The more communicative a people
are, the more easily they change their habits, because each is in a
greater degree a spectacle to the other and the singularities of
individuals are better observed. The climate which influences one nation
to take pleasure in being communicative, makes it also delight in
change, and that which makes it delight in change forms its taste.
The society of the fair sex spoils the manners and forms the taste;
the desire of giving greater pleasure than others establishes the
embellishments of dress; and the desire of pleasing others more than
ourselves gives rise to fashions. Thus fashion is a subject of
importance; by encouraging a trifling turn of mind, it continually
increases the branches of its commerce.
[8]
