“My mother, sir, sells ale by the town-walls,
    And me her dear Parthenope she calls;”

whereupon Volscius (repeating words from Davenant’s “Siege of Rhodes”) replies: 

    “Can vulgar vestments high-born beauty shroud? 
    Thou bring’st the morning pictured in a cloud.”
]

[Footnote 246:  Edward Alleyn, the actor, who died in 1626, aged 61, founded Dulwich Hospital.]

[Footnote 247:  Mrs. Bracegirdle; see No. 1.]

[Footnote 248:  “It is said that Monsieur Torcy, when he signed this instrument broke into this exclamation:  ’Would Colbert have signed such a treaty for France?’ On which a Minister present was pleased to say, ’Colbert himself would have been proud to have saved France in these circumstances on such terms’” (folio).]

No. 21. [STEELE.

From Thursday, May 26, to Saturday, May 28, 1709.

* * * * *

White’s Chocolate-house, May 26.

A gentleman has writ to me out of the country a very civil letter, and said things which I suppress with great violence to my vanity.  There are many terms in my narratives which he complains want explaining, and has therefore desired, that, for the benefit of my country readers, I would let him know what I mean by a Gentleman, a Pretty Fellow, a Toast, a Coquette, a Critic, a Wit, and all other appellations in the gayer world, who are in present possession of these several characters; together with an account of those who unfortunately pretend to them.  I shall begin with him we usually call a Gentleman, or man of conversation.  It is generally thought, that warmth of imagination, quick relish of pleasure, and a manner of becoming it, are the most essential qualities for forming this sort of man.  But any one that is much in company will observe, that the height of good breeding is shown rather in never giving offence, than in doing obliging things.  Thus, he that never shocks you, though he is seldom entertaining, is more likely to keep your favour, than he who often entertains, and sometimes displeases you.  The most necessary talent therefore in a man of conversation, which is what we ordinarily intend by a fine gentleman, is a good judgment.  He that has this in perfection, is master of his companion, without letting him see it; and has the same advantage over men of any other qualifications whatsoever, as one that can see would have over a blind man of ten times his strength.  This is what makes Sophronius the darling of all who converse with him, and the most powerful with his acquaintance of any man in town.  By the light of this faculty, he acts with great ease and freedom among the men of pleasure, and acquits himself with skill and despatch among the men of business.  This he performs with so much success, that, with as much discretion in life as any man ever had, he neither is, nor appears, cunning.  But as he does a good office, if he ever does it,