SOCI AL DISTINCTIONS.

.4 IT0110111' and alumni from no condition the • • 0>

Worth makes the man, want of it the re';low."—Potr.

Tax duel between Lord LONDONDERRY''S heir and Madame GRISt'S husband has given rise to an arousing discussion among

some of our contemporaries, as to who's constitutes respectability, and the rank in society which persor,s engaged in certain profes-

sions or occupations are entitled take. The Standard, in a somewhat coarse and wicked para'greph, designated " Mrs. GRI SI " as a "singing woman ;" and isppeared to think that the gist of Lord CASTLEREAGH'S offence consisted in associating with and attempting to seduce a person so much below him in rank, rather than in the intrinsic immorality of his conduct. As M. DE MELCY had proved his perfect ability and alacrity to revenge the insult to his wife, as such insults must be avenged in fashionable society, there was no occasion for a " thousand swords to leap from their scabbards" for the protection of the fascinating prima donna ; but a multitude of scribblers vented their indignation on the luckless editor of the Standard, who had presumed to speak so disparagingly of a favourite artiste. He was told that he himself wrote for a "livelihood." To which taunt the cool reply was- " This is very true, and could affront no one who did not carry the pretensions of an editor's occupation a great deal higher than we have ever done." Then it was alleged, that the Standard, with 4' the pride that apes humility," spoke habitually in disparaging terms of his own profession ; and that he was "as ready to humble himself to the dust before a NEWCASTLE, as to wonder that a GRI SI should so much as obtain the notice of a CASTLEREAGH:* Of this imputation the Standard disposed in its usual dexterous way. It is not our purpose to pursue the profitless contest between the newspapers: we shall merely remark, that, as far as our ob- servation extends, it is with journalists, and writers generally 4' for their livelihood," as with other men—they are not degraded or exalted by their occupation, which neither excludes them from the best society, nor obtains admission for them into it. Of course we allude to those who are connected with periodicals conducted with decency, if not with superior talent. All such, we appre- hend, may discover that their position in society depends more upon circumstances extraneous to their calling, than upon the nature of that occupation, or the opinion which may be generally held of it in society. Doubtless there are instances enow of men who find themselves, after a connexion of some years with the newspaper'press, precisely where they were in society before that connexion commenced. They can assure themselves of respectful treatment so long as their own conduct is respectable ; and as certainly will they be ridiculed and despised when they attempt to vie in their mode of living, their dinners, wines, and equi- pages, with persons of " rank and fashion" and superior wealth. It is more disgusting than laughable to observe the fussy self- importance which some " gentlemen of the press " assume, on the score of their connexion with probably not the most reputable periodical publications. They fancy, forsooth, that because they are " on" this or that paper, or contribute to some magazine or review, that they are entitled to a wonderful deal of deference, and are quite distinguished persons. When their claims are dis- allowed, or, as is commonly the case, not noticed at all, they fume and swell, and denounce the illiberality which refuses them social distinction. To all such we would say, the fault is in yourselves, not in your profession, if you cannot mix in the circles in which your income and station of life, independent of that profession, naturally throw you.

" Honour and shame from no condition rise; Act well your part, there all the honour lies.

Fortune in men has some small difference made—

One flaunts in rags, one flutters in brocade ; The cobler apron d, and the parson gown'd ;

Th. friar hooded, and the monarch crown'd.

' What differ more (you cry) than crown and cowl ?'

I'll tell you, friend, a wise man and a foul.

You'll find, if once the monarch acts the monk, Or, cobler-like. the parson will be drwik,

Worth makes the man, and want of it the fellow,

The rest is all but leather or prunella."

The attempt to vie in luxury with persons of greater wealth and higher station, is, we fear, becoming too common among the middle classes. No doubt, large fortunes are made in our own time ; but not so often, we suspect, by regular habits of decent economy, as by lucky speculations. We are alluding to the general habits of per- sons in the middle ranks. Formerly they were considered the emi- nently prudent members of society. The money which the higher and humbler classes squandered flowed into the coffers of the mer- chant and the shopkeeper. Plainly though plentifully were their boards furnished ; and their dress, furniture, and equipages, though comfortable, were not costly. The most careless observer will have remarked a great difference in the style of living now practised by the same classes. There is far more luxury and show, and an evident eagerness to outvie each other, and equal those above them. The evil consequences of this alteration are not few or insignificant. It is not only that loss money is saved, but the temptation to fraud is fearfully increased. The present generation, moreover, are setting a wretched example to their children ; who, with still smaller means derived from their pa- rents than the latter obtained from theirs, will have been taught and accustomed to indulge is more expensive habits- " .V.ras.parentnrn, sejor aris, tulit

Nos nequionrs, moa daturas Pi ogeniem sitiosiorem."

While there is an evident tendency among the middle classes to this folly, there is reason to believe that a contrary habit is gaining force among a considerable portion of the working pope. lation. It is understood that they are spending less of their earn- ings in sensual gratifications, and saving money with the view to personal and political advancement and independence. This is the most hopeful light in which the actual condition of society in England can be viewed. Physical and mental renovation maybe derived from the class which the middle-men despise, or at any rate treat as if they contemned it. A fresh and healthy current may flow from a fountain hitherto dammed up and reputed brackish.