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Show ! THREE KINDS OF GENTLEMEN J Somewhat Peculiar Distinctions Thai Are Made by Inhabitants of the Emerald Island. Ireland is the only, country in which It has ever been customary to classify gentlemen as ot' three distinct kinds or species. Probably the distinctions are still recognized to some extent in the Emerald Em-erald isle, but' two centuries ago, and even much later, they were defined respectively as (one) the "half-mounted," (two) the "gentleman every Incti of him," and (three) the "gentleman to tho backbone." The first class consisted of descendants descend-ants of Cromwell's soldiers, who, If they could ride well, were called "Buckskin Breeches," or "Squireens." The second class was composed of descendants of old families whose estates es-tates had been forfeited to the crown (for rebellion or other reasons), and who had been compelled to lower themselves them-selves by working for a living, in trade or the professions. The third class the "gentlemen 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. |