than his brother-in-law. He represented to the Duke that the order of the
peasantry was as ancient, legal, and recognised an order as the order of
the nobility; that it had distinct rights and privileges, though for
centuries they had been invaded and violated, and permitted to fall into
desuetude. He impressed upon the Duke that the parochial constitution of
this country was more important than its political constitution; that it
was more ancient, more universal in its influence; and that this parochial
constitution had already been shaken to its centre by the New Poor Law. He
assured his father that it would never be well for England until this
order of the peasantry was restored to its pristine condition; not merely
in physical comfort, for that must vary according to the economical
circumstances of the time, like that of every class; but to its condition
in all those moral attributes which make a recognised rank in a nation;
and which, in a great degree, are independent of economics, manners,
customs, ceremonies, rights, and privileges.

'Henry thinks,' said Lord Everingham, 'that the people are to be fed by
dancing round a May-pole.'

'But will the people be more fed because they do not dance round a May-
pole?' urged Lord Henry.

'Obsolete customs!' said Lord Everingham.

'And why should dancing round a May-pole be more obsolete than holding a
Chapter of the Garter?' asked Lord Henry.

The Duke, who was a blue ribbon, felt this a home thrust. 'I must say,'
said his Grace, 'that I for one deeply regret that our popular customs
have been permitted to fall so into desuetude.'