Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-14
lCooyright, 1888, by s. s. Mcclure. !

lCopyright, 1888, by S. s. McClurc.l
The evolution of the swell Is interesting !
Perhaps the most noticeable thing about
him is the closeness with which he APP |
proaches common ideal all over the !
world. It does not make much difference |
whether you meet m n WHO has legit- |
Innate claims TO the title of swell in Bull /
garia, Peoria or Chilli His general char |
acteristics are sure to agree with those OF
all other men of similar pretentionS around |
the globe. IL is mainly question of de
velopment
1t is difficult to define exactly what con-
stitutes a swell. Nevertheless, he is not
to be confused with the man-about-town
dandy, fop, rounder, good fellow or dude.
The mau-about town may be-and often is
of capital family connections and pre-
tentions, but it does not follow that he has
any of the characteristics of swelldon.
A gambler may be a dandy, a fool, a fop,
and roundtr may wear collar for two
days without losing all claims to what
ever distinction the title may convey. AS
for dude, he is almost an impossiOlity
under any circumstances, now -a-days. and
not worth serious considerations except
when he is amusing.
suppose everyb ,dy has noticed that it
is more difficult to pose a5 a swell in Il big
town than small one. The same may be
said in the cities of the world. 1t is some
what on the following plan Ia
Chcago-A man may De u swell If he has
a pot of money. 1t is permissible To be
engaged in business.
New York-Money first, foremost and
forever, but NO business that approaches
the retail.
Vienna-Socal eminence, particularly
with women, military position. good fam
lily.
Berlin-Military prestige.
Paris-Money, manners. recklessuess,
originality in sin and popular fad. Bust
ness not to be thought of.
London-Blood, title, but not neces-
sarily money if endowed with natural APP
titude for initiating the leaders of fashion.
No connection with any business venture,
absolute correctness in every detail OF
attire and outward circumstance, and an
endless amount of admiration for recog-
nlzed social leaders.
1t struck me that men of distinctive
tendencies toward sweldoin in Chicago
missed the details small and attractive of
both life and attire, while, TO be frank
there are, i'll New York, very few men
who approach anything like the standard
reached by their models across the water.
such man as Howell Osborne, to quote
we'll known character, could never pore
in London or Par az bowling swell,
though he was considered such by the cal
low youth, stage door dlvinities and some
of the newspapers in New York. He was
lond in the matter Of clothes paid his
tradesmen, but not his friends, was psver
seen in society, did not gain admis ON To
any of the desirable clubs, willie his COZ
slant companions were either theatrical
men, gamblers or nobodles. He 10 row
in Paris, py the way, spending $50, OOs or
$4,000 year, but he is utterly unknown
there. Probably this is because there are
81, O00 or 10000 Frenchmen who spend q
hundred thousand dollars year without
thinking twice about the matter.
The other type OF swell IN New York
may be typlfied more or less by sue. men
as Allen Thorndyke Rice, James Gordon
behnett and Lloyd PA9nix. These men
spend enormous incomes, own crack
yachts, are received in the best English
and continental society, dress quietly. but
with absolute correctness and are unob
trusive, weli-bred and what might be al
most called retiring. Mr.. Bennett or Mr.
Rice Will enter theatre quietly, sink into
an orchestra chair, and retire after the
performance without any body being aware
Of his presence, where Howell Osborne OF
box, talk loudly, sprawl about and make
a general show OF diamond rings, fancy
waistcoats and i'll manners.
The swellom of Vienna is difficult
thing to define, but the spectacular and
prominent men seen altogether devoted
to riding and driving, They have won
derful breed Of small, clean-limbed anC
handsome horses, most OF which come
lTOLn duu Uney are remarkably
fiery and intelligent. Most of the toffs il
Vienna drive from two to six of them on,
to the races, every day through the park
usually 10 curious little break that Is
part mail cart, p.rt phanton and par
buggy. Fne dark-eyed and beautiful wo
meu of Vienna seem r-p.c lily taken By
these remarGaole traps. Inc mru ttwayi
hoid miitr rank, Id ai1 very correct
,qutfe S ,ouidered, Small of waist aut
nalty III close fitting uniforms. They
Mar n hite Kid gloves and send their 4
little teams along through the park at
clipping rate, blow ng kiss now an,
then, or waving finger significantly a
the lines of beautiful Vienese women witt
move along on either side of the drive,
Tnere is nothing in Germany but mill
taIlsm. Title, wealth, beauty and posi-
tion-all recede before the military hero
The captain in crack army corps is man
times more important than man OF ey
allied title who has no military position o
record to show. Favor at court come
from military success, and all of tn
things that men most long for under
monarchical government are to be ha
only by success IN the army. OIdl
enough, this condition of affairs ha
crow ded the women out of sight. Their
are men-and E"n only-n the crack CT,
Giles OF Berlin society, AS far as swells ar
concerned. The military dandies of tn
German empire eclipse those of the worlC
while the civilians ana the women are ur
questionably tho most dowdily dresse
huu luc ltHSt pollSueu III Vi lnOS
of all other civilized countries. or course
| except the women OF high title, an
speak only in general way concernn
them but the arrogant, command
ing and isolated prominence of tn
military swell in Berlin is indubita bl
In France, the successful swell mus
have brains as we'll rs the other characte
istics To get along. 1t is curious thin
that, among all the m llienaires, spent
thrills aud high livers OF Paris, less tina
half dozen men have anything like
general reputation. The prominence of
swell NAV come fran dozen causes arti
tcally interviewer, but it can never cor
from one. BY this, | mean that, If ma
worth $50 100000 were Start in
achieve eminence, in Pars he would haN
to have a good deal more than his mon,
to do it. He might, by spending mllllo
or two a year, succeed iii attracting u
nttanIiou of the lnmnAnners and wig