SOCIETY.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3541, 1 May 1880, Page 2

SOCIETY.

To the Editor of tfae EvEMINQ- Sliß. Sic,—True dignity is a trait to be admired in the character of any man, bat dignity without princirale is but the peacock's plumage that bides the soragginesi the jackdaw. "Is he respectable?" or "is she well connected?", are the stereotyped enquiries generally made respecting • candidates for admission into what is popularly termed 'f society." The questions "Is he honorable and honest?" or "Is she kind-hearted and charitable?" are seldom or never put. Oh! dear, no. Society only requires a person to put on the semblance of respectability. If you desire to be considered a very proper and dignified person, you must be careful to "assume a virtue, if you have itnot." All of us are acquainted with individuals moving in the best society, whose private characters, if submitted to close microscopic inspection, would present a rather shady hue. But r thivy have the knack, or cunning, if you like the latter word better, of cloaking their little peccadilloes from the gaze of the world, and so they are looked upon&s most respectable and dignified perlflß. Next to the cant of religion, the cant of dignity is the most contemptible form of cant. There are dirty little tricks practised daily by distinguished members of the "learned professions" which, if perpetrated by laymen, would come under the category of dishonesty, and would probably result in six months' in Eden, and yet the clever tricksters and sharp practitioners are looked upon as the very creme de la crime of " society."

" "Tis not the cowl that makes the monk," Nor is it the long coat and white choker that holds a man from being a rogue. On the contrary, it is apt to mislead, as credulous people are apt to look upon the said ecclesiastical particles of dress, as a kind of charm, which saves the wearer from committing sin. But then you know a clergyman cannot do wrong. He comes from his college, where wide-bibbers and blackguards were his pot companions, and after'donning his surplice, deaoonal scarf, etc., is looked upon by all the uninitiated as a " holy man." Such.is society, dear friends! A friend of mine some .time ago told me how one lawyer (turning froth the clergy from a moment) managed to "euchre " another in a recent case, and my informant seemed to consider that Mr Pocketcash, by taking a mean advantage of Mr Taukalot, was performing a highly commendable action. On my hint* ing that the conduct of Mr Pocketeash seemed to me dishonorable I was informed that the transaction referred to was perfectly legal, and therefore must be all right. Ah!, my dear friends that poor deluded poet was right when he sang—

" If the veil from the heart could be torn, And the character read on each brow, • There are many we'd pass by with scorn Whom we're loading- with high honours now."

In the language of Josh Billings "I wil now klos." So much for " Society " so coveted by men, women, young men and maidens, old men and children. Society's a % sham, and tbe sooner people recognise tiie fact the better it will be for theiih Society ! in the words of Moliere I will close—" Jusqu'au revoir, le eiel vous tienne tous en joie." Society, I wish you joy. Adieu!— Yours truly, Gttccteb Boy.