gremens of the mixture we speak of. I remember
well, when Almack's was first set up, the intention was to keep away the
rich roturiers from a place, the tone of which was also intended to be
contrary to their own. For this purpose the patronesses were instituted,
the price of admission made extremely low, and all ostentatious
refreshments discarded: it was an admirable institution for the
interests of the little oligarchy who ruled it--but it has only
increased the general imitation and vulgarity. Perhaps the records of
that institution contain things more disgraceful to the aristocracy of
England, than the whole history of Europe can furnish. And how could the
Monsieur and Madame Jourdains help following the servile and debasing
example of Monseigneur le Duc et Pair?"

"How strange it is," said one of the dowagers, "that of all the novels
on society with which we are annually inundated, there is scarcely one
which gives even a tolerable description of it."

"Not strange," said Clarendon, with a formal smile, "if your ladyship
will condescend to reflect. Most of the writers upon our little, great
world, have seen nothing of it: at most, they have been occasionally
admitted into the routs of the B.'s and C.'s, of the second, or rather
the third set. A very few are, it is true, gentlemen; but gentlemen,
who are not writers, are as bad as writers who are not gentlemen. In one
work, which, since it is popular, I will not name, there is a
stiffness and stiltedness in the dialogue and descriptions, perfectedly
ridiculous. The author makes his countesses always talking of their
family, and his earls always quoting the peerage. There is as much fuss
about state, and dignity, and pride, as if the greatest amongst us were
not far too busy with the petty affairs of the world to have time for
such lofty vanities. There is only one rule necessary for a clever
writer who wishes to delineate the beau monde. It is this: let him
consider that 'dukes, and lords, and noble princes,' eat, drink, talk,
move, exactly the same as any other class of civilized people--nay, the
very subjects in conversation are, for the most part, the same in
all sets--only, perhaps, they are somewhat more familiarly and easily
treated than among the lower orders, who fancy rank is distinguished by
pomposity, and that state affairs are discussed with the solemnity of a
tragedy--that we are always my lording and my ladying each other--that
we ridicule commoners,