Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 2.djvu/848

 832 THE AMERICA* JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

does not approach the dignity of a social institution playing some part in the life of society. It is a procedure generalized by imitation, but no more significant in the social economy than are those uniformities called fashion, and deemed by Mr. Spencer to be of a kind with ceremony.

Significant details, however, suggest another point of view. Often formality does not proceed from the inferior, but from the would-be superior. Ceremoniousness is, we know, well suited to curb over-familiarity and keep others at a distance. There are forms characterized by obsequiousness, but there are other forms which are, so to speak, the weapons by which one man subdues another. "Amongst a man's peers," says Bacon, "a man shall be sure of familiarity; and therefore it is good a little to keep state." 1 "In early society," says Bagehot, "a dignified manner is of essential importance . . . ." "The habitual ascendency of grave manner was a primary force in winning and calming man- kind." 5 Everywhere we must distinguish from the ascendency gained by force the ascendency gained by demeanor. The obedience due to awe was no less real than the obedience due to fear. The stately bearing no less than the strong arm was a means of control in early society.

But why should demeanor give one man the upper hand of another? It is likely that the soul of manner is to show forth a sense of confidence and power. This suggests a respect for one's own person, doings, or opinions which powerfully affects the minds of beholders. For there is no reason why this state of mind should not as readily pass from one to another in way of imitation as any other feeling or judgment. The man of impress- ive manner simply reiterates in gesture language his high sense of his own worth till others are irresistibly led to share it. , Formality in personal intercourse, then, can be traced down to two roots servility and self-respect. These feelings, work- ing in the sphere of human contacts, give rise to two contrasted efforts the effort of the servile to control others by propitia-'

T "Of Ceremonies and Respects." 2 Physics and Politics, p. 151.