Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-04-08
Social Boston.

state of arrested development. Man.
nc,s are constrained, hospitality is too
relunctant, anu the women, with hum
dred times more Information than their
Southern sisters, can not rival these i'll
conversation. Among the people best
worth knowing there is temperate
elegance of life which is admirable; and
the presence Of many persons genuine
~ refined and almost free from the
local atlectations, diifnses an atmos.
phere of general good taste. 1t
there is no spontaneity, and not much
warmth. Bostonians know how to dine
exquisitely, but they do it with half
clandestine air. The purely typical in
habitant, you are convinced. lis furnished
with IN icicle in place of spine, and
he is in terror if he thinks y new per-
son is really going to know him. /
have know the invitation, You must
dine with mo some day." coming from
persons otherwise apparently of good
breeding, to remain ia that form for
years, without ever ripening into v.eh-
niteness. An accomplished gentleman,
now dead, who had accepted the atten-
lions of some friends in another part Of
the world, dining, breakfasting, going
to parties al their house, which was
the lady of that house years afterward
in Boston, expressed himself delighted
that she had come thither. He might
well be, for she was every way his
eqnal, and they had been on terms OF
the most agreeable and intimate friend
snip; but, by way OF showing his
boundless and hospitablo cordisllty, he
invited her 10 call at his house on
Sunday evening GJter tea, when his wife
aud himself would 80 with her to
church and give her u place III their
pew! This is hardly an extrayagant
instance. a morbid reserve, con.
tented seliishness, and distinctions set
mp with an arbitraIiness that is ludi-
crous, hamper intercourse at all points.
The social world divides itself into
number Of air-tight compartments. If
prophets are without honor in their own
country, all but few hundred individ-
uuis III Boston shou!d seem TO be,
soclllly considered, prophets. Merit It.
sometimes recognized more quickly
here than elsewhere, aLl! sometimes
more slowly. Birth us a form Of merit
is overestinated. Wealth, SO far as my
observation goes, though ii cannot open
all doors any more than it Gun III New
York, is quito as important, as much
Morshiped, as in that metropolis, the
mercenury tone OF which the capital on
the Charles affects to despise. In the
matter Of hospitality it is true that the
corporate dignity, already mentioned
rs u motive to conduct, sometimes leads
BoStonians to entertain strangers
especially foreign v,sitors) with solid
cordielity and a consummgte grace.
But as rule they show no generous
interest in those OF their own kith and
kin who have done something note-
worthy, something which in New York,
or Washington, or London, would lead
to their being moderately sought for In
agreeable circles.
Such interest, at least arises only after
very marked reputation has given these
persons definite conventional value.
1t follows that between what calls
itself by distinction society, and the
literary world, there is 10 intimate re-
lniion. Ii we only knew how to get
ut you literary people," said one of the
leaders OF the fashionable genealogical
coterie, to IN author whose fame and
Labits made it far from q laborious
task to tiud him, "we should be run
ming after you oil the time" But the
persons who cherish this ardent longing
continue to defer it's qualification. They
arr proud OF the cisy's fame III litera
t.rr, and SOME of thea even cherish
aDlAteurish ambitions in the liue of
~ hrf thk. trnth -
that they look upon the artistic world
Il triile sskance, AS u region from which
intruders should not be admitted with
much freedom. A gentleman OF un-
doubtedly moritorious descent and
ample fortune, finding it needful on
one occasion to call upon well'known
author, announced afterwarl, with
pleased surprise, Oh, he's q gentle
man; o perfect gentleman" Another
member of the class usually recognized
az aristocratic, sitting for his portrait
to young artist of great talent, who
WAS not conscious of being a pariGh,
said to lam with \ banevolenco that
failed 70 draw out responsive graft
tuIt; "1Ou're getting on now to a
point where you ought to marry. should
thiEk you'd look around for some
Young woman in your own walk OF life,
ar; settle down with her. - Geo. L.
L'tlrop, il LIarper's Magazine.
kEurlNG A DIARY. OF course you
will bny diary. Everybody does
about the lst cf January, makes few
cltrics into it, and then throws it into u
drawer, there to keep company with
select assortment Of half'used diaries.
Zoo fr uu,n:ly the trouble is that the
person who keeps ~ diary-under the
advice of some distinguished moralist,
lo claims TO nave been greatly I'M
proved by the labit-tries to keep
record If his thoughts, his sins OF
omission and comA4lssion, to make his
book IL sort Of confessional, and he soon
becomes bOrod with it. just try to
note Gown the leading events III the
days personal experience, with IS little
" morAiizng' Is possible, AID diary
kecmrg becomes Interesting. One
likes 10 turn over the record OF the
month or the year, and is surprised to
lind ont how many forgotten pleasant
occasions are brought to mind again.
fry this. keep . diary, but don't try to
keep jou,ua! something thai might
H., iasrcd rs your" mamoirs' III apost'