The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-10-02

ROYAL sAsuso POWDER CO., NEW YORK
quence London society has increased
enormously in quantity and gorgeous
ness. IL not IN quality and refinement.
During the season the number Of nota-
BILE dinners, balls, and receptions may
DC counted nightly, not by the dozen,
but oy the hundred; while no other cap
ital offers a spectacle SO respondent and
bewildering as that 10 be witnessed in
Hyde Park in the months OF May and
June. The necessary and inevitable re-
suit CT il all, however, has been dagen-
Grafton in manners, vulgarity in inter-
course, and even beginning Of corrup-
ton in spoken language. The popular
novel II tie day, with the brutality OF
lts French prototype, but without the
redeeming elegance and grace OF French
idiom, offers no exaggerated picture Of
this state Of things.
A corrollary IL the lowering Of the So
cial standard is the importance auto
ma .ically gained by the declassees,
whom the French Of the second empire
had good reason to estimate as de1ni-
monde. The hetairae of London have
not yet attained quite 10 that position;
but il is impossible to deny that their
status has steadily though noiselessly
been raised. There are not few women
who can be known f5y no other name
for, though avowedly married, they are
maintained by good friends in luxury
IL
possibly provide. Apart from this class
however. the most cursory look around
will reveal the fact that not only unions
outside that OF wedlock, but promiscu-
Gus lais0ns. have multiplied enormously
of late years, since the number and
gorgeousness Of the anonymae 10 be met
with in London and the English water
ing places now rival those of France.
Crowds Of lovely girls, Of good and re-
spectacle parentage. seek an opening in
life through the stage. And next TO a
successful operatice singer, no vocation
is more remunerative for a woman than
that of a popular theatrical career.
In fact. the theatre has become one Of
the most absorbing topics Of interest.
Tie number of play houses in London
has increased 50 rapidly within the last
ten years that 1T now far exceeds that
of Paris; while they are incomparably
superior to the French theatres in COM
fort, NERVOUSNESS Of appointment, and
richness OF stage mounting. Lengthy
criticisms Of even the most absurd
pieces appear in the daily press. and
special articles deal with the dresses OF
the actresses Such articles, coupled
With weekly dissertations on ladies'
frocks are a new and significant feature
% English journalism. Dress at the
races and the most remarkable toilets at
balls and receptions are described min
utely. Most newspapers introduce illuz-
trati0ns OF IA shions; and discuss also the
newest things in mems tailoring and
linen.
Another notable feature in this rapid
transformation Of London life Is the
multiplication OF restaurants. A few
years ago II was impossible 10 eat a de-
cent dinner away from home, unless at
ones club. Now in the number Of first
class restaurants London is ehead OF
Paris, where the rather elouchy habits
OF the republic have given the prefer
ence to the brasscrie. And all these
gorgeously appointed establishments. at
which one may dine better and cheaper
than in the old famed restaurants OF the
boulevards, are nightly thronged win
English folk, who only few years ago
would have considered IL an event 10
dine at a public table. unless ION the
continent In the number and magnifi-
cence OF it's hotels also london now
rivals Paris. The traditional lodging
house" is fast disappearing, and the
country gentleman or the provincial.
who formerly patronized Il or put uu a,
some primitive 'inn," now rrequents the
hotel and eats table-6'hote dinner. To
these home guests are now added vast
crowds, not only Of American visitors.
cut % continental tourists, bent on
Measure as much as on business; for
French and Belgian viveurs pronounce
London 10 hav. become fruitful fed Of
pleasure.
This intercours. has Of necessity re-
acted reciprocaliy First English tastes
aud iatterly English fashions have per-
vaded the continent. English tourists,
BY exacting as indispensable 70 them
selves. have gradually made manifest
the advantages OF perfect sanitation,
morning tubs, and opportunities for out
of-door exercise Tha: a French foot
bail team and a rowing crew have sue
ceedei in beating Englishment on their
own ground. is one Of the greatest tri-
uniphs which English civilization has
achieved In ike manner, the supreme
ambition o, a French lady % fashion *
20 entertain - country house a IAN
glaise; and % a Freedman 20 DIVE ms
friends there in a "mailcoach-"
Thus England is rapidly assuming The
lead IN fashionable and fast life. Tae
question arises how Ear are these social
changes likely % affec; the political fab
nc % This empire, now admittedly ne
creates. success the word has ever seen
in the fed OF politics ami dominion
;. X D.
II man works hard and gets along, lazy
people say he Is lucky"