The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-02-03
GROWTH OF LUXURY
A SIGN Of THE
TIMES
PERSONS OF MODERATE MEANS
ENJOY LIFE IN EUROPE
STORY OF ExTRAvAoANT Liv-
ING COMES FROM BERLIN.

LONDON, Feb. 3.-The astonish-
ing increase in luxury which Is so
striking a feature Of present-day life
was the subject OF conversation the
other evening at small exclusive
club frequented by diplomats. One
member In the British service spoke
strongly OF the ruinous expense OF
the English social life OF today.
up to a quarter OF century ago.
he said. our habits were simple.
Even the wealthy made no great show.
When ! began TO stay In country
houses in the seventies the way OF
living was plain and unpretentious.
Who nowadays would have the cour-
age to offer his guests boiled eggs
and cold ham for breakfast on hot
day. dish of cold meats and cheese
for luncheon, and dinner Of four or
five courses all told? What woman In
in society nowadays would be content
TO allow herself fl5O a year dress
allowance? An aunt OF mine, with one
OF the greatest titles and at one time
In Queen victoria's household. never
exceeded that amount.
ITO the very wealthy 1t doesn't mat
ter what they spend on their personal
pleasures. but when you find men
earning from G1.00O to $4,000 a
year spending 1t all In mad endeav-
or TO do Just as the wealthy do--drive
motor cars. eat at the most expensive
restaurants, keep number OF SER
wants, and consume the most expen-
sive wines and cigars-then you may
be sure that the country suffers.
Tendency Is Marked.
II don't believe" continued the diplo-
mat, who Is familiar with the social
life in all the great capitals, that In
any other country you will find this
tendency among people OF moderate
income so marked as II Is here. In
st. Petersburg dissipation among the
upper classes Is carried to amazing
lengths: in New York millionaires
throw their money about as II II burn
ed their hands; in Vienna there Is a
great deal of gambling and wildness
generally, but only among the aristo-
crazy; In Paris there are plenty OF
chances TO live riotously. but you sell
dom see the bourgeois taking them.
The same story OF extravagant lux
Bulow's renewed warning 10 the Prus-
sian diet against the evils OF extrava
gance came at moment when the
German people we're indulging in pos
sibly the most luxurious week OF their
history.
"The round OF court festivities"
said another diplomat, now In full
swing In Berlin Is accompanied by n
display without a parallel in the Ger
man capital The magnificent jewels
and dresses OF the imperial drawing
room represent the high-water mark
i'm an era OF luxury toward which
New Germany has been advancing
for the last few years.
Appeals Not Needed.
The chancelor's first appeal In
November last for simplicity and
economy fell on deaf ears The
wealthy classes prepared for the cur
rent season on scale OF unprecedent-
cd magnifcence. Dinners and balls
are arranged without regard to ex-
pense. the gowns are more costly
than any before worn in Germany.
One firm in Untsr.den.Linden sold
nearly half a million dollars worth
OF pearls alone In the last few weeks.
among them single necklace costing
Sl25.0O0. which Berlin tradesman
bought for his wife.
Vast sums are spent on the lux
uries OF the table. actual fortunes are
lavished on dress. Persons who used
TO be satisfied with a light supper
costing marks with bottle or two
of inexpensive wine. now insist upon
a meal OF seven TO ten courses. with
wine OF good vintage. costing 20 TO
90 marks a cover. Cigars selling AT