The Wilmingtonian., 1884-11-29
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1854.
Mixed AristOcracy.

The question is brought on the tapis in
order to ascertain what class in American
society is fitted for intermarriage with the
English aristOcracy.
There are different classes cited as possible
''best people, The defendants Of the first
colonists-thOse who came over in the May.
hswer, geqesaants of the loyalists of 1776,
: andlasels the elffFsffSn Of the ragged cou-
tinentals.' There is another batch also
quoted, those American families who can
trace their lineage back to the noble houses
catalogued in Burkes Peerage.
As the subject has been taken up serious
ly, both in current American literature and
in the daily journals, it it worth while to in :
troduce certain points which have not yet
appeared, having direct bearing in the mat
ter.
In England there are three recognized
aristocracies, that Of birth or blood, that of
learning, and lastly that of wealth They
take rank in the order named. In English
society eminence in learning is recognized
but wealth is merely tolerated
Nor is it always to be taken for granted
that title indicates social precedence.
There are some untitled English families, of
the old county yeomanry who have held
the same homestead since the time Of the
Saxons, before 1866 when the Normans
landed in Pevensey Bay, that would think
it no special honor that their sons or daugh-
ters should mate with a title Centuries be-
fore many of the new lords were heard Of.
these old families owned their broad acres.
and they have passed down in almost direct
descent from father to son, to the present
day. 1t is usually understood that those
who would ape the best society not only
have ''a coat of arms, " but also legend or
motto subscribed. Among these great com
moners however, the absence of legend
appended to the coat of arms or crest, is
actually accepted as an indication of bluer
blood, and is as resOlutely abstained from as
the heads of those families have abstained
from accepting patent Of nobility. 1t may
seem paradoxcal, but these old country
families claim higher standing socially
than many of the titled houses around them.
Then again among the titled families
there are very marked grades. A peer Of
the realm, after the princes Of the blood, is
the highest grade As rule the Scotch
and Irish peers are of inferior standing
when taking their titles from those conn
tries.
There is no dispute as to the aristoeracy
of learning, it has its conceded position and
standing in English society, with this saving
clause however that whatever of recogni-
tion is conceded it must always be under
stood that il extends only to the individual
himself, to the professor alone-his wife
would be snubbed, did She have the temerity
to accompany her husbond. The fact is,
she is never asked to the biz house, except
on the single occasion when card is left for
her, and the social understanding is that il
would be very bad form did Size show her
self.
As to the aristocracy of wealth it is only
tolerated. The rich parvenu is always
snnbbed. In any society there cannot be A
more contemplate figure. He usually IN
derstands that he is admitted % the draw
ing-rOom on sulferance only.
An American of what is called good fam.
lily, and there are numbers of such in this
country, is always admitted to the best
English society. The first desideratum that
the English society matr1n demands of n
newly arrived American is, is lie a Uuiyer.
sity manP Should he be graduate of
Harvard or Yale, the most difficult of social
barriers are surmOunted at sight. Under
this fact amy little social solecisms or Amer
icansms are forgiven and excused. But
should the new arrival additionally bear any
OF the old family names, tile lucky young
man is received with open arms and it needs
only the one added feature Of well-lRcd
purse for him to be looked upon as an eligi.
BILE p7rH He is Immediately society lion,
is asked everywhere and has carte blanche
to act rs he wishes or g. where he wills.
This is the history ol the social success of
numbers Of young Amcrica in English
society.
There is, however, in English social cir
eles now markedly strong literary aristoc-
raoy. No social gathering with any preten-
tiOns is without strong representation
from this class.
The reason for it can be re dily recognized
on looking around at the great number Of
titled literary men that are leaders in Eng
land. There is Gladstone, the premier, me
Marquis Of Salisbury. Lord Hpughton, Ton
nysou, Sir lonn Lubbock, Sir Lyon Payrair
and scores of others, not to speak Of The
untitled lions Of the literary world, such as
Tynda lIuxley, Sc, who are welcome
guests in any great house.
1t is greatly due to this fact that the aver
age presentablo American has such good
success socially.
1t is LoweI's literary abilities that are inc
real cause Of his remarkable success in Eng
land, TO these, il rappeus that ho adds
social qualities in hgi degree. II is not
hazarding much to say, however were Lonr-
fellow or Emerson in England their rec,p-
tion "oud have been more notable still In
English social circles there is not that sus-
piejon that questioning as regards anteced-
cnts, in reference to lie American gentle
man, that is always demanded Of continental
(European) visitors. 1t is understood that
they do not claim affinity with noble fami-
lies, as is customary feature of the French,
German or other claimant of social rccogni-
tion. The American is taken as he appears
his natural case, nonebaIauce, even his
peculiarites at times, aud his freedom from
aifectation are his ticket Of catree.
The defendants Of the old Tory families Of
New York, would naturally constitute some
of the Currents best paoplc. So also would
the F. F. VS. Of the Old Dominion. The
Knickcrboker's, Liviugstons aud all the old