What Constitutes an 18th Century Gentleman?
GeriWalton.com is a very interesting website that contains a ton of research information for the 18th and 19th centuries. An ideal place to visit if you write or read Regency romance and/or JAFF.
Ms. Walton had an article concerning what would indicate that a Georgian man was a gentleman. It seems that the essayist/writer/moralist Dr. Samuel Johnson was convinced that a man was a gentleman if born into the peerage or gentry. However, Richard Steele, the founder of the Tatler, asserted that it was a man's behavior and not his circumstances that determined whether he was a gentleman or not. Thus, we find that his beliefs are what we see accepted today.
Don't spit, scratch, or blow your nose at the dinner table. That point really needs no explanation.
Write legibly with proper grammar in the style of how you would speak with a friend. Charles Bingley might never be considered a gentleman if this is a prerequisite.
Spell words correctly and leave no cause for being laughed at. Poor Bingley. Would he even fit this condition if no one could read his writing?
Avoid becoming a man of pleasure or a rake. Temperance and moderation are marks of a gentleman. There might have been quite a few 'gentlemen' who would have laughed at this one.
Do not whisper in company. Too bad, young man, if you want to whisper sweet nothings in your lady's ear in public.
If you are weary of a conversation, do not behave in an inexcusable manner such as cutting your nails or writing a letter because you are bored. Hehehehehehehehehehe!
Don't spit on the carpet. It is suggested that you spit in your handkerchief. Hahahahahahaha!
Sorry, I couldn't resist. 🙂 There are, of course, 26 more rules, that if adhered to, would make a man more mannerly, thoughtful of others, temperate, and moral. And he would be considered the consummate gentleman of his day.
14 Responses to What Constitutes an 18th Century Gentleman?
Thanks for sharing the list and your thoughts to the points. I was surprised what made the list.
I was going to mention Mr. Darcy and his letter writing in company but see that Summer Hanford beat me to it. Snicker Poor Bingley and his notorious handwriting will always be a hindrance for him. Why his father, a businessman, didn't correct that is unknown. He would know the importance of good, or at least legible, handwriting. This was such an interesting post. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Cindie. It was a fun post, and I'm delighted you like it.