Year: 1874

ards according to which a mans or
woman's gentility is measured
These vary, of course, in different
classes. The Bowery and Fifth av-
enue have each its own; and while
the gentllity of the one may be
placed beyond question by the keep
ing of carriage, that of the other
will be equally assured by the un-
doubted possessions of a groeer's
wagon.


There is no circumstance of life
which has so much to do in this
country with the giving and taking
of the appellation of gentil1ty as
the occupation. The equal dignity
of all honest work is a popular theo-
ry with Americans, but no people, in
fact, so belle it in practice. As if
they regretted the high Republican
ism which led the founders of our
Government to abolish all titles of
rank, they seem to be constantly
STRIVING to compensate themselves by
every sort of contrivance which may
serve to separate them into clases.
The sO-called gentility has answered
their purpose admirably, and been
freely used. Its vagueness is such az
not to admit of open opposition, as
if it were a direct encroachment up
on rights, and at the same time its
power is so great it is irresistible. 1t
is social force all the more act
i've and persistent from its intangi-
bility. 1t acts like the "mutilated
courtesy" the cool indifference, the
averted look, or the slight nod of
or half recognition which an acquain-
tance may feel deeply, and yet be
unable to take exceptions to openly.


There really can be nothing more
absurd than the distinctions of rank
and class which are based upon oc-
cupations that do not imply in the
least any difference of quality in
those who pursue them. 1t is pre-
posterous to suppose that, for exam
pie, higher qualifications, moral or
intellectual or superior refinement of
manners, must be possessed by the
man who sells sugar by the hogs
head than by him who sells it by
the pound. Notwithstanding the
mere fact, that one beng a whole
sale dealer seems to place, in his own
estimation, not only himself, but ev-
cry member of his family, at a social
height to which his fellow retailing
citizens ought not to presume to as
pire. These ridiculous distinctions
run through the multiple subdiyi-
sions of trade, and every sign of
warehouse and store is scutcheon
supposed to indicate the degrees of
rank to which the various members
of this nation of shop-keepers are
entitled.


With women especially, gentility
in It's different phases has great in
fuenee. 1t is wont to be followed
as guide in every department of
life, and with the prevailing miseon-
ception of its original and proper
sense, it proves very bad guide in
deed. The genteel in dress is sup
posed to mean the costly, and the
genteel in society the rich and os-
tentatious. Women are thus con-
stantly led to abandon the chaste
reserve and simplicity which re-
fined taste and just sense of fitness
would prompt, and yield themselves
up to the coarseness- of Haunting
show in dress and publicity of life.
Thus, in fact, while striving to be
genteel, as they understand it, they
become decidedly vulgar.


The young men are often misguid-
ed by this false gentll1ty. There is
many youth who is quite turned
away from his true course in hfe by
wrong conception of the genteel.
He is often led to suppose that the
work for which nature has evidently
fitted him too low for the gentllity
of his aspirations. The mere cloth
ing has undoubtedly great deal to
do with this. Pitiful as it NAV seem
that bit of broadcloth should lave
the power of governing a whole ca
reer, it unquestiOnably has and many
a young man in choosing his occu-
patton for life eOntemplates above
aIl in the prospect the possible suit
of clothes he may have to wear. If
it were not for the cowhide boots
and shirt-sleeEes of the rough far
mer on one side, and the patent
leather, and fashionable cut coat of
the dainty shop man on the other,
we are quite sure that our men
would often prefer honest work in
the furrow to the dwadling service
behind the counter.


They are often confirmed to this
attachment to fine broadeloth by the
financial girls of their acquaintance,
Who insist upon gentiIty of dress,
as they call it, in their partners, to
match their own conformity with
its own requirements. Haunting
ribbons, and rqstling silks viii not
mate wit h red flannel and linsey-
woOisey. Fine broadcloth is the
sine giGq non, whatever kind of man
it may cover, of recognition by fe-
male gentility,-HdrDer's BdzGr.