There is another character resembling in many points those which we have previously sketched but differing from them in some particular shades; we mean the Man of the World. He prides himself on his knowledge of life, on his acquaintance with its maxims, and on his thorough devotion to its pursuits. It is not our intention to draw this character at full length; but, as an illustration of our meaning, briefly bring before our readers the name of the celebrated LORD CHESTERFIELD as a type of The Man of the World.
This nobleman emphatically deserved this title—so much so, that he has been well termed by some the high priest of the world's vanities. Born to rank, wealth and talent, he enjoyed all the requisites which are commonly supposed to constitute happiness. He started in life with the determination of gaining the applause and favor of the world, making that the supreme object of his existence. Selfishness was the keystone of his system. The maxim of a great statesman, Lord Somers, had been, "Aim at being useful, rather than at appearing to be so." Lord Chesterfield reversed the motto and read it "Aim at appearing to be, rather than at being, useful." To adapt himself to the humors and peculiarities of all he met and to study their passions and weakness that he might play upon them for his own advantage—such were his principles of action. He aimed at being thought the most polite man in England if not in Europe. "Hand the gentleman a chair," were almost his dying words when a friend entered his room during his last illness, thus showing the ruling passion strong in death. His popularity was very great. He attained a high position in the state. He possessed a large and magnificent mansion, which, commanded admiration as a monument of his classic taste.
He had a mind cultivated and enriched with stores of learning and general information. The prize, therefore, for which he started in life was gained, but, unsanctified and unblessed by God, his success proved wormwood to the taste and illusive as the Mirage. The Word of God had said, "Love not the world;" but Lord Chesterfield had in effect declared, "The world I will love." Let his own words, penned in the evening of life, tell what he had found the result of his decision to be.
“I have run," says he, "the silly rounds of business and of pleasure and have done with them all. I have enjoyed all the pleasures of the world, and consequently know their futility, and do not regret their loss. I appraise them at their real value, which is in truth very low; whereas those who have not experienced them always overrate them. They only see the merry outside and are dazzled with their glare; but I have been behind the scenes and have seen all the coarse pulleys and dirty ropes which exhibit and move the gaudy machine. I have seen and smelt the tallow candles which illuminate the whole decorations, to the astonishment and admiration of an ignorant audience. I look back on all that is passed as one of those romantic dreams which opium commonly produces, and I have no wish to repeat the nauseous dose. I have been as wicked and as vain as Solomon, but am now at last able to feel and attest the truth of his reflection that all is vanity and vexation of spirit. Shall I tell you that I bear this situation with resignation and constancy? No; I bear it because I must, whether I will or no. I think of nothing but killing time the best way I can, now that it has become my enemy. It is my resolution to sleep in the carriage during the rest of life's journey." Such was the confession of the man of the world. Selfishness had been the mainspring of his conduct. The result had been dissatisfaction of spirit—the illusion of the mirage.
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever" (1 John 2:15-1715Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (1 John 2:15‑17)).