The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-02-22
Who Are the Vulgar !,

Who Are the Vulgar :
Mr.. James Parton lectured before the
Liberal Club, taking for his subject the
question "Who Are the vugari" He
gave the following Illustrations:
On n recent tour through Kansas, the
lecturer had the pleasure Of meeting
q young English colonist, who was
scattering a fortune in his efforts to
pillow up few thousand acres Of hard
prairie, and the chief delight Of whose
life was to put on dress.coat when the
days work was done, and dine nt 730.
Woe be 10 him who in those wilds ut
tempted to dress or conduct himself nc
cor,ffng to the etiete standards Of the
East. Sitting nj the dinner-table Of u
Colorado "hotel" recently, he (the
speaker) became suddenly conscious TINT
his Uis.a.vis, youth Of twenty-five, in
the characteristic garniture Of a broad
brimmed Int, leather hunting,iacket, and
shooting materials al Hbit,ta, was grow.
ing restiye at something lie (tlle lecturcr)
was doing, The cloud on tho young
mans brow deepened rapidly, and in the
space of another minute lie dropped his
knife, and turning round to the rest Of
the company, exclaimed: "Well, I'll
be hanged II I can stand this any longer.
Why, he's eating pie with a fortp'
David Crockett, after returning home
from his first trip 10 New York, gave his
backwoods auditors his idea Of The
First Gentleman in the Metropolis
"Philip Hone is the most gentlemanly
man in New York, boys, and I'll tell you
how know 1t. When he asks you TO
drink he don't hand you glass, he puts
the decanter OIL the table, aud walks of
to tho window md looks out until you
have finislied." 1t WIS curious howtthc
popular opinion in regard TO these sub
iects changed with tile longitude. In
some parts Of India and Cliina the ladies'
all black their teeth in much the same
fasliion that we do our boots. A native
Of that country, who was pointed out the
beautiful wife Of an Englishuan, at some
public festival, remarked: "The Eng
lish lady is not handsome; why, her teeth
are rs white as q dogs teeth, and her
check is the color Of a potato.blossom. I"
Much OF this difference OF opinion as
to the elements Of yrlgarity was duo to
erroneous conceptions.
A Prussian professor, who had lately
been intrnsted by his government with
the duty Of examining into the subject
Of shell-flsl and their successful propa-
cation on the shores OF tho Baltic, re-
ported, after patient examination OF
the facts in the case, TINT shsll.lsh Ind
n dcleterious and reasonable tendency,
and were for those reasons not to be on
couraged. The evil consequences OF
their free consumption were best seen,
tho professor said, in America. In that
misguided country the people wero in
the custom Of frequenting seditioua
gatherings known rs clam-bakes, where
after gorging themselves on a species Of
clam, called the oyster, they proceeded
TO talk treason, abuse thu government,
tear each others hair, and fight like
madmen. In fact, the devouring Of this
ill-starred biyalvc made the poor people
crazy, and, for this reason, the learned
professor deprecated its further propa-
cation in German waters. Another fact
that challenged their attention was the
contempt with which Europeans, and
especially Englishmen, were apt to ro-
gard American customs and institutions.
Here every honest man was gentleman,
and every honest woman lady. In
many other tliings-in art, science, and
in agriculture-the American people
were inferior, but in that one they were
superior to all tho systems which the
old world could boast. The extent to
which this thoroughly American idea
was reversed in older countries cannot
well be conceived by those who have not
visited them in person, No American
knew what il meant in England to be
called "Lord." He (the speaker) Ind
seen gentleman Of worth and position
stand absolutely spellbound In the pre-
sence of titled loafer, whose only hon
est claim to be noticed lay in tue extent
and variety Of his kennels. In America,
80 great, Of late years, had become the
public disgust for great titles and great
fortunes, that very rich man was no
longer respected. OF what use was it
70 accumulate millions by years Of in;
dustry and patience when q political
blackleg could come along and steal a
double fortune in half the time. The
American Of good rcpute is ever growing
afraid of displays, which formerly were
thought proper enough; afraid 10 wear
his own henest diamonds for fear Of
being taken for o gambler or person
who had plastered q court house.