Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-10-02
BLUE BLOOD.
How AristOcracy wins in tae ENGLISH
Struggle for Existence.
British Quarterly Review

III lO4oii &uallSIIN heNleW.
The qualification for admission into
this great association is chiefly by
consangulnlty, and also, III minor
degree, by affinity with noble fami-
lies. From these relationships follows
a recognized social claim, more or less
oeterminatc, to priority of place and
position IN society, to favorable con
sldGr9Gon, to Difference, to honors and
precedence of various kinds, to the
entree to the most fashionable houses
in London, and to kind of fellow
ship which, as a rule, is accorded only
10 patricians. TIE ambitious ple-A
beian can with difficulty struggle into
the charmed circle. 1t is no exagger-
alton to say that those who are not
born or married into the circle of
privileges are weighted Ia the race OF
life. For them there is no handicap
which Will thoroughly neutralize the
advantage of the blue blood. Public
examinations have doubtless come to
the assistance of the multitude stand
ing outside of the circle OF privilege,
and so far 1t IS well, But examina-
tlons do hot touch or regulate the
subsequent fortunes of competitors.
and privilege soon resumes its influ-
ence, If the bestowal of the most
envled distinctions is examined, it
will be seen that the Minister of the
day, however powerful he may be. is
bound to recognize the claims of the
great mobiles, though they may have
rendered no important services to the
country. The exalted orders of the
Carer, tae Thistle and st. Patrick
are exclusively conferred upon noble
men. No English Peer below the
rank of an Earl IS thus distinguished
by the Garter, and it is said that the
late Lord Palmerston was the only
Nlscount who was ever so decorated.
In some cases ancient lineage, blue
blood and eminent services combined
to obtain the nauch-p'ized ribbons.
Such were the circumstances of the
Earl of SALISBURY, for whom no
earthly honor can be too high. But
an examination of the orders proves
at once that high rank and other per
sonal or political circumstance, and
not great services rendered to the
country, arc the qualifications that
have for the most pant obtained these
hono1s. That these great persons
would deem themselves neglected and
injured if the Minister overlooked
them, and bestowed vacant 1ibEOn
on maA Of humble position, no mat
ter how great bis scientific, or literary,
Or Parliamentary services May have
been, we can not wonder. They are
taught even IN the nursery that they
are privileged beings. They are al
most worshiped by the people who
are around them. The private tutors
at EtDn are too apt to regard d young
nobleman as . gcdsend. The patri-
clan boy OF noble family is humored
and pleased, and so induced to praise
bis tutor. II he proceeds to a univer-
sity he IS toaGied and fattered. He
discovers in a thousand ways that it
matters little whether he works or
plays, seeing that privilege is 8 plea
SAINT substitute for industry And
when he energies into the world priv
ileges follow him everywhere. Some
noblemen pass through the fire Of
fattery unscathed, and place before
themselves high standard of duty
and responsibility. But If the great
number are spoiled by their surround
ings, it is the natural result of obvious
causes.