The San Francisco call., 1906-09-02


NNF THATEVER view one may take
Ny OF American arfstocracy. there
w is certainty that q high social
position IN this country gives
one entree into the oldest and most ex-
elusive aristocracy Of foreign countries.
so its worth may be valued on that
basis. The idea that America has an
aristocracy IS often derided. The term
'aristocracy Of money" is used by
Americans to beIittle their own coun-
Try, but SO long as foreign society OF
older culture needs our money. just so
long we need have no fear of being
obliged TO exist without recognized
aristocracy.
As for. those who profess no regard
for social position, they. are as a rule
the first to. seek admission when: their
wealth is sufficient for the responsi-
bility. That one can enter this circle
by means of money ana brains is fact.
but IT IS seldom that both these forces
are used together with discretion. Few
persons finally succeed in their social
ambitioas, even after making a brave
plunge. but il the newcomers wealth
IS great enough it can -surmount almost
every obstacle when. applied with wis
dom. sun there are men who after
giving away half. a. dozen costly auto
mobiles and numerous FIVE thousand
dollar dinners ind themselves worse OF:
than at the beginning. and objects Of
ridicule. They cannot understand their
own blmders; the neuveau jeu is rnys-
tifying. and after being severely re-
pulsed they come away. to bind up
their wounds. scoring society roundly
as rotten institution.
Much Tact Required.
Many men are clever enough to
,amass vast fortunes in short time.
often far exceeding their expectations.
These same men at the social game go
about 1t like children with blocks Of
wood They have no system or method.
and .stn expect: TO win. They will
tell you that il requires more tact and
harder work to get into the aristocraey
than TO make money. While absorbed
with the excitement Of gathering fer
tune they gave Bttle thought to social
life but suddenly discover they lack
one vital thfns-social position. They
crave the publicity that attaches TO
society.
How 70 get into the aristocrecy. It
IS so easy that the wise laugh. while
the foolish continue to lament and beat
against the barriers Not one in 10000
knows how 10 go about 1t. but many
men would pay million to be in the
Rristocracy. irrespective OF the money
they would be Obliged to spend after
getting there.
Few cases are recorded. CT persons
succeeding by their own efforts un-
aided. It is absolutely necessary to
enlist the practical help and sympathy
OF some one whose social standing IS
powerful. some one who VIII under
take 10 manage the campaign with un-
firing energy and in the strictest con-
ndence The newcomer Will place him.
self and his family in the sponsors
hands TO be guided by the latters ad-
vice. even in the most trivial matters.
OF attack and follow 1t 70 the letter
The sponsor Oike the London type)
viii give intimate friends some par
ticular reason for taking up the new
people. which must be anything rather
than the truth-that he OF she is in
need OF funds and finds this con-
venient way of adding 10 a small in
come.
The sponsor is either woman whose
husband is weak but willing help
mate, a bachelor dependent upon rela-
tives or bachelor maid in like cir
fcumstances. The rewards must be IN
such shape that they can never be
traced as a money consideration. -
They may be costly gifts. tips on the
market or extended travel, with ex-
tpenses paid. However, a f1rst-class
lsponsor expects confidential settle
.nent Of some sort. and gets it If the
social espirant is wise. The sponsor
has disagreeable ways of getting
even"
Professional Prompters.
Nine out of every ten would-be
sponsors are nothing but prompters,
who tell one what TO do and when TO
do il. It's their livelihood. The trouble
for climbers at the present time is that
New York is hlled with professional
e prompters. who need social help more
than the ones they try to aid Ere