The record-union., 1891-07-04
Every Day Life of the British
Gentry and Nobility.
The Most Ancient, Best Acknowledged
and Most Picturesque Bump on the
National Logan Irritating Social
Misfit.
Especial Correspondence OF the RECORD
UNION. Copyright, 1901

certainly done injustice to British nobil-
ity in at least one respect. 1t has totally
misinformed all of us who are plebian,
and rather like remaining So as 10 the
everyday life of the British aristocracy.
Nobody loves this class. Nobody be-
lieves in its hereditary rights and privi-
leges, save those clergy who hold Civ
ings" under them, and the other lackeys
that serve them. Nobody has any manly
sympathy whatever with its semi-regal
pretensions and prerogatives. Nobody
has the slightest confidence that a CEN
tury hence any such class viii continue
to exist in Great Britain. And vet every
one of us, Notwithstanding our fioutings
and scoflings, has the keenest interest in
glimpses OF its members daily lives.
Your British lord really believes in
himself That is worth something to
character, and builds up on the lines Of
equable living and true dignity with any
body. Your American lOrderO knows he
is an accident, a pretender, an irritating
social miStit. The formers real pleas
ures are found in relaxation from social
duties which centuries of custom have
rendered obligatory. The latteI'S pleas
ures are solely attainable through the
arrogant and offensive insiStence Of end
less recognition Of his money power.
The one is a splendid nations permanent
eXcresence. The other Is another SpIen-
did nations first growth of fungus.
Both are interesting studies. But the
British noble has rather the advantage
from Il scenic standpoint, because, speak
ing in uucOuth simile, he is the most
ancient, best acknowledged and the most
picturesque bump on the national log.
Many Of the British nobility occupy
1heir establishments the year round.
b 4 al II
ethics are exclusively evolved from their
1oudest dreams To which they cling. that
they are icUdal lords. For such 10 reside
III town would be 10 descend 10 the utter
dcbaScnent Of bIrgherS. With Il 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 aristocratic fash
lonable world is formed and its move
ments controlled almost exclusively by
those connected with the Houses Of Lords
and Commons; these comprising largely
the nobility. In other words, the intangi-
ble, awful formulated thing known as
the great fashionable world centeriug in
London, is after all simply the country
mobility and aristOcracy cOngregated for
q brief season in London. London does
not make this fashionable world. Those
L
town-houses, for the entree to which
fashionable toadies viii resort to incon-
ceiYable hUnIiatiOnS, are the meTest
temporary lodging houses of hated city
life. This exclusive class, not far eX-
ceeding a ZOO heads of houses, prac-
tically 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 Au-
gust, and lasts until the following May
With those lin the world the period is
much reduced. Many forSalIe the estates
in February Tor the "firsb swim" in the
metropolis. There is delightful though
quiet social period in London preceding
Faster. But Just Immediately before
raster, Parliament adiournS, when back
come the lords and ladies': or a trip 10 the
continent is taken. After Faster the full
London tide sets in. The Park is
thronged; Rotten Row is filled with mag
nificent horsewomen and gallants; lunch
cons, dinners and balls are innumerable;
and the Queens drawing-roOms COM
mand the nobility's presence. Then
comes WhitsuHtide, when Parliament
again takes short recess, and London is
again deserted by the aristocracy. But
ali the nobility of England, Scotland and
ireland that make any pretensions what
ever 10 correct form are back in London
by the latter part of May.
From this time late dinners and later
balls follow in hewildering succession.
The sitting air of Parliament and court is
continually breathed Fashionable event
and affair, originated by the aristocracy.
and to which the aristocracy are truly
slaves, compel the limit Of physical and
financial endurance. Derby day, for
which Parliament always adiourns. is
followed by commencement at Eaton, and
these by the great cricket matches be-
/ sl.so
row and Eaton, and Cambridge and OK
ford. Then come the wonderful garden
parties of Cheswick, the two great break
1asts of the Prince of Wales, and the dis
tinguished parties by earls, dukes and
duChesSes, followed by Ascot week, and
the court balls and great balls and ban
quets OF foreign embassies, with the
splendid afternoon teas by the Queen in
the gardens OF Buckingham Palace: until
She military teteS and the last fcte cham
petre at Wimbledon have arrived: and
the done and jaded aristocfacy seek the
spas Of the Continent in atonement for
their sins. The season is ut an end
The guns of the titled sportsmen COM
mence ringing in the North, and the
home-lite at the castlesiof 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 season" Every other NOV
castle under the housekeeper's direct
charge, and the general charge of the
steward, agent or factor of the estate. who
resides near. The houSekeeper, and pos
sibly halt-dozen under-servants have
remained at the castle ON board wages. -
chat is, reduced wages, and a certain
weekly allowance with which to DrOVide'
their own food. They lead no life of ease
under these circumstances. Every habit
able portion of the place is inspected
busted and aired daily. Every floor is
waxed once each week. At stated inter
walls every piece of furniture is uncovered
and attended TO, the books in the library
opened, busted and aired, and the plate
and cutlery kept in constant readiness for
immediate use. For, while the probable
ties are that Milford and milady will re-
main absent during the entire season.
they may return at any moment.
After arrival, two or more weeks are
devoted 10 absolute rest and quiet family
reunion. This period is the children's
heaven of the year. IL they are young
and the goyernesS and the tutor (often the
village curate) have had them in hand
during their parents absence in London.
1t Is season of genuine iollity and love-
making between the old ana young II
they are along III years, the daughters are
returned from the fashionable school
where they are being formed" and the
sons, covered over with football and
cricket scars, dash down from Eaton and
Harrow: and as simple and jolly time
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, milord and
lady are slaves TO Il social system which
demands nearly every moment of their
lives. The remaining seven months of
home life is a ceaSeless round of enter
talnment of titled and other guests. The
loot aHg.Vn H..