Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-10-13
WHAT Is A GENTLEMAN Z?
How Cardinal Newman Answers
the Question.

the Question.
II is almost definition OF a gentle
man to say he is one who never inf"ts
pain. This description is both refined
and, as far as it goes accurate. He 10
mainly occupied in merely removing the
obstacles which hinder the free and nm
embarrassed action Of those about him;
and he concurs with their moyen is
rather than takes the initiative himself.
His benefits may I've considered as paral-
lei to what are called comforts or con-
veniences in arrangements OF q personal
nature; like an easy chair or good tire.
which do their part in dispelling cold
and fatigue, though nature provides
means of rest and animal heat without
them. The true gentleman in the like
manner carefully avoids whatever may
cause jar ,r a jolt in the minds OF
those with whom he is cast; all clashing
OF opinion, or collision OF feeling, all re.
straint. or suspicion. or gloom, or lie
sentiment; his great concern being to
make every one at his ease aud at home.
lie has his eyes OH all his company; he
is tender toward the bashful. gentle to-
ward the distant. and merciful to the
absurd; he guards against unreasonable
illusions or topics which NAV irritate;
ne is seldom prominent in conversation,
and never worrisome. He makes light
OF favors while he does them, and seems
to be receiving when he il comforting
He never speaks oil himselfeXcept when
ompelled, never defends himself by a
mere retort; he has no ears for SANDER
or gossip, is scrupulous in impn'ing mo
tivps to those who Interfere with him,
and interprets everything for the best.
He is never mean or littl,. in his disputes,
never mistakes personalities or sharp
saving for arguments, or insinuafes EVIL
which he dare not say ont From
long sighted prudence he observes the
maxim OF the ancient sage, that we
should conduct ourselves toward our
enemv "a il he were one day 10 he our
friend. He has too much good sense to
be affronted at insults, and il too we'll
employed TO remember injuries. tie is
patient, iorbearing and resigned on phil
osophical principles He submits to
pain because il is inevitable; 10 bercave
ment, because il is irreparablc; to death,
because il ia destiny. II he engages in
controversy of any kind, his disciplined
intellect preserves him from the blum
.lering discourtesy OF better, perhaps,
hut less educated minds, who like blunt
weapons, tear and hack instead OF cut
ting clean, who mistake the point in ar
gument, waste their strength on trlfies,
miscnnceive 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 he unjust; he is as simple "a he Is Tor
chile, and IA brief as he is decisive. y"
where shall we find greater candor, con
sideration, indulgence. lie throws him
self into the mind oil his opponents, he
accounts for their mistakes, he knows
the weakness of human reason rs well
"a it's strength, i's province and ~
limits. n he ne an unbe'iever, he will
be too pr ,found and large minded to
ridicule religion or to act against It: he Is
too wise to be doymatist or fanatic in
his infidelity. He respects piety and
devotion; he even supports institutions
IA venerable, beautiful aud useful, 10
which he does not assent; he honors the
ministers Of religion, and il contents
him to decline its mysteries without
assaiiing or deuouncing them. He ia
friend nf religious liberation, and that,
not ONLY because his philosophy has
taught him To- look on all forms II faith
with an impartial eye, bnt also from the
gentleness OF feeling which is the at.
tendant on civilization.