XXXVII. Whether this native grace is an integrant part of, or an
ornament to that urbanity, which seasons and adorns men’s words and
actions, it is certain, that study and art can never supply the defect
of it.
XXXVIII. This is that sort of perfection, which Plutarch extols in
Agesilaus, and by the help of which, he observes, that although he was
but a little man, and his figure rather contemptible, he in his old
age, appeared more amiable and engaging, than any of the handsome young
fellows. _Dicitur autem pusillus fuisse, et specie aspernanda; cæterum
hilaritas ejus omnibus horis, et urbanitas aliena ab omni, vel vocis,
vel vultus morositate, et acerbitate, amabiliorem eum ad senectutem
usque præbuit omnibus formosis._
XXXIX. This is that species of seasoning of which Quintilian speaks,
when he says, that it makes the same sentence seem to come better from
the mouth of one man than another: _Inest proprius quibusdam decor
in habitu, atque vultu, ut eadem illa minus, dicente alio, videantur
urbana esse._
XL. This is that kind of ornament, which Cicero called the colour,
or blazon of urbanity, and instances Brutus, as one who was tinged
with it in great perfection, but when he came to explain or describe
this blazon, he defined it to have consisted of a mysterious _je ne
scai quoi_. These are his words, taken from his dialogue _De claris
Oratoribus: et Brutus, quis est, inquit, tandem urbanitatis color?
Nescio, inquam, tantum esse quendam scio._ Which last expression, I am
obliged to decipher by the sentence _Je ne scai quoi_, as I can find
no other that is equivalent to it. This native grace, or if you please
to call it by the figurative name Cicero has expressed it by, this
colouring of urbanity, is composed of many particulars. For example,
the neatness of the articulation, the good tone, and the harmonious
flexibility of the voice, the graceful attitude of the body, the well
regulated movements of the action, the amiable modesty of the carriage
or manner, and the striking or lively expression of the eyes, are the
parts, which constitute the whole of this grace.
XLI. It is easy to perceive, that all the before-mentioned are gifts
of nature; which can never be acquired by study, or supplied by
instruction. Many people have hoped to succeed, by attempting to
imitate those, in whom these natural gifts are resplendent, or to
speak more properly, are a part of their nature; but the very means
they employ to give themselves a pleasing and agreeable air, cause
them to appear ridiculous. That which is a grace in the original, has
often an apish look in the copy. The imitation of natural endowments,
seldom amounts to more, than a contemptible mock semblance of them.
The affectation in these attempts is glaring and palpable, and all
affectation is surfeiting.
XLII. I shall only state two limitations, or exceptions, to the
possibility of acquiring those parts of gracefulness, which consist
in the position of the body, and the motion of its members; and shall
admit in the first place, that these may in some measure be acquired by
imitation; but when? why when people do not think of acquiring them,
and are not sensible that they do acquire them; that is in their infant
state. It is then that nature is so pliant and flexible, that like soft
wax, it may be easily molded to any shape, and made to receive any
impression; and hence it is, that we frequently see children in their
ordinary actions and motions, greatly resemble their parents.
XLIII. In Galicia where I was born, there are many people who
understand Spanish perfectly well, who speak it in a drawling sort of
a way, and by leaving out now and then a letter, are apt to lose the
exact and proper pronunciation. Many have attributed this defect, to
the imperfect organization of the tongues of the people of Galicia,
produced by the influence of the climate; but it is no such thing, for
this vicious pronunciation, is derived from the bad habit of speaking
they contract in their infancy; and it is evident that it proceeds
from thence, because many Galician children who have been carried
from home when they were very young, and have been afterwards brought
up and educated at Castile, some of whom I have seen, pronounce the
Castilian language with as much clearness and readiness, as the natives
of that province themselves. It is not many years ago, that there was
a celebrated actress, who was born in a small village in Galicia, and
who was carried to court by her uncle at four years old, and was there
trained up to the stage, and who was greatly admired for her neat and
ready pronunciation.
XLIV. The second limitation and exception I admit to the position
I have advanced, is, that both a vicious pronunciation, and an
aukwardness of motion and manner, may be greatly corrected and amended,
even after people are grown to a state of maturity, and especially
when these defects proceed from bad habits contracted in their youth.
But in order to accomplish this, there is need of great perseverance
and application. Even an inveterate bad habit, may be torn up by the
roots by applying vast force and exertion to eradicate it; but when the
fibres of the root, are inserted into the profundities of nature, all
endeavours are vain.