The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-08-25
What is a Gentleman!

1t Is almost a definition of a gentle.
man to say he is one who never inficts
pain. This description is both refined
and, as far as 1t goes. accurate. He is
mainly occupied in merely removing the
obstacles which hinder the free and I'M
embarrassed action of those about him;
and lie concufs with their movements
rather than take the initiative himself.
His benefits may be considered as
parallel to what are called comforts or
convenience In arrangements of personal
nature: like an easy chair or a good fire.
vince do their part in dispelling 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 a jolt in tie tninds Of Those with
whom he is cast; al clashing III opinion.
or collision Of feeling, all rastraint Of
suspicion, Or gloom, Or resentment: his
great concern being to make every one
at their ease and at home. He has his
eyes on all his company; ne is tender
toward the bashful' gentle towards the
the distant, and merciful toward the
absurd; he guards against unreasonable
illusions or topics which may irriate:
he is seldom prominent in conversation,
and never wearisone. He makes lieht
of fayofs while he does thefii. and seems
to be receiving when he is comforting.
He never speaks of himself except
when compelled, never defends himself
a Tnf 1a h., 4
SANDER or gossip, is scrupulous in i'm
putting 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 advan-
tage, never mistakes personalities or
sharp sayiingsfor arguments, orinsinua-
ates evil which he dareB not say out.
From long sighted prudence. he
observes the maxim of the ancient sage,
that we should conduct ourselves TO-
wards our enemies as if he were one day
to be our friend. He has too mitch good
sense to be affronted at insults; and is
too well employed to remember injuries.
He is patient, forbearing and resigned,
on philosophical principles. He submits
to pain, because he is irreparable to
death, because it is his destiny. If 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 trihes, misconcive 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 de-
cisive. Nowhere shall we find grearter
candor, consideration, indulgence. He
throws himself into the minds of his
opponents, he accounts for their mis-
takes, he knows the weakness of human
reason as well as it's province and its
limits. If he be an unbeliyer, he will
be too profound and large-minded to
rididule religion or to act against 1t; he
is too wise to be dogmatist or fanatic
in his infdelity, He respects piety and
devotion; he even supports institutions
as venerable, beautiful, or useful, to
which he does not assent; he honors the
ministers of religion, and it contents
him to decline its mysteries without
assaling or denouncing them. He is
friend of religious liberation, 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
gentIeness of feeling, which is the at
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