VIII. But to come to the acceptation that is given to the word Urbanity
in these present times, and to the sense in which it seems now to be
generally understood in Spain, it signifies the same as _Cortesania_;
but it is also true, that some give a more limited, and some a more
extensive signification to this phrase. There are those who understand
cortesane, or courteous, to mean the same as well-bred, and to express
a man who in his commerce with other men, conducts himself with that
decorum and ceremony which is prescribed by good education. But amongst
those who define things with propriety, I believe a courteous man
is understood to mean one, who, by his natural disposition, has a
propensity in all his words and actions, to conduct himself with that
temper and manner, that makes his conversation and company agreeable
and pleasing to the rest of mankind. Taken in this sense, the Spanish
word _Cortesania_, is equivalent to the French one _Politesse_, to the
Italian one _Civilitá_, and to the Latin one _Comitas_.
IX. The derivation of the word _Cortesania_, is analogous to that of
_Urbanitas_; for as this last was taken from the word _Urbs_, which
according to the custom then in use, was looked upon to be applicable
to the city of Rome, which was then the capital of a very great part
of the world, the term Urbanity was understood to imply, that sort of
cultivation which was then in vogue at Rome. Just so _Cortesania_,
which in Spain is derived from _Corte_, or court, where it is generally
supposed people behave with the greatest politeness is understood to
imply that sort of good breeding which is generally practised there,
and which we express by the term _Cortesania_.
X. Understanding then the word Urbanity in this sense, I shall define
it in the following manner; _that it is a virtue, or virtuous habit,
which directs and leads a man both in his words and actions in such
a way, as makes his company and behaviour savoury, grateful, and
engaging, to the rest of mankind_. I shall not embarrass myself, about
whether some people think this definition too redundant, and that it
seems to express more than the term Urbanity implies. I adjust the
definition to the interpretation I myself put upon the term, and to the
sense it is understood in, by those who have treated of the subject in
the most approved manner. Those who give less extension to the word,
may, if they please, define the thing in another manner. Disputes
about definitions are mere nominal questions, and may not improperly
be called playing upon words. Every one defines a thing, according to
the acceptation he gives to the word that expresses it. If all men
were to agree in the acceptation of a word, they would scarce ever
differ in the definition of the object that is expressed by it; but
the misfortune is, that the same word, excites in different people
different ideas with respect to the meaning of it, and hence it is,
that we see such a variety of definitions.
XI. There is no doubt, but that all the particulars which compose a
courteous carriage, should lead to the attainment of a certain end, and
should be calculated to induce a certain manner in all a man’s exterior
behaviour, that should be free from any mixture of the indecent, the
offensive, or the tiresome; but that on the contrary it should rather
be combined, with the grateful, the decent, and the opportune.
XII. Urbanity, like all other moral virtues, is placed between two
vicious extremes; one of which it is apt to run into by exceeding, and
the other by deficiency, or not doing enough. The first is occasioned
by that excessive complaisance which borders upon meanness; and the
second, by a rigid unsavoury reserve, which has the appearance of
rusticity.