchagainstourfashion），andhejustifyinghimselfforsodoing，andhewasamanfamousforpleasantrepartees，heaskedme，whatprivilegethisfilthyexcrementhad，thatwemustcarryaboutusafinehandkerchieftoreceiveit，and，whichwasmore，afterwardstolapitcarefullyup，andcarryitalldayaboutinourpockets，which，hesaid，couldnotbutbemuchmorenauseousandoffensive，thantoseeitthrownaway，aswedidallotherevacuations。Ifoundthatwhathesaidwasnotaltogetherwithoutreason，andbybeingfrequentlyinhiscompany，thatslovenlyactionofhiswasatlastgrownfamiliartome;whichneverthelesswemakeafaceat，whenwehearitreportedofanothercountry。Miraclesappeartobeso，accordingtoourignoranceofnature，andnotaccordingtotheessenceofnaturethecontinuallybeingaccustomedtoanything，blindstheeyeofourjudgment。Barbariansarenomoreawondertous，thanwearetothem;norwithanymorereason，aseveryonewouldconfess，ifafterhavingtravelledoverthoseremoteexamples，mencouldsettlethemselvestoreflectupon，andrightlytoconferthem，withtheirown。Humanreasonisatincturealmostequallyinfusedintoallouropinionsandmanners，ofwhatformsoevertheyare;
　　infiniteinmatter，infiniteindiversity。ButIreturntomysubject。
　　Therearepeoples，where，hiswifeandchildrenexcepted，noonespeakstothekingbutthroughatube。Inoneandthesamenation，thevirginsdiscoverthosepartsthatmodestyshouldpersuadethemtohide，andthemarriedwomencarefullycoverandconcealthem。Towhich，thiscustom，inanotherplace，hassomerelation，wherechastity，butinmarriage，isofnoesteem，forunmarriedwomenmayprostitutethemselvestoasmanyastheyplease，andbeinggotwithchild，maylawfullytakephysic，inthesightofeveryone，todestroytheirfruit。And，inanotherplace，ifatradesmanmarry，allofthesamecondition，whoareinvitedtothewedding，liewiththebridebeforehim;andthegreaternumberofthemthereis，thegreaterisherhonour，andtheopinionofherabilityandstrength:ifanofficermarry，’tisthesame，thesamewithalabourer，oroneofmeancondition;butthenitbelongstothelordoftheplacetoperformthatoffice;andyetasevereloyaltyduringmarriageisafterwardstrictlyenjoined。Thereareplaceswherebrothelsofyoungmenarekeptforthepleasureofwomen;wherethewivesgotowaraswellasthehusbands，andnotonlyshareinthedangersofbattle，but，moreover，inthehonoursofcommand。Others，wheretheywearringsnotonlythroughtheirnoses，lips，cheeks，andontheirtoes，butalsoweightygimmalsofgoldthrustthroughtheirpapsandbuttocks;where，ineating，theywipetheirfingersupontheirthighs，genitories，andthesolesoftheirfeet:wherechildrenareexcluded，andbrothersandnephewsonlyinherit;andelsewhere，nephewsonly，savinginthesuccessionoftheprince:where，fortheregulationofcommunityingoodsandestates，observedinthecountry，certainsovereignmagistrateshavecommittedtothemtheuniversalchargeandoverseeingoftheagriculture，anddistributionofthefruits，accordingtothenecessityofeveryonewheretheylamentthedeathofchildren，andfeastatthedeceaseofoldmen:wheretheylietenortwelveinabed，menandtheirwivestogether:
　　wherewomen，whosehusbandscometoviolentends，maymarryagain，andothersnot:wheretheconditionofwomenislookeduponwithsuchcontempt，thattheykillallthenativefemales，andbuywivesoftheirneighbourstosupplytheiruse;wherehusbandsmayrepudiatetheirwives，withoutshowinganycause，butwivescannotpartfromtheirhusbands，forwhatcausesoever;wherehusbandsmayselltheirwivesincaseofsterility;wheretheyboilthebodiesoftheirdead，andafterwardpoundthemtoapulp，whichtheymixwiththeirwine，anddrinkit;wherethemostcovetedsepultureistobeeatenbydogs，andelsewherebybirds;
