New-York tribune., 1901-01-06

and was contrived and enjoyed as such. Doubt
less ii in many respects crude and closely
circumscribed on it's material side but that was
not its temper.
If the requirements of an expansive mode OF
existence confined to the rich or we'll 10 do.
so that the interval between the more fortunate
and the less fortunate elements were constantly
widening, the fact would be deplorable. But II
cannot safely be assumed that the contrasts OF
condition are greater now than they
hundred years ago. Macaulay said that farm
and shopkeepers to whom eulogists of times
past attributed contentment breakfasted
loaves which would have raised a riot in a mod
workhouse and he imagined that in the
twentieth century luxuries then unknown or
confined to a few would he within the reach
of every thrifty wOrkngman. His suppostlon
was verified long before the end OF the century
in which he wrote.
1t is not rash TO rejoice in the belief that the
great mass of those who classified as the
poor are more favorably situated than they ever
were before. Their supply of comforts and con-
veniences keeps pace with a demand which is
scarcely less obvious and insstent than that
which Is made and met in the case of the rich
In the matter Of healthful conditions OF exist
ence the contrast between the present and a
not remote past is simply stupendous Nor is
it by any means certain that in respect to kind
illness of feeling between the sO-called upper and
lower strata OF society there has been any
change for the worse.
In this country the Colonial period was essen
TALLY arstocratc. but If the aristocracy OF that
era was one of birth and tradition and that OF
to-day is in a large measure based on wealth
the latter is for that reason potentially more
democratic and accessible than the former and
not necessarily. If it is actually less benevo-
lent In disposition and conduct
Turning from somewhat general reflections m
particular features of modern life we should be
inclined to say that the most notable social de-
Velopment of the century is the institution of
ciubs-that is. OF associations of whatever name
or nature possessing a regular social attach
ment. Sodalities formed with various objects
were numerous in ancient civilizations and
some of the modern type now existing in London
are more than two hundred years old while the
Fish House Club of PHILADELPHIA dates its
origin from 1928; but the coterie which DIR
johnson chiefly made famous was sufficiently
designated as Tho Club. and the vast
growth of social contrivance which nov
makes its appeal to all sorts and conditions
OF men and women, and TO virtually everv Gle
meht IN every community. has been accom-
plshed not only within the century but within
the memory of those who are not vet old
club has been defined as an establishment
which is supported by a thousand men for the
benefit of fifty, but that description spplies In
some degree only TO those 'comparativeIv raro
examples of the species which require a hupa
outlay for their housing, equipment and main
tenance. Below that grade or above IL if ,o,,
please, flourish a wellnigh infinite number and
variety of clubs which exist for the benefit of a
very large proportion of their membership, and
in the aggregate exert an incalculable inhu
ence. Thus, to mention single exemplificafion
WHICH a hurried glance might he
Young Mems and Young Women's Christian
Associations of this and other lands with Their
immense enrolment and diversified activities are
all clubs. ~
~ special word should be reserved for women's
clubs. Extremely modern in the present familiar
sense OF the word, they have. in fact, under va
rlous forms and designations. been a force IN
De taken account of for the greater part of a
century IL might be carrying the analogy too
far TO say that the sewing society," for instance
is essentially a club. though to that parentage
may be traced many associations which
born of the social instinct have i'm effect
been important factors in the wide field of
charity From the gregarious propensity have
sprung innumerable enterprises for the better
ment of human conditions.
Interest in outdoor sports. no longer the badge
of a small minority. but characteristic of the
period, has had important consequences for the
most part salutary. Ii is believed, not without
reason, to have increased the stature as well
the physical vgor and moral health OF the
rising generation, both boys and girls and esue-
cially the latter. If formerly young women
were proud to be delicate and helpless or 10. ba
thought so, their daughters have adopted a diff
ferent standard of attractiveness. And hosts
of men who in their youth considered il gentle
manly and pleasant to loaf when they had the
chance have lived. if they still alive To see
successors of a robust. energetic, open air type
and in many cases are themselves trying hard
TO make up for lost time.
II used TO be said that Americans lived everv-
where except at home, and that those who kept
house were always moving. The exaggeration
OF the saying emphasized it's truth In recent
years tendency TO possess fixed habitations
and live in them has heen proclaimed and nm
doubtedly the habit of going early TO country
houses and staying late has visibly increased
among the wealthy winter residents of large
cities. Still. there is enormous appar-