The Roxburghe Club, its publications and its place in the world of literature is a subject whose outlines frequently become hazy and unreliable because, as indicated in the previous chapter, it is almost invariably viewed through the lens of class politics or at the very least what could be described as a heightened class awareness. It is, for instance, difficult to find any reference to the club that does not, at least in passing, refer to its perceived aristocratic membership, even in contexts in which the make- up of its membership is entirely irrelevant to the subject under discussion. The idea of British class division, with its connotations of among other things breeding, education, land ownership, heritage and established bloodline, does not simply mark out a social or financial demographic but also creates a preconception, or ideal, of aristocracy and its imagined relationship with and responsibilities towards society, other social classes and especially activities that relate to culture and intellect.

There was, in actuality, a vast range of affluence, political persuasion and religious belief represented within the ranks of the club, all of which factors may have had a greater influence on the pursuit of cultural objectives than class alone, but none of which (with the possible and partial exception of money) have been so uniformly referenced in discussions on the club's activities. It is interesting to note that comments referring to a perceived class disparity between the founding members of the club came entirely from outside its ranks, except on those occasions when Dibdin felt stung into remonstration. It is difficult to ascertain what feelings the other members may have held on the matter, as published sources have little to say on the topic, and in private there may have been as many opinions as there were members. If that is the case, it did not provoke any reaction that reached print, and it did not apparently result in members resigning their place in the club or forcing the resignation of others. Through its early history there were few resignations, and those occurred due to ill health, advanced age and the difficulties of travel in the early nineteenth century.