A FEW WORDS ON THE GErsTLEMEN. 21 



Let John Bull have a careful eye to his own faults, ere he 

 launch forth his bitter and unceasing anathemas and accusations 

 against his Trans-Atlantic brethren. 



I fear, alas, that many nominal gentlemen take an active, 

 and a too frequent part in that wanton destruction of property 

 which so often exhibist to the public eye such an incomprehen- 

 sible depravity, such a want of good feeling and good sense. 



With what intents and disj)Ositions do many of these indivi- 

 duals visit an Horticultural exhibition ? is it for the purpose of 

 examining and considering the countless varieties of geranium, the 

 rose, or the dahlia, the choice exotics, and the beautiful fruits; 

 or, is the place of resort a mere show-room for puppies to ex- 

 hibit themselves, and to quiz and ridicule others, — to dandle a 

 cane, which, if haplessly it should elude tlieir grasp, they could 

 scarce bend their bodies to pick up ! how grievous is it to see 

 a cluster of human beings dead and insensible to the manifold and 

 wonderful productions of Nature, even when they need not traverse 

 the field, the moor, or the forest to discover them, but are pre- 

 sented with her choicest favourites collected in abundance and 

 arranged with elegance. 



I would, moreover, strongly denounce and condemn that un- 

 warrantable haughtiness and malignant spirit which is sometimes 

 to be recognised among our gentlemen; but such instances, are, 

 I trust, fast seceding from the range of probability ; this is 

 neither the age nor the soil for the growth of j)ride, there is a 

 mighty genius abroad, whose beneficial influence will crush vanity, 

 arouse sloth, and annihilate indolence. Away with the paltry 

 and antiquated distinctions of a section, or a party ! away with 

 those imaginary and absurd barriers which create discord, and 

 preclude harmony, — let the world be our dwelling-place, its in- 

 habitants our fellow-citizens ! 



To resume — What sort of society do many young men seek 

 after ? do they really search for the woman of intellect, do they 

 admire the unsophisticated charms of modesty, and good temper? 

 or, is there a demand for females of trifling minds, insatiable de- 

 sires, and vitiated appetites ? indeed, indeed, the latter are the 

 marketable commodity; and — the supply greatly exceeds the 

 demand. 



I have neither the power nor the opportunity to enter into the 

 philosophy of Fashion ; to analyse her influence and investigate 

 her mysteries ; to consider the fickleness of her disposition, or 

 the tyrannical domination of her government; I assume not to 



