UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 AT LOS ANGELES
 
 Bibliotbeca Curiosa. 
 
 THE 
 
 Pretty Gentleman; 
 
 OR, 
 
 SOFTNESS OF MANNERS 
 
 VINDICATED 
 
 From the false Ridicule exhibited under the 
 Character of 
 
 WILLIAM FRIBBLE, Esq. 
 
 EDITED BV 
 
 EDMUND GOLDSMID, F.R.H.S. 
 
 PRIVATELY PRINTED, EDINBURGH. 
 1885.
 
 THE 
 PRETTY GENTLEMAN. 
 
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 JSibliotbeca Cudosa. 
 
 THE 
 
 Pretty Gentleman; 
 
 OR, 
 
 SOFTNESS OF MANNERS 
 
 VINDICATED 
 
 From tho false Ridicule exhibited under the 
 Character of 
 
 WILLIAM FRIBBLE, Esq. 
 
 EDMUND GOLDSMID, F.R.H.S. 
 
 PRIVATELY PRINTED, EDINIJURGH. 
 
 1885,
 
 This Edition is limited to seventy-five Large 
 Taper copies, and two hundred and seventy-five 
 Small Taper copies, issued only to Subscribers. 
 
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 THE 
 
 Pretty Gentleman j 
 
 KC O R, 
 
 SOFTNESS of MANNERS 
 
 X VINDICATED 
 
 From the falfe Ridicule exhibited 
 under the Charaftcr of 
 
 I WIL L I AM FRIBBLE, Efq. 
 
 London, 
 1747-
 
 ^
 
 TO 
 
 MR. GARRICK. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 AS in the Wantonness of your petulant Fancy, 
 you have fallen upon a Sett of Gentlemen, 
 who cannot possibly have given you any personal 
 Provocation ; I have thought proper to prefix your 
 Name to this their Defence, and call upon you 
 thus publickly to justify your Behaviour, if it be 
 possible. But surely, Sir, it must have been a 
 secret Admiration of their Elegant and Refined 
 Manners, that called forth your Spleen, to turn 
 into Ridicule those soft Accomplishments you de- 
 spaired to equal ; and, as a Comic Writer did by 
 the Divine Socrates, mimic and burlesque upon the 
 Stage what you had not the Face to imitate in real 
 Life, But your Wit was as impotent as your 
 Malice was strong. Your Farce was no sooner 
 seen, than it was laughed at ; you know. Sir, it 
 was laughed at ; most prodigiously laughed at : 
 A plain Proof, that it was judged to be very 
 ruliciilous. 
 
 Believe me. Sir, you have fallen most miserably 
 short in your Attempt. And how should it be 
 otherwise ? You pretend to exhibit a Representa- 
 tion of T/ie Prdly Gcnthinan, who are by no 
 
 ITO'^^lfO
 
 TO MR. CAR RICK. 
 
 means an Adept in the Character ! You ! that are 
 an entire Stranger to those fine Sensations, which 
 are requisite to give a thorough Notion, and true 
 Rehsh of the Enjoyments it affords ! I low should 
 you paint what Nature has not given you Faculties 
 to feel ? As far as She leads you by the Hand, 
 you may, perhaps, succeed : But to leave her 
 I'chinJ, and tread those secret Paths to which her 
 Guidance never points ; This, Mr. Garrick, This 
 is far beyond the Power of your limited Genius. 
 
 So wishing you more fortunate in your next 
 Essay, and wise enough never to expose yourself 
 again to Derision, by endeavouring to laugh out 
 of Countenance a Character, which all sensible 
 Men look upon with Admiration and Astonish- 
 vicnt, I take leave to subscribe myself, as much as 
 I ouglit to be, 
 
 SIR, 
 
 Your Hninhle Sen-ant, 
 
 V II I L A U T U S.
 
 T H E 
 
 PRETTY GENTLEMAN, &c 
 
 THE Theatre is said to be the proper School 
 for correcting the little Irregularities and 
 Foibles of Mankind ; and no Method is held more 
 likely to check the Growth of Folly, than to bring 
 it to full View in Scenes of humorous Representa- 
 tion. But then the Comic Writer should be certain, 
 that what he endeavours to expose, be really 
 an Object of Ridicule ; otherwise he not only 
 offends against the Rules of the Drama, but the 
 Precepts of Virtue. 
 
 I am led into these Reflections, by a late Per- 
 formance exhibited on our Stage, wherein the 
 Author attempts to laugh out of Countenance that 
 mollifying Elegance which manifests itself with 
 such a bewitching Grace, in the refined Youths of 
 this cultivated Age. It is in Defence of these in- 
 jured Gentlemen that I have taken up my Pen ; 
 and how well qualified I am to execute such an 
 Undertaking, the Reader will be convinced, if lie 
 has but Patience to peruse carefully the following 
 Sheets.
 
 lo TIIK PRRTTV CEXTLF.MAX. 
 
 Amidst all my Researches into the History of 
 this Country, I do not lind one I' R E T T Y G E N- 
 T L E M A N, till the glorious Reign of Kingy^wtj 
 I. This Prince had an odd Mixture of contrary 
 Qualities. In some respects he retained the Rus- 
 ticity of Got/tick Manners ; in others, he was very 
 refined. 
 
