THE SMART SET.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 452, 30 March 1912, Page 7

THE SMART SET.

I fancy that the smart set is particularly fond of speculation?, which not infrequently plunge some of its members into considerable difficulties. Though there have, of course, always been different groups in London society, there was formerly nothing at all approximating to the coterie in question. The appellation "smart set," I suppose,, particularly refers to the clothes worn by its members, most of whom, I think, it may with justice be said, lay little claim to the possession of brains, whilst somewhat contemptuously tolerant of them in others. The adjective "smart," which has now come into such extended use, was not in former days, I think, much heard outside the servants' hall. I cannot imagine what the great ladies of other days would have thought and said had someone been introduced to them, and, on making inquiry, been told, '"She is quite smart !" According to old world ideas such an expression would rather convey the idea of some kitchenmaid dressed up in her Sunday best —they would certainly not have regarded it as a Mattering description of A LADY OR A GENTLEMAN. The exact qualifications for admission into the smart set (to which birth or talent are certainly no passports) would appear to be rather obscure. Wealth judiciously applied would seem to be the most necessary qualification to ensure the possessor's entry into a circle which is nothing if not extravagant. It should, however, be added that, on the whole, these people do little harm, for their amusements are generally more silly than vicious. The "smart set," in spite of the obloquy to which it is occasionally exposed, is probably nc worse than the reast of the world. Card-playing, dining, and chatter, varied with practical jokes—or what pass as jokes—are, after all, not crimes. Conversation, in the true sense of the term, the "smart set" aeither likes nor understands, though not a few of its members are very apt and quick at their own kind of personal banter and somewhat vapid repartee. To do them justice, they are, to a man and to a woman, heroworshippers of a most enthusiastic kind, the object of their adoration being generally one of their own number who, for the time being, has attained to an especial degree of "SMARTNESS." in which case everything connected with him or her becomes the topic of absorbing interest. The "smart set" may be defined as consisting mainly of little people, that is to say, little in intelligence, though some of its members (most of these men) have shown great shrewdness in accumulating monDy. it is not surprising that an individual whose early existence has been a strenuous struggle to pile up wealth, should wish to sour out of the somewhat dull atmosphere of commercial life into what to him jeems the most exclusive of circles, and bask in the smiles of those who, to his dazzled gaze, represent the highest in the land. Many such natures find relaxations in frivolous gossip, whilst their eye is pleased and their senses soothed by attractive surroundings which they find ready to hand.—"Under Five Reigns.'