Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-01-17

Coon SOCIETY, GOLDFISH AR1srocRAcY. What
is good society! We have heard this term used
so frequently, that have of late commenced ask
ing oursef the question. We cannot get salts
factory answer In olden time. good society meant
certain people of the town who assumed position
from wealth, and undertook to regulate the fash
ions, the manners, and even gastronomy. 1t was
applied in dersion to that class of upstarts but
recently the cognomen has been usurped by ano-
Their and more expressive title, viz Goldfish aristoc
racy. The codtshes live in the best houses in town.
which they own rent, and are enabled to live in
great wealth, or the reputation of wealth, no mat
ter how it has been acquired. They are, generally
speaking, persons of low origin, who have risen in
the world by accumulating money. They give
gttering dinners and glitterng parties, and cut
shine in the upper crust part OF the human fry.
These people never visit any public places of amuse
ment, unless they can have the most prominent
seats, without being incommoded by the other
classes of society, whom they honestly believe COM
mon and vulgar They the veriest apes of
Africa, and immitate everything which they sup
pose is fashionable abroad, no matter how ndicu-
lous it may be in reality. What one big Goldfish
does, all the rest of the school copy female cod
fish has an Undesirable toss of the head and a
certain expression of countenance with which she
repuses the approach of herring etfectually as
if stone were thrown at it. A Goldfish never bows
or associates with any but his fellows, unless a
patronzes him, which they sure to do if he has
gold or silver any other shining bait to tempt
them to do He can't inch before his
nose without an opera glass, walk rod without
miniature walking stick. Puppyism is indispen-
sable in Goldfish society, if the subject wishes dis
tinction among his tribe. We meet it in every
street, as well as in every dog kennel-it attends
upon promenades, amusements, and is drawback
upon pursuits the most rational and innocent. A
Goldfish puppy can't disguise himself. His affec-
tation, with the good, will not pass for the gentil-
| ty of man.
And these ridiculous monkeys, that the fashion,
able world receive and tolerate as men created af-
ter Gods own image, met daily in our Streets
They are noble Goldfish. But we return to what
is really good society in Cincinnati 1t is the socie-
ty of the good and virtuous matter where they
may be found, whether in one or another class of
society-among the rich, or the poor, the high or
low in the public mind.
Good society is found everywhere; but it makes
no pretensions. To be in good society," is to be the
associate and to be admitted to the families of those
who are gifted and good This class have the re-
atty and comfort ofthings and not mere show and
glitter At their tables you find good food, and
plenty of it, and honest sincerity at their parties
and there you meet simplicity and worth. There
is display, but there is substance. They are the
contented society of society. Good society never
initiates apes what called the better class
SATISFIED with their worth, they pass along
through the world, and perform the duties of their
calling, and the position in which they are placed.
These are the crude ideas of distinction between the
Goldfish and good society.
Cincinnati Police Gazette,