Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-04-07
popular Gales.
HOW TO BE A GENTLEMAN.
BY s. 7. ARTHUR.

|
friend and companion, as the two stood
looking after the individual alluded to,
who had just left them and was walking
eisurely away.
81 am not so sure Of that" was the
reply.
''lt would not do for him to hear you
say that, Walter" responded his friend
"Perhaps not. The consciousness
that the remark had something Of truth
in ii, would irrtate him, and wounded
pride would demand satisfaction. A
true gentleman never busters when his
claims to that distinction are questioned.
He knows that he is a gentleman and
that settles the matter in his own mind. /"
''But why do you doubt Wa,son's 5
claims to the title Of gentleman :"
because have in several instances,
even during the short time have known
him, observed him act towards strangers,
whose appearance indicated that their
station in society was an obscure one,
in worry unkind or neglectiul manner"
81 believe have noticed something
Of that myself" remarked the other,
thoughtfully "and see the correctness
and force of your interference.
"Men's true characters" resumed
his friend, care not to be read while
they hold intercourse with those Of a
certain position and influence. But
when they come in contact with the
obscure and humble, they stand reveal
ed as they really are. Watson is re-
markably polite to you, and l think il is
partly because your father is intimate
with the Secretary Of the Navy, with
whom he wishes to make interest, and
partly becumvo yesr station in society
is pretty near the first rank"
81 fear youj judge harshly, Trueman,
remarked the other, addressing the
speaker by his name.
perhaps do, Wallace +; but am
yet to be convinced Of my error. |
have quick feelings, and they have made
me obseryant. If you, as |, had been
compelled to force your own way up,
step by step, in society, meeting at
every point neglect or spperciliousness,
you would have learned 10 scan men
closer. Fnw, let me assure you, Of the
many who in public are thought gen
.tlemen, in externals, have any real
claim to that noble distinction. All is
assumed and conventional"
"You draw a painful picture, True
man, but | have never found men so
deficient in true gentlemanly feelings
as you seem 10 think too many of them
are"
"No, Wallace, nor unless great
changes should take place in your con-
dtion, will you make the discov-
cry to any extent. You and | have
come to our present place by very diff
ferent ways have struggled up, as
you know, from obscurity-you were
born to an elevated position in society.
NV experience is, therefore, worth a
dozen Of yours. At school was sneer-
ed at by the children ofwealthy parents
as an apprentice to trade, | was trea-
ted with Indifference by lads who could
get behind a counter, and were classed
with clerks. When |, at last, got to be
clerk, | was dcspised and shnnne4 as
unworthy of such elevated company, by
young men studying the professions
and when, in tho busy round of change,
| too bent over the dull books OF law
yer's Office, | met the same want Of
kindness and consideration from those
who thought themselves above me--rich
mems sons, pursuing the same course
Of legal studies, who considered the
money they were to inherit as Of much
more importance than the knowledge
they pretended to acquire. As | grad
ually rose, from unwearied devotion to
everything ! attempted, and began to
acquire reputation after my admission
to the bar, found a wider circle ofthose
who were ready TO take me by the hand
but still found men the same every
where, and in all conditions. There
were always some to pass me with mark
cd neglect, or meet me in open rude
ness-mcn, too who, like Watson, had
the most ailable manners for those
whom they choose to honor with their
attentions"
81 am afraid, my friend" replied
Wallace, "ihat oil these things which