 Lord Clarendon assures us, "That His Most 
 " Sacred Majesty ^Tis, so highly delighted with a 
 " Beautiful Person and Fine Cloaths, that these 
 " were the chief Recommendations to the Great 
 " Offices of State." A convincing Proof (begging 
 the noble Historian's Pardon) of that Monarch's 
 superior Talents for Government. 
 
 In the Reign of Charles!, this Refinement sunk 
 in Reputation : For how indeed was it possible, 
 that a genuine Taste could Ix: cultivated, when 
 Falkland was beheld with general Admiration, 
 and Waller read with general Delight ? 
 
 Harder still was her Fate, under the Rebukes 
 of an austere Republic, and a sour Protector. The 
 very Loyalists themselves were treated with less 
 Rigor, and not a Man of any Elegance durst even 
 show his Head. 
 
 But when Monarchy was restored, Taste em- 
 erged from her Obscurity, and shone with some 
 Degree of Lustre. For though the Prince was 
 somewhat inelegant in himself, yet that do-wny 
 Ease, which was cherished under his auspicious 
 Influence, was highly favourable to the Cultivation
 
 THE PRETTY GEXTL EM A X. 1 1 
 
 of sofl Manners ; notwithstanding the malicious 
 Efforts of Milton, Denham, Dorset, Buckingham, 
 and Dryden. 
 
 From this Period, to the Beginning of the 
 present Century, her Progress was now and then 
 checked by the Blasts of Envy ; yet, upon the 
 whole, she made some tolerable Shoots ; when at 
 last, a Sett of malevolent Spirits arose, who \a\ 
 with a cruel and bloody-minded Zeal, entered into 
 a Combination to destroy this lovely Plant, both 
 Root and Branch. The better to effect their bar- 
 barous Resolution, they set up an Idol of their 
 own Fancy, ascribed to it all the Attributes of the 
 Graces, and with the Artifice of deceiving Blan- 
 dishments, allured the Majority of the Nation to 
 fall down and worship the Image which they had 
 set up. 
 
 Hence it was that Elegance became a neglected 
 Character, and the Pretty Gentleman an Object of 
 general Contempt, and barbarous Raillery. 
 
 But no sooner were these Enemies removed, 
 than the Sons of Delicacy made an Attempt to 
 rise again : And how successful they have been, 
 every Place of polite Resort does fully witness ; 
 and notwithstanding all Opposition, they are de- 
 termined to push on their Designs, and polish the 
 British Manners. Now the better to carry on 
 
 \a\ Under the Forms of Tailors, Specta:ors, and 
 Guardians.
 
 12 THE rRETlV CENTI.EMAX. 
 
 this ylorious Scheme of Refonnarujii, tliese Gentle- 
 men have erected lliemselvcs into an amicable 
 t-ociety, and from the Principles on wliich it is 
 founded, have very pertinently stiled it, 
 
 The Fraternity ^rRETlY GENTLEMEN. 
 
 As no associated Body can possibly subsist, un- 
 less they are cemented by an Union of Hearts, the 
 grand Principle of this Fellowship is mutual Love, 
 which, it must be confessed, they carry to the 
 liighfst Pitch. In this Respect, they are not in- 
 ferior to the ^\(pa <pa\ai'^, The sacred Theban 
 Band, so illustrious in Story. Such an Harmony 
 of 'I'emper is preserved amongst them, such a 
 Sameness is there in all their Words and Actions, 
 that the Spirit of One Seems to have passed into 
 the Other', or rather, they all breathe the same 
 Soul. This is the secret Charm that the Platonists 
 talk of, the intellectual Faculty, which connects 
 one Man with another, and ties the Knot of vir- 
 tuous Friendship. Hut I need not dwell any 
 longer on a Subject, which can admit of no De- 
 bate ; the Notoriety of the Fact is even become 
 J'roverbial amongst us, and every one cries out, 
 
 Magna est inter Molles concordia ! 
 
 I shall now open another Scene, and present to 
 the Reader a View of their Studies and Employ-
 
 THE PRETTY GENTLEMAN. 13 
 
 ments ; where he will find them no less worthy of 
 his Admiration and Regard. 
 
 They do not indeed consume their Hours in such 
 Points of vain Speculation, wherein the P7ide of 
 Reason and Learning has room to operate. And 
 indeed there is something in the Drudgery of Tl/rtj- 
 culine Knowledge, by no means adapted to Youths 
 of so nice a Frame, that it cannot be said, they are 
 ever invigorated with perfect Health. The en- 
 feeliled Tone of their Organs and Spirits does 
 therefore naturally dispose them to the softer and 
 more refined Studies; Furniture, Equipage, Dress, 
 the Tiring Room, and the Toy-shop. — What a 
 Fund is here for Study ! And what a Variety of 
 easy Delights ! Or, if the Mind is bent upon 
 Manual Exercise, the Knotting-Bag is ready at 
 hand ; and their skilful Fingers play their Part. 
 Notwithstanding the Ridicule, which is thrown 
 upon this Part of the Character, it appears to me, 
 rather to merit our Applause, than to provoke our 
 Laughter. With what Satisfaction have I beheld 
 five or six of these elegant Youths interspersed 
 with an equal Number of Ladies, almost as delicate 
 as themselves, and vying with them in their own 
 Accomplishments ! Rouzed by the Ardor of Emu- 
 lation, they work for Glory, and assert the Prize 
 of Feminine Merit. 
 
