Thames Society.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3556, 20 May 1880, Page 3

Thames Society.

(Contributed.)

The inactivity which periodically proyails on the Thames, has a depressing effect on all classes of the community, and indeed this fact is not to be wondered at, considering that the Thamesonians are a pleasure-loving people. If a concert or dramatic performance tabes place, a general rush is made to witness it, no matter how second-rate it may be. ' For such a state of things to prevail is not at all to the credit of the benighted inhabitants of Thames'. Tbe cause of this melancholy circumstance may be attributed to what may be considered the curse of small towns in the old country. The people are here divided into about sixteen classes of society, each claiming superiority, over the other. What superiority they claim it is difficult to see. Perhaps one class has more " blue blood " than another, but more likely the difference in caste ia caused by the overbearing and arrogant behaviour of a few who are apt to consider themselves the "upper ten" of society. These few hare neither the * education nor the capability required for the class to which they presume to belong. Mrs Tomkyns de Tomkyns will not mix with Mrs de "Willonghby Brown, because of some trifling matter of etiquette—which word we believe has done more than any other to cause a spread of unsociableness. From the sixteenth set to the first, the people are constantly "going for" one another in approved style, and do not for one moment consider that sociability is necessary for the happiness of the township. This embryo "blue blood "or cliqual mania has damned nearly every attempt to join people together in one sympathetic bond. The Choral Society was started some few years ago, and after living for a short time fell a victim to this cliqual destroyer. Other cases could be brought also. There are plenty of people anxious and willing to help to form a company to amuse the public, but they will not go out of their boundary to mix with the dwellers in a different cliqual sphere. In order that any institution should be a success, it is necessary that the strength of the whole place should be imbued into it—and not only the puny energy of one clique. A Dramatic Club would, we feel sure, meet with support from members of different cliques, quite willing to form one, but not if the 14th order of saints are to mix with the 4th order of sinners. (Ridiculous idea!) Mrs So-and-so will go therefore her clique will join, but if Mrs So-and-so won't join her clique have to bo done without. An effort should be made to form an Amateur Dramatic Club, and try the effect of carrying it through without having recourse to the order of saints and sinners. With a little trouble it could be successfully formed, and no doubt after a time the sixteen classes would be reduced in number. There are several other institutions, the absence of which does not redound to the credit of the Thames people. Until paltry distinctions of class are forgotten Thames will remain as it is —a town where nothing can be done without the beaming smiles of those people (of doubtless irreproachable character) who form the upper crust of Thames society.

LrjCEEZIA BoBGIA.