The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-08-06
what Shall BE Done with the French
Noblemeno

what Shall BE Done with the French
Noblemen?
A notable series of articles has recently
been appearing in the Paris Figaro under
the title "L'Avenir dune A~ristocratie. 81
The series SIT out from the theme Of
PAUL BoURGET's last book, "L'Emigre. "
to wit, the sad plight of contemporary
French nobility. which cannot serve it's
country without serving a Government
of which it has every reason to disap-
prove.
For his treatment of this theme BoUR-
Z has received from an English journal
the rank of perfect snob," to which he
was gazetted twenty years ago in France.
Az a matter of fact. he now deserves it
much less than formerly, for his present
aristocratic proclivities are justified by
religious and political convictions which
were not his in his earlier enthusiasm
for the born and quartered." B%oURGET
in his new work takes the austere posi-
ton that since the mobiles must otherwise
be mere outcasts in the land-"outcasts
on top" he calls them-they should bow
the neck and don the republican form.
With endless pathos he describes his hero
undergoing this m%artyrdom.
II should be observed that BouRGET
does not consider the possibility of the
French nobility serving their country in
other than military or naval affairs.
Tho El11rn aNartaI ,,,t a., A. I.--
period Of the summer season to inquire
whether bourgeois conclusion was ten
able. Gould a Catholic nobility be rea-
sonahlv expected to serve in an army
which was being used as a weapon against
the Catholic religion and which had
fallen under the control of a semi Socialist
Government?
The Paris journal undertook a series
of interviews in high places to obtain an
answer to this serious question. The
first aristocrat il consulted admitted
frankly that his kind was not entering
the army or navy in such large numbers
as heretofore. But, to the confusion of
the journalist, or at all events of M.
BoURGET, this informant ventured to
doubt that the reasons of the abstention
were purely religious or political. He
limited that in these days Of prolonged
peace the services" offered but a dull
career TO stirring youth, and advised his
interviewer to consult for further knowl-
edge of the facts a certain Count DE
W who had struck out a different line
for himself.
The docile inquirer betook himself to
the Count bE w." and in his next
article we discover-oh, horror,-that
this nobleman is actively interested in
the automobile industry. Instead Of en-
tering the army or navy the French
nobility, il appears, is going into trade.
In self-defence the Count DE V. alleged
that life is growing c~ostlier, while our
needs are multiplying and our
decreasing. Henceforward We must
count on u own exertions." And he
mentioned a round score of his peers
similarly engaged to keep himself in
c~ountenance.
Thereupon the inquirer fed I o a pro-
lessor Of the most aristocratic school in
Paris, only to find the tidings confirmed.
The professor, a Catholic priest, de-
clared that the number of boys under his
charge preparing for the army had
diminished by about fifty per cent. dur
ing the last year or two, while those train
ing themselves for financial and indus
trial careers had increased by that
amount. He admitted hat the young
gentlemen had at first shown some re-
pugnance against dipping into trade,
but, asked this sensible priest, why
should they? 1t is merely a prejudice,
which we are striving to eradicate. And
we are succeeding" In fact, this aris-
tocratic institution has recently opened
a regular business college" within its
walls, and not a few pupils of bluest
blood are following the courses.
To return for a moment to the Count
DE w." that nobleman offered a further
"apologia pro vita sua" by. declaring
that the automobile trade, which as a
matter Of fact has so far interested more
Of the French aristocracy than any other
business line, has something peculiarly
sportsmanlike about il, something chic
and luxurious and elegant. He even
compared the automobile manufacturer
to the owner Of a racing stable.
The cat being nov out of the bag the
journalist turned with an entirely dif-
ferent question to a French nobleman
celebrated not only for his descent but
for his bold assertion OF caste rights.
This gentleman was not asked whether
the French nobility ought to condescend