The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-04-07
SOCIAL CODE l sE TEE

The Arbiter has received a letter ask
ing. What is a snobT" and If there are
many Of the species in Washington. To
properly define a snob Is a magnum opus.
Perhaps the two best definitions that
cover this objectionable element OF so
ciety are Charles Levers. IN his "One Of
Them"-''Ain't snob n fellow as wants
to be taken for better bred. or richer, or
cleverer, or more influential than he real
ly is?"-and Thackerays He who mean
~ admires mean things IS a snob-" That
there are plenty Of this class in Wash
iugton, he who runs may perceive. II is
doubtful. indeed. If these gentry cOngre-
gate in greater numbers IN any center or
the world than at the American Capital.
which seems 20 be an especial ground for
their operations. II one really seeks to
know everything about a snob. he should
read Thackeray's Book of Snohs. by One
of Themselves in which he specifies the
different varieties, some of which are
THE SnOb Royal" Respectable Snobs. 90
Greater City Snobs,' Military Snobs, "
Clerical Snobs," and so on.
But TO this list there could be added
very many which have grown up with our
newer civilization. For instance the
Chauvlnlstio snob, that blatant Individual
who stands with legs far apart. waving the
American flag in one hand, and pulling
! the tail Of a screaming eagle with the
other. on the deck OF some European
/ bound steamship. To be sure he generally
comes back with the flag tucked away ia
/ one part Of his trunk. the much mutifated
eagle occupying the other, a sadder and a
/ wiser snob, but he is none the less obiec-
tionable while he does exist
! Then we have the political snob. a viru-
/ lent type. to be avoided 1t would be un-
/ fair to mention names in this connection
but any one with half an Imagination car
fit the cap to a number OF both the Upper
and Lower Houses. The moneyed snOb is
always present, the man who thinks be
cause he was a successful pork-packer h1
car buy anything, commit any rudeness
demand any sacrifice from his friends
MI the whole Of the public stage. wine
/ wonders that because he comes to Wash
ington and builds big house, handsome
/ ly furnished by contract, the cave-dWel
ers. who had grandfathers and grand
mothers, do not rush out to meet hin
with extended hands.
Then there is the social snob. some littl'
man. perhaps, who was appointed 10
minor clerkship IN one Of the departments
land who. because OF his ability to dance
his SAVIOR faire. and his stupidity. be
Icause clever people are very rarely socia
successes (society IN the main toleratinl
no brilliancy greater than It's own, an,
society being very mediocre), obtains
social position and becomes an arhiter ele
gantum, takes himself quite seriously
land uses his blue pencil on the lists tina
are submitted to him with as much SAM
froid as if he was born 10 the purple.
Then there Is the charity snob. the maj
or woman with doieful looks or irritat
Iingly joyous expression. whose 'behol
how much holier am than thou art, be
cause of the time 1 give to the poor
makes one despise all charities and =
individuals connected with them. Indeed
the various varieties OF snobs are so in
. finite that IL is impossible TO make even
+ partial list IN a limited space, but the
should be Stunned. trod upon. and cas-
down.
: II is very difficult to avoid being a snOh
. cultivation against the habit must be be
+ gun at birth. How often one sees tn