By this means he says he shall necessarily have an equal number of each rank, but he is mistaken--for the majority will always consist of those of the first rank, and the most considerable people; and for this reason, that many of the
commonalty not being obliged to it, will not attend the elections.
In much the same way do the
commonalty lead their leaders in many other things, at the same time that the leaders little suspect it.
Yes, I made various acquaintances in the hamlet and a thing that gratified me a good deal was to find our new coins in circulation -- lots of milrays, lots of mills, lots of cents, a good many nickels, and some silver; all this among the artisans and
commonalty generally; yes, and even some gold -- but that was at the bank, that is to say, the goldsmith's.
There was sufficient divergence of type, as well as of individual beauty, to allow of fair comment; Lady Arabella represented the aristocratic type, and Lilla that of the
commonalty.
For removing discontentments, or at least the danger of them; there is in every state (as we know) two portions of subjects; the noblesse and the
commonalty. When one of these is discontent, the danger is not great; for common people are of slow motion, if they be not excited by the greater sort; and the greater sort are of small strength, except the multitude be apt, and ready to move of themselves.
The Gardens are a tremendous big place, with millions and hundreds of trees, and first you come to the Figs, but you scorn to loiter there, for the Figs is the resort of superior little persons, who are forbidden to mix with the
commonalty, and is so named, according to legend, because they dress in full fig.
Moreover, these gentry who lead snug lives in government offices may talk and talk, but their words are not good to eat, so I have come back here again to draw my pay out of the
commonalty," he said, striking the mud with his spade.