The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-08-05
European Aristocracy.

The feeling which gives rise at home
in British circles to contempt of those
of different social stratum is apt to be
intensified when directed toward for
eigners. A young lady Of my acquaint-
ance, bearing family name we'll known
in the English aristocracy, while sitting
at table d'hote dinner in Switzerland,
next to party Of English tourists,
heard one of the ladies, who had read
her name Oh the hotel register, referring
to herself, ask her companion, "ls the
Honorable Miss --- Of London p
"No," was the reply, in a pointedly
contemptuous tone, "she's only an Amer
ican," knowing and intending that her
remark would be overheard by the lady
herself. TO give greater sting to the
gratuitous impertinence, another added
"You know no American goes in good
society in London Comment is I'M
necessary on this species of cultivated
vulgarity in high life, which is first and
worthy cousin to the women beating of
the lower classes. But how is it with
ourselves British colonists carry their
home traits wherever they settle. In
America these have been modified by
new conditions of climate and the inter
blending of the ideas and manners of
other European immigrants. Out Of
these combinations fresh types of men
are rapidly forming, whose ideal elfgies
begin to appear on our social horizon.
How far they may be better or worse
than the European types remains TO be
seen. Wherever intellectual traits are
strongly marked, manners become cor
respondingly emphasized. This inten-
sity of local or individual convictions is
a powerful factor in human hfe and his
tory, and none the less energetically OPP
erative if, as is too often the case, it re-
CARDS all advantages as the elimination
of its own innate virtues and the re-
ward of an approaching Providence in
abe pursuit Of its special interests
and pleasures. The early Grecian
states, particularly the Athens of Per-
icles, aud the Italian despotisms and
republics OF the middle ages, were
conspicuous examples of the concentrated
sel-interest and a selfish pride of local
existence. Every man in them, not a
citizen born, was considered either as a
slave, active enemy, or an upsympathetic
alien. But the intense self-assertion OF
the dominating caste was always reser-
voir OF strength, which nourished the
growth of the city for which its tyrants
or its citizens zealously wrought and
fought, Their patriotism was genuine
of its kind, belt more onesided and
narrower than that which took its place
after the rival communities were consol.
idated into broader nationalities. But
its spirit has now degenerated into mere
pride of family names and ties Of caste,
and is no longer political force swayed
for the domination Of petty state
which was identified with the existence
of a ruling class. Instead modern times
have developed varied systems Of social
tyranny, based on petty sentiments and
aims, seclusive and exclusive in princi-
pie, and ruled by individuals whose hor-
lion OF aspirations is bounded by their
own hearthstones. What is now called
aristocratic society is an outgrowth Of
the older and broader civic ambitions,
toned down to the modern standards of
life. 1t shapes itself into multiform
castles founded on the one-sided, strictly
personal ambitions which have supplant-
ed the larger, if in practice less humane,
idealisms of the older epochs of civiliza-
ton, gradually deteriorating in aim from
the city or association to the family now
settling more and more on the mere in
dividual by sheer force of the Democrat
ic drift of ideas. Family name and dis
tinction, however, still continue to be in
England the chief keystones of its strong
arch of caste. Each individual member
cherishes himself as an integral portion
of the social structure he represents. In
consequence, there is formed certain
unity of manners and tone of speech in
high life which corresponds to its homo
geneity of aims, and any pressure
brought to bear on one part of the sys-
TEN is felt and resisted by the whole
n. Y. Times
The crown of William PENIS hat