Day, Thomas (1748-1789)

The History of Sandford and Merton

London

Printed for J. Stockdale

1783, 1785, 1789

"Indeed, the real seat of all superiority, even of manners, must be placed in the mind: dignified sentiments, superior courage, accompanied with genuine and universal courtesy, are always necessary to constitute the real gentleman; and where these are wanting, it is the greatest absurdity to think they can be supplied by affected tones of voice, particular grimaces, or extravagant and unnatural modes of dress; which, far from becoming the real test of gentility, have in general no other origin than the caprice of barbers, taylors, actors, opera-dancers, milliners, fidlers, and French servants of both sexes."

But at the mansion-house, much of the conversation, in the mean time, was employed in examining the merits of little Harry. Mrs. Merton acknowledged his bravery and openness of temper; she was also struck with the very good-nature and benevolence of his character; but she contended that there were a certain grossness and indelicacy in his ideas which distinguish the children of the lower and middling classes of people from those of persons of fashion. Mr. Merton, on the contrary, contended that he had never before seen a child whose sentiments and disposition would do so much honour even to the most elevated situations. Nothing, he affirmed, was more easily acquired than those external manners, and that superficial address, upon which too many of the higher classes pride themselves as their greatest, or even as their only accomplishment: nay, so easily are they picked up, said he, that we frequently see them descend with the cast clothes to maids and valets; between whom and their masters and mistresses there is little other difference than what results from the former wearing soiled cloaths and healthier countenances. Indeed, the real seat of all superiority, even of manners, must be placed in the mind: dignified sentiments, superior courage, accompanied with genuine and universal courtesy, are always necessary to constitute the real gentleman; and where these are wanting, it is the greatest absurdity to think they can be supplied by affected tones of voice, particular grimaces, or extravagant and unnatural modes of dress; which, far from becoming the real test of gentility, have in general no other origin than the caprice of barbers, taylors, actors, opera-dancers, milliners, fidlers, and French servants of both sexes. I cannot help, therefore, asserting, said he very seriously, that this little peasant has within his mind the seeds of true gentility and dignity of character; and though I shall also wish that our son may possess all the common accomplishments of his rank, nothing would give me more pleasure than a certainty that he would never in any respect fall below the son of farmer Sandford.
(pp. 29-30)

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Contributed by PC Fleming

Begun as early as 1780, intended as part of Richard Lovell Edgeworth and Honora Edgeworth's Practical Education. First edition of first volume in 1783; subsequent volumes 1785 and 1789. At least 37 entries in ESTC (1783, 1786, 1784, 1787, 1788, 1789, 1790, 1791, 1791, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794, 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1799, 1800).

See Thomas Day, The History of Sandford and Merton, a Work Intended for the Use of Children. 2nd ed., corr. (London: Printed for J. Stockdale, opposite Burlington House, Piccadilly, 1784). <Link to ECCO.>

07/10/2010