The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-07-04
BRITISH HIGR IIFE.
Hdsarn. wakeman's wanderinss
Through Great Britain.
AMONG IHEENGLISH ARISTOGRACY.
Their Manner ofLiving In Town and
out--.Tho London Season, Followed
by the Country Rest-..Etiquette of
tho Reception of Distinguished
Guests--sources Of Amusement
Copyright lsp1.l


LoSnoS, June 22.-English literature,
or rather that portion comprised in Eng
llsh fiction, has certainly done injustice
to British nobility in at least one ro-
spect. 1t has totally mislnformed all
Of Us who are plebelan, and rather like
remaining so, ~ to the everyday life Of
the British aristoorRcy.
Nobody loves this class. Nobody be-
lisyes In lts hereditary rights and prlvi-
lsgcs, SAVE those clergy who hold civ
ingse under them and tho othor lackeys
that serve them. Nobody has any
manly sympathy whatever with Its semi-
regal prctentions and prefogatives.
Nobody has tho slightest confidence
TINT century hence any such class will
continue 10 exist In Great Britain. And
yet eYory one OF US, Notwithstanding
our 1outings and scotRngs, has the
lEeenest interest In glimpses OF its mem
bers daily lives.
Your British lord really believed in
himself. That is worth something to
character, and builds up on thcllines Of
equable living and true dignity with
anybody. Your American lordero
knows re Is an accident, pretender, an
Irritating social misRt. The formers
real pleasures are found In relaxation
from social duties which centuries of
custom have rendered obligatory. Tho
latter's pleasures are Fololy attainable
through the arrogant and offensive in
aistence Of endless recognition Of his
money power. The one is splendid
nations permanent e&cresence. The
other is another splendid nations first
growth OF fungus. Both are interesting
Studies. But the British noble has
rather the advantage from q scenic
standpoint, because, speaking in I'M
couth simile, he is the most ancient,
best acknowledged and most picturesque
bump on the national log.
HOW CONTROLLED.
Many OF the British nobility occupy
their establishments the year round.
These would scorn to do else. Their
ethics are exclusively evolved from
their fondest dreams to which they
cling, that they are feudal lords. For
such to reside in town would be to de-
scend to the utter debasement of
burghers. 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. Tho aristocratic fashionable
world is formed, and itsmovements con-
trolled almost exclusively by those con-
nected with the Houses of Lords and
Commons; these comprising largely the
nobility. In other words, the intangi-
BILE awful formulated thing know as the
great fashionable world centering in
London, is after all, simply the country
nobility and aristocracy congrcgated for
brief season in London. London does
not make this fashionable world. Those
Of the country make it in London.
Their town houses, for the entree to
which fashionable toadies will resort to
uncomfortable humiliations are the mer-
est temporary lodging-houses of hated
city life. This exclusive class, not far
exceeding q thousand heads OF houses,
practically own and derive the revenues
from the entire landed possessions OF
Great Britain.
In the main, the British castle life be-
gins with the grouse shooting season in
August, and lasts until the following
May. With those "in the world" the
period Is much reduced. Many forsake
the estates in February for the "frst
swim in the metropolis. There is n
delightful though quiet social period in
London preceding Easter. But lust inn
mediately before Easter, Parliament ad-
journs, when back come the lords and
ladies; or q trip to the Continent is
taken. After Easter the full London
tide sets in. The Park Is thronged; Rot
ten Row is filed with magnificent horse
women and gallants; luncheons, din
ners and balls are innumerable; and the
Queens drawing-rooms command the
nobility's presence. Then comes Wits
untide, when Parliament again takes q
short recess, and London is again de-
serted by the aristocracy. But all the
nobility Of England, Scotland and Ire
land that make any pretensions what
over to correct form are back in London
by the latter part of May.
From this time late dinners and later
balls follow in bewildering succession.
The sitting dir Of Parliament and court
( is continually breathed. Fashionable
event and affair, originated by the aris-
tocracy, and TO which the aristocracy
arc truly slaves, compel the limit OF
physical and financial endurance. Der
byday, for which Parliament always adj
journs, isfollowed by commencement at
Eaten, and these by the great cricket
,,natnbnot 1NaRrDaan Nrdu and No,,,,,,o,,o
Rugby, Harrow and Eaton, and Cam
bridge and Oxford. Then come the
wonderful garden parties OF Cheswick,
the two great breakfasts OF the Prince OF
Wales, and the distinguished parties by
carls, dukes and duohesses, followed BY
Ascot week, and tho court balls and
great balls and bsnquets Of foreign en-
bassies, with the splendid afternoon
teas by the Queen in the gardens OF
Buckingham Palace; until the military
fctes and the last fete champetre at
Wimbledon have arrived; and the
"donep and faded sristocracy seek the
epas OF the Continent in atonement for
their sins. The season" is at an end.
The guns Of the titled sportsmen com
mcnce ringing In the North, and the
home-lifo at the castle Of Britain begins.
AFTER THE SEASON."
Usually a large portion OF tho family
plate, some pictures, and much bric-G.
brac have done duty at the town-house,
during the season Every other move.
able article OF value has been left at the
castle under the honsekeeper's direct
charge, and tho general charge Of the
steward, agent or factor Of the estate,
10 raaidah near The hnnaakaanar. and