Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-01-10

WHAT IS A GENTLEMANP-Iti is almost a
definition of u gentleman to say he is one
who never inllicts pain. This descr iption
is both refined and, as far as it goes, accu
rate, He is mainly occupied in merely
removing the obstacles which hinder the
free and unembarrassed action of those
about him; and he concurs with their
movements rather than takes the initiative
himself. His benefits may be considered
as parallel to what are called comforts or
conveniences in arrangements of person
al nature; like an easy chair or a good
fire, which do their part in dispellng cold
and fatigue, though nature provides ami.
nal heat without them. The true gentle.
man in like manner carefully avoids
whatever may cause Il jar or Jolt in tin.
minds of those with whom he is cast; ali
clashing of opinion or collision of feeling.
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 eye on all his company: he is
tender toward the bashful gentle toward
the distant, and merciful toward the
absurd; he guards against unreasonable
illusions or topics which may irritate. He
is seldom prominent in conversation, and
never Wearlsome. 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 a
mere retort; he has no ears for scandal or
gossip, is scrupulous in imputing motives
to those who interfere with him, ard
interprets everything for the best lie is
never mean or little in his disputes, never
takes advantage, never mistakes personal
tiles or sharp sayings for arguments or
insituaes evil which he dare not say out.
From long sighted prudence he observes
the maxim of the ancient sage, that we
should conduct ourselves toward oul
enemy as if he were one day to be our
friend. He has too much good sense TO
be affronted ut insults, and is too well
employed to remember injuries. lie is
patient, forbearing and resigned on phio.
sophical principles. He submits TO pain,
because it is his destiny. lfhe 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 instead of cutting clean,
who mistake the point In argument, waste
their strength on tritles, misc conceive 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 simple as
he is forcible, and as brief as he is decisive.
Nowhere shall we find greater candor,
consideration, indulgence. He throws him
self into the minds of his opponents, he
accounts for their mistakes, he knows the
weakness Of human reason as we'll as its
strength, its province and its limits. If he
be an unbelever he is to profound and
large minded to ridicule religion or to act
against it he is too wise to be doGmatist
or fanatic in his inidelity. lie respects
piety and devotion; he even supports
institutions as beautiful, venerable or
useful TO which he does not assent; he
honors the ministers of religion, and it
contents him to decline its mysteries
without assailing 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
gentleness of feeling which is the attendant
on civilization.-CarIEndt Newinon.