The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-10-22

His Extraordinary Power in Social Circles.

But it is certain that the Prince of
Wales holds n position in London So
ciety that, so far rs | know. is not
paralleled in the case of any other royal
parsonage in Europe. The late French
emperor, Louis Napoleon, and possibly
George w., when prince regent, pos
sessed the same social power, but |
doubt even in these instances the in
fiuence that those potential MS that of
the successor of the last named prince.
The Prince of Wales is literally and EN-
phatically the king of English society.
What he smiles upon is accepted and
what he frowns upon is rejected. His
nominations extends from the social
world to that of the theaters. The en-
tertainment or the performer that he
honors with his patronage and that OF
his wife may not, indeed, be sure of sue
cess. but tho Withholding OF that pa
tronage most assuredly means failure.
1t is the same in all other matters,
artistic or social, for with literary mat
tiers his highness has never been known
TO meddle. Some years ago he paused
at n picture exhibition before II painting
by II lady hitherto comparatively un-
known to fame and praised it highly.
He afterward, | think, bought the work
in question. The artist at once became
not only celebrated, but the rage. 1t
was Miss Elizabeth Thompson, now
Mrs. Butler, who had thus been waited
to fame and fortune by breath from
the lips of royalty.
His royal highness is undoubtedly
fond of American society, and do not
think that it is an appropriate act for
Americans in general to find fault with
him for so doing should rather say
that there IN he shows his good taste.
And do these American critics under
stand the reason of this partially? 1t
is very simple one, and is readily re-
vealed. The truth is merely this:
American society is amusing. English
society, as q rule, is not. The severe
rules of caste that govern the latter cX.
clude much that is perfectly innocent
and proper that adds largely to social
enjoyment. For instance, it was long
time before the german, with its gayely
and animation, its picturesque figures
and frequent changes of partners, was
considered ut all allowable in England.
Iuiuh IL 10 ~ SOou Ncui liONHco upoh
in the highest circles even yet. Then
English girls are taught to maintain a
decorous silence in society and to do
nothing that can in any way attract at
tcntion to them. American society
girls are accustomed to talk brightly
and amuslngly. They are bred TO en-.
terrain guests and to make themselves
agreeable from tho hour they cease to
be children. Young English girls arc
awed into stony reverence ut the aspect
of royalty. The breath of our republic
has put such spirit into the veins of our
fair maidens that they are not to be
scared specchlcss by the good-nat ured
face of the heir to the British throne.
They talk to him agreeably and pleas
antly, rs they do to all the other gen.
tlemen that they meet. Then many
American society ladies are endowed
with some special and carefully culti-
waited talent, either for music or recita-
ton, or for telling amusing stories.
And English society eagerly grcets such
talents as means of amusement Lon.
: don Cor. Philadelphia Press.