The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-12-30
MRS. LANE Tells
OF ExTRAVAGANCE
AMERICANS WITH MONEY COME
TO EUROPE INSISTING ON
81 HIGH PRICES.
FEEL LIKE AT HOME
FOLLOWING W AR BETWEEN
STATES NEW RICH MADE DIS
CovERY OF EUROPE As NEW
SUMMER RESORT.
Especial Gable to The Richmond
Virginian.)

Especial Gable to The Richmond
Virginian.)
LONDON, Dec. 2s.-Mrs. John
Lane. In a very able article in the
Daily Mall. attributes a large proper
ton of the extravaganza in modern
life in London to the American tour
lists who come over here literally en-
dowed with money, and, surprised at
the relative cheapness of everything.
squander their wealth broadcast
somewhat to the detriment Of them
selves and English people.
The luxury OF the highest classes. -
writes MRS, Lane, has in all times
been accepted as q Necessary evil,
which comes with inherited wealth
and consequent idlenegs. And IL has
happened when luxury and idieness
have passed all bounds that the out
ragged lower classes have turned, as
In the case of the French revolution.
and there has been a mighty choppinS
Of heads, and the air being then
cleared Of the miasma Of corruption,
the nation has again started fresh.
Then degeneration infects the upper
classes and heroic remedies succeed.
but when II threatens the vast mid
die ciasa. on which a nation depends
for Its progress. its stability and Its
genius. II means decay at the core.
Extrayaxant Nations.
The unhappy distinction of being
the most extravagant nations in the
world rests with the Americans and
the English, and 1t Is a truism appli-
cable to both that what one OF their
middle class families wastes would
support 4 French family endowed
with that intelligent economy which
Ia fortunate asset.
American extravaganza took its
rise after the war between the States.
when there occurred two nota bic
events--the making OF enormous for
tunes. and at the same time the dts
covery Of Europe as . new summer
resort. That wR the time OF the first
invasion OF Europe by Americans,
which was destined to influence the
worlds standard OF living. Perhaps
OF all the higher classes the English
aristocracy more than all has suc-
merged. as It Ii fast becoming. into a
plutocracy as absolutely as any In
America, with the same standard by
which to measure-and that Is money.
Money. as we ~ know, in certain
phases of high French society. covers
all sins and opens all doors.
before the war between the States
the people OF the North were DO SIM
pie and economical that when on rare
occasions they were brought face to
face with Old World luAuries they
were filled with wonder and disap-
prevail. But no sooner was the war
over and the victory rested with the
North than the making OF huge for
tunes began. and as n result OF vast
riches and vast earning powers, the
cost Of living increased In proportion
to the wealth OF the people, and this
It has been doing by leaps and bounds
ever since.
Now Feel at Home.
80 what wonder that when Amerf-
cans first went abroad. accustomed to
their own inflated prices and con-
fronted by the cheapress of Europe,
they could not get over their astonish-
ment. Unluckily, they expressed their
establishment and delight to every as
tute shopkeeper. so II Is not surpris-
ing that the astute shopkeepers all
over the world took heed, and. In def
erence to their best transatlantic Gus
toners, gently. pleasantly. but sure
ly. forced up their prices. and not
only for Americans. but. unfortunate
ly. also for their own countrymen.
This they have done with such sue
cess that even the travelling American
plutocrats must feel an increased re-
spect for people who have learned so
well the great American science OF
overcharging. Indeed. the American
now confronted with an English hotel
bill In often and unpleasantly re-
minded OF home. sweet home"
But the time has now come when
even America, plethcric with money,
IL already reaping the harvest OF ex-
travagance, and even she has begun
to rebel against the extortionate cost
of living. But It Ia toa late: the world
has become a spendthrift. and 1t Is
easier to become extravagant than. be-
ing extravsgant, to return to the ways
of economy.