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Show HEAD OF VERY SMARTEST SET i Sadness and gloom have been the portion of a large isection of the American Society (be careful of the large S!), since the publication of that remarkable book "The 469 Ultra-Fashionables Ultra-Fashionables of America," compiled by Charles Wilbur de Lyon Nichols, on whose shoulders has fallen the mantle of Ward McAllister, inventor of New York's "400." The cream of the cream of American society have now been segregated, coralled, re-concentrated re-concentrated or otherwise abstracted from the common herd and seated on high in the splendor and dazzling radiance of Mr. de Lyon Nichols, august au-gust approval. There appears to be, however, a remarkable lack of invention inven-tion displayed in the New York list of 300 notables. It is confined practically prac-tically to the guests who were invited to meet the Connaughts and Princess Patricia on their recent visit. Surely New York Is going to the dogs when It can only muster a beggarly 300. Even Ward McAllister, in an earlier and less enlightened period, permitted the metropolis to have a sacred circle of 400. The reason may be that only the superfine ultra-fashionables are included in Beau Nichols' arbitrary selection, selec-tion, and that those unfortunates who are at all tainted with the stigma of slowness, who do not fully subscribe to the modern doctrine of "eat, drank and bo merry, for tomorrow we die." are dropped relentlessly. Possibly the compiler's wisdom did not wholly desert him and he hesitated to embark on the stormy waters of the next stratum below, being assured of countenane and support by the precedent already established. |