 With equal Skill their practised Fingers apply 
 the Needle, and rejoin the Lace : With equal 
 Facility they convey the gliding Shuttle through
 
 M THE PRETTY GENTLEMAN. 
 
 the opening Thread, and form the various Knots. 
 Pretty Innocents! How virtuously, how usefully 
 are their Hours employed ! Not in the wrangling 
 Squabbles of the Har, or the unmannerly Conten- 
 tions of the Senate ; not in the robust Sports of the 
 Field, or in a toilsome Application to ungentleman- 
 like Science ; but in the pretty P'ancies of Dress, 
 in Criticisms upon Fashions, in the artful Dispo- 
 sition of China Jars, and other Foreign Trinkets ; 
 in sowing, in knitting Garters, in knotting of 
 Fringe, and every gentle Exercise of Feminine 
 Oeconomy. 
 
 If from their Studies we turn our Attention to 
 their Conversation, we must be convinced, that in 
 this Respect likewise they are so far from meriting 
 Contempt, that nothing in the World can be more 
 refined, or more engaging. 
 
 It is an established Maxim in this School of 
 Manners, never to oppose the Sentiments of the 
 Company. Every Gentleman assents to every 
 thing that is said. Sometimes indeed, you may 
 hear what appears, at first, like a Difference of 
 Judgment : But have a little Patience, and you 
 will find it is only the genteel Interchange of 
 Sentiments : For Sippius will go over to the 
 Opinion of Fannius, rather than be so rude to 
 contradict him ; and Fiinnii4S will allow his Friend 
 to be in the right, rather than be thought so ill- 
 bred as not to give up such a Trirle as his own 
 Judgment. Whereas your unrectified Spirits are
 
 THE PRETTY GENTLEMAN. 15 
 
 eternally insisting upon the natural Right of main- 
 taining their Opinions, and the Liberty of speaking 
 their Minds. 
 
 The Liberty of speaking your Mind! A pretty 
 Assertion truly ! I know not what Arguments 
 may be drawn, in favour of it, from the musty 
 Precepts of antiquated Sages, but I am certain, 
 that Good - breeding absolutely disallows it : 
 Neither indeed is it reconcileable with common 
 Sense and Discretion ; for he who disapproves my 
 Sentiments, does, in effect, tell me / am a Fool. 
 Consequently, let him talk ever so well, and reason 
 (as you call it) ever so justly, he is sure to give 
 Offence : Whilst the yielding Companion, the 
 well - bred Assenter, never fails to conciliate 
 Favour ; for there is not a more engaging Compli- 
 ment to the Understanding, than to sacrifice your 
 own Vanity to That of another. 
 
 A Pretty Gentleman therefore scarce ever 
 dissents. He will indeed sometimes say. Oh I 
 fanPn me, mi Dear ! I kent possibly be of that 
 Apinion ! But then this is only a polite Artifice, 
 that he may flatter your Judgment with a finer 
 Address, when he afterwards suffers himself to be 
 convinced by your superior Reasoning. To give 
 him his Due, he has no Attachment to any one 
 Opinion in the World, but that of preserving the 
 Rules of Good-breeding. In all other Cases, he 
 has an Assent entirely at your Service ; and you 
 cannot change Sides oftener, than this most obse-
 
 i6 THE rRF.TTV GEXTLEMAN. 
 
 quious humble Servant will follow you. A Trans- 
 gression of Decorum is intkcd so shocking to his 
 Nature, that he cannot let it pass without Correc- 
 tion ; but then it is always inflicted with a gentle 
 Hand. The severest Adnimadvcrsion never rises 
 beyond this, 
 
 O! fie! ye filthy Crder ! 
 
 The Epithet fillhy, as it appears upon Paper, 
 may seem somewhat coarse and unclean: But were 
 you to hear how he liquidates the Harshness of 
 the Sound, and conceals the Impurity of the Idea 
 by a sweetened Accent, you would grow enamoured 
 of his Address, and admire the enchanting Beauties 
 of rcfmed Elocution. O! fiie! ye fdt-hy Crder I 
 How easy, how gentle, how humane a Chastise- 
 ment for the highest Offence ! 
 
 It has been observed (but I don't remember by 
 what Author) that there are two kinds of Conver- 
 sation : The one, close and continued ; the other, 
 loose and unconnected. The First was practised 
 amongst us whilst the Enemies of Elegance pre- 
 vailed : But now the Latter has deservedly gained 
 the Ascendant ; as it is perfectly suited to the 
 Turn and Cast of our polite Assemblies of every 
 Denomination [(*]. The Gravity of Dull Know- 
 
 [/'] Drums, Kettle-Drums, Drum-Majors, Routs, Hurries, 
 Riots, Tumults, .ind Heltcr-Skclters, the several Appella- 
 tions by which the modern Assemblies arc aptly characterized 
 and distinguished.
 
