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 a personal nature: like an easy
chair or a good fire, which do their part in dispelling 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 a jolt in the minds of those with whom he is cast;
all clashing of opinion, or collision of feeling, all restraint,
or suspicion, or gloom, or resentment; his great concern being to
make everyone at their ease and at home. He has his eyes on all
his company; he is tender towards the bashful, gentle towards the
distant, and merciful towards the absurd; he can recollect to whom
he is speaking; he guards against unseasonable allusions, or
topics which may irritate; he is seldom prominent in conversation
and never wearisome.

"He makes light of favours while he does them, and seems to be
receiving when he is conferring. He never speaks of himself except
when compelled, never defends himself by a mere retort; he has no
ears for slander or gossip, is scrupulous in imputing 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 advantage, never mistakes personalities or sharp sayings
for arguments, or insinuates evil which he dare not say out. From
a long-sighted prudence he observes the maxim of the ancient sage,
that we should ever conduct ourselves towards our enemy as if he
were one day to be our friend. He has too much sense to be
affronted at insults, he is too well employed to remember
injuries, and too indolent to bear malice.

"He is patient, forbearing, and resigned, on philosophical
principles; he submits to pain because it is inevitable, to
bereavement because it is irreparable, and to death because it is
his destiny. If he engages in controversy of any kind his
disciplined intellect preserves him from the blundering
discourtesy of better, perhaps, but less educated minds, who, like
blunt weapons, tear and hack instead of cutting clean, who mistake