The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-06
JOHN THOMAS.
From the New York TriDune.l

From the New York TriDune.l
'Ive always HAD genlmny tastes through llfe.r
said Yellowplush, 'and have no doubt that come
OF genlmnly origum." 1t is probably with slmi
lar reflection that John Thomas bends over the
pantry table and composes those sarcastic ESSAYS
upon New York society which have lately added 30
much terror to the columns OF the 'Cheap Jack
Morning Chimes" The season Of balls and recep-
tons having now succeeded the opera, and the
Legislature being comfortably organized, he re.
minds US that the first duty OF all persons OF rank
and culture should be 80 get the right persons, to
avoid neligibes and In other ways to maintain or
acquire position the social scales" and he pro-
poses, therefore, to set foot thorough reorgan-
cation or the homogeneous elements which con-
stitute the fashionable life Of our city. Social
standing is no longer defined as 1t used
to be. Upstairs and parvenus and stock
brokers' and vulgar parties OF that sort. have
got among the aristocracy and though there is q
great variety and richness Of color in our social
circlesn 1t must be confessed that they are not at
all select Society must be purged, just as we have
purged politics. We must make use OF the
sgenlmnly fastest OF Jonn Thomas, just as we
have made use OF the accounts OF Hon. James
O,Brien Our condition. TO tell the truth, Is pretty
bad. The managing committees OF the most
fashionable balls the best boxes at the opera, the
finest houses on the best avenues. the parlors OF
the choicest CLUBS, Rrauu are
all flied with "frauds." John Thomas knows them
ut a glance. "When we come to examine these
social potentates," says he "wnat do we hndi
Well, not to be too ccnsorious, a very coarse and
very dirty kind of clay, scanty ana smattering edu
cation underbred manners, infinite self-assertion.
almost absolute unscrupulousness IN their deal
lngs- especially about money"
So terrible according to this fashionable chron.
icer has the Eruption OF vulgar upstairs become
that one does not see exactly how to get rid OF them
without obliteratng the very landmarks OF society
and bringing on a sort of prlmeval chaos. Forum
ately, however IN the work OF social regeneration
we shall have the assistance OF this most genteel
person, who sucked refine ment with his mothers
milk, and 10 whom good breeding Is second ma.
ture When lady whose ambition surpasses the
limits OF her visiting list gives grand party she
employs the celebrated Mr. Brown to furnish ascore
or so OF guests to order; and 80 when we pegin
TO reform our society we shall call upon 'ohh
Thomas to say whom we must recognize Us q DOW
ing acquaintance, VINO shall be admtted 10 the ih'
,,macy of the dinner table or be accounted eligible
FOR the German, and VINO finally are to be followed
"a leaders OF the haul ton IL IS not enough
as he told us last Sunday mat leader
~ society shall have money and good
,,,oa.u Suoh being have
..rare social tact'-for instance, must never rush,
chanting ana kicking, into the midst Of party of
fashionable ladies and gentlemen, and tell them
tney are all vulgar frauds-"liberal culture, ele-
ran,ly refined tastes, captivating personal presence,
nue breeding and nice appreciation oil the re-
quirements and necessities OF particular situa-
tionsu Is there no one VINO comb ines all these
brirht auatlesg No modern Adonis In boots ana
pantaloons whose form and features are The
marvel OF the metropolis? No Cricn.on whose cx-
tensive culture and delicate refinement are the
glory Of his sexS No wise, modest, elegant, Con.
siderate gentleman, smooth or speech and prudent
| OF counsel, TO whom we may look up as our model
OF all the manly virtues and social accomplish
| ments9 An, yes; Providence has gwen us such
man who win lead out OF this rabbe OF parvenuy
/ and teach u.s. by MS own SHINING example, how 10
be genteel surely 1t IL unnecessary 10 name Nu.
tlusning joan Thomas stand forth