Perhaps, however, it is in the use of the word you as a singular pronoun that the popularising of what were once supreme distinctions is most markedly illustrated.  This speaking of a single individual in the plural was originally an honour given only to the highest—­was the reciprocal of the imperial “we” assumed by such.  Yet now, by being applied to successively lower and lower classes, it has become all but universal.  Only by one sect of Christians, and in a few secluded districts, is the primitive thou still used.  And the you, in becoming common to all ranks, has simultaneously lost every vestige of the honour once attaching to it.

But the genesis of Manners out of forms of allegiance and worship is above all shown in men’s modes of salutation.  Note first the significance of the word.  Among the Romans, the salutatio was a daily homage paid by clients and inferiors to superiors.  This was alike the case with civilians and in the army.  The very derivation of our word, therefore, is suggestive of submission.  Passing to particular forms of obeisance (mark the word again), let us begin with the Eastern one of baring the feet.  This was, primarily, a mark of reverence, alike to a god and a king.  The act of Moses before the burning bush, and the practice of Mahometans, who are sworn on the Koran with their shoes off, exemplify the one employment of it; the custom of the Persians, who remove their shoes on entering the presence of their monarch, exemplifies the other.  As usual, however, this homage, paid next to inferior rulers, has descended from grade to grade.  In India, it is a common mark of respect; a polite man in Turkey always leaves his shoes at the door, while the lower orders of Turks never enter the presence of their superiors but in their stockings; and in Japan, this baring of the feet is an ordinary salutation of man to man.

Take another case.  Selden, describing the ceremonies of the Romans, says:—­“For whereas it was usual either to kiss the Images of their Gods, or adoring them, to stand somewhat off before them, solemnly moving the right hand to the lips, and then, casting it as if they had cast kisses, to turne the body on the same hand (which was the right forme of Adoration), it grew also by custom, first that the emperors, being next to Deities, and by some accounted as Deities, had the like done to them in acknowledgment of their Greatness.”  If, now, we call to mind the awkward salute of a village school-boy, made by putting his open hand up to his face and describing a semicircle with his forearm; and if we remember that the salute thus used as a form of reverence in country districts, is most likely a remnant of the feudal times; we shall see reason for thinking that our common wave of the hand to a friend across the street, represents what was primarily a devotional act.