Mr. Pocket and I had a long talk together. He knew more of my intended career than I knew myself, for he referred to his having been told by Mr. Jaggers that I was not designed for any profession, and that I should be well enough educated for my destiny if I could “hold my own” with the average of young men in prosperous circumstances. I acquiesced, of course, knowing nothing to the contrary.
– Charles Dickens
Great Expectations, Chapter 24. In London Matthew Pocket becomes tutor to Pip in order to educate him in the ways of being a gentleman. Pip lacks formal education aside from what he was taught in the local village school and the lessons Biddy gave him. Now that he has come into money, he is to be taught enough to “hold his own” with other wealthy young men.