The Baltimore County union., 1882-01-21
WHAT IS A GENTLEMAN
How Cardinal Newman Answers the
Question.

II is almost a definition Of gentle
man to say he is one who never infiicts
pain. This description is both refined
and, as far rs 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 parallel
to what are called comforts or convent
ence in arrangements OF personal ma
ture, like an easy chair or a good fire,
which do their part in disspelling cold
and fatigue, though nature provides
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 feeling, all restraint or
suspicion, or gloom or resentment his
great concern being to make every one
At 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 merciful toward the absurd /;
guards against unreasonable illusions or
topics which may irriiate he is seldom
prominent in conversation, and never
wearisome. He makes light of favors
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 mere retort; he has no ears for
slander or gossip, is scrupulous in imput-
ing 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 towards our
enemy As il he were one day TO be our
friend. He has too much good sense
TO be affronted at insults, and is too well
employed 10 remember injuries. He is
patient, forbearing and resigned, on
philosophical principles. He submits
TO pain, because il is irreparable; to
death, because it is his destiny. II he
engages in controversy of any kind, his
disciplined intellect preserves him from
the laundering discourtesy OF better,
perhaps, but less educated minds, who,
like blunt weapons, tear and hack in
stead Of cutting clean, who mistake the
point in argument, waste their strength
on trifies, misconceive their adversary,
and leave the question more involved
than they find il. 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 rs he is de-
cisive. No where shall we find greater
candor, consideration, indulgence. He
throws himself into the minds OF his OPP
ponents, he accounts for their mistakes,
he knows the weakness of human reason
as we'll as its PROVENCE and its limits.
II he be an unbeliever, he will be too
profound and large-minded to ridicule
or 10 act against il he is too wise to
be dogmatist or fanatic in his infdel-
ity. He respects piety and devotion (;
he even supports institutions rs venera-
BILE, beautiful, or useful, to which he
does not assent he honors the minis
tiers Of religion, and it contents him to
decline its mysteries without assailing
or denouncing them. He is a friend Of
religious toleration, and that, not only
because his philosophy has taught him
TO look on all forms of faith with an
impartial eye, but also form the gentle
ness Of feeling, which is the attendant
on civilization.