shadow of britain

Chapter 778 Talented people emerge from generation to generation

In 1830s England, there were no more than 400 families who truly owned large estates or held high-ranking government positions but were “not granted hereditary honors.” Even among these 400 so-called “commoner” families, and between them and aristocratic families, there were close blood and marital ties.

—John Burke, *Burke's Dictionary of the Noble Family*

If you were to ask Arthur what his impression of the British aristocracy was...

That might be a fitting reference to a statement made by Tory MP Hannah More in 1780: "Our nobles hold a prominent position among the people, yet instead of upholding the dignity of their status, they have shamed and defiled it. Our young nobles are clowns, philanderers, and spendthrifts, while the older ones make up for the deficits of their descendants by shamelessly plundering the public. The government's attempt to reform the poor while simultaneously condoning the corruption of the rich is tantamount to poisoning the water source and pouring perfume into the stream—a utterly futile effort."

Of course, it might be unfair to the British aristocracy to only point out their faults.

Because their numbers are far too small compared to other European countries.

On the eve of the French Revolution, the number of nobles in continental European countries was approximately one to two percent of the population.

Taking France as an example, there were approximately 60,000 noble households in France at that time, and the number of nobles was between 350,000 and 400,000, accounting for about 1.3% to 1.5% of the total population.

What about the number of nobles in England at the same time? Since Ireland had not yet been incorporated into the Kingdom of Great Britain, the number of nobles in England was relatively easy to count. By subtracting 26 bishops' seats and 16 Scottish noble seats from the 345 seats in the House of Lords, we can conclude that there were 302 hereditary noble households in England at that time. Assuming 20 people per household, the English nobility was less than one-thousandth of the total population of England.

After Ireland was incorporated into the Kingdom of Great Britain through the Anglo-Irish Union Act, the proportion of the British aristocracy in the population dropped significantly.

Therefore, compared to continental European countries, although the personal qualities of British nobles may not be much better, their sheer numbers at least make them a slightly lighter burden on the general public.

Or perhaps that's still not quite right, because there were distinctions of rank and status among the nobility, and not every nobleman was wealthy. At least before the parliamentary reforms of 1831, Arthur could be fairly certain of one thing: British politics was primarily in the hands of 90 noble families.

As for the remaining few hundred households, many of them are not particularly wealthy, and quite a few are heavily in debt.

Overall, the situation in Britain was much better than that in Russia, France, and the German states.

Because the British aristocracy's fondness for rural life prevented them from completely isolating themselves from the general public, and at least the British landowning class was always open to new members from industry, commerce, and other professions, the path for lower-ranking nobles to move up in social strata was relatively smooth.

Take, for example, the Wellesley family, which held the title of Earl of Mornington in the generation of the Duke of Wellington's father. They were just an ordinary Irish noble family, about the same level as Elder's family.

If his family hadn't been relatively poor, the Duke of Wellington wouldn't have been sent to a military academy in France by his mother.

But it was from the generation of the Duke of Wellington that the Wellesley family rose to become one of the top aristocratic families in Britain, thanks to the birth of several outstanding sons.

Richard Wellesley, the 1st Marquess of Wellesley and the eldest brother of the Duke of Wellington, rose through the ranks from a subordinate of Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger to Governor-General of India, a position he held in the Board of Governors. During his tenure, he worked alongside his brother, the Duke of Wellington, to decisively conquer the Kingdom of Mysore in the Fourth Mysore War and, through the Second Maratha War, forced the Maratha states of India into vassalage of the British East India Company. In Percival's cabinet, as Foreign Secretary, he assisted his brother, the Duke of Wellington, in coordinating preparations for the Peninsular War. After the Napoleonic Wars, he served as Lieutenant-General of Ireland for seven years. Last year, when Peel formed his cabinet, he strongly urged this Tory veteran to return to service, hoping he could help oversee Ireland.

William Wellesley, the first Baron Marleyborough and the second elder brother of the Duke of Wellington, was a master of finance. He served as Chairman of the Irish Treasury for many years and as Master of the Royal Mint when the British government was facing financial difficulties due to the Napoleonic Wars. He was involved in the implementation of the post-war gold standard restoration policy.

