The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-16
THE DEcADEyCE OF EUROPE
Deadly immortality Among the Highest Glasses
The Day Of Keck onins NJ Hand.
Ba1oHrox. Eng, Aug 9O.-As there Is moro

London ITSELF, thc stranger mas DetteT OppOT-
tunity OF studying the humor OF society and OF
gathering tho views OF the Influential world
upon current events than in the metropolis.
Mechanical. political. social, and moral changes
succeed oach other with such rapidity in these
latter days. that 1t is almost vain to attcmpt to
keep pace with them much less to chronicle
the effects which they produce scveraly upon
each other Within tho last two years we have
had the telephone the monograph the micro
phone. and are 10y no means ut tho end OF the
inventions which are springng out OF them.
We have had the Eastern question which has
eliminated in n bloody war. and we certainly
arc not ut the end Of the slaughters and compli
cations Of which 1t is only the precursor Wehave
reviews and magazines multiplying upon us,
all charged with the current thought OF tho day.
which tends TO uproot existing theological sys-
tens. and leave in their place chaos Of specu-
lation and metaphysical theory which can prove
no abiding place to the earnest and thoughtful
mind. and is hurrying us on to some now and
undiscovered region OF religion Of which
Christcndom stands sorely in need. And.
lastly we have the old manners and customs OF
the last generation giving way to laxity md
open social immortality which If it continues at
its present rate. bids fair TO turn the most adj
vanccd society Of the world into the most de-
PRAYED.
In the carly part Of the present century
much OF vice lay concealed beneath the so
ra surface. A certain external dcccncy. ut
all events. was maintained which was tribute
to virtue and prouricties were not outraged by
opcn and glaring scandals. Now the scandal
party has become strong enough 10 defy the
party Of propriety. The ladies' Of society who
have abandoned their husbands and children
for more sympathetic male companions, are
sufficiently numerous to make n society among
themselves and this society is moro attractive
t. the young mon who cach seek 10 contribute
lady friend 10 the cotcrc. than the respect
able section which remains. These lust are
voted old fashioned and slow. and 10y no means
anXiou. To- identify themselves with the faction
which has split OF from them. withdraw them
solves Into the shade Of II rigid responsibility.
and rcaN into propricty which certainly docs
not possess the same charm for the rising gen
Grafton as tho later and frecr creation.
Here royalty dsports itself beauty dazzlcs
wit nhounds. and so unfortunately does wine;
aud cnch now season sees new restraints re-
moved ana new freedom OF manners intro
duccd. 1t is dinlrui, nowadays to say ANYTHING
$50 broad and So improper IL TO shock lady boz
longing to this set; hut tho unsophisticatcd
youth joining IL Tor the first time will often ilnl
his blood mounting 90 his temples. and be ein
barrasscd II he is oi tho popular type. 10y the
attentions which these fair devotces Of male
beauty will lavish upon him. II he happens 10
40 six feet two. with a tawny moustache and
a lagy blue eye" he Possesses according 10
'Ouida." the irresistible combination and
Ouida. though a maiden lady Of So seems 10
bee wonderfully we'll instructed in such matters.
aud to have undertaken the task Of forming the
female taste In regard TO the desirable points in
man. | have II friend who possesses those
much 20 boz enyicd qualifications and he as
-ures me- that he has all he can DO % defend
himself and that he has determined to take
refuge ia the respectable lot and marry a B.-h
ops daughter. LII has become intoivrable 10
him.
At this season % the year the watering places
are crowded with groups who are taking ad-
vantage Of what they call tho freedom Of the
,ountry." Considering what they 10 IN Lon
ion Imagination fails to follow them In this
flight OF rural bliss. They are generally to be
soon iu mail phaetuns in the afternoon. behind
hish-stcpping horses. the ladies in hrisht-col-
orcd dros,,s which cling systematically TO the
lsurc. and the "tawny mOustachc handling
tho ribbons. They assiduously frequent races.
rcgattas polo matches. pigeon matches and the
ike. betting freely. talking slang, and undis-
su.-cdly showing their preferences The men
treat them with marked disrespe,t. in fact. very
much Hs II they were men themselves and do
| Mt hesitate % show when thoy are bored and
anxious TO withdraw TO their pet vice. In which
il- a rule. women are not able 10 take rs active
| part ~ they could wish; for IT Is prosecuted in
night clubs. II winch tho number in London
| ms maryrll0usiy increased Of late years and
| which are devoted 90 whist baocarat. and other
games Hero the youth Of the day dispose OF
their pa,rmonles by heavy play and may be