Quotes About Aristocracy

Of England's patrician class, the author writes: "It was easy to be agreeable when everything was done to keep them in comfort and ease.

One aristocratic leader's club was known for, "an atmosphere of solemn tranquility, in which reading, dozing, and meditation took precedence over conversation.

The English patrician bloomed in his natural climate.

liberality in gifts and expenditure which, since his followers lived off it, was extolled as the most admired attribute of a noble.

At Coucy's level, men and women hawked and hunted and carried a favorite falcon, hooded, on the wrist wherever they went, indoors or out—to church, to the assizes, to meals. On occasion, huge pastries were served from which live birds were released to be caught by hawks unleashed in the banquet hall.

providing outdoor relief for the aristocracy"; some were as fervent imperialists as the Tories. Some were Church of England, some Nonconformist, some Home Rulers, some unalterably opposed to Home Rule. Some were ardent Radicals dedicated to redistribution of wealth and political power, some were magnates of industry absorbed in making fortunes. Those who were Liberals from conviction rather than from family tradition

The old interests of aristocracy - the romance of action, the exalted passions of chivalry and war - faded into the background, and their place was taken by the refined and intimate pursuits of peace and civilization.

I remember reading the script for 'Dangerous Liaisons' and thinking that I could quite happily spend the rest of my life watching this film; the story and the writing were so wonderful.

There are heads of royal families who control hereditary fortunes that defy comprehension.

England is the most class-ridden country under the sun. It is a land of snobbery and privilege, ruled largely by the old and silly.

had been equally obvious. The new aristocracy was made up for the most part of bureaucrats, scientists, technicians, trade-union organisers, publicity experts, sociologists, teachers, journalists and professional politicians. These people, whose origins

What kind of people would control this world had been equally obvious. The new aristocracy was made up for the most part of bureaucrats, scientists, technicians, trade-union organisers, publicity experts, sociologists, teachers, journalists and professional politicians. These people, whose origins lay in the salaried middle class and the upper grades of the working class, had been shaped and brought together by the barren world of monopoly industry and centralised government.

hereditary aristocracies have always been shortlived, whereas adoptive organisations such as the Catholic Church have sometimes lasted for hundreds or thousands of years.

The new aristocracy was made up for the most part of bureaucrats, scientists, technicians, trade-union organizers, publicity experts, sociologists, teachers, journalists, and professional politicians.

England was ruled by an aristocracy constantly recruited from parvenus

My lord said, amongst other things, that he did not propose to burden the doctor with the details of his genealogy. He consigned the doctor and all his works, severally and comprehensively described, to hell, and finished up his epic speech by a pungent and Rabelaisian criticism of the whole race of leeches.

I never drive when I can ride," said his lordship indifferently. "I make no doubt at all that had I been Mary Challoner you would have been glad enough to have borne me company!" The Marquis was snuffing one of the candles, but he looked up at that, and there was a glint in his eye. "That, my dear, is quite another matter," he said.

Let me tell you, sir, that if you wish to be accepted into Bath society you will do well to mend your manners!' retorted Abby. 'I've none to mend, and not the smallest wish to be accepted into Bath, or any other, society.

You have had Ravenscar murdered, and hidden his body in my cellar! uttered her ladyship, sinking into a chair. We shall all be ruined! I knew it! My dear ma'am it is no such thing! Deborah said amused. He is not dead I assure you!

Upon her butler's announcing the arrival of Mr Ravenscar, Lady Mablethorpe, who had been dozing over a novel from the Circulating Library, sat up with a jerk, and raised a hand to her dishevelled cap.

This is my cousin, by the way. I dare say you know of him. He is very wicked and kills people in duels. Vidal, this is Frederick.

He did not want middle-aged men with distinguished records with him: they could be better employed elsewhere, and would, moreover, have bored him. He wanted polished young men of good families, who were of his own world, who knew how to make themselves pleasant in exalted circles, and could amuse his leisure moments with their adventures, and their fun, and their bubbling energy.

Me, I am not a lady,' announced her grace. 'I have been very well educated, and I will drink port.

In a nobler age one could have answered such impertinence by jostling his lordship as he stood holding open the door, so that he would have been obliged to demand a meeting. Or did one, even in that age, refrain from jostling people in doorways when a lady was present?