Page:An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals - Hume (1751).djvu/263

 Good-sense and Judgment; the other, by Taste and Delicacy: The Eloquence of the former will shine most in the Senate; that of the other, on the Theatre.

, I say, are the natural Effects of such Customs. For it must be confest, that Chance has a great Influence on national Manners; and many Events happen in Society, which are not to be accounted for by general Rules. Who could imagine, for Instance, that the Romans, who liv'd freely with their Women, should be very indifferent about Music, and esteem Dancing infamous: While the Greeks, who never almost saw a Woman but in their own Houses, were continually piping, singing, and dancing?

Differences of moral Sentiment, which naturally arise from a republican or monarchical Government, are also very obvious; as well as those, which proceed from general Riches or Poverty, Union or Faction, Ignorance or Learning. I shall conclude this long Discourse with observing, that different Customs and Situations vary the original Ideas of Merit (however they may, some Consequences) in no very essential Point, and prevail chiefly with regard to young Men, who can aspire