ARISTOCRA TIC L UXUR T. 187 



and a spacious court-yard in the centre. The entrance is by a 

 great arched gateway, over which the old portcullis still hangs. 



We were kindly shown through all its parts, including much 

 not usually exhibited to strangers, and I confess that I was not 

 more interested in those parts which were its peculiar features as 

 a feudal stronghold, than in those that displayed the sumptuous 

 taste, luxury, and splendor of a modern aristocratic mansion. The 

 state apartments were 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, in some respect, 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 marvelous 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 comfortable, move slowly 

 and enjoy what is nearest to you without straining your eyes or 

 your admiration ; nothing to excite curiosity or astonishment, 

 only quiet 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 heartiness. But in the first 

 breath of 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 



