Show THREE KINDS OF GENTLEMEN somewhat peculiar Distinct distinctions ioris that are made by inhabitants of the Emral dl island esfand ireland is s the only country in which it has ever been customary to classify gentlemen as of three distinct kinds or species probably the distinctions are arc still recognized to some extent in the lie emerald e erald isle but two centuries ago and even much later they were defined respectively as one the half mount ed two the gentleman every inch of him and three the gentleman to the backbone the first class consisted of descendants of soldiers who if abey could ride well were called buckskin breeches or Squi reens the second class was composed of descendants of old families whose estates had bad been forfeited to the crown for rebellion or other reasons and who had been compelled to lower themselves by working for a living in trade or the profess professions lons the third class the gentle gentlemen filen to the backbone comprised the old stock or folks who lived on the ancient family estates and the labor of the peasantry pertaining to their domains |