Morning journal and courier., 1883-09-27
American Society on Steamers.

[From the London World. l

gers.
 From the London Worldl
 The great passenger steamers which nowa- days plough so frequent and swift furrow s across the Atlantic, between New York and Liverpool, have their seasons of social actiVi- ty and social depression defined with almost settled punctuality From the end of Octo- ber till about the first week in April, with a brief interval during the usually calm weath CT of February, is the winter of their discon- tent. It is then that the commercial traveller, who in May would have to content himself with berth in the 'iomnibus'' stateroom on the lower deck, stickles masterfulIy for four berthed cabin amidship on the main deck, all to himself It is then that Miss Jerushy Grew the lean New England governess, on her way to improve her French accent in the cheap pension at Havre, is honored with at tentions from the captain as the only passen- ger wearing feminine attire But the scene changes with characteristic rapidity as the early American summer 9ushes swiftly into young life. The New York season-that be wildering whirl of distracting excitement compared with which our London season is fast becoming prosaic-dies almost in the plentitude of it's vigor. There is a sudden cessation at the florists in the demand for those costly bouquets of rosebuds that have travelled in refrigerators all the way from Florida and the BermudaB. Colonel Maple sons spring season of opera is finished, and the diva has engaged the captains stateroom on the Servia. Every berth till midsummer in every outgoing steamer, as the Ameri- cans speak of the vessels leaving New York for Europe, was engaged before the end of Lent.
 An stoutgoing' Cunarder in May is 8 mi crocosm of American society. And pace MT. Oscar Wilde, there are few properly intro duced Britons who will not admit that Amer ican society is an actual and visible entity of 8 wonderful fascination, and of significance that lies deep below the surface. It has so many phases because of the size of the Re public and the wealth and population of the great local centers, that it is scarcely accu- rate to speak of it as an integral whole. It has many wholea, and each one is round, complete and defined by special characters tics, although these act as no bar to smooth intercommunication. With no capital save in executive and commercial senses, America has no assured exposure, no unchallenged focus of society. New York claims the ralno but unIess indiscriminate extravaganza afford it, the title scarcely stares one in the face. In the best Boston circle there is 8 mstchIess throughout the Union in artistic and musical attributes. But,s unQuestiona- bly, it is in the best circle of Washington-a circle to which the diplomatic corps give cosmopolitan color. to which the higher off ciaIs of the army and navy give a tone that does not smell or dollars, and permanency of personality that is found nowhere else, and wherein the politician element has neith CT part nor lot-that in all America the true characteristics of what the old world knows as 'ssociety'' are found in the greatest profu- sion. But the voyager on May steamer from New York can do something to settle this question for himself, for he will find among his feIlow-passengers representatives of society, such as it is. ranging from St. DarI Minu fo New Orleans
 August is dull month with the outgoing" steamers from New York The Europeward tide of pleasure seeking Americans had be- gun to weaken about midsummer, and is deed altogether ere the Goodwood cup is run. Yet the passenger lists keep fairly full, only the passengers are middle class folk, who pertain not to the world of fashion, and have not spelled the first syllable of the shibbo- leth of society. Every early summer boat overfowed with belles-keen rivals, and all