　　wheretheybelievethesoulsoftheblessedliveinallmannerofliberty，indelightfulfields，furnishedwithallsortsofdelicacies，andthatitisthesesouls，repeatingthewordsweutter，whichwecallEcho;wheretheyfightinthewater，andshoottheirarrowswiththemostmortalaim，swimming;where，forasignofsubjection，theyliftuptheirshoulders，andhangdowntheirheads;wheretheyputofftheirshoeswhentheyentertheking’spalace;wheretheeunuchs，whotakechargeofthesacredwomen，have，moreover，theirlipsandnosescutoff，thattheymaynotbeloved;wherethepriestsputouttheirowneyes，tobebetteracquaintedwiththeirdemons，andthebettertoreceivetheiroracles;
　　whereeveryonemakestohimselfadeityofwhathelikesbest;thehunterofalionorafox，thefisherofsomefish;idolsofeveryhumanactionorpassion;inwhichplace，thesun，themoon，andtheeartharethe’principaldeities，andtheformoftakinganoathis，totouchtheearth，lookinguptoheaven;wherebothfleshandfishiseatenraw;
　　wherethegreatestoaththeytakeis，toswearbythenameofsomedeadpersonofreputation，layingtheirhanduponhistomb;wherethenewyear’sgiftthekingsendseveryyeartotheprinces，hisvassals，isfire，whichbeingbrought，alltheoldfireisputout，andtheneighbouringpeopleareboundtofetchofthenew，everyoneforthemselves，uponpainofhightreason;where，whentheking，tobetakehimselfwhollytodevotion，retiresfromhisadministration（whichoftenfallsout），hisnextsuccessorisobligedtodothesame，andtherightofthekingdomdevolvestothethirdinsuccession:wheretheyvarytheformofgovernment，accordingtotheseemingnecessityofaffairs:deposethekingwhentheythinkgood，substitutingcertainelderstogoverninhisstead，andsometimestransferringitintothehandsofthecommonality:wheremenandwomenarebothcircumcisedandalsobaptized:
　　wherethesoldier，whoinoneorseveralengagements，hasbeensofortunateastopresentsevenoftheenemies’headstotheking，ismadenoble:wheretheyliveinthatrareandunsociableopinionofthemortalityofthesoul:wherethewomenaredeliveredwithoutpainorfear:wherethewomenwearcopperleggingsuponbothlegs，andifalousebitethem，areboundinmagnanimitytobitethemagain，anddarenotmarry，tillfirsttheyhavemadetheirkingatenderoftheirvirginity，ifhepleasetoacceptit:wheretheordinarywayofsalutationisbyputtingafingerdowntotheearth，andthenpointingituptowardheaven:wheremencarryburdensupontheirheads，andwomenontheirshoulders;wherethewomenmakewaterstanding，andthemensquatting:
　　wheretheysendtheirbloodintokenoffriendship，andofferincensetothementheywouldhonour，likegods:where，notonlytothefourth，butinanyotherremotedegree，kindredarenotpermittedtomarry:wherethechildrenarefouryearsatnurse，andoftentwelve;inwhichplace，also，itisaccountedmortaltogivethechildsuckthefirstdayafteritisborn:wherethecorrectionofthemalechildrenispeculiarlydesignedtothefathers，andtothemothersofthegirls;thepunishmentbeingtohangthembytheheelsinthesmoke:wheretheycircumcisethewomen:
　　wheretheyeatallsortsofherbs，withoutotherscruplethanofthebadnessofthesmell:whereallthingsareopenthefinesthouses，furnishedintherichestmanner，withoutdoors，windows，trunks，orcheststolock，athiefbeingtherepunisheddoublewhattheyareinotherplaces:wheretheycracklicewiththeirteethlikemonkeys，andabhortoseethemkilledwithone’snails:whereinalltheirlivestheyneithercuttheirhairnorparetheirnails;and，inanotherplace，parethoseoftherighthandonly，lettingtheleftgrowforornamentandbravery:wheretheysufferthehairontherightsidetogrowaslongasitwill，andshavetheother;andintheneighbouringprovinces，somelettheirhairgrowlongbefore，andsomebehind，shavingclosetherest:
