WHAT IS A GENTLEMAN?

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 72, 7 March 1911, Page 11

WHAT IS A GENTLEMAN?

A FEW DEFINITIONS OF THE

TERM.

Definitions of the term “ gentleman ” are many and unsatisfying. In English law’, says Mr. Justice Willis, a gentleman is “a person of no occupation.” The same distinction belongs to a tramp. Again: “A gentleman is a man who never unintentionally gives offence.” That is a deep saying ; the more you ponder it the deeper it gets. It is cynical to boot, and I turn from it with relief to the amiable discriminations of Lady Grove in the “ Westminster Review.” A gentleman will not say ” gurl ” for “girl,” which I entirely believe. “ Anyone saying ‘ gurl ’ is beyond the pale.” Nor will he say “reel” for “real’ ; nor put “a” instead of “an” be-

fore the w’ord “ hotel ” : nor forget to sound the “t” in “valet,” and the “s” in Calais. He will not call a “blouse” “ blowse ” ; apparently he must call it “blews,” or “’bloose.” A gentleman never “photoes,” nor “bikes,” nor “ wires,” nor “ phones.” The careful sounding of “ mid verbal h’s,” and of the “t” in “often” may be genteel, but is not for a gentleman. A gentleman does not “ take ” tea ; he drinks tea ; — “but perhaps those who ‘take” sugar are the most unregenerate.”

Painful heart-searchings set up by this last criterion grow worse when we learn that to Use a spoon and fork for one’s pudding is “ quite beyond.” Never use a spoon when you can use a fork, but never, never, never, on any account use both.” I infer that to be safe one should avoid pudding altogether. But, courage!— “ Let anyone acquire these superficial finishing touches of diction, phraseology, and habits fundamentally and by ‘ heart,’ and I defy anyone—well, almost anyone —in normal circumstances to detect a flaw.”

These “superficial finishing touches ” correspond to what biologists call “recognition marks” —such as the white tuft which serves as a stern lantern to the rabbit. Without them a gentleman would never be. sure of knowing a gentleman when he met one. —“ Civis,” in the “ Otago Daily Times.”