Evening star., 1938-02-20

Mrs. Roosevelt's
Philosophy Of Life.
Then some one said since society
In this country was founded largely
upon trade, how very snobbish to
make such a remark, and then
heated discussion arose as to just
what constituted a snob. and why
not organize an amalgamated society
for bigger and better snobs. A
charming elderly woman guest who
had had much experience in smart
society both in this country and
abroad, said she had found that there
we're three kinds of snobs-the
moneyless, aristocratic snob who as
tonishes one, but is very amusing be-
cause rarity; the newly rich snob,
who is just plain vulgar, and the
middle-claSs snob, who is fearfully
tiresome and does the honesty of his
class q great injustice. Mrs. Roose-
velt's philosophy of life, as expressed
by her on one occasion. was quoted
As the best definition of = well-bred
man or woman. She said, If have
philosophy, it would resolve itself
into an effort not to make anybody
suffer unnecessarily" Cardinal New
mans definition of . gentleman was
quoted as one who never hurts an
other Intentionally.
Mr.. Dixon Wecter, who wrote that
delightful book, THE Saga Of Ameri-
can Society,"" and who has an ac-
curate and fair way of putting things,
IN a recent article in q current pub
lication tells the story Of a gentle-
woman who was presented to the
Queen of Holland After the court
was over he says the wife OF an
underprivileged attache asked her
curiously, But weren't you fright
ened to death? How did you know
the proper way to behave before a
queen?" Well" replied the great
lady with quiet twinkle, Il really
didn't know, but I have only one
set of manners, and I use them all
the time"
Snobbery Declared
Universal.
Snobbery IS not confined to smart
society or to any one class OF people.
1t is encountered in all walks of life.
To the old-fashioned Southern Negro
people were folks" or not folks"
And those who were mot folks" were
treated with small consideration and
looked down upon. Society in Wash
mgton is a good deal like Free
Masonry; like all modern society it
is international In character, and its
usual abodes are modern luxurious
hotels. It fits from place to place
as the season dictates and goes in
Groves or companies like the birds.
Society in the National Capital being
1reer OF accession political and
obvious reasons-s delightfully."- In
teresting to people from everywhere.
Ihere is an elan about it that il
not felt in either London or Paris,
and 1t has been said that in q win
ter's season here one can meet any
one they have ever met before-no
matter in how remote q place thew
were encountered.
Society Page
An Accurate Chronicle.
The society page of a daily nevs-
paper Is An accurate chronicle Of the
sayings and doings Of people of i'm
portance-some of them history
makers. 1t describes the manners or
lack OF manners Of the day and as a
journal Of fashion in dress is a paee
to go down to future generations not
only from the standpoint Of fashion
but manufacture and trade. We are
interested in hearing that Queen Eliz-
aoeth had 5000 dresses; that Mrs.
Roosevelt wore some kind Of a silver
clotn gown or velvet of rare sheen
ana beauty or a homespun frock:
tnat Senator Blank when In London
had some clothes made in Bond
street-tell it not in Gath or in the
streets Of Askelon-and that Presi-
dent Roosevelt is a model of ease
ana elegance in evening clothes. Now
every one knows that the society 1e-
porter Is not snobbish. He or she
plies their profession in q business
way and do not need a maenifyine
glass to give true picture of the
times. 'There are many Samuel Pepys
among them-after all, as a chron-
acler OF manners. morals and fashions
OF the 18th century Samuel has had
no equal. If ones motto could be the
golden rule or noblesse oblige, snob-
oefy would cease to be-but variety
would 20 stale.
Miss Boardman Genius
OF the Red Cross.
The passing of Admiral Cary Grav-
son Is indeed a loss net only to his
friends in this country and in differ
ent parts Of the world, but wherever
RED Cross activities are known, It ia,
however. comforting thought that
Miss Mamel Boardman is left to carry
on. Mabel Boardman and the Red
Gross are synonymous terms. When
one Is mentioned, the other is ALWAYS
visioned.
1t seems from her earliest girlhood
Miss Boardman has devoted herself
systematically to those human chari-
ties which must bring immediate re-
suits. consequently the Red Cross
could but appeal to her, As a youne
girl she worked long hours for the
Children's Day Nursery in Cleveland,
Ohio, and later for the Children's