Caroline. That would be mere burlesque, Horace, and would make one ridiculous.
Horace. Nothing can be more inconsistent in us, than aiming at titles.
Caroline. For us, I grant you; but, if they were hereditary, if we had been born to them, if they came to us through belted knights and high-born dames, then we might be proud to wear them. I never shall cease to regret that I was not born under a monarchy.
Horace. You seem to forget that all are not lords and ladies in royal dominions. Suppose you should have drawn your first breath among the lower classes,—suppose it should have been your lot to crouch and bend, or be trodden under foot by some titled personage, whom in your heart you despised; what then?
Caroline. You may easily suppose that I did not mean to take those chances. No; I meant to be born among the higher ranks.
Horace. Your own reason must tell you, that all can not be born among the higher ranks; for then the lower ones would be wanting, which constitute the comparison. Now, Caroline, is it not better to be born under a government where there are no such ranks, and where the only nobility is talent and virtue'?
Caroline. Talent and virtue! I think wealth constitutes our nobility, and the right of abusing each other, our liberty.
Horace. You are as fond of aphorisms as Lavater[Headnote 1] was.
Caroline. Let me ask you if our rich men, who ride in their own carriages, who have fine houses, and who count by millions, are not our great men?
Horace. They have all the greatness that money can buy; but this is very limited.