Then, a perception of beauty
was the equally indispensable element of the association, by which
each was so dignified and all were so dignified; then each was to
obey his genius to the length of abandonment. They watched each
candidate vigilantly, without his knowing that he was observed, and
when he had given proof that he was a faithful man, then all doors,
all houses, all relations were open to him; high behavior fraternized
with high behavior, without question of heraldry and the only power
recognised is the force of character.
The novels of Fashion of D'Israeli, Mrs. Gore, Mr. Ward, belong
to the class of novels of costume, because the aim is a purely
external success.
Of the tales of fashionable life, by far the most agreeable and
the most efficient, was Vivian Grey. Young men were and still are
the readers and victims. Byron ruled for a time, but Vivian, with no
tithe of Byron's genius, rules longer. One can distinguish at sight
the Vivians in all companies. They would quiz their father, and
mother, and lover, and friend. They discuss sun and planets, liberty
and fate, love and death, over the soup.
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