THE GAZETTE OF SOCIETY.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 474, 18 July 1871, Page 2

THE GAZETTE OF SOCIETY.

(PEOM THE "PALL MALL GAZETTE. ) We have, it must be admitted, some curious specimens of catcliponny literature in London, but; none of them can oe compared for a moment as foolometers witu a paper started in New York under the title or Our Society. This amazing production is entirely devoted to the circulation of small-talk and tattle, and it must be more satisfactory to gossip-mongers than any other broad-sheet of the kind hitherto devised from the fact that it gives without reserve the names and addresses of the people with whose affairs it is concerned. Here, for example, are a few extracts from the first column of Our Society: —" Mrs. Theodore Moss, of Twenty-first street,wears the most elegant, costly, and elaborately-worked set of coral jewellery owned in this country." " The most princely and liberal entertainer in this ■ country, beyond question, is Mr. John F. Chamberlain." And so on through a broad page, the looks, the accomplishments; the prospects, and fascinations of hundreds of ladies and gentlemen are neatly and succinctly. prepared for conversation. We learn that in " our metropolitan society the Misses Pike,^ as favorites, have few rivals." " Where," it is inquired, " where does the handsome Captain Moore spend his evenings ? His company is much missed by the Brooklyn Club." All sorts of special characteristics are referred to by Our Society. Beneath the inscription " Brooklyn Personals," the world of fashion is informed that "The Hon. ffm. C. Dewitt delights in playing tag with his lady friends.' The second page of Our Society starts off with a letter from Washington, composed in much the same vein as the famous correspondence which won so high a reputation in French politics for the Daily Telegraph. The ladies of Pennsylvania A.venue are rivalling nature in-the autumnal tints of their dresses. "President and Mrs. Grant walk about their grounds with a satisfied glad-to be-back air, as if home is still ' sweet home' even though it be the White House." An hotel list is then published, and is followed by an account of "The Female Normal College." One division of Our Society seems not to be in accordance with the candour of the general scheme of the organ. A corner devoted to "Chips" contains such mysterious items of information as—" Nobby Bobby Boyd's Fall garments are correct. Slokes was star-gazing and independent last Sunday. Birnaby Johnson wears four lockets on his chain. Too many, JJirnie, by three! George Powers was nego-' tiating for some raiment." Our Society subsequently proceeds to review the equipages of the upper ten under the heading of horse, waggon and o'vncr. Mr. H. W. Gray, of Twenty first-street, is driving a pair of blacks to a pbseton. He generally has two footmen. Fire Commissioner J. Galway makes the dust fly with a pair of sorrel marcs which can trot in 2.45 together. Mr. David Pearsall has several fast teams. When he drives Bashan and Belle Pearsall few leave him behind." In a leading article the conductor boast that the " corps of editors and contributors already engaged includes the best writers in this peculiar field to be had in this country." " There is not a line," he continues,' " but what is original," and then he makes the odd and very misty declaration : " Every paragraph is from the pen—written within the last five days—and practical, society and pastime news." We go on to take a survey of the theatrical sphere. George Clark is the handsomest male in Wallace's company. The handsome McKee Rankin has been presented with a twelve-pound baby by his charming wife, Kitty Blanchard. Wo have gentlemen of the press among us who do not disdain to repeat the toilettes of brides, the breeches of an under sheriff's, footman, and the quality of sacrificial meats and wines of the wedding breakfasts to whose sidetables they are invited ; but their manner of discharging their exalted functions is cold and weak when contrasted with, the deep awe, the eloquent enthusiasm, with which the fuss and feathers of a New York marriage inspires a contributor to Our Society. Space, however, will not permit us to dwell oh the beauties of picturesque description which are lavished in this department of the paper. We at the last sheet—"New York Journalism—the great metropolitan workhouses of the mind—personnel of the men who collect the news —short sketches of the editors and reporters of the Sun —an astonishing exhibit of energy and enterprise." Hereupon ensues the most intimate disclosures as to the wardrobes, the noses, the wives, the salaries, thp. residences, the virtues, the vices, of the journalists of tlie Sun. The city editor of the Sun is nearsighted, and cooks his meals on a gas-stove. Dr. J. B. Wood is so expert at his business of contracting news that his friends know himas the great, American condenser. Ambrose Stephens, sporting writer, dyes his hair and whiskers and always wears a cassimere hat and leggins. John Mahon, a police reporter, "is about 50 years of age and gouty. He is a poet, is married, and has a ,s:row_n-up family of daughters, one of whom is an actress. ... He is an Irish, man, but has been a long time in this country, and is splendidly educated." " Willie Walton is one of the Brooklyn reporters. He is a natty little body, with long hair, and wears diamond shirt-studs, velvet coats, and broad-leaved hats. Oliver Dyer, the author of ' The Wickedest Man in New York,* writes up the heavier sensations. He is tall, with peculiar yellow hair and whiskers, about 50 years of age, and married. He also answers correnpondents in the Ledger, and writes for the magazines, besides 'preaching the Christian religion according to Swedenborg.' " " General Cluseret," we are finally instructed, "and Bull Run Eussell are under salary, and their expenses are paid to telegraph special news to the Sun from the war in Europe." Such is* Ow Society—the latest enterprise in New? York journalism. It should serve as a warning to those of our own papers who employ a London " rumourist" to put his large ears to the key-holes and to saturate his weekly chronicle with the lees and dregs of the gossip of the club smoking-rooms into which he has procured admittance. Our Society at least possesses the full courage of an idea that has had its attractions for nianv editors and proprietors of journals elsewhere, and distances the hesitating consephons of our home Jenkins or Paul Pry,