[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR] -
Sut,—Before this interesting correspondence is closed, I am sure many of your readers would be glad to be reminded of Henry Drummond's definition of a gentleman. It is as follows :
" By a fine gentleman I mean a man completely qualified as well for the service and good, as for the ornament and delight, of society. When I consider the frame of mind peculiar to a gentleman, I sup- pose it graced with all the dignity and elevation of spirit that human nature is capable of. To this I would have joined a clear under- standing, a reason free from prejudice, a steady judgement, and an extensive knowledge. When I think of the heart of a gentleman, I imagine it firm and intrepid, void of all inordinate passions, and full of tenderness, compassion and benevolence. When I view the fine gentleman with regard to his manners, I see him modest without bashfulness, frank and affable without impertinence, obliging and complaisant without servility, cheerful and in good humour without noise. These amiable qualities are not easily obtained ; neither are there many men that have a genius to excel this way. A finished gentleman is perhaps the most uncommon of all the great characters in life. Besides the natural endowments with which this distinguished man is to be born, he must run through a long series of education. Before he makes his appearance and shines in the world he must be principled in religion, instructed in all the moral virtues, and led through the whole course of the polite arts and sciences. He should be no stranger to courts and to camp : he must travel to open his mind, to enlarge his views, to learn the policies and interests of foreign States, as well as to fashion and polish himself, and to get elear of national prejudices ; of which every country has its share. To all these more essential improvements, he must not forget to add the fashionable ornaments of life, such as are the languages and the bodily exercises most in vogue ; neither would I have him think even dress itself beneath his notice."
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