Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-12-27
The English Aristocracy.

The position of mere literary man in England,
in any circle above that to which he is born is that
of iackall Fle is invited for what he contributes
to the entertainment of the arstocratic lions and
lionesses who feed him. He has neither power nor
privilege in their sphere. He dare not introduce
friend. except another jackal and it would be for
very extraordinary reason that he would ever name
at the tables where he is most intimate his father
mother wife, sister. or brother. The footman who
sometimes comes to him with note or book, knows
the difference between him and the other guests of
his master and by unpunishable difference of
manner makes the distinction of his service. The
abandon which they feel in his presence he never
feels in theirs and we doubt whether Thomas Moore
years, forgot, in their company that he in
the presence of his superors, and object of
descenson.
Now, we have many people in this country Amer
leans born, who are monarchlsts, and who make no
scrupe in private conversation of wishing for de-
fined aristocracy, and the nfrangb distinctions be-
tween the different classes of society In the picture
they draw, however, they themselves figure the
aristocrats; and we must take the liberty, for the
moment, of put : them e below the SALT and set
ting forth f of their annoyances Take the best
received American in London-yourself for exam
pie, Mr. Reader You have no fixed rank, and there
fore you have nothing to keep you down, and can
rise to any position in the gift of your noble enter
taner As foreigner you circulate freely Gas many
we'll introduced do) through all the penerGa of the
West End. You invited to dine, will say with
his Grace the Duke of Devonshire. There ten or
twelve guests all noble except yourself: and when
you look around upon the other gentlemen it is pos
sible that, without vanity, you come to the conclu
sion that in dress, address, spirit and natural fits
you at least the equal of those around you Din
| ner is late in being announced, and mean time, as
you know all the ladies, particularly acquainted
with the youngest and prettiest you sit down by the
latter, and promise yourself the pleasure of giving
her an arm when the doors open, and sitting by
her at dinner The butler makes his appearance at
| II IL
in steps my Lord Piummery, who is terrible
| 'spoon," but undoubtedly "My Lord takes the
lady from you, and makes his way to the dinner ia
BILE Your first thought is to follow and secure a
place on the other side of her. but still another cou
pie or two to take precedence, and you left
at last walk in alone, and take the seat that is left
| perhaps between two men who have a lady on the
other side. Pleasant-isnt it +?
| Again: You are strolling in Regent Street the
Park with an Englishman, whose acquaintance you
made on your travel. He is of fortune. and
as independent in his character any man in Eng
land On the Contnen: he struck you particularly
| high minded and free from prejudice You are
chatting with him very Familiarity, when youth no
bleman, not remarkable for anything but his nob
ty slips his into your friends and joins the pro
menade. From that moment your friend gives you
about as much of his attention he does to his walk
stick lets your questions go unanswered, let them b
ever so clever and enjoys with the highest zest thu
most remote spoonyosities of my lord You, perhaps
as stranger visit my lords circle of society ant
your friend does not but he would as soon think 0
picking my lords pocket of introducing yOu t.
him, and if you began to think you Monsieur d
Trop, and say good morning" your friend, VIII
never parted from you before without making en-
gagement to see you again, gives you ned xithou
turning his head from his lordship, and very drill!
echoes your good morning.
And this, we repeat the most Independent man il
England will do for he is brought up to fear Co
ami honor lord, and it is bred In his bones AM
We W., could give thousand similar instances bu