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among them is easily understood； since the aspirants can reap but benefit；
present and future； from such companionship。 That a rising politician
should deem it all…important to be on friendly terms with the 〃bosses〃 is
not astonishing； for those magnates have it in their power to make or mar
his fortune。 But in a MILIEU as fluctuating as any social circle must
necessarily be； shading off on all sides and changing as constantly as light
on water； the end can never be considered as achieved or the goal attained。
Neither does any particular result accompany success； more substantial
than the moral one which lies in self…congratulation。 That； however； is
enough for a climber if she is bitten with the 〃ascending〃 madness。 （I say
〃she；〃 because this form of ambition is more frequent among women；
although by no means unknown to the sterner sex。）
It amuses me vastly to sit in my corner and watch one of these FIN…
DE…SIECLE diplomatists work out her little problem。 She generally comes
plunging into our city from outside； hot for conquest； making
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acquaintances right and left； indiscriminately； thus falling an easy prey to
the wolves that prowl around the edges of society； waiting for just such
lambs to devour。 Her first entertainments are worth attending for she has
ingeniously contrived to get together all the people she should have left
out； and failed to attract the social lights and powers of the moment。 If she
be a quick…witted lady； she soon sees the error of her ways and begins a
process of 〃weeding〃 … as difficult as it is unwise； each rejected 〃weed〃
instantly becoming an enemy for life； not to speak of the risk she； in her
ignorance； runs of mistaking for 〃detrimentals〃 the FINES FLEURS of the
worldly parterre。 Ah！ the way of the Climber is hard； she now begins to
see that her path is not strewn with flowers。
One tactful person of this kind； whose gradual 〃unfolding〃 was
watched with much amusement and wonder by her acquaintances； avoided
all these errors by going in early for a 〃dear friend。〃 Having； after mature
reflection； chosen her guide among the most exclusive of the young
matrons； she proceeded quietly to pay her court EN REGLE。 Flattering
little notes； boxes of candy； and bunches of flowers were among the forms
her devotion took。 As a natural result； these two ladies became inseparable；
and the most hermetically sealed doors opened before the new arrival。
A talent for music or acting is another aid。 A few years ago an entire
family were floated into the desired haven on the waves of the sister's
voice； and one young couple achieved success by the husband's aptitude
for games and sports。 In the latter case it was the man of the family who
did the work； dragging his wife up after him。 A polo pony is hardly one's
idea of a battle…horse； but in this case it bore its rider on to success。
Once climbers have succeeded in installing themselves in the
stronghold of their ambitions； they become more exclusive than their new
friends ever dreamed of being； and it tries one's self… restraint to hear these
new arrivals deploring 〃the levelling tendencies of the age；〃 or wondering
〃how nice people can be beginning to call on those horrid So…and…Sos。
Their father sold shoes； you know。〃 This ultra…exclusiveness is not to be
wondered at。 The only attraction the circle they have just entered has for
the climbers is its exclusiveness； and they do not intend that it shall lose its
market value in their hands。 Like Baudelaire； they believe that 〃it is only
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the small number saved that makes the charm of Paradise。〃 Having spent
hard cash in this investment； they have every intention of getting their
money's worth。
In order to give outsiders a vivid impression of the footing on which
they stand with the great of the world； all the women they have just met
become Nellys and Jennys； and all the men Dicks and Freds … behind their
backs； BIEN ENTENDU … for Mrs。 〃Newcome〃 has not yet reached that
point of intimacy which warrants using such abbreviations directly to the
owners。
Another amiable weakness common to the climber is that of knowing
everybody。 No name can be mentioned at home or abroad but Parvenu
happens to be on the most intimate terms with the owner； and when he is
conversing； great names drop out of his mouth as plentifully as did the
pearls from the pretty lips of the girl in the fairy story。 All the world knows
how such a gentleman； being asked on his return from the East if he had
seen 〃the Dardanelles；〃 answered； 〃Oh； dear； yes！ I dined with them
several times！〃 thus settling satisfactorily his standing in the Orient！
Climbing； like every other habit； soon takes possession of the whole
nature。 To abstain from it is torture。 Napoleon； we are told； found it
impossible to rest contented on his successes； but was impelled onward by
a force stronger than his volition。 In some such spirit the ambitious souls
here referred to； after 〃the Conquest of America〃 and the discovery that
the fruit of their struggles was not worth very much； victory having
brought the inevitable satiety in its wake； sail away in search of new fields
of adventure。 They have long ago left behind the friends and
acquaintances of their childhood。 Relations they apparently have none；
which accounts for the curious phenomenon that a parvenu is never in
mourning。 As no friendships bind them to their new circle； the ties are
easily loosened。 Why should they care for one city more than for another；
unless it offer more of the sport they love？ This continent has become
tame； since there is no longer any struggle； while over the sea vast hunting
grounds and game worthy of their powder； form an irresistible temptation
… old and exclusive societies to be besieged； and contests to be waged
compared to which their American experiences are but light skirmishes。
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As the polo pony is supposed to pant for the fray； so the hearts of social
conquerors warm within them at the prospect of more brilliant victories。
The pleasure of following them on their hunting parties abroad will
have to be deferred； so vast is the subject； so full of thrilling adventure and；
alas！ also of humiliating defeat。
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CHAPTER 27 … The Last of the
Dandies
SO completely has the dandy disappeared from among us； that even
the word has an old…time look （as if it had strayed out of some half…
forgotten novel or 〃keepsake〃）； raising in our minds the picture of a
slender； clean…shaven youth； in very tight unmentionables strapped under
his feet； a dark green frock…coat with a collar up to the ears and a stock
whose folds cover his chest； butter…colored gloves； and a hat … oh！ a hat
that would collect a crowd in two minutes in any neighborhood！ A gold…
headed stick； and a quizzing glass； with a black ribbon an inch wide；
complete the toilet。 In such a rig did the swells of the last generation stroll
down Pall Mall or drive their tilburys in the Bois。
The recent illness of the Prince de Sagan has made a strange and sad
impression in many circles in Paris； for he has always been a favorite； and
is the last surviving type of a now extinct species。 He is the last Dandy！
No understudy will be found to fill his role … the dude and the swell are
whole generations away from the dandy； of which they are but feeble
reflections … the comedy will have to be continued now； without its leading
gentleman。 With his head of silvery hair； his eye…glass and his wonderful
waistcoats； he held the first place in the 〃high life〃 of the French capital。