The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1898-10-22
IN ENGLISH SOCIETY.
Tho Key That Opens the Doors OF
the Very Elect.
Mea Who Have Nothing But Acnsv 20
Reast OF Gain Aocsss to the Charmed
Circle Of the Highest In
the Land s

The charge made against American
society that it is based upon the woa>-
ship OF money has been SO often re-
peated and insisted on that we our
selves have almost come to DeneVe IT,
The fact that it is not true, either as
general proposition or in detail. mas
not sufficed 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
a nlea of guilty and thrown ourselves
on the mercy of the court II recent eA-
periences had not led us to pause ana
consider.
These experiences, briefly stated, arc,
first. that the nation which is most
urgent in reproaching us as money "aor-
shipers has recently made itself most
conspicuous in the devOutness OF It's
worship of the American dollar, and
second, that the condition OF society IA
which distinction is based on money
ba1s 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 tnat
mere millions, ,unaccompaniedb by breed
ing or refinement, have given their pos
SCISSORS the entree of society in Eng
land, Two conspicuous recent in
stances are those of Col. North, the
nitrate king" and Barney" Barnato,
the "Kaflir king"
tits doing no injustice to Col. North to
saw 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 tho
nation by his exposure of his ignorance,
bad grammar and general yulgarity.
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 Kaftir
king, is even more striking. 1t is
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 III
opulent eminence it was said that hi'
start in life was made as clown II
an exceedingly modest circus tent. The
myth has since been explained by his
admirers as arising from his fondness
/ for private theatricals, this form oi
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 q sudden for
tune, variously estimated at from $50,
| c00,0OO to $500, ,0OO, 900. Among his
quoted sayings are his boast that he
twill stand any man drink, but will
| lend no man fiver," and his advice te
always have the first hit" These
| maxims sufficiently indicate the socia.
rank in which Mr.. Barnato ought to b<
found, and which he would probably
continue to flourish if he were an Amer
lean. Here his place would be witt
vulgar as himself. But in England he
is a financial and social lion. Society &C
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 ht
/ is perhaps more notable social lighr
than the young duke who has recently
illustrated in another way the sin
cerity of British criticisms upon Ameri
can money worship.-Harper's Weekly