The Duke of Wellington's brother, Henry Wellesley, 1st Baron Cowley, was a far more professional diplomat than Sir Arthur Hastings. In 1809, during the Duke of Wellington's campaign against several French marshals in the Iberian Peninsula, Henry Wellesley was appointed Minister to Spain, taking on the responsibility of liaison and coordination between the Duke of Wellington and the Spanish government. After the Napoleonic Wars, he was appointed Ambassador to Austria in Vienna, serving as a crucial bridge between the British government and the Austrian Emperor and Chancellor Metternich. Had it not been for parliamentary reforms, his term in Vienna might still be ongoing.

In conclusion, during the period from the late 20th century to the early 21st century, it was not uncommon for families like the Wellesleys and the Rodton-Hastingtons to rise from minor nobles to major nobles. Moreover, given their genuine achievements, few would have considered them unworthy of their titles.

But the problem usually doesn't lie with these first-generation nobles, but with their next generation.

As the saying goes, "The blessings of a virtuous person last only five generations."

But that's an old Chinese saying. In Britain, after the parliamentary reforms were passed, the nobility could no longer control the House of Commons.

While they still control the diplomatic, military, and church systems within the government, they now find it much harder to interfere in technical roles such as finance, the courts, and customs.

In Arthur's view, the Hastings family's interest in contacting him was not solely due to some vague blood relation, nor was it simply a desire to use his still unstable reputation to enhance their own prestige.

After all, in the eyes of the nobility, a person who crawled out of the workhouse, no matter how high he sits today, is still, in the end, a nouveau riche wearing trousers.

What truly unsettled the Hastings family elders was an unprecedented sense of insecurity.

In the past, even if a family's children were mediocre and their land rent income was meager, as long as the noble surname remained, they could always squeeze out a seat in the House of Commons from their constituency, or secure a position in the Ministry of Colonial Affairs, the Church, or the Customs Service. While they might not amass great wealth, it was at least enough for their children to squander.

But things are different now; the parliamentary reforms of 1832 have cut off their lifeline.

Traditional "corrupt constituencies" were purged, a new class of voters emerged, and the ancestral seats of old families were lost one after another.

In the past, they could rely on just two or three seats in the House of Commons to secure a stable livelihood from both parties.

The impact was particularly severe on families like the Hastings, who had once maintained their plantation rule by relying on a few fertile fields in the East Midlands.

During the years the Whig Party has been in power, it has implemented many reforms. As a result of these reforms, even the budgets of local police stations are now controlled by municipal councils, making it difficult for the Hastings family to easily "appoint" a local magistrate.

What terrifies them most is not just the loss of privileges, but the fact that no one in the younger generation is capable of shouldering heavy responsibilities.

Yes, the first Marquess of Hastings was a man of great stature; he was a close friend of King George IV and the first Viceroy of India.

But so what?

George IV has been dead for five years, while the first Marquess of Hastings has been buried for ten years.

When the family elders opened the genealogy and discovered that most of their nephews and nieces were addicted to horse racing, hunting, and gambling, the existence of Hastings, who frequently appeared in newspaper headlines, seemed particularly jarring.

His name may not be welcomed by the orthodox aristocracy, but so what? Because the orthodox aristocracy that doesn't welcome him is now also unpopular in British society.

Therefore, when they see the name "Arthur Hastings" being mentioned more and more often on Fleet Street, at Golden Cross Station, and between the Foreign Office and the Home Office; when they see this young man, despite his humble origins, rising from Scotland Yard to Hanover, Göttingen, Russia, and even becoming the Prince's tutor at Kensington Palace in just a few years; when they see him running newspapers, establishing companies, managing police, and cultivating relationships with bureaucrats, drinking with a smelly-footed patrolman, discussing electromagnetism with Faraday, and reciting Tennyson's poetry with Princess Victoria…

If such a person were to take another step forward, although the chances are slim, can you deny that he has the opportunity to join one of the 90 noble families that control the British political arena?

……

To the esteemed Sir Arthur Hastings:

Since your appointment at Scotland Yard, Sir Sir, your reputation has grown daily, and your achievements are remarkable. I have recently heard of your actions regarding the Golden Cross and St. Martin's, and my admiration for you is beyond words. Although I have long lived in the countryside and have not been involved in worldly affairs, I still admire your decisive and righteous judgment in the Cold Baths and Golden Cross matters, which is enough to glorify the name "Hastington."

