Sentence:  As a political system democracy seems to me extraordinarily foolish,nb.... My servant is, so far as I am concerned, welcome to as many votes as he can get....I do not suppose that it matters much in reality whether laws are made by dukes or cornerboys, but I like, as far as possible, to <WSD>associate</WSD> with gentlemen in private life. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  To spend time socially; keep company.