　　whereparentsletouttheirchildren，andhusbandstheirwives，totheirgueststohire:whereamanmaygethisownmotherwithchild，andfathersmakeuseoftheirowndaughtersorsons，withoutscandal:where，attheirsolemnfeasts，theyinterchangeablylendtheirchildrentooneanother，withoutanyconsiderationofnearnessofblood。Inoneplace，menfeeduponhumanflesh;inanother，’tisreputedapiousofficeforamantokillhisfatheratacertainage;elsewhere，thefathersdisposeoftheirchildren，whilstyetintheirmothers’wombs，sometobepreservedandcarefullybroughtup，andotherstobeabandonedormadeaway。Elsewheretheoldhusbandslendtheirwivestoyoungmen;andinanotherplacetheyareincommonwithoutoffence;inoneplaceparticularly，thewomentakeitforamarkofhonourtohaveasmanygayfringedtasselsatthebottomoftheirgarment，astheyhavelainwithseveralmen。Moreover，hasnotcustommadearepublicofwomenseparatelybythemselves？hasitnotputarmsintotheirhands，andmadethemraisearmiesandfightbattles？Anddoesshenot，byherownprecept，instructthemostignorantvulgar，andmakethemperfectinthingswhichallthephilosophyintheworldcouldneverbeatintotheheadsofthewisestmen？Forweknowentirenations，wheredeathwasnotonlydespised，butentertainedwiththegreatesttriumph;wherechildrenofsevenyearsoldsufferedthemselvestobewhippedtodeath，withoutchangingcountenance;wherericheswereinsuchcontempt，thatthemeanestcitizenwouldnothavedeignedtostooptotakeupapurseofcrowns。Andweknowregions，veryfruitfulinallmannerofprovisions，where，notwithstanding，themostordinarydiet，andthattheyaremostpleasedwith，isonlybread，cresses，andwater。Didnotcustom，moreover，workthatmiracleinChiosthat，insevenhundredyears，itwasneverknownthatevermaidorwifecommittedanyacttotheprejudiceofherhonour？
　　Toconclude;thereisnothing，inmyopinion，thatshedoesnot，ormaynotdo;andtherefore，withverygoodreasonitisthatPindarcallshertheruleroftheworld。Hethatwasseentobeathisfather，andreprovedforsodoing，madeanswer，thatitwasthecustomoftheirfamily;that，inlikemanner，hisfatherhadbeatenhisgrandfather，hisgrandfatherhisgreat—grandfather，"Andthis，"sayshe，pointingtohisson，"whenhecomestomyage，shallbeatme。"Andthefather，whomthesondraggedandhauledalongthestreets，commandedhimtostopatacertaindoor，forhehimself，hesaid，haddraggedhisfathernofarther，thatbeingtheutmostlimitofthehereditaryoutragethesonsusedtopractiseuponthefathersintheirfamily。Itisasmuchbycustomasinfirmity，saysAristotle，thatwomenteartheirhair，bitetheirnails，andeatcoalsandearth，andmorebycustomthannaturethatmenabusethemselveswithoneanother。
　　Thelawsofconscience，whichwepretendtobederivedfromnature，proceedfromcustom;everyone，havinganinwardvenerationfortheopinionsandmannersapprovedandreceivedamongsthisownpeople，cannot，withoutverygreatreluctance，departfromthem，norapplyhimselftothemwithoutapplause。Intimespast，whenthoseofCretewouldcurseanyone，theyprayedthegodstoengagehiminsomeillcustom。Buttheprincipaleffectofitspoweris，sotoseizeandensnareus，thatitishardlyinustodisengageourselvesfromitsgripe，orsotocometoourselves，astoconsiderofandtoweighthethingsitenjoins。Tosaythetruth，byreasonthatwesuckitinwithourmilk，andthatthefaceoftheworldpresentsitselfinthisposturetoourfirstsight，itseemsasifwewerebornuponconditiontofollowonthistrack;andthecommonfanciesthatwefindinreputeeverywhereaboutus，andinfusedintoourmindswiththeseedofourfathers，appeartobethemostuniversalandgenuine;fromwhenceitcomestopass，thatwhateverisoffthehingesofcustom，isbelievedtobealsooffthehingesofreason;howunreasonablyforthemostpart，Godknows。
　　If，aswewhostudyourselveshavelearnedtodo，everyonewhohearsagoodsentence，wouldimmediatelyconsiderhowitdoesinanywaytouchhisownprivateconcern，everyonewouldfind，thatitwasnotsomuchagoodsaying，asaseverelashtotheordinarystupidityofhisownjudgment:butmenreceivethepreceptsandadmonitionsoftruth，asdirectedtothecommonsort，andnevertothemselves;andinsteadofapplyingthemtotheirownmanners，doonlyveryignorantlyandunprofitablycommitthemtomemory。Butletusreturntotheempireofcustom。
