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Article CHARACTER OF A GENTLEMAN. ← Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Character Of A Gentleman.
voice of the many , as well as of the more liberal-minded and enli ghteenedfew ? It is not a large estate , or an ample fortune , that makes a Gentleman . If a man be a Prodigal , or a Miser , if he squander his substance in vice and dissipation , or live only to accumulate wealth , he may be a 'Squire or a Lord , but he is not a Gentleman . Generosus , the Latin word for a Gentlemanin strictness of derivationsignifies
, , , what we call a man of birth or family ; but till it appears that every man of birth is a Gentleman , I would understand by the word Gene- , rosus a man of Generosity , as I look upon Generosity to be the peculiar characteristic of a Gentleman , and think that every man has so much ofthe Gentleman as he has of Generosity in him . Easiness of access and elegance of mannersaffability of behaviour and attention
, to please , though confessedly very genteel and agreeable accomplishments , are but the exterior parts of a Gentleman ; the Complete Gentleman is one who , besides being possessed of all these accomplishments , delights in good offices , and discovers on all proper occasions a spirit of Generosity adequate to his fortune . He is not generous
by fits and starts only , nor is his goodness partial and confined , but he ¦ is a general friend to indigence and merit , and is never happier than when he can by acts of Generosity promote the happiness of others . If we try the generality of those who call themselves Gentlemen by this test , I fear it ' will be found that a real Gentleman is a much rarer character than is commonly imagined ; for , how many nominal Gentlemen do we every where meet withand how very few men of '
, Generosity ? Generosity then I lay down as essential to the character of a Gentleman ; and a Gentleman I consider as the noblest of all characters and titles of true honour . In common acceptation , I know there are many superior titles . Nobility gives a superior rank and distinction in life ; but does it confer superior honour . No ; this depends not on descent or a patentbut oh the personal character ofthe
, Nobleman . A man maybe Right Honourable by creation or birth ,, and at the same time a very dishonourable man . ButaGentleman ' must be a man of honour . The title here and the character are inseparable , for the character confers the title . Kings may create Lords , but they cannot create a Gentleman . A Gentleman is self-created ;
Stuck o ' er with titles , and hung round with strings , That thou may ' st be by kings , or whores of kings : But , as the Poet soon after adds , What can ennoble sots , or slaves , or cowards ? Alas I not all the blood of all the HOWARDS , A Gentleman , I have said , is self-ennobled . He shines by his own light , and borrows no splendonrfrom others . The character of a
Gentleman , conirasted with that of Lords , is nowhere , I think , so finely exemplified as in Mr . POPE ' description ofthe Man of Ross . Read , that character , and you will then see the justness and beauty of thatnoble apostrophe of the poet : Blush , Grandeur , blush I proud Courts , withdraw your blaze ! Ye little Stars I . hide your diminish'd rays . Nothing 1 have said derogates in the least from the dignity of fru ' e . ' Nobility . Where the Nobleman and the Gentleman are united , it
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Character Of A Gentleman.
voice of the many , as well as of the more liberal-minded and enli ghteenedfew ? It is not a large estate , or an ample fortune , that makes a Gentleman . If a man be a Prodigal , or a Miser , if he squander his substance in vice and dissipation , or live only to accumulate wealth , he may be a 'Squire or a Lord , but he is not a Gentleman . Generosus , the Latin word for a Gentlemanin strictness of derivationsignifies
, , , what we call a man of birth or family ; but till it appears that every man of birth is a Gentleman , I would understand by the word Gene- , rosus a man of Generosity , as I look upon Generosity to be the peculiar characteristic of a Gentleman , and think that every man has so much ofthe Gentleman as he has of Generosity in him . Easiness of access and elegance of mannersaffability of behaviour and attention
, to please , though confessedly very genteel and agreeable accomplishments , are but the exterior parts of a Gentleman ; the Complete Gentleman is one who , besides being possessed of all these accomplishments , delights in good offices , and discovers on all proper occasions a spirit of Generosity adequate to his fortune . He is not generous
by fits and starts only , nor is his goodness partial and confined , but he ¦ is a general friend to indigence and merit , and is never happier than when he can by acts of Generosity promote the happiness of others . If we try the generality of those who call themselves Gentlemen by this test , I fear it ' will be found that a real Gentleman is a much rarer character than is commonly imagined ; for , how many nominal Gentlemen do we every where meet withand how very few men of '
, Generosity ? Generosity then I lay down as essential to the character of a Gentleman ; and a Gentleman I consider as the noblest of all characters and titles of true honour . In common acceptation , I know there are many superior titles . Nobility gives a superior rank and distinction in life ; but does it confer superior honour . No ; this depends not on descent or a patentbut oh the personal character ofthe
, Nobleman . A man maybe Right Honourable by creation or birth ,, and at the same time a very dishonourable man . ButaGentleman ' must be a man of honour . The title here and the character are inseparable , for the character confers the title . Kings may create Lords , but they cannot create a Gentleman . A Gentleman is self-created ;
Stuck o ' er with titles , and hung round with strings , That thou may ' st be by kings , or whores of kings : But , as the Poet soon after adds , What can ennoble sots , or slaves , or cowards ? Alas I not all the blood of all the HOWARDS , A Gentleman , I have said , is self-ennobled . He shines by his own light , and borrows no splendonrfrom others . The character of a
Gentleman , conirasted with that of Lords , is nowhere , I think , so finely exemplified as in Mr . POPE ' description ofthe Man of Ross . Read , that character , and you will then see the justness and beauty of thatnoble apostrophe of the poet : Blush , Grandeur , blush I proud Courts , withdraw your blaze ! Ye little Stars I . hide your diminish'd rays . Nothing 1 have said derogates in the least from the dignity of fru ' e . ' Nobility . Where the Nobleman and the Gentleman are united , it