The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-04-22
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nature are kindled into all devourinr
flames: the motives become ugly, selfish
consuming passions they eat I'D or
utterly dispIace what Is good and hand
some, and make us altogether ugly and
odious. They make us perfect snobs.
1t Is a common and very miserable
heresy that we may make fortunes.
achieve position. possibly accumulate
knowledge. which Is often identified with
book-learning: then ve may be on a high
level, and be great successes. We al
together forget that our fortunes and
our acquisitions are things outside OF
ourselves: that we nay control millions.
know things by the bookfull, and yet
be essential paupers. wretched and mis-
cradle. poor and blind and naked. There
Is no poverty like al impoverished soul.
Now a snob is one OF these beggarly
successes. You mar catch up specimens
anywhere. In matter or mind. One who
has taken lagos recommendation. and
put money In his purse by fair means
or foul, and has embittered and per-
verted and befoulei his soul in doing so.
says to all the world that he IS a snob.
He offends against every law and
precept Of decen: social life. AS the
leading badge OF his tribe, he Is over
bearing. hard, superciious, an embodi-
ment OF ugliness. Things rank and gross
in nature possess him merely. And yet
life with him he links is great sue
cess. There is tina, maketh himself poor,
yet hath great abundance. And all that
springs out of this wretched stock shares
its nature, and mikes general result OF
snobbery. And these impose their vul-
garities as social laws: veritable Upas
trees. Their successes have only allowed
the full development of their low natures.
This is equally obvious in all estates.
whether high or low. Perhaps the high
est social levels Of England may show
TO the world snobs Of the rankest growth
and fullest development. The princes Of
the Royal Family and the Queen her
self may be guilty OF snobbishness. Of
which Virginia thoroughbred gentle
man or lady would be ashamed: nay,
OF which Aunt Delphy" or Uncle
Daniel" would sccrn to be guilty.
The world of intellect ought not TO
know of snobs: and yet they abound
even there. Truth is a gift Of God TO
the whole human family. like the light
of the sun. To use 1t ambitiously is
slmony. But Pienan Spring oft makes
men and women lose their heads. The
danger Of shallow draughts is familiar
And drinking deeply does not always
sober us. When the pursuit of knowl-
edge Is a selfish ambition. and the pur-
suit of truth Is for selfish and vain
glorious ends, success makes snobs Com
monplace literature of an Indifferent
level makes little else than intellectual
snobs Ard profesorships, that are
few removes from trades, are veritable
snobbery. The professors do not lead
their lives in the pure, clear lights and
air Of truth; but what they know they
turn to the account Of name and
reputation and fortune: and they spread
themselves and magnify their offices In
veritable snobbishness. The Scribes and
Pharisees OF old were. no doubt, highly
learned: but their learning enwrapped
and adorned withered and besotted Souls.
They were horrid snobs.
Nature and providence abhors paru-
alities. The law of compensation often
fills with bright virtue. gentiity and
happiness the bosom OF the poor. and
sends the rich empty away. And the
typical Son OF Man thanked the Father
that His light and truth He had ma
from the wise and prudent and re-
vealed them unto babes. Snobs, every
where, are pretenders and frauds and a
disgrace to their kind: quite suggestive
that some of natures journeymen have
made them, and not made them weh'
they initiate humanity so abomlnaDy'