　　Suchpeopleashavebeenbreduptoliberty，andsubjecttonootherdominionbuttheauthorityoftheirownwill，lookuponallotherformofgovernmentasmonstrousandcontrarytonature。Thosewhoareinuredtomonarchydothesame;andwhatopportunitysoeverfortunepresentsthemwithtochange，eventhen，whenwiththegreatestdifficultiestheyhavedisengagedthemselvesfromonemaster，thatwastroublesomeandgrievoustothem，theypresentlyrun，withthesamedifficulties，tocreateanother;beingunabletotakeintohatredsubjectionitself。
　　’Tisbythemediationofcustom，thateveryoneiscontentwiththeplacewhereheisplantedbynature;andtheHighlandersofScotlandnomorepantafterTouraine;thantheScythiansafterThessaly。DariusaskingcertainGreekswhattheywouldtaketoassumethecustomoftheIndians，ofeatingthedeadbodiesoftheirfathers（forthatwastheiruse，believingtheycouldnotgivethemabetternormorenoblesepulturethantoburythemintheirownbodies），theymadeanswer，thatnothingintheworldshouldhirethemtodoit;buthavingalsotriedtopersuadetheIndianstoleavetheircustom，and，aftertheGreekmanner，toburnthebodiesoftheirfathers，theyconceivedastillgreaterhorroratthemotion。——[Herodotus，iii。38。]——Everyonedoesthesame，foruseveilsfromusthetrueaspectofthings。
　　"Niladeomagnum，nectammirabilequidquamPrincipio，quodnonminuantmirarieromnesPaullatim。"
　　["Thereisnothingatfirstsogrand，soadmirable，whichbydegreespeopledonotregardwithlessadmiration。"——Lucretius，ii。1027]
　　Takinguponmeoncetojustifysomethinginuseamongstus，andthatwasreceivedwithabsoluteauthorityforagreatmanyleaguesroundaboutus，andnotcontent，asmencommonlydo，toestablishitonlybyforceoflawandexample，butinquiringstillfurtherintoitsorigin，Ifoundthefoundationsoweak，thatIwhomadeitmybusinesstoconfirmothers，wasverynearbeingdissatisfiedmyself。’TisbythisreceiptthatPlato——
　　[Laws，viii。6。]——undertakestocuretheunnaturalandpreposterouslovesofhistime，asonewhichheesteemsofsovereignvirtue，namely，thatthepublicopinioncondemnsthem;thatthepoets，andallothersortsofwriters，relatehorriblestoriesofthem;arecipe，byvirtueofwhichthemostbeautifuldaughtersnomorealluretheirfathers’lust;
　　norbrothers，ofthefinestshapeandfashion，theirsisters’desire;theveryfablesofThyestes，OEdipus，andMacareus，havingwiththeharmonyoftheirsong，infusedthiswholesomeopinionandbeliefintothetenderbrainsofchildren。Chastityis，intruth，agreatandshiningvirtue，andofwhichtheutilityissufficientlyknown;buttotreatofit，andtosetitoffinitstruevalue，accordingtonature，isashardas’tiseasytodosoaccordingtocustom，laws，andprecepts。Thefundamentalanduniversalreasonsareofveryobscureanddifficultresearch，andourmasterseitherlightlypassthemover，ornotdaringsomuchastotouchthem，precipitatethemselvesintothelibertyandprotectionofcustom，therepuffingthemselvesoutandtriumphingtotheirheart’scontent:
　　suchaswillnotsufferthemselvestobewithdrawnfromthisoriginalsource，doyetcommitagreatererror，andsubjectthemselvestowildopinions;witnessChrysippus，——[SextusEmpiricus，Pyyrhon。Hypotyp。，i。
　　14。]——who，insomanyofhiswritings，hasstrewedthelittleaccounthemadeofincestuousconjunctions，committedwithhownearrelationssoever。
　　Whoeverwoulddisengagehimselffromthisviolentprejudiceofcustom，wouldfindseveralthingsreceivedwithabsoluteandundoubtingopinion，thathavenoothersupportthanthehoaryheadandrivelledfaceofancientusage。Butthemasktakenoff，andthingsbeingreferredtothedecisionoftruthandreason，hewillfindhisjudgmentasitwerealtogetheroverthrown，andyetrestoredtoamuchmoresureestate。Forexample，Ishallaskhim，whatcanbemorestrangethantoseeapeopleobligedtoobeylawstheyneverunderstood;boundinalltheirdomesticaffairs，asmarriages，donations，wills，sales，andpurchases，torulestheycannotpossiblyknow，beingneitherwrittennorpublishedintheirownlanguage，andofwhichtheyareofnecessitytopurchaseboththeinterpretationandtheuse？