Fourteen hundred years ago the old Knights of Britain used to be sworn to do their duty in these words.
Their oath was much the same as the promise which the "young Knights" of the present time make when they become Boy Scouts, for they promise to serve God and the King, and to help others, especially women and children, and not to think of their own trouble or risk so long as they do a good turn to others needing help.
The Knights, being mounted men, were called the "Chivalry," the old word for "Cavalry"—from the Latin "cavallus" and the French "cheval," meaning a horse.
Then any noble act done by the Knights was said to be "Chivahous" or
Knight-like.
So the word "chivalry" now means doing things which the Knights of old did.
It is chivalry to do one's duty to God and the King, to help women and children, and all people in distress; and to be plucky and brave in carrying out one's duty.
That is why Boy Scouts are frequently being described in the papers as "chivalrous." I hope they will go on and continue to deserve the title.
One great step in "Courteousness" is to be grateful when anybody does you a "good turn," and to tell them you are grateful by saying "Thank you." It is a little thing to do, but it is a great thing to the person who has done the kindness to feel that it was not thrown away.
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