THE GROWING MANIA FOR TITLES.
By G.
THE waning of republican principles in the United States is nowhere more emphatically indicated than in the thirsting after royalty in social circles. Notwithstanding the almost invariable failure of the marriages of American heiresses and "beauties" with foreign gentlemen with inherited titles, the "society" people (especially the women) are everywhere ambitious for such alliances for themselves or for members of their families. A straw showing the desire to soar above the characteristic simplicity of real republican life, is seen in the following society item in a San Francisco journal of recent date:— All the belles are patiently waiting for the next steamer to arrive from Nome. Why?—'Cause some "real, really real" counts from Russia are expected to arrive. They are rated as the genuine article, and have been speculating at a great rate in far-away Nome. No sooner had the news reached here than many enterprising mamas were thinking and planning. But there's a stumbling-block—a bright married lady, young and beautiful, has promised to take these counts under her protection, and, of course, mamas are "awful mad" and grumbling, and are saying that "a young married lady shouldn't be so captivating." O, it is really too bad, the sufferings of these mamas! Now callers are coming in droves to see this lucky lady. They are over-enthusiastic in their praises, for it is lovely to be invited to dinner and meet titles. The older the country becomes, the greater the influence wielded by "society." And society is nothing without women; and where the women's heads are turned after titles, there must follow a consequent disposition on the part of men to have something of the kind here. At present our only approximate equivalent is in the military and naval service, or in certain political offices of high rank. This increasing mania for titles is one of the influences that is propagating the spirit of militarism in the United States. It means a sad waning of the once simple republican principles in the daily life of the most prominent citizens. The remedy is given by the Lord, and it is the only remedy: "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart." Matt. 11:29. This is the only road to true royalty; for "he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." By following the humble example of the "meek and lowly" One, who now has "a name that is above every name," it is possible for every one to become a prince or a princess in the royal family of the universe. These earthly, perishing titles are but snares to entrap unwary souls, and he is apparently making an extensive "catch" with the alluring bait.
G.