The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-04-19

reason, for they are not richer, better look
ing or more attractive than their associates
who remain in social obscurity. What,
then. Is this mysterious quality that makes
person smart" or otherwise?
II seems more inscrutable than ever
in sight Of some Of the persons who
have achieved 'smartness" Some Of them
haven't even money and give the lie to the
familiar theory that it is indispensable to
social success Some Of the women are
ugly and not few Of both sexes are very
badly dressed Others are famed for their
stupidity-and they, be it noted rarely
the poor ones. Looking over an assorted
lot of really smart" people. it would not
be possible to detect any characteristic
common TO all Of them that had really made
them what they are-so inscrutable is
the essence OF -smartness
Perhaps the circle Of ones immediate
friends does more than anything else to
stamp one as smart To be constantly
within the sphere OF the wealthy and aristo-
cratic. even though one be POOR and plebeian,
has been known TO obtain for PRISON the
same privileges and r,sp'c CT that belong
70 the ac ual poss ssion OF III se advantag 3.
II is probably the genius for making Just
a ceriain sort of friends that has more to
do with acquiring "smartn' SIS" than any
other gift. And there are cases in which
this distinction comes without solicitation.
Some p rsons. without any effort Of their
own. sem to have ''smartnsss" thrust
upon them.
We will make you smart willy-nilly,-
soci ty SEEMS 10 say in their CESS. and
you shall not escape us
And IL pursuos item until they are as far
within the inner circle Is the most ambi-
tious could desire.
II might be said that these persons. fortu-
nate or not es they are re garGed had accom-
pliihed something which made them very
interesting to society. worth kno wing and
talking to and enjoying That explanation i
not. That wi account fer the young actrets
for instance, but havos the miniature
painter mystery. So is the Western So ma
tors wife, and what is to be said Of the fat
portrait PAINTER who has for thirty years
been cousCerot most int { RI stingtttt lie
married an uni ympatnetic wife and lives
epart from her and his four children? To
be sure, he comes CT an old southern family.
but distinguished ancestry never yet m1Ge
a person smart" in New York social esti-
mate unleis there were otler qualities 10
recommend him. Perhaps he has them, and
80 have oil tie pertons who are really to be
considered -smfrt.'
One can go ,hrcug long list and dis
cover no spe cific reason Why this or that
per on should be there exec pit in the CAFE
Of the very rich. II is only surprising that
there are 40 many very rich persons who
are not in the least smart And there
seems no way Of advising Mary Smith ss
20 the best means Of becoming as succes g.
full as Mary Jones. Oae puzzled social
tleorist abandoned his Investigations with
the unsatisfying conclusion that one had
30 be born with the power OF achieving
smartnets by his or her efforts and that Il
would be impossible without that heaven
sent gift ever 10 reich tie heights.
But there have been too marfy instances
Of acquiring the reputation OF .smartness'
10 make any such fatalistic belief accept
able. Men and women have practically
pulled themselves into IL by their boot
straps wLel every chance se mel against
them. Else the young painter OF good
family could never have been 30 much In
demand So many similar cases are In
mind that we cannot excuse tho lack Of
spirit shown by a. commentator supinc
enough to decide that the ability to be
smart must he born with a person.
Perhaps opinions MAJ. diner as to what
makes person smart, There are many
alone or talent alone cannot. or, at least. !
de- as not. always do II. To be Smart nova
days seems 10 consist In. knowing other
people who are smart being with them |
noes ard persistence with which me mbers !
If social cl'aues cling to one another in New |
York. That seems to be the only way TO /
reduce the receipt for acquiring smartness |
TO any formula; The social authority will |
always indorse that valuable advice. /
III you want TO he smart yourself" he |
will say. know smart people at whatever !
sacrifice il necessary. II you are rich {
spend your money for this purpose. at !
lacking them at the point Of least resist I
ance ard spending IL on the poorest. II |
you are bright direct your attention to the 1
dull ones. helping them out and making
them appear less stupid than they are, !,
Al whatever cost, know the people who
sAV.s l.~.1 re T.a~.lf
Don't ponder over what constitutes smart /
ness or wonder why this person is and the
other Is not. Simply know those whom /
the world, or New York. or society. or
perhaps only hundred or more persons |
have declared 70 be smart. That Ia the
easiest way Of achieving smartness-if Il !
be thought worth while 70 take that trouble
10 such O cause