The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-01-14
GOING DOWN TO DINNER.
The Rigid Laws of Precedence in En-
cIIsh Society.

As 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 Englishmen,
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
and their own ideas on every subject to
everybody else They recognize neither
military. nor literary, nor even political
distinction among themselves when there
is question of rank: general goes be
hind ais aid-de-camp if the latter is
lord and the general is not; the greatest
writer in the land. Browning or Froude.
or until the other day, Tennyson, would
be preceded by any blockhead of a ba-
ron; and the prime minister, if a COM
moner, gives way to peers OF his own
creation. So American gentlemen and
ladies, too, of whatever consideration at
home, are usually sent TO the foot of the
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 do not usually fare so well.
Both ex-President Fillmore and eX-Presi
dent Pierce were in London soon after
the expiration of their terms of office,
and dined at different times with differ
emf ministers of foreign affairs. Each
was sent to the table without a lady and
behind the rest of the company. They
were plain gentlemen, it was said, and,
if the Americans give their ex-presidents
no rank, why should we?" To General
Grant, it is true, except in one conspicu-
Gus instance, was given precedence of
everybody in England except the royal
family, but his case had neither 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 greater
the house the greater the consideration
dimes with a duke, the chances are that
he will 90 in with duchess; if the host
is recent arrival in the great world,
he may have no lady, and will probably
enter last.
But the rule does not always hold. |
was dining once with woman of rank,
who was also a personal friend. The
| company included two marquises, one of
| whom was cousin of the hostess, and
| a man of cosmopolitan breeding. Be-
fore dinner this nobleman came up to
me and said:
Il have been telling my cousin that
you ought to take her in, bnt she says
Mo- she likes you very well, but you
| can't go before marquis. L insisted
| that, as a foreigner and an official,
you should precede; but she will not
| yield"
| '.Mr. Lacl.y, the historian, was pres
| ent, and was then new in English so
ciety; so, with all the simplicity of a re-
| publican, replied
'.Mr Lecky is the most distinguished
man in the room. Shouldn't he take
Lady Mary?'
But the liberal Marquis at once ex-
| claimed:
'Oh! Mr.. Lecky is an Englishman.
He must take his place.
SO Lady Mary went in with vapid
| youth Of -, because he was a marquis,
and the most eminent person at dinner
| had no lady, and went laSt.-AdaD1
| BadeQu, IN N Y san.