The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1882-09-29

And longing cannot speak
True condemnation the Boys.
BYG. F. KENT.
What is true gentlemau This ques-
tion has been asked many times; yes,
but seldom answered. Perhaps in the
true sense of the word there are but few
gentlemen. This may be bold asser-
ton, but it is nevertheless true. To be
sure, we have our gentleman, and we've
right to him; but will he stand those
cleansing fires, or will this, our gold, be
consumed?
We meet young man at the home of
a friend, and are SO charmed by his
smooth speech, ready wit, and cultured
appearance, that we give him the rank
of gentleman, without even asking
| who he is or what kind of life he is
leading. Should he be given this rank
with so little knowledge of his aims and
motives in life?
Suppose such, reasons as these are given
for calling him gentleman: He speaks
French and German, and you snould
hear him sing-why, it fairly sends one
into ecstacies
Be it admitted that modern languag-
es with pure English and polished MAUI
ners are associated with refinement,
what then?
Will the hypothesis ''our bold guess"
stand the test when applied.
- A high polish may be given base met
ais. Good qualities and good deeds, no.
good appearances merely, make the
true gentleman. We should not judge
hastily, but should observe, compare,
then rank. Seeing person one evening
in company, surrounded by admiring
and f1attering friends, gives no opportu-
nifty from which to judge. There are
many tests which should be applied;
among them, his regard for the Deity
and respect for religion for whoever
speaks in a contemptuous manner OF the
Creator of the Universe and His works,
is unworthy the name Of gentleman
and he who ignores and scoffs at religion,
we should never trust.
If he believes not in that almighty
hand that guides the consultations,
should we trust him? If veneration,
which underlies all good qualities, is
wanting, what is he? 1t is necessary
that he recognize the all-wiss Father,
though he be not protesting christian
At the present time when so many Os-
car Wildes are abroad, there may be
few people who are supplied with an ex-
cess OF sentiment in regard to the quail
ties essential to a true gentleman.
Let us look at their ideal. An exquis-
itely dressed beau, who can dance the
Racquet, waltz, play the piano. sing ten
or and go into eestacies over plaques and
pretty faces; can see a poem ever in
that daisy, the sunf1ower; the divine in
the colorings of piece of old broken
china. o for that sublime harmony
which makes his life "one unbroken
flow of rymthmic bliss?" This is the
gentleman that the followers of our Eng
ish Curiosity call quite sumptuously
stunning"
The plainly dressed, kind-hearted un-
man, passes by as not worthy
IF their notice. They forget that meath
plain exterior may beat the heart of a
nan, more true and grand than ever
,old and velvet adorned; a heart that
'ibrates to noble impulses, grand
hemes and is ever seeking to render
,ood to his fellow men. Pure gold has
10 glitter, and mans appearance may
,e as good counterfeit as the Parisjew-
,ller's paste is for diamonds of the first
water.
Before ranking your man look behind
he scenes.
Intelligence, and courtesy not always are CON-
bned.
vt in a wooden house, golden room we find"
1t will not do to form an estimate of
haracter upoa the verdict of the world,
or
A Jewel is jewel still, though lying in tie dust,
lnd sand is sand though up to heaven,
ris by the tempest thrust"
Can a gold and morocco binding turn
vulgar novel iAto a Milton's Paradise
lost ? No, neither can polished manners,
Tor intellectual culture alone, make gen.
leman. 1t is not the gliding that makes
he dome. But the granite from the
oundation stone. Something more
han lady's man, a smooth faced, silver
ougued, light headei fatterer, is now
1t is not really essential
hat our gentleman should see a "poem"
q the sunfower; the divine" in the
of broken china but it is es-
ential that he he man of brains, with
will TO use them to the right purpose.
t is all very well for us to have senti-
lent and Imagination; our happiness
equires both; put in order TO become
it is not necessary that we
ave all the small talk" and meaning
,ss phrases in the English language at
ur tongues end; if it is, it is time we
ad fewer gentlemen and more men.
true gentleman, will at all times in all
laces, and under all circumstances, be
ind and courteous to those he meets,
nd be ever ready to render aid to those
no need it. If he does this, he cannot
e mistaken.
What tho on homely fare he dine,
Wear holden gray and a'that;
give fools their silks and knaves their wine
A mans man for a'that-
For a'that and a'that-
His tolls obscure and a'that,
The frank is but the guinea's stamp;
The mans the gold for a'that.r
Thomes Hughas says ITO be a gen.
eman is to live a simple manly life, to
,eak your own thought. pay your own
ay, and do your work whatever 1t may
e",-and he adds-"you will remain
,ntlemen so long as you follow these
lies though you have to sweep a cross
q for q livelihood" d."-Gospa Banner.