rs to all we convers'd with; whence every
Omission of the slightest Ceremony, as it might be construed into
a want of _Respect_, was particularly to be avoided; So that _good
Breeding_ became then
a precise Observance and Exercise of all the Motions and
Ceremonies, expressive of Respect, which might justly be paid
to every Person;
--This, as it is easy to imagine, requir'd much Nicety in the
Adjustment upon many Occasions, and created immense Trouble and
Constraint, and most ridiculous Embarrassments.

However, these Modes of _good Breeding_ were not to be abolished,
as it was impossible to dispense with the _Respect_ annex'd to them,
without some further Pretence than of their _Inconvenience_ only;
which no Person could decently urge, or admit in his own behalf,
when it was his Province to pay any Ceremonies to another; In this
Difficulty it was at last happily observ'd, for the Advantage of
genteel Commerce and Society, that _whatever gives Trouble, is
inconsistent with Respect_; Upon which Foundation, all Ceremonies
which create Embarrassments or Trouble to either Side, are now justly
exploded; And the _Ease_ of each other is the Point most peculiarly
consulted by _well-bred_ Persons.

If this Attention to _Ease_ was properly conducted, so that it might
always appear to have _Respect_ for its Motive; And only to act in
Obedience to _that_, as the ruling Principle, it would then comprehend
the just Plan of _good Breeding_; But as _this_ was formerly
encumber'd with Ceremonies and Embarrassments, so the modern _good
Breeding_ perhaps deviates too far into Negligence and Disregard;
--A Fault more unpardonable than the former; As an Inconvenience,
evidently proceeding from the _Respect_ which is paid to us, may be
easily excus'd; But a Freedom, which carries the Air of _Neglect_ with
it, gives a lasting Offence.

BEAUTY is the delightful _Effect_ which arises from the
_joint Order_, _Proportion_, and _Harmony_ of all the Parts
of an _Object_.
And
to have a good TASTE, is to have a just _Relish_ of BEAUTY.

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[Transcriber's Note:

Translations of Horace _Satire_ I.9 are available from Project
Gutenberg as e-text 5419 (verse translation, plain text) or
14020 (prose translation, text or html).]

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[CORBYN MORRIS]

An / Essay / Towards Fixing