Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-10-25
A LION AMONG LADIES.

The Extraordinary Social Power of tho
Prince OF wales.
London Correspondence Philadelphia News.
But 1t Is certain that the prince OF wales
holds position In London society that,
so far as know, Is not paralleled Ia the
case of any other royal parsonage In
Europe. The late French Emperor Louis
Napoleon, and possibly George w., when
Prince Regent, possessed the same social
power, but doubt II even In those In
stances the influence those potentates
welded was as widespread and as poten
tial as that Of the successor of the last
named prince. The prince Of Wales Is
literally and emphatically the king OF
English society. What he smiles upon
is accepted and what he frowns upon is
rejected. His domination extends from
the social world to that OF the theaters.
The entertainment OF the performer that
he honors with his patronage and that OF
his wife may not, indeed, be sure OF sue
cess. But the Withholding OF that patron
age most assuredly means failure.
II Is the same In all other matters, ar
tl5tic or social, for with literary matters
his highness has never been known 10
NEEDLE. Some years ago he paused ut a
picture exhibition before painting by q
lady hitherto comparatively unknown to
fame and praised II highly. He after
wards, think, bought the work In ques-
ton. The artist at once became not only
celebrated, but the rage. 1t was Miss
Elizabeth Thompson, now Mrs. Butler,
who has thus been waited TO fame and
fortune by breath from the lips Of roy
atty.
His royal highness 10 undoubtedly fond
OF American society, and do not think
that II Is an appropriate act for Americans
In general to nnd fault with him for so
doing, should rather say that therein
he shows his good taste. And do these
American critics understand the reason
for this partialItyP II is very simple
one and is readily revealed. The truth IL
merely thls--American society Is amusing.
English society, as rule, ID not. The
severe rules Of caste that govern the lat
ter exclude much that Is perfectly inno-
cent and proper and that adds largely TO
social enjoyment. For instance, II was a
gayety and animation, It's picturesque
figures, and frequent changes In partners,
was considered at all allowable In Eng
land. think II is good deal frowned
upon In the highest circles even yet. Then
English girls are taught 70 maintain u
decorous silence IN society and 10 do
nothing that can in any way attract atten-
tion 20 them. American society girls are
accustomed 10 talk brightly and anus
ingly. They are bred TO entertain guests
and make themselves agreeable from the
hour they cease to be children. Young
English girls are awed into stony reyer-
ence at the aspect OF royalty. The breath
OF our republic has put sucD a spirit into
The veins Of our fair maldens that they
are not 70 be scared speechless by the
good-natured face OF the heir 70 the Brit
ish throne. They talk 10 him agreeably
and pleasantly, as they do 10 all the other
gentlemen they meet, Then, many
American society ladies are endowed
with some special and carefully cultivated
talent, either for music or recitation, or
for telling amusing stories. And English
society greets such talents as means Of
amusement.