ARISTOCRATIC LUXURY. 213 



We were kindly shown through all its parts, including 

 much not ordinarily exhibited to strangers, and I confess that 

 I was not more interested in those parts which were its pecu 

 liar features as a feudal stronghold, than in those that dis 

 played the sumptuous taste, luxury, and splendour of a 

 modern aristocratic mansion. The state apartments were 

 truly palatial, and their garniture of paintings, sculpture, 

 bijoutry, furniture, and upholstery, magnificent and delightful 

 to the eye, beyond any conception I had previously had of 

 such things. Let no one say it will be soon reproduced, if it 

 is not already excelled, in the mansions of our merchant- 

 princes in America. Excelled it may be, but no such effect 

 can be reproduced or furnished at once to the order of taste 

 and wealth, for it is the result of generations of taste and 

 wealth. There was in all, never a marvellous thing, or one 

 that demanded especial attention, or that proclaimed in itself 

 great costliness ; and while nothing seemed new, though much 

 was modern, most of the old things were of such materials, 

 and so fashioned, that age was of no account, and not a word 

 was said by them of fleeting time. The tone of all yes, the 

 tone musical to all who entered, was, Be quiet and comfort 

 able, move slowly and enjoy what is nearest to you without 

 straining your eyes or your admiration ; nothing to excite 

 curiosity or astonishment, only quiet esthetic contemplation 

 and calm satisfaction. 



I liked it, liked to be in it, and thought that if I had come 

 honestly to the inheritance of it, I could abandon myself to a 

 few months living in the way of it with a good deal of heart. 

 But in the first breath of this day-dreaming I was interrupted 

 by the question, Is it right and best that this should be for 

 the few, the very few of us, when for many of the rest of us 

 there must be but bare walls, tile floors and every thing 

 besides harshly screaming, scrabble for life 1 This question&quot;&quot; 