Your Excellency possesses exceptional talent and insight, and your unwavering conviction amidst turbulent times is truly admirable to our clan. I will be traveling to London soon, and thus I have taken the liberty of writing to you. If, during a break from your official duties, you were able to grace my humble abode with your presence on a certain day, so that we may briefly reminisce about our shared surname, we would be most honored.

My family's children would also like to hear about your background to broaden their horizons and cultivate their character. I would be honored if you would not mind.

敬颂
Integrity endures, times are peaceful and prosperous.
Your sincere kinsman
George Augustus Francis Rodon-Hastington
Second Marquess of Hastings

……

To His Excellency the Marquis of Hastings:

I have read your letter and am deeply honored. Your letter touched me with its warmth and kindness, and I also realized that the name "Hastington" today is not merely a title, but also a testament to character and integrity. I come from humble beginnings and have only achieved a minor reputation in my youth. My involvement in government affairs is due to a few fortunate encounters and past favors; I dare not presume to claim any glory. Your kind words and deep affection are truly an overstatement.

I have recently had some free time from official duties and was looking forward to clearing up my paperwork and taking a short rest. If Your Excellency is indeed staying in London at that time, I would be delighted to attend your visit and reminisce about our shared surname. I have heard that your sons have remarkable interests, and it would be my honor to share my thoughts and discuss current affairs with them.

I look forward to meeting you soon and eagerly await your good news.

谨颂
The world is peaceful and the mansion is safe and sound.

Your sincere kinsman,

Sir Arthur Hastings
……

As the carriage passed the street corner east of Belgravia, Arthur put down the documents in his hand and let out a soft breath.

Although he didn't particularly like Ridley, he had to admit that, putting aside his two-faced nature, the progressive young man from Scotland Yard was indeed a useful and sharp weapon.

A week ago, he asked Ridley to help him collect information on the Hastings family, and Ridley only took three days to organize all the information and deliver it to him.

Of course, Arthur didn't initially intend for Ridley to do it.

But Hught had just returned from Russia and wasn't familiar with London yet...

As for Field, Plenkitt, Tom, Tony, and the others, solving cases, patrolling, and riot control are their specialties, so asking them to gather intelligence is really asking too much of them.

Of course, Fiona's Nightingale Mansion is also an important source of information, but Fiona's way of collecting intelligence is mostly passive acceptance, and short-term proactive investigation is not her forte.

Arthur glanced at the stack of documents on his lap, which was almost large enough to be used as a brick. It listed George Rodton-Hastings, the second Marquis of Hastings, who was in charge of the family affairs. He was only two years older than Arthur, but he had married quite early; his wife was Barbara Rodton-Hastings, the 20th Baroness of Gredrushing (originally named Yelvetton). They had been married for three years and already had a son and a daughter.

The family background of this Marquis is quite interesting.

Perhaps because the British aristocratic circle is not very large and everyone is related to each other, Arthur had already heard about the lady's family before she was married, and it was Elder who told him about it.

Elder's friends all know that the reason this kid went to study classical literature was purely because he admired Lord Byron.

Elder knew Byron's works by heart, if not by heart, and was also very familiar with them. He also paid close attention to the various rumors about Byron.

The Marquise of Hastings' father, the 19th Baron Gredrousin, Henry Yerwitton, was a close friend of Lord Byron and, according to street rumors, Byron's teenage crush.

Of course, the rumors about Byron's bisexuality have always been just that—rumors. Whether he actually had such tendencies or whether he had a crush on the Marchioness's father is something only Byron himself probably knows.

The Marchioness was unlikely to be troubled by her father's "scandals," because compared to these old matters, the poor financial situation of the Marquis of Hastings was what she needed to worry about most. They already had two children, and would probably have more in the future, but their assets were meager, to the point that they were even preparing to sell their ancestral property.

"The troubles of nobles are not much different from those of ordinary citizens."

As Arthur pondered this, he leaned against the carriage window and glanced at the gray stone mansion they were about to arrive at. It was tall and clean, with no obvious signs of decay, but there were few carriages at the gate, and the marble statues that were popular in aristocratic courtyards were nowhere to be seen in the yard, so it had probably already been sold.

He muttered, "Knowing when to shrink their battle lines means this family isn't the most foolish kind."

As soon as Arthur's carriage came to a stop, the butler, who had been waiting at the door, immediately stepped forward and opened the door for him.

"Welcome to Donington House, Sir Arthur."

(End of this chapter)