The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-04-01

| was perhaps the most liccntious that had
| been seen in Europe. On the other hand. the
atmosphere Of the palace during thclifc
| time OF the son Of llENRY ". was as inert
and frigd as it was austcrc. II was at this
epoch that bold protest against the dcs-
potism OF rank in social matters created the
germ Of what we know as French society.
Every wcll-brcd Frcnchman owes and pays
sort Of homage to the mistress of the
Hotel du Rambouillct the only house in
France TO which high rank was not pass
port, whore more than one duke and peer,
who had his entries at all hours into the
bedchambcr Of LOUIS XIII. at st. German.
found that something beside n coat of arms
was requisite for admission. Somewhat later
we hear Of Nine. DE SEvIGNE that she sell
dom went to Versailles. and that the little
court which assembled in her drawing room
had traditions and prescriptions Of its own
by no means framed on those of the Grand
Monarque. And so the evolution Of refined
social life went on until from the France OF
LOUIS PHILIPPE photographed in BALzAcs
"COmcdie Humane" the shadow of the
palace has quite vanished, and we see half
dozen interviewer coterics, the circles Of
finance, OF diplomacy, and Of the old nObil-
ity, the world of the ChaussCe d'Antin Of
the Faubourg st. IIonorc, and the Faubourg
st. Gcrmain all marked with characteristic
features, but promoting common end,
namely, organized entertainment. After
ward, and this is a point we wish to note
the normal structure and tone Of society
were impaired by the intrusion Of the poit-
iDul claimant uuInr Ia, N.,.,pI
The development of English society Is
even more interesting and suggestive. The
truth is that a change has taken place in it
precisely analogous TO the change in the
political system of England. A republic
has insinuatcd itself beneath the folds
# monarchy. CHARLES II. was really
the head Of the social world; Whitehall
ina his time. was the centre Of the best
talk, the best fashion, and the most
curious love affairs Of the age. being. in
fact. an uncqualled club with female So
cicty of a very clover and sharp sort super
added. Huckingham Palace. under the
present Queen. We need not say. is as unlike
club rs any place well may bc An almost
equivalent eclipse has been suffered 10y
the ari-tocracy. Every one who knows
England at all. is aware how immensely
their prestige has waned within fifty years.
Not only has the rise Of Industrial wealth
brought in competitor. but the dramatic
resources Of the nobility in which their
power lay. are much stratoncd. Society j.
every day becoming less stately. A. a we'll
known satiri-t has observed, The last Dukc
II 81. DaVid'- used To- cover the north road
with his carriages landladics and walters
bowed before him. The present Duke sneak-
away from railway station. smoking
cigar. in q brou-htm.' 1t il certain. how
'N"r that the play f social forces il stii
somewhat trammcll"d hy the incubus of
rank, Icy the dead weight of those who con
iuhut" nothing tut the fading ~plcndor of a
nancand station. II Is OWN, tothecoutngiuuS
example of these kllljoy- that a certain part
Of the chest English people keep their
mind in state If dccorou- dulne-~ and -tir
dignity, account NiNacity an amtic. and II
they have any social hrilliancy. labor To So
crete 1t. Some traces Of pompuu- torpor
are, " course inevitable 50 long a. prrcc-
dru,r j. accnrdcd not to tn" cl,Ncrc-t cla--cS
but tn the oldest Glasses. These d"viations
however, from the capital aim OF social in
terlour-e are little cuuntcnanccd 10y the
vcritshleloldor-o If ton. al Drvun-hr. House
or Sutherland House for instance. and more
ond .,..., ,i, ,'.ntlialt arliter aud shaping
force Of English society has come to be-
principle which might Ice equally active and
fruitful in America. where. indeed it has a
clearer field. This principle is not birth. or
rank. or political station. but fashion which.
In the -en-o given the word at the close ~
the ln-t century. when ,Acmovcm"ut began.
is nothing more nor jess than ia" aprl.ca-
ton o. - elal purposes ~ natural .ectlun.
thc recognition II intrinsic charm. ia"
aplth"1-i- of attractN'u''--. the a-~lnlp-
tlon OF -,cial royalty 10y the qualities
lifted Tor social rule.