THE SECRET PEERAGES IN FRANCE.
STEELE'S picture of the young lady, whose exulting presence was the outward and visible sign of a new pair of garters, constantly finds its parallel. A curious discovery of the sort has just been made in Paris. The Revolution of 1830 cast aristocratic honours into the shade; but the King of the Barricades has been gradu- ally creeping into the old fashions ; and one trait of the reviving pride in grandeur is ludicrous. He has been making nobles In private. The recent death of M. Martin du Nord discloses the fact : M. Martin had been a Count, "unbeknown," for two years. Some time back; M. de Salvandy ceased to use his title of Count, and everybody wondered-at the Sudden subsiding of his vanity ; but it now turns out that he ceased to write himself "Count " because he had become' " Duke?' Others are in the same predicament,- secretly exulting- iti titles which they are -asham- ed to display,--like a philosopher, for once figuring in a court dress,- and hiding it under a cloak lest his silliness should be found out. 'Strange inconsistency of human nature, that our vanity should covet what our pride contemns f - Usually, how, ever, the seeming inconsistencies are reconcileable. The bulk, of the French people are above these idle gewgaws : M. de Salvandy and persons of his class wish to be thought superior to their fel. low citizens; they are indeed not above the vulgar love of finery, but while it is thought wise to contemn it they will seem ta dp to s they reserve their toys ready for the anticipated day of reaction; and meanwhile each man of them is a peer to his valet- de-chambre.
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