 THE PRETTY GENTLEMAN. 17 
 
 ledge is at last happily exploded : Masculine Sense 
 and Wit are rejected as obsolete and unfashionable 
 Talents ; and better supplied by the more engaging 
 Charms of the contrary Qualities. Nothing is now 
 heard, but sweet Chit-chat, and tender Prittle- 
 Prattle, Shreds of Sentiments, and Cuttings of 
 Sentences, — all soft and charming, elegant and 
 polite. 
 
 By this short Abstract of the prevailing Turn in 
 polite Conversation, the Reader sees, that the 
 Pretty Gentleman must necessarily be the best 
 Company ; because he will neither offend by the 
 abominable Coarseness of manly Reason, nor the 
 ungrateful Poignancy of keen Repartee : But 
 though he is not such a Fool, or so ill-bred as to 
 be downright Witty, he will now and then indulge 
 himself in what he calls. The little Escapes of Faiicy, 
 which I will not injure so much as to rank them 
 under the Denomination of Wit. If the Company 
 happens to grow languid, Fannius has an admir- 
 able Talent at reviving their Spirits by some pretty 
 familiar Remark or other ; which, obvious as it is, 
 would never have entered into the Head of an 
 unrefined Mortal. On such an Occasion this little 
 Wag will pat a Lady over the Shoulder, and tell 
 her, with the most facetious Leer, / vew^ Me^me, 
 yur'e immoderately entertaining. 
 
 And though this is all he says, yet there is 
 something in the Manner, in the Accent, and in 
 the — I donH know ivhat; that the Company in-
 
 i8 THE PKETrV GENTLEMAN. 
 
 staiuly revive, and bcjjin ajjain to exchange their 
 Words. Nor let any Man imagine that this is a 
 triflinj^ Talent, which can raise Something out of 
 — Nothing, anil restore a Society to Chearfulness 
 and Pleasantry ; for good Manners require that 
 Conversation should be kept up at any Rale. 
 
 But when I told you that their Raillery was the 
 most inoffensive thing in Nature, and operated so 
 finely, that it could scarce be felt ; yet as there are 
 no general Maxims but what have some Excep- 
 tions, I confess that Lepidultts now and then steps 
 beyond the Rules of the Community, and like a 
 little Wasp as he is, leaves his Sting in the 
 Wound he inflicts. A certain Lady, who affects 
 a masculine Sense and Spirit of Jocularity, gave 
 herself the Liberty to rally the modern Refine- 
 ment, and in the Ardor of her Zeal was trans- 
 l)orted somewhat beyond the Limits of Decorum. 
 Upon this, Lcpidiilus was so exasperated, that he 
 could not, for the Soul of him, contain any longer, 
 but steps towards her with a nettled Air, looks 
 her full in the Face, and with a rebuking Coun- 
 tenance, mixed with Fear, gave Vent to his 
 Spleen. "I vew, Me'me ! it — it — it's not — 
 •' without infinite Pains — that yu'rcablc — to make 
 " yuresclf less am'abie." 
 
 This cutting Reproof, just and seasonable as it 
 was, would hardly have passed uncensuied by the 
 Fraternity, had it not been excused by tiie higl\ 
 Provocation, which occasioned it.
 
 THE PRETTY GENTLEMAN. 19 
 
 The other Day, when the whole Body was 
 assembled, they had the Patience to peruse that 
 abominable Farce now under my Correction. 
 " It is the most astonishing Thing in Nater, cries 
 " Tendlus, that so low a Performence should 
 "meet wi' such pop'ler Applause !— O Lard ! Oh 
 "Lard! as I hope for Mircy, replies Lepidulus, 
 " there's re'lly now nothing at all supprizing in the 
 " Case ; for pop'ler Fame is nothing but Air ; 
 "and Air (as you Scholars tells us) nat'rally 
 
 "presses into a Vac'uum. He — he — he — 
 
 "he!" 
 
 Though this was a keen Conceit, yet as it re- 
 flected Honour on the Community, it was so highly 
 relished, that they had certainly broke out into 
 a loud Laughter, were it not that such Bunts of 
 Mirth are looked upon as the Marks of savage 
 Manners. A governed Smile, or so — they judge 
 to be not at all ungraceful. Nay, an Half-Laugh 
 upon a very extraordinary Occasion, is not 
 esteemed a Departure from Decoiiim. But then, 
 the utmost Caution imaginable is taken that it 
 proceed no farther. And it is plea.sant enough to 
 see the little Difficulties they struggle with in 
 suppressing the Inclination. The tickling Sense of 
 the home-felt Conceit, puts the risible Features into 
 Motion ; but then it is instantly checked by the 
 quick Impulse of fine Sensation. The one prompts 
 to give full Vent to the rising Joy ; the other bids 
 — forbear. It is this pretty altercation which
 
 ao THE PRETTY CESTLEMAN. 
 
 produces that tempered iMtigh, which plays with 
 such a Grace on the Countenance of a Pretty 
 Gentleman. 
 
