NOTES FROM STUDENT LIFE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2540, 12 August 1884, Page 3

NOTES FROM STUDENT LIFE.

[contributed,]

Note I.—Chivalry and Woman one of tbe Main Steps in the Growth of Seciilar Morality before the Reformation.—There are three powerful spirits which from time to time have moved over the face of society and have given a predominant impulse to the moral sentiment and energies of mankind, liberty, religion, and honour. Chivalry has to do with the last of these. Most of the virtues which chivalry inspired, were independence, the love of renown, as opposed to those which are founded on social relations, and arc more connected with elevation of character, than the systematic prudence of men accustomed to social life. Chivalry disclaimed injustice or falsehood from a consciousness of internal dignity, and professed the greatest respect for the female sex. The high respect in which woman was held under this institution had a marked effect in producing a progressive refinement of society during the twelfth and two succeeding centuries. In a rude state of manners woman has not full scope to display those fascinating graces by which nature has designed to counterbalance the strength and energy of the ruder sex. But as far as the more elegant enjoyments of life arise—a taste for which it is always her policy and her delight to nourish, she obtains an ascendancy in the lighter honours, and from thence she ascends to the serious occupation of life. In the ages of chivalry woman chases the god of wine from the banqueting hall, and in their place calls in the divinities more propitious to her ambition. Ornament she calls to her side to give effect to her charms; and as increases the rich furs of the noith, tbe gay silks of Asia, the wrought gold of India, manufactures of these illumine the halls of chivalry, and casts as if by the spell of enchantment, that ineffable grace over beauty which the choice arrangements of dress is calculated to bestow. Courtesy had always been the proper attribute of knighthood, protection of the weak its legitimate duty; heightened to the pitch of enthusiasm ■when woman became their object. Chivalry, therefore, brought forth woman as a moralising and civilising agent—the chief among those secular j virtues which at that time existed outside the chnrch. !

Note ll.—The World through Chivalry converts the Church.—Three virtues may be particularly noticed as fostered or engendered by chivalry—loyalty, courtesy, and munificence. Breach of faith, and especially of an express promise, was held a disgrace that no value could redeem. Treachery, the usual vice of savage as well as corrupt nations, became infamous during the vigour of that discipline. A knight was unfit to remain a member of society if he violated his faith ; he was was ill acquainted with its duties if he proved wanting in courtesy. This ■word expressed the most highly refined good breeding, self-denial, and respect for others. Besides the grace which was thus thrown over the habits of social life, it softened down the natural roughness of war, and led to the most beneficial results with respect to the condition of society. Chivalry, therefore, led to an active sense of justice, an ardent determination against wrong, a determination of courage in a good cause, and the prevention, or redress against injury. It grew up as a salutary antidote in the midst of poison while scarcely any law but that of the strongest obtained regard ; and the rights of property, which are only right as they conduce to the general good, became the means of general oppression. But chivalry and feudalism combined produced a morality unknown in the ranks of the church—the morality of the soldier. In the middle ages a christian was forbidden to go to battle. Chivalry threw a halo of glory around the soldier. In this sense the world converted the church, and the virtue of the soldier found a place in the catalogue of good actions.