Politics and Social Changes 



eighteenth century revived in earnest during 

 the nineteenth, and extended to more exalted 

 circles. Yet the eighteenth century idea that 

 trade, other than selling stacks of hay or fat 

 beasts, was in some sense derogatory still sur- 

 vives, if only as a pose and a pretence ; did 

 not a distinguished essayist remark not long 

 since that '* English etiquette allows no trading 

 for gentlefolk below the rank of a marquis." 

 Here the child becomes from the day of his 

 birth a partner, as it were, in the family pro- 

 perty or business ; and as he is sure of his 

 share he has perhaps less incentive to strike 

 out a line for himself. The old feudal life 

 is dead. The estates of the Morgados have 

 for the most part passed into the hands of 

 new men, who have made fortunes in South 

 America, or of foreigners. But here too, as 

 elsewhere, the pride of descent is, I believe, 

 stronger in decadence and poverty than in 

 the prosperous days of unquestioned lordship. 

 The change has its drawbacks ; the ancient 

 patriarchial relations have disappeared ; the 

 country houses stand empty, or are visited 

 for a month or two in the year by their new 

 owners ; and the tenants are left to their own 



109 



