The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-30

In discovering the society par excellence.
IL is as certain factor of the social system
as the throne is OF the political system.
Ite laws are az fixed as those which legiela-
lures and parliaments enact. The avenue
Of admittance into IL is ne defined and
rs well understood as the most frequented
post road of the country, and the travel
lers along It are as easily distinguishable
"a the pedestrians on Broadway. With us,
however, there Is no such society. or ne
cessity, among community OF traders,
brokers, and business men generally, one
in which even the learned professions
necessarily occupy, because less remuner-
tive, q subordinate place, society must be
effectively what the French call bourgeois.
Comparing ourselves with England for
instance, we have no higher clnsses. We
attain only TO the middle class. Our lords,
at best, are only what the Londoner calls
city lords, the men who have won their
titles by success In trade by making much
money. This circumstance affords no oc-
casion for lamcntation, but we must re-
cognize IL. Out of the material we have
in New York, no high-nown society like
that of London or Paris can, in our day at
least, be evolved.
But though the question OF moral worth
ana solid intellectual quality is n subor-
dinate one in high society, yet mere flash
and shoddy cannot pass muster in that
refined aud elegant arena; and there
fore, when Mr.. JAY GoULD's stool
pigeon talks about Society and Culture
and courtesy and grace, rs he seems
fond of doing, sensible people do not agree
with him that the society in which he
aud JAY GOULD move can possess any title
TO admiration. The one may be great rs a
stock jobber, ana the other have ways
which are peculiar; yet even those pretmi-
nent qualifications for success in the wild
crush Of Wall street or the engaging re-
treats of the Lotos Club, are not of them
selves assurances that master and servant
can give TO the society they frequent any
right to be called refined or cultivated. Sell
ing out to JAY GOULD and taking his wages
for doing his WILL may be n profitable or
Improbable bargain but the transaction
does not entitle the parties to IL TO rank
even In merely fashionable society, much
less In that where genuine culture and
honest worth are justly appreciated. TUT
| ton obtained in the classic halls of Miami
| may breed remarkable accomplishments,
| but II does not necessarily fl their possessor
| to contend for social honors except perhaps
where humbug and toadyism may happen
| to predominant. Manners acquired in
the elegant circles OF Xenia may be per-
fectly splendid, but they are not enough TO
enable their enyied possessor to lift up our
society OF merchants, brokers, and bankers
10 n level with that which dazzlcs the inn
agination in London or Paris Even the
personal graces that are radiant in the
gorgeous parlors of the Lotos Club are not
sufficient for this purpose. The ass dressed
| up i'll the skin of the lion is not less an ass
| than before, but rather more
Still, II airy observer is disposed TO re-
| gard the society of JAY GOULD aud his
| stool pigeon rs the best product of our civ
| ilization and n social paradise, he has a
| right to his opinion. IL 1t is not select,
it is at least cheering to the stool pigeon,
who deserves whatever credit persistent
push and unilinching cheek may be enti-
fled