Page:The Guardian (Vol 1).pdf/296

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216

THE GUARDIAN .

N° 38 .

learn his exerciſe, and frequent mixt company ; the military and the travelled man, to read the

beſt authors; the country gentleman, to divide his time, ſo as, together with the care of his eſtate, tomake an equal progreſs in learning, and breeding ; and when the ſeveral candidates think

themſelves prepared, I ſhall appoint under offi cers to examine their qualifications, and, as I am ſatisfied with their report, give out my paſſports recommending them to all companies as “ the Guardian's fine gentlemen .' If my recommen dations appear juſt, I will not doubt but ſome of

the preſent fine gentlemen will ſee the neceffity of retirement, till they can come abroad with

approbation . I have indeed already given out orders in this behalf, and have directed ſearchers to attend at the inn , where the Oxford and Cam

bridge coaches ftand , and commanded them to

bring any young fellow , of any hopes in the world, directly tomy lodgings as ſoon as he lands,, for I will take him though I know I can only

make him much of a gentleman ;' for, when I have gone thus far, one would think it ſhould

be eaſy to make him a “ gentleman -like man.' As the world now goes, we have no adequate

idea of what is meant by gentlemanly , gentle man-like, or much of a gentleman ; you cannot be cheated at play, but it is certainly done by

a very gentleman -like man ;' you cannot be deceived in your affairs, but it was done in fome “ gentlemanly manner ; you cannot be wronged in your bed, but all the world will ſay of him

that did the injury, it muſt be allowed · he is

very much of a gentleman. Here is a very plea