An ihren Gefühlen sollt Ihr sie erkennen.

The article presents information about perspectives on social civility in 18th century Great Britain. The role of emotions research in discussions of British civility norms is discussed. Particular attention is paid to British attempts to transfer conceptions of civilized life to colonies in India. Descriptions are given of the political aspects of the emotionality ascribed to colonized nations in the British Empire by their colonizers. Further comments are made concerning the perception of emotional differences and the use of this perception to judge the social development of a colonized nation.