The old aristocracy is well provided for symbolically, with "sombreros" (the sunshade of sustaining illusion), "silver" (dreams), and of course "horses" (conquest). Note that their riding clothes are "embroidered," a word that suggests the fanciful legends attending (and justifying) their conquest.

Note also that they sport no gold, the novel's symbol for rulership, while "the aristocracy of the railway" does. We have already seen Sir John's plan to take land from the Sulaco Valley aristocrats by force if necessary , indicating which "aristocracy" really rules in Sulaco.