 By what I have already advanced, the Reader 
 may probably perceive that their Language and 
 Diction has the most essential Requisite of Style, 
 and that the Sound always ecehoes to the Sense. 
 But since this Part of the Character has been a 
 subject of our Mimic's Raillery, I shall produce 
 such Instances, as will incontestably demonstrate 
 the Truth of my Assertion. 
 
 Some Time ago, four or five of these elegant 
 
 Youths were invited to dine at Lady Betty 's. 
 
 The first Dish that was served up happened to be 
 a Leg of Lamb and Spinage ; at the Sight of 
 which Fanniiis instantly fainted away. 
 
 "Oh Lard ! says Tiiiiitluliis., fetch some Draps. 
 " — Take away the Dish, cuQd Mollicitlo — Per- 
 " haps he has some 'Tipathy to Lamb. No, no, 
 " replies Tcnellus, he has evermore his Hysterics 
 " at this Time of the Year. — Let him alone, for 
 •' Ile'vns Sake ! don't croud about'm; — he'll come 
 "to himself presently. — Fetch a little Pepper- 
 
 " mint-water, says Cottiliis, it is 
 
 By this Time. Faiinius finding his Spirits 
 return, gently lifted up his Head, — and after half 
 
 a Dozen Sighs *' Heij^h ! Hoh ! Where am I ? 
 
 " — Well — I protest — I am quite — ashamed to — 
 "to — But — do you know, whenever I see a Leg 
 "of Lamb and Spinage, it is so like — that it puts
 
 THE PRETTY GENTLEMAN. 21 
 
 " me in mind of — \Here he burst out into a Flood 
 ^^ of Tears\ — It puts me in mind of my dear, — 
 "dear Bitch Chloe — sunning herself upon a Grass- 
 '^^ Plot! What a dull Creter was I, replied the 
 " Lady, that I could not think of this ! But upon 
 "my Veracity! I never heard a Syllable that 
 
 * ' Chloe was . It was sure the most engaging 
 
 " Company ! And had the softest Coat ! Well ! 
 " It was an infinitely pretty Creter ! 
 
 "Oh dear Me'me ! replied Fannius — Not a 
 "Word more, I entreat you. — Your Favor is an 
 " Antidote against all Misfortunes." Upon this 
 he dried up his Tears ; the Company sat down 
 again, and all was well. I have given this 
 Narrative not only as a beautiful Specimen of 
 their Language, but as an exemplary Instance of 
 great Humanity of Temper. 
 
 Nor are they less excellent in what is commonly / 
 called the Epistolary Style, but more properly 
 Missive Conversation : The Reader will be fully 
 convinced of this, if he gives his Attention to the 
 following Specimens. 
 
 A CARD. 
 
 " Lord Mollicido's Compliments to Sir Roley 
 " Tenellus — hopes did not ketch Cold last Night 
 "when he went from th' Oppera— shall be proud 
 " of his Cumpany at Cards nex Wensday sennit, 
 " — to meet Lady Betty, and begs will not fail."
 
 33 THE rRF.TTY GENTLEMAN. 
 
 When the Sentiments are committed to Paper, 
 the Diction rises to a hi<^hcr Pitch, preserving at 
 the same time, a great Degree uf the kindred 
 Form. 
 
 Copy of a Letter from Sir Thomasin Lepidulus, 
 to Narcissus iihadcni<, Escj. 
 
 Mi Dere Nessy, 
 T Expected yu ivtut ha* retorted upcui that brootal 
 -*- Monstir, who atak\i yu last Nite at I.cuiy 
 ]5ctty's. — Yu ccrtinly had it in yure Pour; — but 
 upon matuer D' liberation, I veio, I think yu was 
 in the Right to turn it off, ami treat the Retch loV 
 good Manners. Yu fine Geniusses who '' clypses 
 every body, certainly for that Rcson ows every body 
 in/'nite Civility. Pour Puss is better this Morn- 
 ing — Fever pretty much abated. Pray, tiii Dere, 
 ho70 is yure Cold ? I thd't yu was vastly hoarse last 
 Nite. Better not stir abroatl- - Weather' s extremely 
 placing. I hate this ditestable Climate, as much 
 as — Yu 'i'ill supply the rest — 
 
 Adieu, dere Nessy, 
 
 Yours infinitely, 
 
 T. Lepidulus. 
 
 Narcissus read this Letter to his Valet ; and 
 having talked the Subject over with him, not per-
 
 THE PRETTY CESTLEMAN. 23 
 
 haps to borrow any of the Fellow's Sentiments, 
 but to give Rise to some in himself, wrote the 
 following Answer — 
 
 T Protest to you, my dear Leppj-, / 'u/as several 
 ^ Times upon the Point of breaking out 'with the 
 Sharpness of Rebuke. IVas there ever stuh a nau- 
 seous Creter? To confess the Truth, — I shud 
 certainly have been severe upon him, InU that— it is 
 viuch more becoming a Gentleman, not to say any 
 thing subject to incoiniaiiettt Interpretations. The 
 Felloiv is — lohat you call sprightly — biU has not the 
 least Tincture of Delicacy about him. Pray, have 
 you seen the New Play ? I she' n't be esy till I have 
 yure Opinion. 
 
