ENGLISH SOCIETY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 776, 28 March 1910, Page 3

ENGLISH SOCIETY.

BY AN AMERICAN. There is no society in the world quite like English society, writes an American hostess in London to "M.A.P. 1 don't think it is especially amusing, or that the people in it are exceptionally clever or original, and the feminine portion of it is not, as a rule (to wliich 1 admit there- are many exceptions), so smartly drossed as the women one meets at the best houses in New York or Parisi

But there is one undeniable fact about the best English society, and that' is that it'is beyond dispute the best in tho world. It is rather difficult to define the word "best" used in this connection, but what I mean to say is this: That the people in the best society in England can really get into the best society in any other country in the world where society, in the meaning in which I use the term, exists. Whereas people.in the best, say, French or New York society, might not find it at all so easy to attain access into the best English, society. . : ._ A position in the most exclusive circle of English society is the ultimate aim of the socially ambitious all over tho world. There is one remarkable fact I about English ■ society—remarkable to me at all events, though I don't think English people ever -think about it— that one's social position in England is not of necessity dependent on—or rather defined by—rank. •' An American who has not been in English society always imagines that every person's, social position is regulated by their rank. They, think that a duke must occupy a better position than a marquis, a marquis , than.- an carl, and so down to a baronet and a knight. Commoners in tho American mind have no social position to speak of in England. BeforeTcame to London, some twenty years ago, I.was rather under such an impression myself- Now, it is quite true that high rank gives one certain social advantages. It enables one to walk into dinnar before a number of people, and in many ways the rules of' precedence certainly give those of titled rank social advantages over tho

ordinary ■ commoner. Nevertheless, the fact remains that there aro several - commoners, whose

social position in English society is in reality far higher and far more definitely ascertained than is the position of a large number of • titled; people. To cite one, example, Mr. and Mrs. Willie. James occupy a position in society which would'not,he greatly improved if Mr. James : were to be created ,an carl, or, for that matter, a duke, tomorrow. Possibly people who k are not in.' society might render the' James's more mental deference in such a case, but their social position and their power and influence would really not be increased. Society . is, of course, split up into • very many sets; there is the ultra-exclu-sive Roman Catholic set, of. which the Duchess of Norfolk is the leader; The Duchess of Portland has her set. A dozen people or so with whom her Grace is especially intimate, who call her by her name and are constant Visitors to Welbeck, and who join the dueb'essjs fishing and yachting expeditions with her daughter, Lady Victoria Cavendish. It is oho of the most homely and simple sets in society. \ But all sots revolve .round the throne, for English society, is led, ruled, and dominated by their Majesties; Whatever may, be the constitutional power of the sovereign, there is not the slightest doubt that his social power is absolute and.supreme, and no one who has moved, in society in England-fora 1 month could doubt the fact for a moment. This, I believo, has always been the caso since his Majesty first, took the high position in society to,.which he was born; ...... ■ .'" When' I .first cams to London in the 'eighties—it' seems . a frightfully,. long time ago to me—everyone in society was then frantically-struggling to'get into' the Marlborough House sot, round which.the world then/ moved. ' • ■ : The-Marlborough House set consisted really of some thirty or forty people, many of them now passed away, and some of them "gone under." Their Majesties, however, extended the favour of'their presence at the houses of a very much larger number of persons, but that did not at all mean that they were in that brilliant set who,then composed the especial friends of the Prince and Princess. There i was a tremendous anxiety on the part of a vast number of people to secure the presence of the Prince at their houses, especially as a week-end guest.