Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-01-21

4
Of the men who really stands highest in
the couDtry-and of the most acquire
ments- and there is therefore refine
ment in il peculiarly belonging tn such
men, that Influences their actions, all
their conduct and conversation, and makes
il as circle the most charming in the
world. Hence too,he British struggle
for fame and knowledge with an impulse
different from: Thai Of ours. ] venture Ia
say, that if they will confess the truth, it
is not so much glory itself they seek Tor
the sake Of glory, as for the purpose of
getting into better society, mounting one
step higher over the heads of the circle
! in which they are. The society prin-
ciple here is the greatest mpeling lever
Of British ambition. Lord Nelson was
willing 10 die, If he could repose in the
society of the kings and mobiles OF West
minister Abbey. This leads to many GU
rious exhibitions of character. Our land
lord here in Glasgow, is perpetually tel
ling us Americans-"tha the most RE-
SPECTACLE people Of the town call on
him" ask him about persons to whom
| have letters, heresbout. One Of them,
he recommended me to deliver immedi-
ately-.for he is n cousin to some lord
Rattletrap or other! ! searched for a
lodging in London, and every other house
went into had been inhabited, as they
said, by Sir somebody, or Lord some
body, commonly "a member Of .Parlia-
ment"-as ifthis would keep the bed
bugs out. often laugh in mems faces
at this ridiculous love OF rank. went
in London to the review of some troops
by the King and Queen. A very poor
lly dressed man pushed through the crowd
and getting glimpse, said with long
drawn breath, ''no,u l am satisfied" and
then he wildly hourished his hat in the
air. This love Of doing something so
as to attract tho attention Of men in high
er rank, shows itself in a thousand rIdicu-
Ious ways. Notoriety is sought for with
fierce avidity. The very poorest clas-
ses have the contagion. In London,
!, you will hear the s,rangest and most in
= street criers, who are only doing in thei
. line what Col. Evans is doing in his, ir
, raising British troops to fight for Spain
seeking attention. The singers there
too cOntrive to sing songs in all manner
ofways. The advertisement men, carry
ing printed banners put on the most fan
tastic habits. Our talest negroes get
good wages at this business. All over
London, you will also see, that this man
is Boot Maker TO his Majesty-tbat man
is tailor to the Royal Family--this man
is cutler to the King-that woman is
milliner for the Qucen,-and so on
through all trades. One Signor Berto-
lotto, who understands the taste of the
English, hawks hand-biIs about there,
stating that his extraordinary exhibition
of "the industrious Fleas'' is patronized
by her Royal Highness, the Princess
Augusta, their Majesties the King and
Queen of the French-and of the Bel
gians, sc SC. Thus does this appetite
for rank have taste at every thing high
and low!
Now in saying there is a choicer So
ciety in Great Britain than there is in
America, do not mean to say that the
principle upon which it is founded, is to
be desired by us, and in speaking of the
of the fashionable society of London, for
example, which, though better ] think
from what hear, though 1 know moth
ing Of it, than the mere fashionable So
ciety with us, is nevertheless not the
choice society that is so charming, and
to which all classes here give their ac-
acknowledgements. / believe il is in fact
quite demonstrable that in monarchical
hereditary governments, he teO are bet
ter off than in the Republican, while The
many are in much worse condition.
l need not say that the government which
best administers to the greatest happiness
of the greatest number, is the most de-
sirable for mankind; and this is precise
ly the difference between us and Eng
land. Property is so connected here,
and so transferred from father to son, that
all the intellec ectual tastes can be better
gratifed than they ever can be with US.
For years The fe,c must be better Off,
but never under such form can The ma
ny have the happiness that is enjoyed
with us. Again, when man is living
here, he keeps his eye upward, and fix
cs his aim higb-whether he be the
scholar or the politician, he seeks TO fit
himself for the society in which he is to
move, and he avoids doing any thing
that shall degrade him. Now, my coun-
trymen, l am sorry 10 say, many ofthen,
in this matter play two parts. There is
in the United States as great love for
an educated and polished society as in
any country on earth, and l was going
10 say more, for it sometimes displays it.
self on this side of the water, in q title i,