 My Stispiciotis are confinned. Amoriculus {imd 
 You believe it ?) the abominable Man is, bona fide, 
 become a Parent by his Criminal Gratifications. 
 
 Adieu Decry I Love me as 1 do You — and more— 
 
 if You can. 
 
 Yours for ei'er, 
 
 P. S. Half Hour past 2. 
 
 Going to Dress. N. Shadow. 
 
 And what now have the sons of Momus to ob- 
 ject against the Style of a Pretty Gattleman ? Here 
 is eveiy Requisite in Fine Writing : Here is 
 Brevity, Softness, Propriety, and Ease. Happily 
 freed from the Shackles of connecting una. restrain^ 
 ing Rules, the Diction roves and wanders, now
 
 24 THE PRETTV GENTL F.MAX. 
 
 here, now there ; and, with a wondrous Facility, 
 glides so imperceptibly from one Plower to 
 another, that the most subtile Penetrator would be 
 at a Loss to find, where TV/zVends, and where That 
 begins. Some Negligences there are indeed ; but 
 they are such as must be allowed the truest Orna- 
 ments of Speech. — Let any Man examine the 
 Letters I have here faithfully transcribed, and tell 
 me whether he does not admire the little 
 Carelessnesses which are beautifully interspersed 
 in these pretty Compositions. If these are Faults, 
 it must be owned that they are truly charming : 
 One cannot but delight in the lovely Errors, and 
 say of this Style what Quintilian did of Seneca's, 
 
 Abundat Ditlcibus Vitiis. 
 
 It is a common Observation that nothing has 
 spoiled more Authors than the affected Imitation 
 of another Man's Diction. Every one has some 
 natural Bent, something peculiar in his Genius, 
 which if he does not follow, he will never be able 
 to speak or write with any Success. The Pretty 
 Gentleman carefully avoids this Error, and follows 
 his natural Genius. He neither writes like Addison, 
 
 nor talks like C ; but nobly disdains all 
 
 servile Imitation. His Langu.ige is Original : It 
 is his Own : and I defy the snarling Critic to pro- 
 duce any thing like it. I speak only of the Style; 
 for I will not deny, that sometimes he will
 
 THE PRETTY GENTLEMAN. 25 
 
 condescend to steal an Hint from another, as may 
 be seen in the Specimens I have given. But how 
 does he steal it ? No otherwise than like those, who 
 (as Garth says of Dryden) steal Beggars Children, 
 only to cloath them the better. 
 
 Another Object of this Mimic's Raillery is, that 
 sweet Placability of Temper, which obliges a re- 
 fined Gentleman to put up even with repeated 
 Injuries and Affronts, rather than avenge them by 
 the usual Method of demanding Satisfaction. 
 
 I am not apprehensive that this Part of his 
 Character is less defensible than the rest. I could 
 produce some tolerable Arguments against 
 Duelling, drawn from certain Principles, which 
 were once looked upon to be the Rules of Human 
 Conduct. I could easily prove, that the single 
 Combat is derived from Gothic IManners, and is 
 absolutely inconsistent with the Character of a 
 Gentleman. But such Reasonings as these are 
 neither so well adapted to the Times, nor so per- 
 tinent to the Cause I have undertaken. Waving 
 then this kind of Defence, upon this single 
 Argument I lay my whole Stress — "The Pretty 
 ^' Gentleman ■will not fight, — because — He is not 
 "al^le." 
 
 And can any Man produce a better Reason for 
 not doing a Thing, than to make it manifest — that 
 he cannot? 
 
 Behold that tender Frame I Those trembling 
 Knees ! Those fecljle Joints ! Ob.scrve that fine
 
 a6 '/■// E PRF.rTV CEXTL /iMA .V. 
 
 Complexion ! Examine that smooth, that Velvety 
 Skin ! View that fa/Zor which spreads itself over 
 his Countenance ! Hark, with what a feminine 
 Softness iiis Accents steal their Way through his 
 half-opened Lips ! Feel that soft Palm ! Those 
 slender Fingers, accustomed only to handle Silks 
 and Ribbons, the easy-piercing Needle, or soft- 
 gliding Shuttle ; but unpractised in the rough 
 Exercises of Warlike Weapons ! Mark all these, 
 and a Thousand other gentle Imbecilities, and then 
 tell me, impartial Reader, whether such a Being 
 
 is formed for Battle ? You cannot think it : 
 
 You will not say it. I will therefore venture to 
 afTirm, that He is so far from deserving Contempt 
 and Ridicule, when he declines the Combat, that 
 he merits our Esteem and Applause. He there- 
 fore who is so base as to affront, or send a Chal- 
 lenge to siic/i a Person, is an arrant Coward. For 
 would a Man of Honour draw his Sword upon a 
 Lady? And to say the Truth, The Pretty Gentle- 
 man is certainly formed in a diflerent Mould from 
 that of Common Men, and tempered with a purer 
 Flame. The whole System is of a finer Turn, and 
 superior Accuracy of Fabric, insomuch that it 
 looks as if Nature had been in doubt, to which Sex 
 she should assign ///'///. 
 
