The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-08-30

devoid of outward show and pretense-is
an index of their mental condition. They
they despise all seeming. Their mann ers,
though refined, are simple.
The gentleman ia a representative CHAR
acter-a reflection of his era. We may
trace the manners of the times in their
various types in the warlike and semi
barbaraus, the chivalrous and romantic,
the eHeminate and ornate, the soldierly
and scholarly, down to the earnest, accom-
plished, and practical specimen in our own
day. AS now understood, the term is ia
dicative of conduct rather than lineage-of
character rather than position-of the in
trinsic qualities that contribute to its form
| alton as much as their manifestation in tue
life. A gentleman is something unique,
apart from any consideration of rank, edu-
cation, or pursuits, There are many men
| of plain manners and limited means as
thorough gentlemen as any noble in the
land. The late Justice Talfourd, in his
charge to the jury in an action wherein 1t
was alleged that the defendant had said to
the plaintiff, "Do not speak to me. am
gentleman. You are a tradesman," took
| occasion 70 observe -GGeptleman is-a
| term W hich is rot confined to any station.
| The man of rank who deports himself with
dignity and candOr, the tradesman who
discharges his duties with integrity, and
the humblest artisan who fulflls the ohli-
cations incumbent upon him with virtue
| aud honor, are alike entitled to the name OF
gentleman, in preference to the man, how
ever high his station, who INDUCES in ri
bald and offensive remarks"
We may have correct conception OF the
character without being able to enter into
an analysis of it. Courtesy and simplicity
are its leading features. The most highly
| cultivated men are ever the least concerted,
aud we generally fnd that the pedantic are
men Of small understanding. Chesterfield
| 70 oil rnofo in
term "politeuess," which he defines as a
benevolence in trifies, or preference OF
others to ourselves in the ordinary occur-
rences of life. Gentleness, the foundation
of the character, implies reserved power,
and it is to be distinguished from weakness
and an unreasonable compliance with the
dictates or the will of others. It renounces
no lust right from the fear of their frown,
and yields no important truth 10 theII
fattery. A prominent feature of the char
acter is consderateness, which may be said
to consist in delicacy in the use of power
physical, moral and social. Forbearance
and wisdom in the exercise Of this power
of that which the husband exercises over the
wife, the father over his children, the teach
err over his pupils, the old over the young
the strong over the weak, the master over
his bands, the rich over the poor, the edu:
Gated over the ignorant, the experienced
over the confding-mark the gentleman.
Bashfulness is not inconsistent with the
character, and we are surprised that so rart
a quality is not more highly appreciated
The thoughts and feelings of the retiring
in disposition are not less refined, aithougi
they may not be expressed with the grace
fulness of the ready speaker or the i'm
petuosity of the rattle pate. This DISPOSE
) ton frequently arises from the mint
, running in channels other than the com
,, momplaces of ordinary conversation, and
;; consequent consciousness OF Inferlorlty II
the art of pleasing. The assumption OF th
,, character is often but stimulation of thu
more agreeable habits of society, and onl!
the veneer which hides depraved tastes ant
vicious propensities. Nothing more dis
]. plays frivolous, selfish, and vulgar min'
than inattention to the simple courtesies o
life, and without this even profound learn
!, ing is no more than tiresome pedantry. /
1 person of this description says he can be
gentleman when he pleases. A true gen
!, tleman never pleases to be anything else
: and never, by any accident, drrogates iron
: this standard. He cannot stoop to meal
, thing. He never struts in borrowed
plumage. He never stabs in the dark. HI
is not one thing to mans face and anothe
, behind his back. Papers not meant for al
eye are sacred. Bolts and bars, locks an
KEYS, bonds and securities, and notices t
trespassers, are not for him. He is con
sistent observer of the second great com
W.
orable, he prsctises toward all.
Perhaps it was because of Thackeray
keen -sightedness to detect, and his read
4 / ness to expose and piflory the snob, that b
); could the more genially describe gentle
i man. There are many passages in hi
t writings which hespeak his appreciation @
!, the character. The reader will remembe
d his famous prospectus of the Pail MAJ
Gazette, which, being conducted by gentle
t men, was to be addressed to gentlemen
: Perhaps" he says, "a gentleman is
= rarer parsonage than some of us think fol
L Which of us can point out many such In hi
t circle: men whose aims are generous
9 whose truth is constant, whose want G
t meanness makes them simple, who ca
look the world honestly in the face with a.
:: equal manly sympathy for the great an
L the small We all know a hundred who's
:; coats are we'll made, and a score who hav
/ excellent manners, and one or two happ
i hainns W ho are what they call in the inne