s,
atheistical principles instilled into the then growing generation of
all classes; the system of equality, subversive of courtliness, and
the obliging attentions and suavities of society, poisoned at once
the source ~220~~of morals and of manners; for there can be nothing
gentlemanlike in atheism, radicalism, and the level, ling system. To
this state of things succeeded a reign of terror, assassination, and
debauchery; and lastly, a military despotism, in which the private
soldier rose to the marshals baton; a groom in the stables of the Prince
of Conde saw himself ennobled; peers and generals had brothers still
keeping little retail shops; and a drum-boy lived to see his wife--a
washerwoman, or fish vender--a duchess (Madame Lefevre). How can we
expect breeding from such materials? Bayonets gave brilliancy to the
imperial court; and the youth of the country were all soldiers, without
dreaming of the gentleman, except in a low bow and flourish of the hat;
a greater flourish of self-praise, and a few warm, loose, and dangerous
compliments to the fairer sex, became more than even the objects
of their passion, but less so of their attentions and prepossessing
assiduities. This military race taught us to smoke, to snuff, to drink
brandy, and to swear; for although John Bull never was backward in that
point, yet St. Giles's and not St. James's, was the _rendezvous_ for
those who possessed that brutal and invincible habit. These were not
amongst the least miseries and curses which the war produced; and they
have left such mischievous traces behind them, that the mature race
in France laugh at the old court, and at all old civil and religious
principles, whilst our demoralized youth play the same game at home.
And if a Bolingbroke or a Chesterfield was now to appear, he would be
quizzed by all the smokers, jokers, hoaxers, glass-cockers, blacklegs,
and fancy-fellows of the town, amongst whom all ranks are perfectly
lost, and morality is an absolute term. O tempora! O Moses! (as the
would-be Lady Sckolard said.) Nor does Moses play second best in these
characters of the day. Moses has crept into all circles; from the ring
to the peerage and baronetage, the stage, the ~221~~race-course; and
our clubs are tinged with the Israelitish: they may lend money, but they
cannot lend a lustre to the court, or to the gilded and painted saloons
of the _beau monde_. The style of things is altered; we mean not the old
style and new in point