 Now this Contexture of his Organs, and the 
 Tone of his Spirits approaching so very near That 
 of the Fair, has rendered Him liable to the same 
 gentle Impressions, and Alarms c>{ Fear. I)t)es
 
 THE PRETTY GENTLEMAN. 27 
 
 CiFlia set up a Scream at the Apprehension of the 
 least Danger ? Delkattitus is as easily intimidat- 
 ed, and screams with as pretty an Accent. Do the 
 Weakness of Lady Betty's Nerves subject her to 
 Fits and Swoonings ? Tenelhis like\A'ise has his 
 Hysterics, and dies away with as soft a Grace. It 
 is to attain these and such like Accomplishments, 
 that they make frequent Visits to the Ladies ; 
 though some slanderous Persons would make us be- 
 lieve, that they have another Motive, and intimate 
 I know not what, vitiotis Designs, that are too in- 
 decent even to be mentioned. But I can assure 
 the World, there is not the least Foundation for 
 the base Suggestion, This Attendance, I know, 
 takes its Rise from Causes, with which the Appe- 
 tite for That Sex has no Manner of Connexion. 
 So pure are their Morals ! So inviolable their 
 Modesty ! Amazing Continence ! And yet, our 
 Wonder is lessened, when we consider what Me- 
 thods they pursue to fence against the Allurements 
 of Female Charms. They are certainly the most 
 sober and temperate Beings that ever existed. It 
 is an inviolable Maxim with them, to refrain from 
 every Indulgence, which is apt to irritate the 
 Blood, and excite the Pruriency of Desire. 
 
 Old English Roast- Beef is, indeed, properly 
 adapted to Old English Manners ; since, as all 
 Physicians observe, the Quality of our Food com- 
 municates itself to the Mind. Therefore at the 
 Table of a Pretty Gentleman, you never see the
 
 28 rilE rUETlY CESTLE^fAX. 
 
 Flesh of a full-{;ro\vn Animal. Chickens of a 
 Week oKl, Veal Sweet-breads, or a Lcfj of Lamb, 
 and now and then Pigs-petitoes, are their highest 
 Indulgence. But the usual Food is Cheese-cakes, 
 White-pot, Tanzcys, and Flommery. And can it 
 be ihouglu that this abstemious Restriction is a 
 proper Subject of Raillery, when a certain cele- 
 brated Writer, amidst the Praises he bestows on 
 his noble Patron, mentions this as his finisliing 
 Excellence; "That he lived upon Panada and 
 " Water-gruel [c]." I mention this, because it is 
 the Observation of one who never shewed any 
 Favour to Modern Elegance. 
 
 As to Wine, it is absolutely their Aversion. 
 And indeed, so Delicate is their Frame, that even 
 the Moderate Indulgences of the Fair would ill- 
 agree with these more tender Males. ' ' 'l"he First 
 " Glass, said a PtcUy French //«///<?r, I may drink 
 " for myself; a Second for my Friend; but if a 
 " F/iird, it is for my Enemy." (.)«;■ Youths seldom 
 go so far as a Saoiid ; and whenever That happens, 
 'tis sure to be followed with bitter Reflexions. 
 " What do you think ? (said Uinbratilis to Lord 
 " Molly.) I was the most abominable Rake last 
 " Night ! Do you know? I drank Two Glasses of 
 " Claret after my Flommery." 
 
 "Oh fie! you naughty Child! what a Pav) 
 " Trick was that ! as I hope for Mercy, you deserve 
 " to be soundly Wh — t, so you do." 
 
 \c\ MiddUton's Life of Cicero. Dcdicalion.
 
 THE PRETTY GENTLEMAN. 29 
 
 Two Glasses only ! No more ! And yet merited 
 such a rigorous Animadversion. But, perhaps, 
 even that small Quantity might be too much for 
 the Infantine Constitution ; to which Nature 
 points out a more suitable Liquor, of a Soft and 
 Delicious Kind, emulged from the salutiferous Cow, 
 or the thin Juices of the Gentle Ass ; the Tempera- 
 ment of whose Fluids is productive of a correspon- 
 dent Temperament in the Person, who accustoms 
 himself to these assimilating Draughts. 
 