NotaccordingtotheingeniousopinionofIsocrates，——[DiscoursetoNicocles。]——whocounselledhiskingtomakethetrafficsandnegotiationsofhissubjects，free，frank，andofprofittothem，andtheirquarrelsanddisputesburdensome，andladenwithheavyimpositionsandpenalties;but，byaprodigiousopinion，tomakesaleofreasonitself，andtogivetolawsacourseofmerchandise。Ithinkmyselfobligedtofortunethat，asourhistoriansreport，itwasaGascongentleman，acountrymanofmine，whofirstopposedCharlemagne，whenheattemptedtoimposeuponusLatinandimperiallaws。
　　Whatcanbemoresavage，thantoseeanationwhere，bylawfulcustom，theofficeofajudgeisboughtandsold，wherejudgmentsarepaidforwithreadymoney，andwherejusticemaylegitimatelybedeniedtohimthathasnotwherewithaltopay;amerchandiseinsogreatrepute，asinagovernmenttocreateafourthestateofwranglinglawyers，toaddtothethreeancientonesofthechurch，nobility，andpeople;whichfourthestate，havingthelawsintheirownhands，andsovereignpowerovermen’slivesandfortunes，makesanotherbodyseparatefromnobility:
　　whenceitcomestopass，thattherearedoublelaws，thoseofhonourandthoseofjustice，inmanythingsaltogetheroppositeonetoanother;thenoblesasrigorouslycondemningalietaken，astheotherdoalierevenged:bythelawofarms，heshallbedegradedfromallnobilityandhonourwhoputsupwithanaffront;andbythecivillaw，hewhovindicateshisreputationbyrevengeincursacapitalpunishment:hewhoapplieshimselftothelawforreparationofanoffencedonetohishonour，disgraceshimself;andhewhodoesnot，iscensuredandpunishedbythelaw。Yetofthesetwosodifferentthings，bothofthemreferringtoonehead，theonehasthechargeofpeace，theotherofwar;thosehavetheprofit，thesethehonour;thosethewisdom，thesethevirtue;
　　thosetheword，thesetheaction;thosejustice，thesevalour;thosereason，theseforce;thosethelongrobe，thesetheshort;——dividedbetwixtthem。
　　Forwhatconcernsindifferentthings，asclothes，whoisthereseekingtobringthembacktotheirtrueuse，whichisthebody’sserviceandconvenience，anduponwhichtheiroriginalgraceandfitnessdepend;forthemostfantastic，inmyopinion，thatcanbeimagined，Iwillinstanceamongstothers，ourflatcaps，thatlongtailofvelvetthathangsdownfromourwomen’sheads，withitsparty—colouredtrappings;andthatvainandfutilemodelofamemberwecannotinmodestysomuchasname，which，nevertheless，wemakeshowandparadeofinpublic。Theseconsiderations，notwithstanding，willnotprevailuponanyunderstandingmantodeclinethecommonmode;but，onthecontrary，methinks，allsingularandparticularfashionsarerathermarksoffollyandvainaffectationthanofsoundreason，andthatawiseman，within，oughttowithdrawandretirehissoulfromthecrowd，andtherekeepitatlibertyandinpowertojudgefreelyofthings;butastoexternals，absolutelytofollowandconformhimselftothefashionofthetime。Publicsocietyhasnothingtodowithourthoughts，buttherest，asouractions，ourlabours，ourfortunes，andourlives，wearetolendandabandonthemtoitsserviceandtothecommonopinion，asdidthatgoodandgreatSocrateswhorefusedtopreservehislifebyadisobediencetothemagistrate，thoughaverywickedandunjustoneforitistheruleofrules，thegenerallawoflaws，thateveryoneobservethoseoftheplacewhereinhelives。
　　["Itisgoodtoobeythelawsofone’scountry。"
　　——ExcerptaexTrag。Gyaecis，Grotiointerp。，1626，p。937。]
　　Andnowtoanotherpoint。Itisaverygreatdoubt，whetheranysomanifestbenefitcanaccruefromthealterationofalawreceived，letitbewhatitwill，asthereisdangerandinconvenienceinalteringit;
　　forasmuchasgovernmentisastructurecomposedofdiverspartsandmembersjoinedandunitedtogether，withsostrictconnection，thatitisimpossibletostirsomuchasonebrickorstone，butthewholebodywillbesensibleofit。ThelegislatoroftheThurians——[Charondas;Diod。
