The Barre Daily Times

TITLES.

Same as It Was In Thackeray's Time.

In England title does not run after intelligence;

intelligence runs after title. Men who have distinguished themselves in literature, art or science are seldom admitted to a fashionable West End club; almost any candidate who has a title is elected without demur to the literary and artistic clubs. The situation might be described even more strongly. Were a man, who has attained distinction in literature or art, to submit his name for election at one of the fashionable London clubs, it would, almost certainly, be objected that the institution was not intended for "celebrities" of the kind; were he to be proposed for a literary or artistic club, some enemies would endeavor to secure his rejection. On the other hand, Lord Tom Nobody or Fitzfoodle would be elected unopposed at every artistic or literary club in the town! It is fully time that the literary and artistic in his country should entertain a less modest appreciation of their merits, of the importance of intelligence, and of their social value Judges, eminent lawyers, celebrated authors and artists, scientific men of world-wide renown and great doctors are now seldom to be met with in our "society," and few of them are admitted as members to the best-known West End clubs They delight, however, to attract to their houses even the tenth-rate titled men and women, and the Tom Nobodys and Fitzfoodles make occasional incursions to their clubs-which the latter describe as amusing "pot houses"-and, when there, assume an air of superiority which is altogether ludicrous.

-From Truth of London.