The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-12-08
PRESTIGE FOR SALE
A MARKETABLE CONNODITT
NOT PECULIAR

Social ambition as marketable COM
modify is not a stock in trade peculiar
to the culture OF the present day in
New York Mr.. Decimus Junius Juye-
nails used to poke satire at his fellow
Romans for a failing they had of Civ
ing each advance in the smart set" Of
Rome in days of Emperor Hadrian an
intrinsic value, and the satlrist has
left the information for future genera
tions to work on that the patricians
took good care to draw on the persons
they helped to social advancement in
good sesterces of the realm. However,
Juvenal does not mention the fact of
any of the socially ambitious Romans
of his day candidly advertising their
hopes and Offering to pay we'll for the
attainment of them. The use of the
advertising columns of the daily papers
for the purpose of exploiting ones am
billions for advancement into the holy
of-holies of the fashionable tabernacle
at so much per agate line appears to
be product of modern culture. Thack-
cray could have found fine stuff for
a cutting chapter to the Book of
Snobs" in the modern personal column.
England has furnished some spec
tacular instances of the intrinsic value
of social position and the price of ad-
Vancement in the fashionable ranks
during the past few months. Just. be-
fore the coronation of King Edward an
advertisement appeared in a London
newspaper in which peer offered to
sell his rights to whatever privileges
his inheritance gave him in Westmin-
ster Abbey. Another peer advertised
for an American wife who could, as his
wife, sit among the peeresses in the
abbey, if she would guarantee to turn
over to him a. certain number of her
American dollars. The latest instance
from across the water came in a dis
patch from London a few days ago,
which said that an English woman ad-
Vertised that she will son start for
India to attend the Dunbar at Delhi,
and that she would chaperOne an
American Of English woman. The
terms for four months chaperonage
are placed at $4,000, and as an induce
ment the advertiser added that, having
many invitations, she would be able to
give her charge a mighty good time.
The advertisement was palpably aimed
at rich Americans in forgetfulness of
the fact that it was rich American
girl who, not long ago, went to India
as the wife of the Viceroy himself, and
regardless of expense.
New York cannot show anything
just like that, although it is a matter
of history that not long. before the
Patriarchs expired, some invitations to
one of their balls were advertised for
sale. Even in later days some guarded
charges have been made that private
ball cards have changed hands for con-
siderations, and the instance of the ad-
vertisement for $50 of an invita- ton to
the marriage of Miss Consuelo Wander
bilt and the Duke Of Marlborough is
still fresh in the memory of the persons
who follow society matters at all.
-Four years ago a person either suf-
fering from an especially aggravated
attack of social ambition, or with an
aim to attach discredit upon the higher
ranks of society, inserted this adver-
tisement in morning newspaper of
this city:
"a lady of undoubted refinement and
eooON ~ el4oO q oOO4 III CSoVAs " AL
pay $4,000 for a bone fide introduction
into New York's Four Hundred. Only
responsible persons need apply, as this
is done in good faith"
1t is not known whether or not the
lady with a social bee in her bonnet got
her expensive introduction. A care
fully worded answer elected no reply
and no forged numbers were seen in
the ranks of the -Four Hundred during
that season.
There is at first sight something
pathetic in the advertisement which
says that "a reduced gentlewoman" of
the highest culture would act as chap
eron or companion for young girls, or
widows going abroad; but the reduced
gentlewoman is legion and does not
hesitate to diIate on her social adj
vancement. One is led to believe,
therefore, that the woman who has de-
seconded two or three floors on the fash
ionable elevator is partly a mercenary
person who regards her former social
accomplishment as so much working
capital. The following advertisement
which appeared on Sunday seems to
bear this impression out:
"a refined woman, dignified presence,
agreeable disposition, wishes position
as chaperon, companion to society Wo-
man, leading actress or invalid, accus-
toned to society here and in Europe;
has had court presentation; is good lin
gust, reader and amanuensis; capable
household manager; highest creden-
tials. A. c.
1t was hard to understand the motive
of the woman who advertised for din
ner guests for the following Sunday
evening as four of the ladies invited
had contracted grip and had to de-
cline" until an answer brought reply
that showed an Interior design far re-
moved from anything like accepted So
cial refinements, even of the sort that
upset Col. Watterson. One would feel
the same perplexity in the ADVERTISE
ment that reads:
"a lady would like to meet other
ladies for Afternoon whist party
until one found out.
This sort of advertisement cannot be
the expression of areal healthy anbi-
ton for great things in high society
such as the following one out of the
West, breezy and candid:
"A Colorado banker, highest stand
ing, wishes motheriess daughter, 49,
charming, educated abroad, introduced
into best New York society; confiden-
tiaI arrangement desired with lady I'M
doubted position; willing to launch