The durable legacy by H.B. ...

Of Gentility.

Esteem not of Gentility, from the advantages of ti∣tle or wealth, but from what the word imports, kind∣ness, affability: readiness to do every body good, and care to avoid the doing any body hurt: and e∣specially regard integrity, and sincerity of mind: These are worthy and generous qualities: and will certainly render a man the object of all mens esteem: They are properly the mans own: Others are but properties left to thy Family, notwithstanding which, a man may no more truly be a gentleman, then a Kite a Pidgeon, though with Doves Feathers, or a Wolf a Lamb, though in sheeps cloathing. His wealth enables him only to perform those good Offi∣ces of Charity and Munificence; which the poor can∣not execute, but the real grounds of that deno∣mination are the vertues of the mind. 'Tis there∣fore in every Mans power to be a Gentleman; 'Tis a matter of mer it not of birth: 'tis to be esteemed and preferred in raggs: whilst the meer Title is despicable in all its bravery, and Lordships. Accor∣ding to this rule guide thy estimation of others, and of thy self. And be not wanting to thy self

in the acquisition of these good qualities, which are in thy own purchase; and which either supply the want of Wealth, or render it more useful to the owner and others.

The shame to this Title, are the sowre, morose dispositions: effects that arise partly from ill tem∣per of body, but chiefly from Pride, and ignorance: These are so elated with the opinion of their own worth, that they think meanly of others: and thence despise them: or else envying the greater ability of o∣thers, malign them for that they are defective in them selves, not considering all that while, that no abi∣lity in the Arts, in any Manufacture or Science, is of equal weight and worth, with that eveness and composition of mind, that arises from the good qua∣lities before mentioned: which whosoever has, need envy no man, and will certainly despise, afflict, or distaste none: but such as meanly esteem of Vertue, and scoff at the very being of Religion. A further shame to the Title of a Gentleman, are the proud and scornful, the luxurious, the debauched, the idle, and grosly ignorant: Who trusting and relying wholly upon the name derived from, it may be, worthy Ancestors, vainly think, that their Vices cannot lose, what the others vertues attained. Re∣member that God Almighty who is the most excel∣lent being, and from whom all living things receive theirs, is yet full of gentleness, kindness, love, pati∣ence, compassion; and that notwithstanding all pro∣vocations; which may serve thee instead of all argu∣ments to heighten thy indeavours in the acquisition of those qualities may make the retain the image of Gods likeness, and raise thee above that degenerated complexion which mankind has acquired from the

heat and extravagance of his unruly passions. Whe∣ther the title follows this disposition of the mind, is not material: The just respects of a few good men, are to be preferred before the common vogue, and the observance of those whose pride and ignorance ren∣ders them incompetent Judges of what is praise-wor∣thy, and to be esteemed.

I am now to advise thee in two Particulars of great moment, the one in the choice of thy profession, the other of thy Wife.