The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-02

is due to the caution and sngacty with which
the author has chosen the elements OF his anti
thesis not ovcrcharglng the normal outline and
color in his English characters, while at the
snmo time heghtening, by some artful touches,
tho specific charm and merit Of their American
interlocutors. BY this treatment Of the picture
the renders mind is swaycd as by shrewd
rhetorical device. and we are won to acknowl-
edge first, that no more gracious behavior un-
der the circumstances Of the novel can renson-
ably be expected from any English women OF
high rank than was actually exhibited by the
Duchess OF Bayswater and Lady Pimlco; and.
secondly. that II Miss Bessie Alden and Mrs
Wcstgato. being what they wore and what they
looked TO be. could secure no better recognition
then no American lady need expect to improve
on their experience.
1t is one Of the substantial profits accrulng
from such patient and scrupulous photography
as forms the groundwork OF Mr.. james q stories.
that II opens to us n storehouse Of vcarious ex-
pcrience from which we may draw hints and
conclusions. II we choose. with well-nlgh ms
much confidence rs from the data OF our per-
sonal observation. Moreover. when we have
learned to trust an authors afllrmations. we
may find considerable significance in his reti-
ccnco. Thus from the fact that tho American
ladies introduced to us in these pages arc not
once allowed by the author TO cite-though
such citations might st the FIRST glance seem
pertinent-the occasional instances in which
their countrywomcn have welded actual or
prospective Lords. we may reasonably infer
that Mr.. Jnmes attaches very little weight to
these anomalous incidents. And after all. what
do they prove1 At nll times and In all coun-
tries young men have been willing TO GO great
lengths 10 satisfy sentiment or a caprice. and
whether the habtual votary OF seli-indulgcnce
be- Romnn patrician. German Prince or English
Marquis. he is apt to scan much loss narrowly
objections in his own case than in his sisters
Nor is he likely to forget that the sword. unlike
tho dsinff confcrs nobility. and that though he
marry an actress or n barmnid. rs some Of his
compocrs have done, nothing hut questionable
moral character can debdr his wife from the
outward and most envicd privileges 81 rank.
And II q man in love can ba supposed Mt all TO
weigh the interests Of pos.erity. the head Of n
noble house might hold himself partially re-
eved from considerations binding on his femnle
relatives. His son, at all events. will Inherit tho
title and estates aud will be tho courted dis
penser Of largess and favor TO kinsmen whose
blood may be far iroer from pebelan admixturc
than his own. In n word. young Lord Ftz-
noodle. or the Marquis OF Steync is In sltua-
ton to purchase a reluctant recognition for
any girl. however alien or obscure. on wnom he
may see fit 10 hcstow the sanction Of his name.
But there is one thing he cannot buy the hearty
acquiescence tho spontaneous. clrcr. demon
s,rativH approval Of his womnnkind. He can
not expect tho ladies Of his family % forget
in an hour tho traditions. convictions. opih-
ions in which they hive been reared. and
dissimulate In their treatment Of tho intruds
the traces Of instructive resentment. bewldcr-
mcnt and l.sdln. He canno, hope 20 extort
anything more kindly or expansive than tho
tolerance Of Brahmln for hai-casic: he can
not hinder their keen eyes from detecting some
shortcomings which may chance 20 have es-
capped his masculine vision. or their inbred
prejudice from assuming or invcning others
which perhaps do not exist. II seems 10 Doe ex-
tremely difficult to convince English women Of
certain rank that ycritable lady can exist
under tho conditions of American llfc. nnd.
strange 70 say. they are not disposed 20 attach
the slightest weight 20 the opinions ~ their
sons and brothers on this head. Tho Belgra-
vGn mother would doubtless concede with can
dor that the men ~ her family arc only too
prone 20 cntangle Themselves in tho substratn
Of tho English word and II the object OF their
folly has been less frequently an American.
that She would explain with n Grim com pres
sion Of thu lips. is berauso English ladies are
still allowed 10 keep the keys Of their own draw
Ing rooms. Even this. there is some reason 10
/ hppIfutnu, AlF lu'UeSh OF DuAhNhtfE might
esteem \ species 81 compliment as involving
an admission that American ladies really could
not be charged with irequenting tho stage OF
theatres and music halls.
Now. II all this were sheer unrosson and blind
prejudice on tho par, 81 the Duchess and ner
feminine compatriots. our countrywomen could
comfort themselves with tho conviction that
gross misconception always gives way in the
Nnd under the rude shocks ot experience. But
let rs essay for a moment to reach her Graccs
point q view. md inquire what plausible
grounds. II any. may be- found for the inloxiblc
resistance to the marriage of her eldest son
with any American young lady-evcI with Miss
Bessy Alden. in whom the author OF this story
means us to recognize n winsome, sterling and
Tor all the PURPOSES and exactions Of tho best
American society. thoroughly satisfactory per-
son. And II we happen to light on some sub
stantn considerations not easily 10 be met or
evaded by feminine ingenuity. then. perhaps.
some Of our fair readers Will accept Mr. Jamess
intimaton that it is the rart Of prudence to
iorcgo the pleasant dream. and even the pre-
cious opportunity. II marrying n lord.
u nm Duke in M own country" said
young Bostonian. who Ike Or. Holiness he
roes, possessed "A score Of family portraits. and
could trace his lineage back through limo Of
opulent merchants 70 n remote proGcnitor trad
ing with the West Indies for rum and moasscs
in tho time Of Sir T. lmund Andres. Il am
Duke. sir in my own country. and will not 70
to England whore an equivalent position is de
MED me-" Unluckiiy this argument. II il be-
sound, seems to prove u little too much. u ii
not equally valid In the mouths ~ chiefs Of Fill
or Otahcite. who are sovereigns at home? And
would not orr Bostonian be considerably dis
turbed II such a child Of nature in rcquital 81
his own lavish hospitnlity beneath the unlrn