A New Society
The new recruits had a definite effect on Society. In essence, Society had lost its innocence, had adulterated its "crystal river of unreproved enjoyment" with "a rushing flood of ill-gotten gold," as George Russell remarked early in the 20th century. (Perkin, pg. 65) Everyone, both the older Aristocrats and the Nouveaux Riches, were perfectly willing to admit that Society had become a money-oriented institution, although to the Arrivistes this mean "democratic," while to the traditional members this meant "tasteless." In the words of another disenchanted patrician: "Society (a word obsolete in its old sense) is, to use a vulgar expression, ‘on the make,'" (Perkin, pg. 65) Although this person meant to portray money-grubbing industrialists, it is also true that a non-landed class of economically successful people could, for the first time, be socially successful too.

There were still balls and receptions and operas, there were still races and boat rides and shooting parties: the focus had just shifted. In the first part of the nineteenth century, the inner circle of Society had been a tightly-knit group of individuals who were comfortable with their wealth and in their position. They threw lavish balls, but they didn't have to: everyone knew who they were. After Society opened its doors, first to the American brides of its leaders, and then to those who had the means to sustain the lavish desires of Society, it became a fight to see who had the most money. In essence, if Society is seen as those who have considerable amounts of power, their power changed, from the literal ruling of the government, to the glittering display of gold.

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