Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-24

| Has there been growing up in this republican
country, 'unbeknownst,' as it were a class of
mobility and gentry such as they have in
dear old England, don't you know? 1t would
| seem SO, when We hear Clergyman in New York
addressing the prelate of the diocese of Long
Island as MY Lord Bishop" and see pro-
| jected entertainment for the benefit of deserv-
ing charity at the national capital conspcuouslv
advertised as to be given under the auspices of
| list of lady ''patronesses in cOntradstinction
| from a list of other fairly well-known ladies
connected with the affair. Is this sort Of thing
| intended as a socia! Hall Mark" to give. so to
speak, stamp of responsibility to the function
which could not be safely presumed otherwise?
If not, what is the purpose? 1t il all right.
doubtless. to people who look at life through
English monocles, but it carries with it such a
flavor of toadyism that it is likely to act as re-
peilant rather than attraction in case of an
appeal to the general public. No American
lady or gentleman wants to be patronized by
| anybody.
Bibliophiles and admirers of missals fine
bindings, manuscripts, etchings, engravings.
and all sorts Of literary and artistic bric-a-
brac have an unusual opportunity for enjoy
ment in the collection of Mr.. E. F. Bonaven-
ture, now on view at the Arlington. Never. it
is safe to say. has anything like it been exhi-
bited here, whether extent, variety or quality
be considered. Mr.. Bonaventure's establish
Inent in New York is well known to the col =.
lectors and virtuosi of both hemispheres and
it would seem that some of his choicest treas
ures had beer brought here for the benefit of
Washington eyes. Anything like list of them
would take too much space and an ATTEMPTED
description would convey to the reader but an
imperfect idea of the character and beauty of
the objects constituting the collection, which
really must be seen to be appreciated. It may
be said. however, that it includes several
valuable historical portraits in oils and pastel
| number Of very fine miniatures, etchings in
various states, some almost priceless missals
with examples OF early typography, and MANY
| choice copies of illustrated standard works.
varying in price all the way from IS up to $500
each. There is, indeed hardly ANYTHING in the
room that will not bring a sparkle of pleasure
to the eve of cOnnOisseur and make him
wish for unlimited wealth.
What pity it is, on their own account as
well as that of the public. that the drivers of
hacks and cabs do not cheerfully and politely
accept the proper and legal fare when rendered
by passenger. This they almost never do;
and usually they demonstrate in "a surly man
ner, claiming tina. the amount offered is not
sufficient, on the ground that the time or dis
lance is greater than it really is Or they take
the exact fare with such ill grace as to fill their
customer with disgust. The result is that these
handy means of transit are not used nearly as
often as they would be if less offensive course
were pursued by the drivers. This is especially
true OF ladies. who are not familiar with dis
tances. ETC., and. Of all things, are averse to a
discussion on the streets, particularly where
they are sure to be worsted, and pretty certain
to have to pay the required sum in the end
| even if it be double the legal fare. As a sex
thew wCnlu DatroniZa eabs puel
they now do but for fear of imposition and dis
courteous treatment
Il
And this suggests the inquiry whether the
owners of all the public one-horse vehicles in
the city would not find it vastly to their profit
to agree upon a uniform fare of twenty-five
cents for any distance within the territory
lying between the Smithsonian grounds and
Florida avenue, one way. and between Rock
| creek and line drawn north from the plaza
on the east front Of the Capitol building, the
other way. Probably three-fourths of all the
| cab using in the city is within this limit, and
probably nine-tenths Of that proportion is con-
stituted of trips Of less than mile. Now If it
were positively known that for a ride of any
length within the bounds named fare of
| twenty-five cents, and no more, would be re-
quired, two persons would use a cab where one
does now, so that the receipts from the excess
OF short rides would very much more than
make up for the trihing loss on few long
trips. If those interested do not believe that
| the cheapening process and the adoption of =
uniform rate within given bounds would
greatly increase their yearly net profits. they
have only to look at the experience Of the post
| Office department, newspapers, railway. express
and telegraph companies, etc. Nothing so
tends to extend business and enlarge profits as
cheap rates. Let the cab and coupe owners
| therefore try the proposed experiment once.
1t hardly fail to be success, If fairly tested
for q reasonable length Of time, DO that the
| public can become familiar with the new order
of things Should 1t fail, ii win be easy enough
/ to 90 buck 10 the nrasent unnonular sYnfeun