Wanton Luxury

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 9, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 23.

“The Chaperon” tells, in the New York Journal, of one Boston woman of society paying $1,000 to a musician for playing before her alone for three hours. Another Chicago woman spent $100,000 on a single dress to be worn once at the opera. Last year the cost was $50,000. Another wealthy lady, whose name is well known, pays $5,000 for a French bulldog, while another lady has three, each valued at $10,000, taken out and aired by a special maid and footman, employed for no other purpose. Another instance is given where a man left his wife's handbag in the railway drawing-room car, because his valet was not there to pick it up, “because he would not demean [ennoble] himself by carrying anything, altho he knew that the handbag contained all her jewels, costing thousands of dollars.” When remonstrated with he replied: “I am able, quite able, to replace them all. Under no circumstances will I carry a bag.” To such unmanliness and snobbishness will wealth bring men. Another item is that one of the Astors paid $50,000 for an overcoat. Of what can it be made? and how? and by whom? Here are thousands of dollars expended for mere wanton selfish pleasures, when thousands are dying for the necessities of life.