University of Virginia Library

476. ARISTOCRACY, Royalty and.—

The [French] aristocracy [in 1788-9] was
cemented by a common principle of preserving
the ancient régime, or whatever should be
nearest to it. Making this their Polar star,
they moved in phalanx, gave preponderance
on every question to the minorities of the Patriots,
and always to those who advocated the
least change.—
Autobiography. Washington ed. i, 104. Ford ed., i, 144.
(1821)