Ah, sir! The word gentleman shews the bent of your thoughts. Can you
not perceive it is a word without a meaning? Or, if it have a meaning,
that he who is the best man is the most a gentleman?
I know your notions, child, and mine differ a little on these matters.
However I do not think you quite so much in the wrong as I used to do;
and perhaps there is something in what you say. Many men of low
fortunes have made their way to the highest honours; and for what I
know he may do the same.
He may and certainly will deserve the highest respect: but if you
flatter yourself, sir, that he will seek or accept the titles and
distinctions which men have invented to impose on each other's folly,
and obtain their own artful purposes, I ought to warn you that you will
be mistaken. His whole life will be devoted to the discovery and
spreading of truth; and, individual acts of benevolence excepted, his
wealth, should he acquire any, will all be dedicated to that sole
object.