19.5. 5. How far we should be attentive lest the general Spirit of a
Nation be changed.
Should there happen to be a country whose inhabitants
were of a social temper, open-hearted, cheerful, endowed with taste and
a facility in communicating their thoughts; who were sprightly and
agreeable; sometimes imprudent, often indiscreet; and besides had
courage, generosity, frankness, and a certain notion of honour, no one
ought to endeavour to restrain their manners by laws, unless he would
lay a constraint on their virtues. If in general the character be good,
the little foibles that may be found in it are of small importance.
They might lay a restraint upon women, enact laws to reform their
manners and to reduce their luxury, but who knows but that by these
means they might lose that peculiar taste which would be the source of
the wealth of the nation, and that politeness which would render the
country frequented by strangers?
It is the business of the legislature to follow the spirit of the
nation, when it is not contrary to the principles of government; for we
do nothing so well as when we act with freedom, and follow the bent of
our natural genius.
If an air of pedantry be given to a nation that is naturally gay,
the state will gain no advantage from it, either at home or abroad.
Leave it to do frivolous things in the most serious manner, and with
gaiety the things most serious.
