The morning call., 1891-07-05
THE TRUE And THE
FALSE NOBILITY
WakGmdn'S WandGringS Amid Scenes in
British High Life.
The Line Of Distinction Which Exists Be-
tween the American Lordero and the
English NObleman by Birth.
Special Correspondence of THE SUNDAY CALL.

Il has totally misinformed all of US who are
plebeian, and rather like remaining so, rs to
the everyday life of the British aristocracy.
Nobody loves this class. Nobody believes
In Its hereditary rights and privileges. save
those clergy who hold ''livngs" under
them and the other lackeys that serve them.
Nobody has any manly sympathy what
ever with its semi-regal professions and
prerogstives. Nobody las the slightest con-
hdence that cent@ry hence any such class
will continue TO exist in Great Britain And
vet Every one of uS, notwithstanding our
foutingS and Seedlings, has the keenest
interest in glimpSes of its members daily
lives.
Your British lord really believes in him.
self. That is worth something to character,
and builds up on the lines of equable living
ana true dignity with anybody. Your
American lordero knows he is an accident,
prelender, an Irritating social mlSlt. The
former real pleasures arc found IN relaXa-
tion from social duties which centuries of
crstOm have rendered obligatory. The lat
ter's pleasures are solely attainabie through
the arrogant and offensive insistence Of end
less recognition of his money power. The
one IS a splendid nations permanent eX-
crescence. The other is another splendid
nations first growth of fungus Both are
interesting studies. But the British noble
has rather the advantage from scenic
standpoint, because, speaking in uncuuth
edged and the most picturesque bump on
the national log.
Many of the British nobility occupy their
establishments the year round. These
clusivcly evolved from their fondest dreams
to which they cling, that they are feudal
lords. For such to reside in town would be
to descend to the utter debasement of GurEh-
ers. With great majority, the London
Season largely controls their residence
and its period at castle, seat or hall, and
elsewhere. The season" is controlled by
Parliament, the annual closing of which
practically depends on sport. The aristo-
cratic fashionable world is formed and its
movements controlled almost exclusively by
those connected with the Houses of Lords
and CummuuS-the,e comprising largely the
nobility. In other words, the intangible
awful formulated thing known as the great
IashiOnabl" world ccnteIlng in London il,
after all, simply tie country nobility and
ariStocracy cuugregated for Il brief season
IN London. London does not make tnis
fashionable world. Those of the country
make ii IN London. Their town houses, for
the eutrte TO which fash enable tOadieS will
resort to incOnceivable humiliations, are the
merest temporary lodging houses of hated
city life. This exclusive class, not far ex-
ceeding thousand heads of houses, practi-
cally own and derive the revenues from the
entire landed
POSSESSIONS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
In the main, British castle life begins
with the grouse-shooting season in August
and lasts until the following May. With
those in the world the period is much re-
dured. Many forsake the estates in Febru-
ary for the FIRST SWIM in the metropolis.
There is a de ightful though quiet social
period in London preceding Easter. But
just Immediately before Easter Parliament
adlourns, when back come the lords and
ladies; or a trip 10 the Continent is taken.
Alter Easter tine full London tide sets in.
The park Is thrnnged Rotten Row is filled
with magnificent hurSewomen and gallantS :;
iunche0us, dinners and balls are innumer-
able, and the Queens drawiug-rooms COM
mand the nobility'S presence. Then comes
Whitsuntide, when Parliament again takes
short recess, and London is again deserted
by the arti>tocracy. But all the nobility of
England, Scotland and Ireland that make
any pretenslon whatever to correct form are
back IN London by the latter part of MAY
From this time late d nners and later
balls follow in bewildering succession.
The sitting air Of Parliament and court is
continually brrathed. Fashionable event
and affair, originated by the aristocracy,
and 10 which the aristOcracy are truly
slaves. compel the limit of physical and
financial endurance. Derby day, for hich
Parliament always adlournS, is followed by
commencement at Elton, and thrse by the
great cricket matches between Lords and
Commons, Rugby, Harrow and Eton. and
Cambridge and Oxford. Then come the
wonderful garden parties of Cheswick. the
two great breakfasts of the Prince of Wales,
and the distinguished parties by earls,
dukes and duchesses, followed by Ascot
week and the court balls and great balls
and banQuets of foreign embassies, with
the splendid afternoon teas by the Queen
in the gardens of Buckingham Palace, until
the military fetes and the last fete cham
petTe at Wimbledon have arrived. and the
done" aud iaded aristocracy seek the spas
o! the Continent in at0nement for their
sins. The season" is at an end The
guns of the tiled spOrtsmen commence
ringing IN the North and the home-life at
the castles of Britain begins.
Usually large portion of the family
plate, some pictures, and much bric-a- brac
have done duty at the town-house during
the "srason." Every other movable article
oil value has been left at the castle under the
housektepers direct charge. and the general
charge oil the steward, agent or factor Of the
estates, who resides near. The housekeeper
and possibly half-dozen under-servants
nave remained at the castle on board
wages" that is, reduced wages, and GER
tain weekly allowance with which to provide
for their own food.
THEY LEAD NO LIFE OF EASE
Under these circumstances. Every habit
able portion of the place ia inspected, busted
and aired daily. Every floor is waxed once
each week. At stated intervals every piece
oil furniture is uncovered and attended to,
the books of the library opened, busted and
aired, aud the plate and cutlery kent in
constant readiness for immediate use. For
while the probabilities are that Milford and
mllady VIII remain absent during the entire
season, they may return at any moment.
After arrival two OF more weeks are de-
voted to absolute rest and quiet family re-
union. This period is the children's heaven
oil the year If they are young and the
gOvrrness and the tutor (nften the village
curate) have had them in hand during their
parents absence in London, it is a season
OF genuine 1oility and love-makiug between
old and young. If they are along in years
the daughters are returned from the fash
ionaOle school where they are being
formed and the sons, covered over with
football and cricket scars, dash down from
Eion and Harrow; and as simple and Jolly
a TINE all around is had at this castle home
as may ever be found in the well-ordered
homes OF our own country.
But directly this is over. Milford and lady
are slaves to social system, which de-
mands nearly every moment of their lives.
lie remaining seven months of home life is
ceaSeless round OF entertainment of titled
and other guests. The selection of these
guests Is OF course occasionally with view
20, and In the anticipation OF, pleasure to be
obtained from corgenlal society. As rule
It is merely in repayment of similar enter
talnment received in London and in all
parts OF the world, from the Shetland
Islands to British India. Whether guests
are Invited for day, week, or a month.
me Invitations are for period absolutely
IL " oui".'uu anu no SOCIAL law OF
the British aristocracy Is more inviolate
Than this.
The etiquette of reception of guests is
most simEle. Indeed there is less formality
shown In the actual relation of host to guest
IN British nobleman's home than will be
at any time coniron;er in the house of
HOboken brewer or Kansas City mer-
chant in hogs. The first coachman. with
the family close carriage. il rainy, and with
the wagonet'e If in fine weather, brings the
titled guests from the station, traps follow
ing after 18th the luggage; and the groom.
with another carriage, attends TO the guests
servants. Miiord's valet ana milady's maid
meet the arriving guests at the castle en-
trance and conduct them at once to the
nra~lng-room, where the host and hostess
receive and welcome them; but they are of
delayed in being shown to their apartments.
Meantime the housekeeper is attending to
the guests servants. Every gentleman
brings his valet and everv lady her maid.