middle aisle to a convenient pew, regardless of the stares and titters of the congregation. Some years afterward, the needy curate was agreeably surprised by the announcement that the two old ladies, having lately died, had bequeathed him a handsome fortune in recognition of his well-timed courtesy.

It is related of the late Mr. Butler, of Providence, Rhode Island, that he was so obliging as to reopen his store one night solely to supply a little girl with a spool of thread which she wanted. The incident took wind, brought him a large run of custom, and he died a millionaire, after subscribing $40,000 toward founding a hospital for the insane, a sum which he was persuaded to give by Miss Dix, whom he was too polite to shake off, though almost as penurious as she was persevering. Dr. Valentine Mott said wisely to a graduating class of medical students: "Young gentlemen, have two pockets made-a large one to hold insults, a small one to hold fees."

Reference has already been made to the deplorable lack of courtesy which almost all classes in this country are exhibiting in their daily life and intercourse with each other. But it appears from a recent address of Dr. Guthrie of Edinburgh, that the same thing is true of Scotland, and perhaps it may be called, properly, a characteristic of the pushing, wide-awake, inquisitive, brusque Anglo-Saxon race as a whole. It may be further said to be a characteristic of this utilitarian, selfish, money-making nineteenth century. Said the Doctor: "Ask a person at Rome to show you the road, and he will always give a civil and polite answer; but ask any person a

question for that purpose in this country (Scotland), and he will say, 'Follow your nose, and you will find it.' But the blame is with the upper classes; and the reason why, in this country, the lower classes are not polite, is because the upper classes are not polite. I remember how astonished I was the first time I was in Paris. I spent the first night with a banker, who took me to a pension, or, as we call it, a boardinghouse. When we got there, a servant girl came to the door, and the banker took off his hat, and bowed to the servant-girl, and called her mademoiselle, as if she were a lady. Now the reason why the lower classes there are so polite is because the upper classes are polite and civil to them."

We can hardly be said to have any "upper classes" in this country, although there are many who act and feel as though they belonged to such. And one trouble with us in this respect is, that those who claim to be the aristocracy are not such by birth, or gentle blood, or distinguished noble ancestry, as a rule, but rather those who have happened, by hook or crook, to become wealthy somewhat suddenly and unexpectedly; therefore, when these have moved up into the upper circle, they have necessarily carried all their native ignorance and coarse manners with them. Consequently, there is no one to set others an example of good manners in this country, any more than in Scotland. But this is no reason why all young persons should not strive to possess it for themselves, let others do as they may.

THE TRUE GENTLEMAN.

"Man should dare all things that he knows is right,
And fear to do nothing save what is wrong."

-PHEBE CARY.

GENTLEMAN is recognized by his regard for the rights and feelings of others, even in matters the most trivial. He respects the individuality of others, just as he wishes others to respect his own. In society he is quiet, easy, unobtrusive; putting on no airs, nor hinting by word or manner that he deems himself better, wiser, or richer than any one about him. He never looks down upon others because they have not titles, honors, or social position equal to his own. He never boasts of his achievements, or angles for compliments by affecting to underrate what he has done. He prefers to act, rather than to talk; to be, rather than to seem; and, above all things, is distinguished by his deep insight and sympathy, his quick perception of, and prompt attention to, those little and apparently insignificant things that may cause pleasure or pain to others. In giving his opinions he does not dogmatize; he listens patiently and respectfully to other men, and, if compelled to dissent from their opinions, acknowledges his fallibility, and asserts his own views in such

a manner as to command the respect of all who hear him. Frankness and cordiality mark all his intercourse with his fellows, and, however high his station, the humblest man feels instantly at ease in his presence."

Says Mr. Smiles: "The inbred politeness which springs from right-heartedness and kindly feelings, is of no exclusive rank or station. The mechanic who works at the bench may possess it, as well as the clergyman or the peer. It is by no means a necessary condition of labor, that it should in any respect be either rough or coarse. The politeness and refinement which distinguish all classes of the people in many continental countries amply prove that those qualities might become ours too-as doubtless they will become with increased culture and more general social intercourse-without sacrificing any of our more genial qualities as men. From the highest to the lowest, the richest to the no rank or condition in life has nature denied her highest boon, the great heart. There never yet existed a gentleman but was lord of a great heart. And this may exhibit itself under the hodden grey of the peasant as well as under the laced coat of the noble.

poorest, to

"The true gentleman has a keen sense of honor, -scrupulously avoiding mean actions. His standard of probity in word and action is high. He does not shuffle nor prevaricate, dodge, nor skulk; but is honest, upright, and straightforward. straightforward. His law is rectitude,―action rectitude, action in right lines. When he says yes, it is a law; and he dares to say the valiant no at the fitting season. The gentleman will not be bribed;

only the low-minded and unprincipled sell themselves to those interested in buying."

When the Duke of Wellington was in India, shortly after the battle of Assaye, one morning the prime minister of the Court of Hyderabad waited upon him for the purpose of privately ascertaining what territory and what advantages had been reserved for his master in the treaty of peace between the Mahratta princes and the Nizam. To obtain this information the minister offered the general a very large sum,-considerably above £100,000. Looking at him quietly for a few seconds, Sir Arthur said, "It appears, then, that you are capable of keeping a secret?" "Yes, certainly," replied the minister. "Then so am I," said the English general, smiling, and bowing the minister out. It was to Wellington's great honor, that, though uniformly successful in India, and with the power of earning in such modes as this enormous wealth, he did not add a farthing to his fortune, and returned to England a comparatively poor man.

Occasionally the brave and gentle character may be found under the humblest garb. Here is an old illustration, but a fine one. Once on a time, when the Adige suddenly overflowed its banks, the bridge of Verona was carried away, with the exception of the center arch, on which stood a house, whose inhabitants supplicated help from the windows, while the foundations were visibly giving way. "I will give a hundred French louis," said the Count Spolverini, who stood by, "to any person who will venture to deliver these unfortunate people." A young peasant came forth from the crowd, seized a