The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-05-07
THE PRINCE OF WALES
THE FUTURE KING OF ENGLAND AS
A SOCIETY LEADER.
4 Universal Desire to Conform to the Pat
tern Approved by Albert Edward
Innovations Adopted Because
Sanctioned by Royalty.
uondon World.J

The prince of Wales is as supreme in the
whole realm of social jurisdiction as her
majesty is politically sovereign. The ma
tional attachment to the prince of Wales
shows itself in a universal desire to adopt,
as well as crafty his tastes, to
conform society to the pattern which he is
understood to approve; to mimic him in the
trivial details of existence. The theatre
did not attain its present popularity and
"doing a play" did not become an institu-
ton without the prince of Wales taking the
stage un1er his patronage. There was never
a regular winter season in London till the
prince of Wales discovered that the capital
had its charms when the year was rapidly
waning, and that the country might be in
tolerably monotOnOus. Cigarettes were first
introduced into England after the Crimean
war, but it was not till somewhere about
1868, when the heir apparent gave them his
approval, that they became formidable
rivals to cigars, and the very diminutive
dandy thought it necessary TO carry an
electro plate case containing them in his
pocket.
What are called lemon smashes-a bever-
age which seems pre-eminently adapted to
the parched palate of this unheroic age
had never been slipped by British lips till
Albert Edward, prince of Wales, had pro.
nounced them to be very good Smoking
concerts were unheard of before the same
august and benevolent despot of English
society suggested combination of the at
fractions of music and tobacco Sunday
dinner parties were confined to what may
be called the professional classes, till
the prince of Wales sanctioned and
stimulated the rite. The Sunday parade at
the Geological gardens was almost the crea-
ton Of his royal highnesS, and since he has
ceased to visit Regents park upon the frs
day of the week the institution has entere
upon its decadence OF the thousands or
tens of thousands who crowd Hyde park at
certain hours on the week days and Sundays
during the season, for no other reason than
that royalty has taught them it is the right
thing to be en- evidence then and there, how
many are there who have any kind of ac-
quaintance with their future sovereign
Some years ago the attempt was made TO
revolutionize the evening dress of English
gentlemen, and few greatly daring spirits
in country houses actually presented them
selves in the drawing room arrayed in vel
vet knickerbockers and red silk stockings
But neither at Marlborough house nor at
Sandringham was the innovation viewel
with favor, and the only relief which royalty
would allow to the customary suit of solemn
black was a white waistcoat the idea of
which entirely originated with the prince
There is no need to adduce other illustTa-
tions The list might be made to extend in
y
forward single negative instance. to men
ton a single case In which a social fashion
or change INTRODUCED or encouraged by the
prince of Wales has not been generally
adopted, first and Immediately by those
about him, secondly and gradually by the
general mass of his future subjects This
may argue an unworthy servility, syco-
phancy, or what you will, inherent in the |
British breast. But the tendency is as ire |
siStible as the law of prayitatiOn
The social influence of Marlborough house,
of the prince and princess of Wales is as far 4
reaching, as penetrating, and as subtle as the /
principle of loyalty to the sovereign. There /
Is every reason to suppose that as time goes /
on this state of things Will be confirmed and /
emphasized rather than diminished II pol |
itics we see that the more democratic we be (
come the more liable we are to b. domi- 1
mated by a single Individual A. society /
grows more democratic, more unwieldy, less
coherent, more unmanageable. the lisoa5i-
ton will increase to look to the prince and
princess of Wales as the centers ami deposit
tories of social authority Hosts and
hostesSes in London, and in thu III lI5i-
tude of provincial towns which ape the airs
of London, Will not know how to entertain,
how to organize their festivities, unles they
are supplied with a standard of propriety by
Marlborough house. The prince Of Wales
was absent from London for weeks together
last summer. The consequence was that the
season was failure. and that the entire so
cial system was dislocated. Society," III fact
went TO pieces Nobody knew what u be at
or what to do, because the Mar borough
house ideal was not visible in their midst
The prince of Wales may sway El.li.n So
ciety with the hghtness of a II Irrational
king. but those who live under M, soy
ereignty insist that be shall exercise a social
deSpOtiSm