, 1869-03-05

often surprised to notice what despicable and
contracted sentiments are yet afoat in the
world 10 respect to the characteristics marks
of true gentleman, or who, perhaps, fancy
themselves to be really such, yet whose
highest, most comprehensive notions of the
character, are confined to mere external ac-
compiishments. There are many females.
too, who seem not once to have a distant
idea Of such . person, unconnected with
eoxcombery Of demeanor, aud that polished
exterior which is often assumed by heartless
abandoned hbertibes, 70 hide tho foul rottoar
ness of their characters and the baseness Of
their designs. Why else do we so frequent.
ly see individuals Of the other sex who claim
to possess the most spotless character, to be
the conservators Of fashion, aud to give tone
to society, receiving into their parties and
caressing, nay, not hesitatiug to promenade
10 public, arm in arm, with depraVed and
proaigate wretches, as their honored associ-
ates-debauchees who are known TO be dis
solute, yes, odiously liceutious 10 their hab>
its, and this without a blush? Why do
ladies Of quality, instead of seorning even
the approach of such wretches, and repel,
ing their presence as an insult and affront to
theirsex evince even a preference for their
society over men of exemplary charaeters-
apparently delightiDg in attentions, if they
happen to be talented, rich and fashinable,
though they may have been guilty of the
deepest baseness 10 other women Why,
too, do the young of the gentler sex often
manifest such an eagerness to draw around
them the butterflies of ours, beizgs of mere
tinsel aud foppery, to the exclusion of the
meritorious aud deserving, who seek com
panions for life, and not the clittering play
things of an hour Why is it that meu may
practice with impunity vices which, in the
other sex, will not be tolerated for a moment
or that abandoned libertines, addicted to the
vilsst species of proAigacy, and worse than
all, who do not pretend to disguise their evil
habits, yet hold up their heads in society as
gentlemen, while the female who is eTeu
suspected Of the slightest deviation from the
rules of chastity, is consigned to everlasting
infamy aud disgrace! The undeniable fact
is, that the just old maxim of Pope, that
worth makes the man, has sunk into obliv-
ion new standards OF character have been
set up; and the fundamental qualities which
enter into the modern fashionable idea OF
gentlemen, have less relation to innate hon.
asty 4-.A -erIh than to the length Of ones
purse, the texture of his cloth, aud the
scrupulous exaetness OF ms grlmaees anu
BOWS.
We believe that true gentlemen are con-
fined to no walk or rank in lite. The sturdy
blacksmith, with his dingy garments, his
open, honest countenance begrimed with
smut, and his rough, hard hands, SCARED
with service more honorable than that of
war, has an immeasurably higher claim to
that honorable name than the shallow patei
fop who skips through college with kid
gloves and rattan, cultivates graces before
the glass aud ladies', and takes his diploma
with all the blushing honors thick on his
vacant head. 1t is q false and contemplate
notion that unless a man can boast high
descent, or roll majestically along IN coach
emblazoned with his arms, his name should
be stricken from the lists OF gentlemen.
Which class has, from time immemorial, con-
fered the brightest honors on the human
raee-the naughty aristOcrat, who shrlnks
with strong convulsiOns from the touch OF
the honest poor man, and moves with step
that seems dainty of the soil it treads on, or
the humble peasant who claims no merit but
nobility of soul D.? Whence come the great
lights of the intellectual frmament-fhe
stars that form the bright galaxy whose
beams dazzle the eye of every beholder ! In
the vast majority Of instances they have
emerged 10 eminence from the chilling depths
of obscurity, destilution aud want. Whose
voices are oftenest raised in successful vlndi-
cation of human rights, and float over noun
tain and plain, over ocean and, TILL they
yibrate on the ear of the remotest dweller 10
Cbristendom. Who are they that
Pluck bright honor from the pale faced moon'
Or drive into the bottom OF the deep,
Where fathom line could never touch the ground
And drag up drowned honor BY the locks
The scions of noble blood? The wor>
shippers of Bacchus and Venus, who trltter
away the hours granted by Heaven for sell
improvement in the study Of the contemplate
and puerile forms Of fashion! No ihey
are men of low parentage, men who nave
buffeted the pillows of fate without depend
euce save upon the mercy of God and their
own energies-the gentlemen OF nature VINO
have troddcn under foot the painted lizards
of society, and worked their own distinction
with an ardor that could not be quenched
and a perseverance, that considered nothing
done while anything yet remained TO DC
done. -
Ira man all his life long should do no
other good thing than educate his child
-,-Lt ;n tho fear of God, then | think this