The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1896-01-18
IN ENGLISH SOCIETY.
Tho Key That Opens tho Doors OF
the Very Eject
Wen Who Have Nothing Bat Money to
Boast OF Gala Aocess to the Charmed
Circle e1 the Highest IN
the Land.

The charge MADE against American
society that it is based upon the wor-
ship OF money has been so often re-
peated and insisted on that we our
selves have almost come to believe 1t.
The fact that it is not true, either as q
general proposition or, in detail, has
not suficed to offset the weight Of au-
thority, which is on the side OF our ac-
cusers. The charge has gone SO far
that we should probably have entered
q plea of guilty and thrown ourselves
on the mercy Of the court if recent ex-
periences had not led us to pause and
consider.
These experiences, briefly stated, arc.
first. that the nation which is most
urgent in reproaching us as money wor-
Slippers has recently made itself most
conspicuous in the devoutDess OF Its
worship of the American dollar. and,
second. that the condition of society In
which distinction is based on money.
bags and which does not prevail in this
country does most undoubtedly prevail
among our censorious and superior
cousins in England.
It is not true that mere millions. with
out breeding and refinement, can make
their way into the leading social circles
of New York or of any other great city
in this country. 1t is quite true that
mere millions, ,unaccompaniedb by breed
ng or refinement, have given their pos
sessors the entree of society in Eng
land. Two conspicuous recent in
stances are those of Col. North, the
nitrate king" and Barney" Barnato,
the ''Kaf1ir king"
tits doing no injustice to Col. North to
say that he has absolutely no other
claim to notice than his millions. AS
a recent candidate for parliament he
made himself the laughing stock of the
nation by his exposure of his ignorance,
bad grammar and general vulgarity.
Yet he has reached the highest level of
social distinction in England. In COM
mon with celebrities from this coun-
try, he is "a friend of the prince of
Wales"
The case of Mr.. Barnato, the Kafir
king, is even more striking. It is a
proof that money, and nothing but
money, is the sole condition of passing
the portals of high life in England.
Mr.. Barnato's early history is enveloped
in mystery. When he first appeared in
opulent eminence it was said that his
start in life was made as a clown in
an exceedingly modest circus tent. The
myth has since been explained by his
admirers as arising from his fondness
L. of
amusement having been much in vogue
in the diamond drifts and gold diggings
of South Africa. What is known about
him is that he has made sudden for
tune, variously estimated at from $780,
100000 to $50O,O0O,O0O. Among his
quoted sayings are his boast that he
will stand any man drink, but will
lend no man a fver." and bis advice to
always have the first hit" These
naxims sufficiently indicate the social
rank in which Mr.. Barnato ought to be
found, and which he would probably
continue to flourish if he were an Amer
lean. Here his place would be with
others as illiterate, as ignorant and as
vulgar as himself. But in England he
is a financial and social lion. Society ac
cepts not only his tips and his pre-
miums. but his presence. Personage;
of the highest distinction are not above
paying him obsequious homage, and he
is perhaps more notable social light
than the young duke who has recently
illustrated in another way the sim
cerity of British criticisms upon Ameri-
I can money-worship.-H Weekly.