Birmingham state herald., 1896-03-15

noted in these columns if sent to Mrs. Tenth and Eleventh avenues. South High lands. Telephone 9SS)
 I was reading a few days ago a num- Der of "questions to be considered by as- pirants after social honors,' as the list of rules was called, and I was much im- pressed with the injustice done good so- eiety by such questions and rules. They were evidently written by a cynic, who gladly put all the possible disadvantages of good society in distinct contrast with physical comfort, sincerity and the high CT impulses of noble natures. This is un- just and untrue, unless good society diff fers very greatly in various parts of the world. or course, in large and prosper ous cities there are certain disadvan- tages which necessarily arise from the rapid accumulation of wealth and the consequent changes in the social condi- tions of many families. This state of things is by no means confined to the great cities of the country. for in every community there are some aspirants Tor social position whose claim to considera- tion is based pon their ability to buy and sell They have purely a commercial value, regulated by the size and appoint ment of their homes and their capacity to return certain hospitable courtesies which may come to them But these peo- pie, while, to use an up-to-date term, are
 'in society," in measure, no one famil- jar with such matters is for moment de- ceived by their position. They are esti- mated according to their merits. This class differs very materially from those cultivated men and women who, though new" in certain sense are worthy of a very warm welcome into the best society by those persons to whom the highest phases of social life have always been fa- miliar. Many of them are so thoroughly educated nd-cultivated, with such grace and charm of manner, that their entrance into society is cause for mutual con graduation on both sides. These refined men and women bring into our social life uheir natural and well regulated ambi- Iion, their study and Self-improvement; and do not offend good taste by arro- gance and supreme self-satisfaction.
 Society. good society, the best society is essential to the proper regulation or our lives. We are better men and women because of our association with each other, and there is no reason that a sin gle noble trait a single aspiration and hope shall be sacrificed because we form a part of society. We can be just as true and pure, just as honest and upright just as sincere and sympathetic in so- cjety as out of it. There is no proper reason that one elevated impulse should be stified by the exactions of our daily social existence, and we deserve to be
 
 fail to raise the standard Of everyday living.
 My observation has been that the ma 5ority of the charities of the world, the largest amount of those good deeds, which are accomplished as quietly as the falling of gentle rains upon parched and thirsty land, are the work of women who enjoy that side of life embraced In what is known as good society," To 1nyeigh against society Is to tacltiy ac- knowledge one of two things, either an unfortunate degree of cynicism or an ap- solute ignorance of such matters. In every community, however small there are certain features that should be lm- proved and some that should De .enml- mated altogether. The desire for dis play, the craving for conspicuousness and the reckless expenditure Of money, running into undue extravagance, are tnfallible indications of the snob, ana no well regulated society at the south Will tolerate those things for any Iengtn oi time. Society is, acording to the pest definition, 'the more cultivated ortion of any community" and when 1t is dis- covered by refined, educated people that the standard has been lowered to man cial estimate only, it soon becomes pat ent fact that only because of suferance are the men and women tolerated Wno crept into society because of a big bank account or an imposing residence.
 As southern people have so persistently held to ld-fashioned ideas, namely, that character, cultivation, refinement and good manners are essential quaiincatlons fin genteel circles the questions and rules referred to are somewhat surprising 10 us in this section. A young woman ana young man need no new formula or gooo behavior if they have been reared arignt and their instincts have been cultivated according to southern principles. They Cor phase of society in this or any other country, for they are essentially true ana noble with a grace of manner, and need- ing no set rules to govern their conduct save those which are engraved upon their hearts.
 There is no room in good society for the cynic or the snob! Webster defines the snob as "a vulgar person, who apes gentility or affects the intimacy of dis tinguished persons" And this unfortu- nate human product is not by any means confined to any class Of society, either the "old" or the new" and though gen. orally the snob is the result of recent so- cial elevation, he is sometimes evolved from the oldest and best social condi- uons. The snob rarely has the intellect and character to warrant recognition from cultivated people, nor the penetra- tion and discernment to discover what subject of ridicule he or she may be with sef-respecting persons. The snob is largely responsible for the existence of the cynic, who misjudges society because it is frequently afflicted with such miser- able specimens of humanity as the snobs; but in his righteous indignation the .cynic overiooks the good all around him and only reviles at the vulgar and offensive. This is waste of time and energy. for this is wise old world, where, accord ing to Lincoln's philosophy, i've may fool all the people sometimes. we may fool some people all the time, but we cannot fool all the people all the time," and if it does anything thoroughly it cer- tainly renders its just verdict upon that grade of humanity known as snobs, and 1t is not deceived by their pretensions or their arrogance.
 But dismissing the cynic and snob, neither of whom are worthy of much consideration, we should defend good so- ciety from the inundoes and sneers of the uniniated and prejudiced. Good society is a great factor in the regulation of our lives and conduct. We are not only bet ter men and women because of our asso- citation with each other, but because of regard for the good opinions of our fel-
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