THE DEFINITION OF A GENTLEMAN.
[TO THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR, May I be allowed to point out to Mr. Francis Darwin (Spectator, January 26th) that the remark to which he very naturally objects as an adequate definition of a gentleman— namely, that he is one who is content to " play the game "- was never offered by me as a definition ? It comes in a foot- note to an essay dealing with quite another subject, and refers back to a previous essay where the question had been dis- cussed. I do not wish to repeat in your journal what I have already said in my book, but if Mr. Darwin will do me the honour to refer to it he will find what I really do say on pp. 11 and 12. In regard to Mr. Darwin's suggestion that the definition of a gentleman is contained in the 15th Psalm, I would only remark that the experience of most men would afford instances of very kind and upright, and even modest, people to whom the title of gentleman could not be applied. The lady who said of her country neighbour that he was so hopelessly vulgar she could not know him in town, but hoped to meet him in heaven, really meant to make the distinction which Mr. Darwin would confuse.—I am, Sir, &c., THE WRITER OF " CONFERENCES ON
BOOKS AND MEN."
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