The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-03-10
DEFINING A GENTLEMAN.
Cardinal Newman AccOmpIiShes that Task
COneientiOusIy.
Hamilton Cont Spectator


Hamilton (0nt.) Spectator
1t is almost definition Of oar+Io
man to say he is one who never inflict
pain. This description is both refined
and, as far as it goes, accurate. He i
manly occupied in merely removing tn,
obstacles which hinder the free aud un
embarrassed action of those about him
and he concurs with their movement
rather than take the initiative himself
HIS benefits may be considered as paral
lei TO what are called comforts and con
Vemences In arrangement of a personal
nature; like an easy chair or a rooC
hre, which do their part in dispelino
cold and fatigue though Nature pro
vldes means of rest and animal heat
without them. The true gentleman in
like manner carefully avoids whatever
may cause jar or jolt in the minds OF
those with whom he is cast; all clashing
OF opinion, or collision of all restraint
or suspicion, or gloom or resentment
his great concern being to make every
one at their ease, and at home. He has
his eys on all his company, he is tender
toward the bashful, gentle toward the
distant, and merciful toward the alb
surd; he guards against unreasonable
alluslon or topics which may irritate !;
he Is seldom prominent in conversation,
and never wearisome. He makes LIGHT
of favors, while he does them, and seems
to be receiving what he is comforting.
tie never speaks of himself except when
compelled, never defends himself by a
mere retort; he has not ears for slam
der or gossip, is scrupulous in impu-
ting motives TO those who interfere with
him, and interprets everything for the
best. He is never mean or little in his
disputes, never takes unfair advantages,
never mistakes personalities or sharp
sayings for arguments, or insinuates evil
which he dare not say out. From a
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 your
friend. He has too much good sense to
be affronted at insults, and too well EN-
ployed to remember injuries. He is
patient, forbearing and resigned, on
philosophical principles F.; he submits to
pain, because it is irreparable; to death, |
because it is his destiny. If he engages
in controversy of any kind, his disci- |
plined intellect preserves him from the |
discourtesy of better, per-
haps, but less educated minds, who, like /
blunt weapons, tear and hack instead of /
cutting clean, who mistake the point in
waste their strength ON tri-
fles, misconceive their adversary, and
leave the question more involved than
they find it. He may be right or wrong
in his opinion, but he is simple as he is
forcible, and as brief as he is decisive
Nowhere shall we find greater candor,
indulgence. He throws
himself into the minds of his opponents, /!
he accounts for their mistakes, he knows
the weakness of human reason as well
rs its strength, its province and its linn
its. If he is an unheliever, he will be
too profound and large-minded to ridi-
Guile religion and to act against it; he is
too wise to be dogmatist or fanatic in
his intidelity. He respects piety and
devotion; he even supports institutions
Is venerable, beautiful or useful, to
which he does not assent he honors
he ministers of religion, and it contents
lim to decline as mysteries without as
Iailing or denouncing them. He is a
riend of religious federation, and that,
lot only because his philosophy has
aught him to look on all forms of faith
with an impartial eye, but also from the
gendeness of etfeminacy of feeling,
which is the attendant ON civilization.