20 JANUARY 1939, Page 23

WHAT IS A GENTLEMAN " ?

[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR] SIR,—Nearly six hundred years ago this same question was

raised: Loke who that is most vertuous alway, Privee and apert, and most entendeth ay To do the gentle dedes that he can, And tak him for the grettest gentil man.

CHAUCER, The Tale of the Wyf of Bathe.

—Yours faithfully, A. NEAVE BRAYSHAW. 72 Westborough, Scarborough.