The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1880-12-22
WHAT Is A GENTLEMAN
How Cardinal Newman Answers IL,
QuRaffnn.

QUESTION.
It is almost a definition of a gentle.
man to say he is one who never inficta
pain. This description is both refined,
and as far as it goes, accurate. He is
mainly occupied IN merely removing the
obstacles which hinder the free and un-
embarrassed action of those about him !;
and he concurs with their movements
rather than takes the initiative himself
His benefits may be considered as paral-
lei to what are called comforts or con-
yeniences in arrangements of a personal
nature like an easy chair or a good fire,
which do their part in dispelling cold
and fatigue, though nature provides
means of rest and animal heat without
| them. The true gentleman in like man
ner carefully avoids whatever may cause
jar or jolt in the minds of those with
whom he is cast all clashing of opinion,
or confusion of. feeling, all restraint, or
suspicion, or gloom, or resentment his
great concern being to make everyone at
their ease and at home. He has his
eyes on all his company; he is tender to-
ward the bashful, gentle toward the dis
tant, and merchul to the absurd; he
guards against the unreasonable allusions
or topics which may irIitate he is sell
dom prominent in conversation, and
never wearisOme. He makes light of ia
Yors while he does them, and seems to
be receiving when he is comforting. He
never speaks of himself except when
compelled, never defends himself by a
mere retort he has no ears for slander
or gossip, Is scrupulOus in imputing m 2
tives to those who Interfere with him,
and interprets everything for the best.
Il &c 4
never takes unfair advantage, never mis-
takes personalities or sharp sayings, or
arguments, or insinuates evil which he
dare not say out. From q long sighted
prudence, he observes the maxim of the
ancient sage, that we should conduct
ourselves toward our enemy as if he
were one day to be our friend He has
too much good sense to be affronted at
insults, and is too well employed to re-
member injuries He is patient, for
bearing, and resigned on philosophical
principles. He submits to pain because
It is inevitable to bereavement, because
it is irreparable (; to death, because it is
his destiny. IF he engages in contro-
versy of any kind, his disciplined intel
lect preserves him from the laundering
discourtesy of better, perhaps, but less
educated minds, who, like blunt weapons,
tear and hack, instead of cutting clean,
who mistake the point in argument,
waste their strength on trifes, miscOn,
eeive their adversary, and leave the
question more involved than they find it. |
He may be right or wrong in his opinion,
but he is too clear headed to be unjust |
he is as simple as he is forcible, and as |
brief as he is decisive. Nowhere shall |
we find greater candor, consideration, in
dulgence. He throws himself into the |
mind of his opponents, he accounts for |
their mistakes, he knows the weakness |
of human reason as well as its strength, |
its province and its limits. If he be an |
he viii be too profound and |
large minded to ridicule religion or to act |
against it he is too wise to be dog |
matist or fanatic in his infdelity. He |
piety and devotion he even !
institutions as venerable, beau |
tiful, and useful, to which he does not |
assent he honors the ministers of reli- |
gion, and it contents him to decline its |
mysteries without assailing or denounc-
ing them. He is friend of religious |
and that, not only because
his philosophy has taught him to look |
ON all forms of faith with an impartial |
eye, but also from the gentleness Of feel
ing which is the attendant on oiYiiza-
lion.