History,  and  that  of  our  own  times  especially,
teaches  us  that  nowhere  is  the  vaporing  brag-
gart more  out  of  place,  and  the  true  gen-
tleman more  in  his  proper  sphere,  than  in
conducting  international  affairs.  Fairness  on
the  one  hand,  and  collected  self-respect  on
the  other,  will  frequently  make  matters  easy,
w^here  swaggering  taunt,  or  reckless  conceit
and  insulting  folly,  may  lead  to  the  serious
misunderstanding  of  entire  nations,  and  a  san-
guinary end.  The  firm  and  dignified  carriage
of  our  Senate,  and  the  absence  of  petty  pas-
sion or  vain-gloriousness  in  the  British  Par-
liament, have  brought  the  Oregon  question  to
a  fair  and  satisfactory  end, — an  affair  which
but  a  short  time  ago  was  believed  by  many

law,  the   precepts  of  religion,  and   the  dictates  of  hu-
manity."


CHARACTER   OF    THE    GENTLEMAN.  97

to  be  involved  in  difficulties  which  the  sword
alone  was  able  to  cut  short.  Even  genuine
personal  urbanity  in  those  to  whom  interna-
tional aifairs  are  intrusted  is  very  frequently
of  great  importance  for  a  happy  ultimate
good  understanding  between  the  mightiest
nations.
