98 A Perfect Gentleman.

of the dandy, that he shook hands not with
the coat but with the man inside it.

‘“* What tho’ on hamely fare we dine,

‘Wear hoddin grey, and a’ that?

Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine,
A. man’s a man for a’ that.

For a’ that, and a’ that,
Their tinsel show, and a’ that,

The honest man, tho’ e’er sae poor,
Is king 0’ men for a’ that.”

‘“‘A king can mak’ a belted knight,

A marquis, duke, and a’ that ;

But an honest man’s aboon his might,
Guid faith, ho maunna fa’ that.

For a’ that and a’ that,
Their dignities, and a’ that,

The pith o’ sense, and pride o’ worth,
Are higher rank than a’ that.”

One of the greatest mistakes that I know
of among lads of a certain class, is the belief
that the term “Gentleman” can only be
rightly applied to those born in a certain
position of life, and who have had a sufficient
amount of wealth bequeathed to them to
enable them to live at idle ease. My object
shall be to point out that the humblest born
has just as good a right to merit and claim