Presbyterian and merchant in Modenrn Gallantry by Lamb

[Allllllison]

I read about one sentence in para.11 -- "Though bred a Presbyterian, and brought up a merchant, he was the finest gentleman of his time." -- seems to suggest that Presbyterians and merchants are not usually gentlemen in 18th century. How come?

[5jj]

In the British class system, nobody 'in trade' was considered a gentleman. It was also almost impossible to be a gentleman if you were not a member of the established Church of England.

[Allllllison]

In the British class system, nobody 'in trade' was considered a gentleman. It was also almost impossible to be a gentleman if you were not a member of the established Church of England.

thank you Mr. Five
now i can better understand the text
but how do people define "gentlemen" at that time?

[5jj]

The word didn't need defining at the time. The people who mattered knew who was a gentleman and who was not.

A gentleman was well-born, though not noble, and had sufficient income not to have to work. It was possible for the younger sons of a gentleman to have a career in the Army or Navy, in which commissions had to be purchased, or in the church, though the church was seen as the place for younger sons of gentlemen who did not have a great deal of money. The eldest son of a gentleman would simply replace his father as head of the family when the father died.

[Allllllison]

The word didn't need defining at the time. The people who mattered knew who was a gentleman and who was not.

A gentleman was well-born, though not noble, and had sufficient income not to have to work. It was possible for the younger sons of a gentleman to have a career in the Army or Navy, in which commissions had to be purchased, or in the church, though the church was seen as the place for younger sons of gentlemen who did not have a great deal of money. The eldest son of a gentleman would simply replace his father as head of the family when the father died.

THX A LOT Mr. Five, I really appreciate your help!