2 FEBRUARY 1901, Page 13

[TO THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Thackeray, winding up his

lecture on George IV., asked of his audiences : " What is it to be a gentleman ? Is it to have lofty aims, to lead a pure life, to keep your honour virgin ; to have the esteem of your fellow-citizens, and the love of your fireside; to bear good fortune meekly, to suffer evil with con- stancy; and through evil or good to maintain truth always ? Show me the happy man whose life exhibits these qualities, and him we will salute as gentleman whatever his rank may be." And he concluded with words which, originally spoken some half-a-century ago, come home to us with true and touching force to-day :—" The heart of Britain still beats

kindly for George III., not because he was wise and just. but because he was pure in life, honest in intent, and because, according to his lights, he worshipped heaven. I think we acknowledge in the inheritrix of his sceptre a wiser rule and a life as honourable and pure ; and I am sure the future painter of our manners will pay a willing allegiance to that good life, and be loyal to the memory of that unsullied