 I have already detained the Reader so long, 
 that I shall not trespass upon his Patience, by 
 giving a Detail of the numerous Artifices, which 
 are exhibited in the important Hours that are em- 
 ployed in decorating their Persons. Were you to 
 behold Narcissus at his Toilet, how would you be 
 charmed with the Order and Disposition ! Did you 
 view this lovely Youth whilst he takes his exterior 
 Form into a most exact Adjustment, you must 
 stand amazed at all the Pretty Wonders of his Art. 
 What Pains ! What Care ! What Study ! What 
 Address ! To arch that Eye-brow ! To soften that 
 Hand, and to Curl those lovely Locks ! Whilst 
 all the Graces attend as invisible Handmaids, to 
 finish the Work of Elegance. And when the busy 
 Scene is over, and he is decorated in every minute 
 Circumstance with the'most Perfect Concinnity ; 
 behold, with what a soft Air and sweet Com- 
 placency he presents himself to View, and like 
 Horace's Barine coming from her Toilet,
 
 30 THE PRETTY GENTLEMAN. 
 
 -t tiitescit 
 
 Pulchrior mnlt^, Jiivenumfiuc/r(Jr/// 
 Pnlilica ciira. 
 
 Thus have I presented to the Reader's View, an 
 Kiuimcration of the several Qualities which con- 
 stitute 
 
 A P k E I T Y G L N T L E M A N. 
 
 From whence it is easy to collect the true No- 
 tion of Genuine Elegance ; wliich, wilh(nit any 
 Apprehension of being disproved, I do not hesi- 
 tate to define thus 
 
 " Elegance is the Absence or Deinlitation of 
 " Masculine Strength and Vigor, — Or rather, 
 " Tlie Happy Metamorphosis, — Or, The Gentle- 
 " man turned Lady ; that is, Female Softness 
 " adopted into the Breast of a il/a/^, discovering 
 " itself by outward Signs and Tokens in Feminine 
 " Expressions, Accent, Voice, Air, Gesture, and 
 " Looks. Or, as the French more clearly defme 
 "it, A je ne s^ai i/uoi.^' 
 
 And now I appeal to the Judgment of the Im- 
 partial, whether This be a Character which de- 
 serves that Contempt and Ridicule some rude and 
 undisciplined Spirits have endeavoured to throw 
 upon it ? It is impossible that any serious Person 
 can entertain such a Thought. 
 
 1 call therefore upon the Wisdom of the Nation ; 
 I call upon the L — ds, K — t?^, and B — s, now
 
 THE PRETTY GENTLEMAN. 31 
 
 assembled in P 1, to interpose in this impor- 
 tant Cause, this truly National Concern. 
 
 The Question is, Whether we shall become 
 more than Men, that is, Pretty Centletnen ; or 
 worse than Brutes, i.e.. Masculine, Robust Crea- 
 tures, with unsoftened Manners. The latter will 
 infallibly be the Case, if an effectual Stop be not 
 put to that licentious Raillerj', which" would laugh 
 out of Countenance the generous Endeavours of a 
 Race of virtuous Youths, to polish our Asperity, 
 mollify us into gentle Obsequiousness, and give us 
 a true Relish of all the dulcet Elegancies of Life ! 
 I will speak without Reserve : Should not the 
 Theatres be absohttely demolished f We have 
 already in vain tried the lenient Measures of 
 Restriction. Why then should we not now have 
 Recourse to the last Remedy, and cut down the 
 Tree, which after all our Pruning and Culture, 
 still continues to produce poisonous Fruit ? 
 
 The indulgent Reader, I dare say, will approve 
 the Method I prescribe. But perhaps so many 
 Difficulties may arise to his imagination, that he 
 will conclude it impracticable. 
 
 Difficulties there are, no doubt ; but One there 
 is, which, if He can surmount, I myself will un- 
 dertake to remove all the rest. 
 
 Here lies the grand Impediment ! How can we 
 expect the Favour of the Learned, or the Protect- 
 ion of the State, to cherish and support This 
 Refinement, when its most inveterate Enemy is the
 
 38 77//: PRF.rT\ ' C.E\ TL EM A N. 
 
 very Man, who lias always been the Standard of 
 Taste with the former; and is now raised to a Post, 
 which gives him such an unhappy Intluence in the 
 latter? Unhappy indeed for tlie Sons of Elegance! 
 I'"or what can the most Sanguine expect from one, 
 who has made it the Business of his Life, to bring 
 into Repute the false Refinements of ancient Greece 
 and Romcl Will a Person of his J/tijr7//t«t- Talents 
 liecome the Patron of soft and dulcified I'^legance? 
 \\ill He give up that Attic Witt, which has gain- 
 ed him such high Applause, and made him the 
 Delight of a mis-judging World, to cultivate 
 Qualities, in which he is not formed to excel? 
 
 What then remains, but that the Sons of 
 Elegance wait with Patience (f«jr they are too gintle 
 to use any violent Methods) till the kind Fates 
 shall remove this implacable Adversary out of the 
 World. And then, my foreboding Heart assures 
 me, true Politeness will thrive and prosper, and 
 spread her sweet mollifying InlUicnces over the 
 Land, till nothing shall be heard of or seen, but 
 Softness and Complaisance, Prettiness and 
 Elegance, Infantine Prattle, Lullaby Conversation, 
 and gentle Love ; and every well educated Alale 
 amongst us shall become 
 
 Mollis er' parAm Vir ; 
 
 that is, 
 A PuKTTY Gentleman. 
 
 ON.VIN BROTHKRS, 1'RINTERS, LON1>OM AND CIIII.WOKTH. 
 
 170350
 
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