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 every one 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 every thing 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
good 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 the point in argument,
waste their strength on trifles, misconceive 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 decisive. Nowhere shall we find
greater candour, consideratio