　　Sic。，xii。24。]——ordained，thatwhosoeverwouldgoabouteithertoabolishanoldlaw，ortoestablishanew，shouldpresenthimselfwithahalterabouthisnecktothepeople，totheend，thatiftheinnovationhewouldintroduceshouldnotbeapprovedbyeveryone，hemightimmediatelybehanged;andheoftheLacedaemoniansemployedhislifetoobtainfromhiscitizensafaithfulpromisethatnoneofhislawsshouldbeviolated。——[Lycurgus;Plutarch，inVita，c。22。]——TheEphoroswhosorudelycutthetwostringsthatPhrynishadaddedtomusicneverstoodtoexaminewhetherthatadditionmadebetterharmony，orthatbyitsmeanstheinstrumentwasmorefullandcomplete;itwasenoughforhimtocondemntheinvention，thatitwasanovelty，andanalterationoftheoldfashion。WhichalsoisthemeaningoftheoldrustyswordcarriedbeforethemagistracyofMarseilles。
　　Formyownpart，Ihaveagreataversionfromanovelty，whatfaceorwhatpretencesoeveritmaycarryalongwithit，andhavereason，havingbeenaneyewitnessofthegreatevilsithasproduced。Forthosewhichforsomanyyearshavelainsoheavyuponus，itisnotwhollyaccountable;butonemaysay，withcolourenough，thatithasaccidentallyproducedandbegottenthemischiefsandruinthathavesincehappened，bothwithoutandagainstit;it，principally，wearetoaccuseforthesedisorders:
　　"Heu！patiortelisvulnerafactameis。"
　　["Alas！Thewoundsweremadebymyownweapons。"
　　——Ovid，Ep。Phyll。Demophoonti，vers。48。]
　　Theywhogivethefirstshocktoastate，arealmostnaturallythefirstoverwhelmedinitsruinthefruitsofpubliccommotionareseldomenjoyedbyhimwhowasthefirstmotor;hebeatsanddisturbsthewaterforanother’snet。Theunityandcontextureofthismonarchy，ofthisgrandedifice，havingbeenrippedandtorninheroldage，bythisthingcalledinnovation，hassincelaidopenarent，andgivensufficientadmittancetosuchinjuries:theroyalmajestywithgreaterdifficultydeclinesfromthesummittothemiddle，thenitfallsandtumblesheadlongfromthemiddletothebottom。Butiftheinventorsdothegreatermischief，theimitatorsaremorevicioustofollowexamplesofwhichtheyhavefeltandpunishedboththehorrorandtheoffence。Andiftherecanbeanydegreeofhonourinill—doing，theselastmustyieldtotheothersthegloryofcontriving，andthecourageofmakingthefirstattempt。Allsortsofnewdisorderseasilydraw，fromthisprimitiveandever—flowingfountain，examplesandprecedentstotroubleanddiscomposeourgovernment:wereadinourverylaws，madefortheremedyofthisfirstevil，thebeginningandpretencesofallsortsofwickedenterprises;andthatbefallsus，whichThucydidessaidofthecivilwarsofhistime，that，infavourofpublicvices，theygavethemnewandmoreplausiblenamesfortheirexcuse，sweeteninganddisguisingtheirtruetitles;whichmustbedone，forsooth，toreformourconscienceandbelief:
　　"Honestaoratioest;"
　　["Finewordstruly。"——Ter。And。，i。I，114。]
　　butthebestpretenceforinnovationisofverydangerousconsequence:
　　"Adennihilmotumexantiquoprobabileest。"
　　["Weareeverwronginchangingancientways。"——Livy，xxxiv。54]
　　Andfreelytospeakmythoughts，itarguesastrangeself—loveandgreatpresumptiontobesofondofone’sownopinions，thatapublicpeacemustbeoverthrowntoestablishthem，andtointroducesomanyinevitablemischiefs，andsodreadfulacorruptionofmanners，asacivilwarandthemutationsofstateconsequenttoit，alwaysbringintheirtrain，andtointroducethem，inathingofsohighconcern，intothebowelsofone’sowncountry。Cantherebeworsehusbandrythantosetupsomanycertainandknowingvicesagainsterrorsthatareonlycontestedanddisputable？Andarethereanyworsesortsofvicesthanthosecommittedagainstaman’sownconscience，andthenaturallightofhisownreason？
　　TheSenate，uponthedisputebetwixtitandthepeopleabouttheadministrationoftheirreligion，wasboldenoughtoreturnthisevasionforcurrentpay:
　　"Addeosidmagis，quamadse，pertinere:ipsosvisuros，nesacrasuapolluantur;"