The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-24


such an error now. Already the approprla-
tions Of this session are heavy weight on
the party in the race II has to run.
Another English Lady on London So
ciety.
It was not to be expected that tho charge
OF immortality brought by Lady JEUNE
against London society. would pass without
protest from some Of those who deem
themselves authorized by position and ex-
perience to express opinions on the sub
ject. Mr.. w. Ii. MALLocK's answer might.
indeed, be likened to the plea known to law
yers as confession and avoidance. for while
admitting that everything said by Lady
JEuNE might DO true. he pronounced 1t OF
no consequence. as being an effect rather
than cause OF social degeneracy. and
testifying to a relaxation Of morals char
acteristic not only Of the so-called "smart
SET" but OF the whole opulent middle class.
and, In fine. OF the English community at
large. English readers OF his article might
we'll cry. Save us from our defenders 1or
the apology left them In worse plight
than the original charge.
or very different tenor Is the reply
made by Lady FRANCES BALFouR In the
August number OF the North American Re
pie,r, the same periodical In which the two
articles above referred to were published.
To use a phrase familiar to Americans,
Lady FRANCES denies the allegation and re-
Dukes tho alligator. She AYERS that Lon
don society is. as matter OF fact'
much cleaner than 1t was at the
epoch preceding the passage OF the
first Reform act. the epoch which Lady
JEuNE had selected for comparison. She
contends that the disappearance OF many
OF the rigorous precautions formerly taken
to preserve young women from contami-
nation, bears witness to social improvement
rather than to social decadence. The COM
parative independence enjoyed by young
English women at the present day Is. she
insists, the outcome OF a more invigorating
mental and moral education. and bears wit
ness to an increased capacity Of self-pro-
lection and self-control. AS matter OF
fact there were more scandals IN London
society sixty years ago. when friendships
between the sexes were trammelled with
thousand restrictions. than there are now.
It is, indeed. absurd to suppose that society
WIS more civilized and more moral when. as
was the case within the memory OF many
living persons, 1t was inexpedient for lady
to walk in the streets OF London without the
protection OF footman. and when 1t was
accounted improper behavior for her to use
any form OF hackney coach" To walk
escorted by u footman would now only ut
tract attention instead of affording protec-
ton. and tho disappearance OF many like
safeguards simply proves tho general
recognition OF the fact that women can be
now trusted to take care OF themselves.
OF course Lady FRANCES does not deny
that there may be black sheep In every
cotere. She knows that the only question
Of Importance to the social philosopher Is
whether they are more numerous than
formerly. and have come. SO to speak. to
pervade the flock. She believes that there
are fewer Of them than there used to be;
and II some are tolerated In the smart
SET" 80 much the worse for u circle OF
which Lady FRANCES BALFouR has evil
IDENTIFY no high opinion. She declares
roundly that "smartness" has moth
ing to do with good society. People
in good society may happen to have
among other qualities whatever Is i'm
piled in this word. but "smartness alone.
without the gifts OF refinement and culture.
which with good breeding are the heritage
OF good birth. counts for nothing. People
who have merely wealth and willingness
to spend 1t lavishly. can never be of society
In Lady FRANCEs's understanding OF the
word. although they may manage to be in
1t. distinction to which literary lions. and
tcnors invited to sing in drawing rooms.
soon become painfully alive.
According to the writer OF this latest ar
ticle tho mistake made by Lady JEUNE Is
that she has allowed her mind to dwell so
exclusively on the blots and sores from
which scarcely any large aggregation of
human beings is free. that she has lost all
sense OF proportion. and has taken the life
OF a few individuals as indicative OF the
tone OF the whole mass Of society. She Ia
reminded that even In Israel when prophet
bewailed his backsliding. there were seven
thousand who had not bowed the knee to
BAAL. Lady FRANCES BALFoUR assures
Lady JEUNE that there are at least as many
persons in London society who cannot hon
estly charge themselves or their "set and
section" with any attempt to copy the de-
pravity OF ancient Rome. and who have ex-
perienced extreme surprise at hearing that
the circles In which they thought they
moved with innocent enjoyment are full Of
Mammon worship and corruption.