letter of the 8th September, N. S., I acknowledge it again by this to you.[1] [Same date.]
Bend to Ceremony.—Apropos of the Pope,
remember to be presented to him before you leave
Rome, and go through the necessary ceremonies for
it, whether of kissing his slipper or his breech; for
I would never deprive myself of anything that I
wanted to do or see by refusing to comply with an
established custom. When I was in Catholic countries,
I never declined kneeling in their churches at
the elevation, nor elsewhere, when the host went by.
It is a complaisance due to the custom of the place,
and by no means, as some silly people have imagined,
an implied approbation of their doctrine. Bodily
attitudes and situations are things so very indifferent
in themselves, that I would quarrel with
nobody about them. It may, indeed, be improper
for Mr. Harte to pay that tribute of complaisance,
upon account of his character. [Same date.]
The Vulgar Man—Trifles—Vulgarism.—A
vulgar man is captious and jealous; eager and impetuous
about trifles. He suspects himself to be
slighted, thinks everything that is said meant at
him; if the company happens to laugh, he is per-*
- ↑ This little note is inserted to show that Lord Chesterfield's repetitions were not unknown to himself. The most flagrant we have omitted.
