; but, for having given
her a good lesson. And the woman who acknowledges her fault with such a
smile, were she properly and tenderly managed, she would be an angel. If
my kindest offices to ladies did hurt my feeling, when I was not
acquainted with the american custom, I felt ashamed when I offered them to
gentlemen, who received it as if they thought me their inferior: and then,
I repented of having been polite to them. Still, we must mind the _ne quid
nimis_ in politeness also: and, indeed, there are some who are so
excessively polite among other nations, with whom politeness becomes
excessively uncomfortable.

However, I always see something good, among the faults of man. Indeed, I
feel more pleased in seeing rather an excess of politeness towards ladies,
even to those who do not deserve it, than not enough of it to them. And to
the lady, whose education taught her how to place a distinction between
selfesteem, and selfishness, kindness to her creates kindness. Besides,
the politeness which american gentlemen have for women, it is of that
kind, which must please the ladies. It is a generous service as a
gentleman, before careless parents, would give to their naughty, spoiled
child. The most uncouth man fails not in tact of gentility, when he gives
any service to ladies. It is a national, generous, and natural politeness,
for which females must always feel themselves at home. Blackguards here,
would not stare in the face of a lady, passing by; and I am so much
pleased of it that, were I seeing in the streets such a blackguard, I
would join with all my heart the american gentlemen to reprove the scamp.

Every human being who is not deprived of its senses is created for good
purposes: and the difference of characters among different nations is what
it forms the beauty of this earth. Human faults are not originated from
nature; they are but the evil of false education. I do not think that one
nation is naturally better than another: on the contrary; that which seems
a fault to us, it might be a virtue, were it placed in its proper light.
Though now, we feel ourselves, generally, in a better condition than those
passed times of darker ages, perfection seems only granted to our
posterity. We are spoiled boys yet, taught by worse teachers, offending,
and insulting each other for no other reason, but because we do not
understand ourselves. We may boast of never speaking of our personal
virtues; but, in speaking badly of oth