The Irish standard., 1890-09-20
A. Gentleman.


A Gentleman.
This is the late Cardinal Newman's
idea Of gentleman. The passage oc-
ours in his Tx Discourses Addressed
to the Catholics of Dublin lit is al
most definition OF a gentleman to say
that he is one who never intlicts pain.
The description is both refined and, so
far as it goes, accurate. He is mainly
occupied in merely removing the OBJ
stacles which hinder the tree and I'M
embarrassed action of those about him.
and he concurs with their movements
rather than take the initiative himself.
His benefits may be considered as par
allel to what are called comforts or con
venlences in arrangements OF personal
nature--like an easy chair or a good fire.
which do their best in dispelilng cold
and fatigue, though nature provides
both means OF rest and animal heat
without them. The true gentleman in
like manner carefully avoids whatever
may cause a jar or jolt in the minds
OF those with whom he is cast--all
eIashing of opinion or collision of feel
ing, all retraint or suspicion or gloom
or resentment, his great concern being
10 make every one at ease and at home.
Ha has his eyes on all his company, he
ia tender towards the bashful, gentle
towards the distant, and merciful to-
wards the absurd. He can recollect to
whom he is speaking +; he guards
against unseasonable allusions, or topics
which may irritate, he is seldom promi-
nenI in conversation, and never Wearl.
some. He makes light of favors when
he does them. and seems to be recelv-
inc when he is conteIring. He never
speaks Of himself except when cOmpell-
ed, never defends himself by mere
retort; he has no ears for slander or
gossip, is scrupulous in impnting mo-
tiyes to those who interprets everything
for the best. He is never mean or little
in his disputes, never takes Unfair ad
vantage. never mistakes personalities
or sharp sayings for arguments, or in
sinuates evil which he dare not to say
out From long GIFTED prudence, he
observes the maxium of the ancient
sage, that we should ever conduct our
sel> es towards our enemy as If he were
one day to be our friend. He has too
much good sense to be aff1onted at ln-
suits; he is too we'll employed to remem-
ber injuries and too indolent to bear
malice. He is patient, forbearing, and
resigned on philosophical principles;
he submits to pain becauseit is irrepar-
able, and toi death because it is his
destiny.
tit he engages in controversy of any
kind. his disciplined intellect preserves
him from the blundering discourtesy Of
better, perhaps, ,ak but less educated
minds, who. like blunt weapons, tear
and hack instead of cutting clean, who
mistake the point IN argument, water
their strength on trlfies, misconcelve
their adversary, and leave the question
more involved that sthey 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 forcib.e. and as
brief as he is decisive.E Nowhere shall
we find greater candor. consideration,
Indulgence, he throws himself into the
minds of his opponents, he accounts for
heir mistakes. He knows the weakness
# human reason as we'll asjts strength,
.ts province, and its limits. IF he be an
unbeliever, he will be too profound and
large minded to ridicule religion or to
act against it; he is too wise to be a
dogmatist or fanatic in his infidelity.
He respects plety and devotion; he even
supports institutions as venerable, beau
full. or useful to which he does not as
sent; he honors the ministers of re
ligion, and 1t content him to decline its
mysteries without assailing or DEM unc-
,ing them.
B 81 He is q friend of religious toleratlon,
not only because his philosophy has
taught him to look on al forms Of faith
with an impartial eve, but also from the
,Raent ntleness and minacys 5of feeling
= I vi,ich III Oh cigilizatlon.l
a l,ot Il, hold Z relig gion,l