The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-10-08

control; their much boosted of "edu-
cation avails them nothing-and they
offer to the gods a spectacle of frantic
fear and ignOminy of which even an
untaught savage might well be
But perhaps the most nOxious sign
of the blight in the social atmosphere
IS the openly increasing laXity of NOR
ais, and the frankly disgraceful disre-
gard of the marriage tie. Herein the
British aristocracy take the lead as the
choicest examples of the age. What
ever Europe or America may show in
the way of goddess and dfssolute living,
we are unhappily forced to realize that
there are men in Great Britain, re-
nowned for their historic names and
exclusive positions, who nevertheless
stand by, the tame witnesses of their
own marital dishonor, and who accept
with a cowardice too contemplate for
horsewhipping, other mems children as
their own, all the time knowing them
to be bastards We have heard of
certain nObleman' WhO,-to quote Holy
Writ,-'neighed after another mans
wife to such an extent, that to stop
the noise. the obliging husband accept
ed 100000, a trihing sum, which was.
duly handed over Whether the gen.
who paid was the worst rascal, must
be left to others to determine. It was
all hushed up quite nicely,-and both
parties are received in the best soci-
ety., with even more attention than
would be shown to them if they were
clean and honest, instead of being
soiled and disreputable. The portrait
of the lady whose damaged virtue was
plastered up for 100000 is often seen
in pictorialS, with appended letter.
press suitably describing her as a lily
white dove of sweet, purity and peace.
One blames the sinners in this sordid
comedy less than the fashionable
folk who tolerate and excuse their con-
duct. Sinners there are, and sinners
there always viii be,-moderOn Davids
will always exist who seek after
Bathsheba and do their level best to
get Uriah the Hittite comfortably out
of the way,-but that they should be
encouraged in their sins and COM
mended for them, is quite another
story. Apart from the pernictous infu-
ence they exercise on their own partic-
ular set the example of conduct they
give to the nation at large, not only
arouses national contempt, but in some
cases, where certain notable politicians
are concerned, may breed national dis
astar.
With Iooseness of morals naturally
comes Iooseness Of conversation. The
conversation of many of the Upper
Ten" in England at least shows a re-
markable tendency towards repulslVe
subjects and Objectionable details. IL
is becoming quite common thing to
hear .shigh- bred men and women
phrase which, though invented by }.
NJ. Barrie, is not without considerable
vulgarity and offense- Before the
very excellent and brilliant scottish
novelist chose this title for play deal
ing with the digestive apparatus, 1t
would have done him no harm TO
pause and reflect that with very large
portion of the Christian world, namely
,r.F low ~
is held to be the most sacred OF all
names, second to none save that of the
Divine Founder of the Faith. am
told on good auth GRITTY that Americans
especially American women-have
been amazed and more or less scan
daIfzed at the idea that any portion OF
the cultured" British public should
be found willing to attend a dramatic
representation dealing with matters
pertaining to the human stomach. 1
hone this report is true. My admira-
ton for American women is already
very great, but it would 80 up several
points higher if I were made quite sure
that their objection to this form of
theatrical enterprise was genuine, per
rnanent, and unconquera bic. / like
Mr.. Berrie very much, and his Scot
fish stories delight me as they delight
everybody but I want him to draw the
line at the unbeautifui details of dys-
pepsia. People are already too fond
of talking about the various diseases
affecting various parts of their bodies
to need any spur in that way from the
romantic drama. One of the most no
torious women Of the day has attained
her doubtful celebrity partially by con-
versing about her own inner mechan-
ism and other peoples inner mechan-
ism in a style which is not only free"
but frankly disgusting. But-"she is
so amusing!" say the Smart Set-"One
cannot repeat her stories, of course
they go rather Observation-Disclosures
really ought to- hear her tell themi''
This kind of thing is on par with cer-
tain lewd fiction lately advertised by
certain enterprising publishers who
announce GU must have this book
The booksellers viii not show it on
their bookstalls. They say you ought
to read it. Get it,
All homage to the booksellers who
draw the line at printed garbaget One
must needs admire and respect them
for refusing to take percentages on