The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-12

n,easuree which are most costly. But when
Lady JEUNE says that "all that is needed to
insure an entrance into the highest society
in England is unlimited wealth. she does
not speak accurately. Unlimited wealth. ID
essential. doubtless. but there must
be something else. There must NO
tho desire to get In ana the aoihey
and the Willingness to assume tne
burdens imposed. 1t is In London as IL
is In New York. In both places there Is an
abundance OF unlimited wealth which Is
not within the circle OF fashion. 1t is not
wanted there. because 1t will not distribute
itself for the circles benefit. Wealth SIM
ply as wealth is not desired. but wealth
Which will be expended lavishly and nptiy
for the general amusement. Not merely
rich men, but profuse dispensers OF wealth.
who know how to crafty the tastes OF the
society are taken into the ranks.
Wealth being SO essential to smart 30
cletv, and most Of its possessors In London
being outside OF the old nobility. OF course
radical change in the composition OF the
circle OF fashion has resulted. The new are
taking the lead Of the old In the grandeur OF
their entertainments and Of those they draw
about them. This social revolution has re-
suited in revolution Of morals and manners.
Lifo has become comedy. play t'ihe.
Serious views OF its obligations are OUT OF
place in such circle. The recent scandals
in London society. which have been Inc
talk OF the world. Lady JEUNE very reason
ably attributes to 1.-The casy-going manner
in which women OF the highest rank anu
culture have allowed the old-fashioned
rules and restraints which governed
society to DO relaxed" As she says.
very truly. women and not men are re.
sponsible for the tone and composition OF
society. They fix its moral standard. "and
as women are virtuous or tho reverse. 80 Is
their encourage" They have relaxed the
former restraints each as regards herself
and the whole as regards each other. III tho
moral tone Of the society has been lowered.
it is because the moral tone OF the women IN
it has fallen Individually. This decline she ac-
knowledgcs and declares frankly and hatly.
That this moral degradation Is extreme
she implies when she says that 1--WE must
feel infinite pity for tho poor outcast
women OF the world who sin because they
must live. while there can be nothing but
q feeling OF horror for women who set their
virtue so low rs to make it the price OF
dresses which will cut out the
toilettes OF their women friends in society;
nor can we have any but feeling OF con-
tempt for the men who. marrying on
small means. suddenly find their whole
encourage changed by the addition OF
horses and carriages. French cooks. and
all tho modern luyuries OF fashionable
MENACE. and who shut their eyes and accept
the gifts Of the fairy godfather who has
wrought all these miracles"
II this Is true picture OF what Is posi-
BILE in the smart society Of London. and
we must accept it as such from woman OF
Lady JEUNE's social standing and oppor-
tunities for observation. her conclusion that
that societyis undermined morally becomes
irresistible. Wealth and luxury she makes
for this corruption. but the
decline OF religious faith and conviction
among women. which she mentions as
another cause, has perhaps been even more
potent
No parallel condition exists In the society
Of New York. So far. that society is dlstin-
guished for its moral purity: but the ten
dency OF overwhelming luxury is unques-
to moral corruption. us Lady
JEUNE points out. The innocent POSSIBLE
ties OF mere pleasure purchasab!e by money
have a limit whichis soon reached. Beyond.
are only vice on the one hand. or the serious
OF money on tho other.