The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-10-23
THE NEW MASTER OF CERE-
MONIES.

II is reported that Mr.. Ward McAllister,
-Four Hundred" has been forced to alb
dictate the throne of Snobdom by one
Ollie Teali, younger and more attractive
man of fashion. The news is not unex-
pected. When McAllster published his
ridiculous book, "Society as l Have
Found II" 1t was predicted that his silly
pen had dug McAliister's social grave, for
while the -Four Hundred" were quite
willing to employ McAllister, they were not
at all pleased that the outer world should
know what an empty-headed ass their
master of ceremonies was; so McAllister
has been declining in popularity since the
issue of his book. The world when it
laughed at McAlIister was not content to
stop there, but laughed at the "good soci-
ETY." that could tolerate such a chump as
their Malvolio. McAllister posed as the
creator Of an inner circle Of exclusive So
ciety which he called New York's -Four
Hundred" claiming that it represented
all the real social arlstocracy of the city.
so far as ancient and honorable pedlgrees
are concerned.
The critics Of his book were not long in
showing that his "Four Hundred" is a
myth, for its members have no historical
right to any special consideration above
thousands of other families who have
money enough TO pay for the extravaganza
of social splendor and are willing to spend
it. McAlliste-'s book has no value except
as u manual of reference for persons Of
wealth who desire to give large dinner
parties and need information concerning
cookery. soups, salads. wines, etc Nc
Allister began his social life by spending a
legacy of 81. 600 for fancy suit at the first
ball he ever attended. he tried book
keeping as business and studied law.
Then he married some money, farmed
IL after rich mans fashion around
Newport for time and then went
abroad. He brought nothing back
with him but the social knowledge" that
the well-trained butler of well bred
English family Of wealth is master of. He
has been undoubtedly good floor man
ager for bali; good typographical and
sanitary engineer for public banquet or
swell picnic. The size and quality of
McAllister's brain may be gathered from
the fact that in his book he dilstes upon
eminent services" rendered TO New York
society by the late Mr.. Leonard jerome
These eminent services" consisted IN the
introduction. OF rather revival, of -four
in hand" driving. Mr.. Jerome is de-
scribed by McAllister as 'the rlanner of
three OF the haudsomess dinners ever
given in New York city,
A very great statesman was probably
lost nv the diversion of Mr.. Jerome's
brains from the world Of business, law
and politics to that Of the turf and the
/ dinner table. He might have contributed
~ the wisdom, II not the gsyety Of nations.
had be not been simply content TO make
| the table grosni when he did not, ike
/ Yorick. make ii roar. The death Of this
Mr.. Jerome was about a. melancholy and
insuppor,abie an event 10 the general pub
/ lie as vas the death Of Daniel Lambert to
England or Daniel rratt 10 America.
Among the profound utter nces OF Nc.
Alis:er Is: You must never Re able
/ 90 see the tails Of Your dress cost:
/ If you 30, discard the coat. Z"
/ Lincoln oucht 10 have survived the y At
/ long enough 10 paste this impress ve state
! nent III Ms hat. McA.lis,er asserted the
/ courage Of his convictions in the dogmatic
/ statement that the man who gives salmon
/ during the winter, care not what sauce
/ he serves with 1t. does an injury 10 him