When that eminent person, the Begum Sumroo,
died, it is said she left ten thousand pounds to the Pope, and ten
thousand to the Archbishop of Canterbury,--so that there should be no
mistake,--so as to make sure of having the ecclesiastical authorities on
her side. This is only a little more openly and undisguisedly snobbish
than the cases before alluded to. A well-bred Snob is just as secretly
proud of his riches and honours as a PARVENU Snob who makes the most
ludicrous exhibition of them; and a high-born Marchioness or Duchess
just as vain of herself and her diamonds, as Queen Quashyboo, who sews a
pair of epaulets on to her skirt, and turns out in state in a cocked hat
and feathers.
It is not out of disrespect to my 'Peerage,' which I love and honour,
(indeed, have I not said before, that I should be ready to jump out of
my skin if two Dukes would walk down Pall Mall with me?)--it is not out
of disrespect for the individuals, that I wish these titles had never
been invented; but, consider, if there were no tree, there would be no
shadow; and how much more honest society would be, and how much more
serviceable the clergy would be (which is our present consideration), if
these temptations of rank and continual baits of worldliness were not in
existence, and perpetually thrown out to lead them astray.
I have seen many examples of their falling away.
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