Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-12-05
GOING DowNTo DIsNER.
The Rigid Laws Of Prece dence In English
Society.

Tho Rigid Laws Of Prece dence In Englis
Society.
New York Sun.
As q rule. scant Difference is shown to
Americans in this matter of precedence.
Neither hospitality nor courtesy is said
to be in question, but the law. Now. the
law may be very well for En9lishmen,
by whom, and for whom it was made,
but it can hardly apply to foreigners,
who are neither referred to in its pro
VISIONS nor comprehended in its denom-
nations or degrees. The English, how
ever habitually apply their own rules
! md their own ideas on every subject to
verybody else. They recognize neither
.lilitary, nor literary, nor even political
O. ,tinction among themselves when
Ii. ere is Question of rank; q general goes
behind his aide ae-eamp if the latter lie
,rd and the general il mott the greatest
writer in the land, Browning or Froude,
or until the other day, Tennyson, would
be preceded by any blockhead ofa bar
on; and the Prince Minister, ifa COM
moner, gives way to peers OF his own
creation. So, American gentlemen, and
ladies too, of what ever consideration at
home, are usually sent to the foot of tne
table, because they possess no English
titles. European dignitaries are recog-
nized, for they correspond to those in
the English peerage, but our unofficial
countrymen dc not usually fare 80 well.
Both ex-President Fillmore and express
ident Pierce were in London soon after
the expiration of their terms of Office,
dined at different times with different
ministers of foreign affairs. Each was
sent to the table without q lady and be.
bind the rest of the company. They
were plain gentleme en-, it was said, and,
if the Americans give their ex-Presi-
dents no rank, why, should we?' To
Gen. Grant, it is true, except in one
conspicuous instance, was given prece-
dence OF everybody in England except
the royal family, but his case had neitl-
er parallel nor precedent.
There are. however, English houses
where simply as strangers the place of
honor is given to Americans. This is of
course among people who have seen
much of the world and discovered that
even in civilized nations, usages may ex-
list different from those of England. and
that persons of consequence can be
found in other countries who yet are not
the bearers of English titles. The great
er the house the greater the considera-
ton an American is likely to receive.
If he dimes with duke, the chances
are that he will 60 in with the duchess;
if the host is a recent arrival in the
great world, he will have no lady, and
will probably enter last.
But the rule does not always hold: II
was dining once with woman of rank,
who was also a personal friend. The
included two marquises, one
of whom was cousin of the hostess,
and man of cosmopolitan breeding. |
Before dinner this nobleman came up to |
me--and said:
Il have been telling my cousin that
you bad ought to take her in, but she
says No.; she likes you very well, but
you can't 20 before Marquis. Insisted
hat, as foreigner and an official. you
should precede; but she will not yeild."
Mr.. Lecky, the historian, was present,
md was then new in English society;
70 with all the simplicity Of Republi-
IAN, 1 replied:
"Mr. Lecky is the most distinguished
nan in the room. Shouldn't he take
Lady Mary?"
But the liberal Marquis at once ex.
claimed:
ooh! Mr.. Lecky is an Englishman. He
must take his place."
So Lady Mary went in with vapid !
youth of ~, because he was Marquis,
md the most eminent person al dinner
had no lady, and went last.