The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-05-22
AN AMERICAN NOBILITY IN EN-.
BRYO,

Washington that the President declined to
return the visit of the Infanta Eulalia,
though Mrs. Cleveland called within the
conventional three hours. Before the In
fanta sailed. every step in her progress
was arranged. She is a stickler for the
strlctest punctilio in matters of etiquette,
and among other points which she en-
deavored to gain was that Mr.. Cleveland
should return her visit. 1t was with diff
Guilty that she was made to understand
that the President, though plain mis- ter.
stood on the footing of crowned head,
and did not pay or return visits.
The trifling incident is only worth notice.
as it may be regarded as a step in the
evolution of American society. One often
hears it said that plain American democ-
racy is oyerrunning England; that the
British aristocracy are on their last legs;
that the Prince OF Wales will never sue
coed his mother, though he may be the
President OF an English republic; that
social erosion is going on in England
which will presently bring British customs
and habits and styles down to the Ameri-
can level. 1t occurs 10 one that the in
huence of the two branches of the Eng
lish-speaking family is reciprocal, and that
II we are imbuing the English with Amer-
can notions, they are simultaneously
stamping us with many of their fashions.
Indeed, if the prevailing customs OF to-day
in the great American cities are CON-
pared with the customs of fifty years ago,
1t is really remarkable how much we have
Appropriated to the European standard.
For quite long while gentlemen and
ladies in the Eastern cities have got their
clothes from Europe-the men from
London and the women from Paris
American tailorS and dressmakers con-
struct just as well-m ade clothes here. But
1t is not the correct caper" to patroniZe
them. Fifty years ago the richest people
ate their dinner in the middle of the
day. Old John Jacob Astor dined at one
Commodore Vanderbilt al two. But as
the Queen dimes at eight, nd seven is the
common hour in London society, MICA Ills
ter DEGREES and society concurs that no
rightminded American will dine before
seven. Fifty years ago the only liv in
the country were seen in the suites of
foreign plenipotentiaries; now a member
of the New York Four Hundred who sets
up a carriage without q coachman in
livery is laughed at. Judicial robes in
this country are only seen in the United
States Supreme Court at Washington. 1t
has been proposed to introduce them into
the State cou rts because Judges and
barrsters in England are robed: the
change some day may be adopted.
These are small matters, but straws show
how the wind is blowing. Fifty years
ago he who had proposed to adopt titles in
this country would have been hooted at.
Now there are many who think that life
peerage. under some veil or other, would
not be bad thing. There is already an
aristocracy in the Eastern cities. 1t was
originally an aristocracy of wealth. 1t is
rapidly becoming an aristocracy of birth.
A man may be tenfold millionaire and
yet find it more Difficult. to get into the
-Four Hundred than comparatively poor
man who is four generations from lord.
The boxholders in the new opera-house at
New York are close aristocracy. No one
can buy box unless he belongs to their
set, nor can holder sell a box without
Offering 1t at cost to his associate holders.
AL these things betoken the start of
class in this country which is impatient of
equality and seeks to give the world some
outward and visible sign of its superiority
to the common herd. AS is pursues its
ends without infringing any law it will
probably succeed. The conditions of the
ball at New York to the Princess Enlalta
show how quickly our fashionables fall
into the ways Of courts. Before the dane
ing the Princess holds drawiDg-room, at
which persons whose names have been
previously submitted and approved are
presented in due form. When the ball
begins the Infanta directs one of her suite
to summon to her side the partners whom
she has selected. After the dancing she
retires to private room, where she par
takes of supper with her escort and the
Spanish Minister, while the New 7 orkers.
who gave the ball in her honor, eat the
meal in the general supper-room.
1t is best to study these passing events
before we conclude that we are going to
Americanize the English before they
A taI1