THE LANGUAGE OF THE SCUM.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2905, 18 July 1882, Page 3

THE LANGUAGE OF THE SCUM.

Under this heading the “ Sydney Daily Telegraph ” has been publishing a series of articles hoping to so shock public opinion as to turn it against larrikinism. It might be worth everybody’s while to read the following extract:—

It has been noticed both hero and id Melbourne, that the “ swell larrikin ” belongs to the monied class, and that his use of offensive words is in proportion to his lack of' knowledge and good breeding. It is a great mistake that some people make in ascribing all the iniquity of swearing and bad conduct to

the members of the lower orders of society entirely. The real transgressors in the majority of cases belong to what is popularly known as the “ swell mob,” the well-dressod, well-shaved, nobbylooking “ noddy,” whose father is a retired tradesman, and whose education extended no farther than the three Bs, eked out with sensational novels, and the literature .of the demi-monde. This

is the type of larrikins that infest the atmosphere of taverns, cafes and coffee houses with their low slang and rowdy expressions. It is bad enough to encounter these characters in the streets, bnt there one can soon get away from their vulgarity, It is otherwise when you go to a hotel to obtain refreshment. There, as in a tram, yon are doomed to sit and listen perforce for some time to a continuation of slang, blasphemy, and filth. I was in one of these places the other evening, when five young swells came in and ordered some refreshments. While waiting to be served, they spend their Jidle time in gibing the waiters. They first began by finding fault with everything, using an oath or pot-house phrase every now and then to show their self-sufficiency and sagacity. When they had exasperated the attendants with their feigned dissatisfaction and rowdy criticisms, they took the other tack, winking at each other, and damned everything with exaggerated praise and sanguinary adjectives. When they bad what they required they affected to carp at the cost, using very indecent language in their pretended indignation at the swindle that wasjboing attempted to be perpetrated upon them, concluding by insisting to see the landlord. Their assumed contentment on learning from that potentate that the charges were legitimate, and not at all beyond the usual scale, was perfect, but as soon a he had turned his back they followed up the sport by pretending to be ignorant of who had a right to pay’ the cost. Another mock squabble and more flash oaths now followed. One said 'he would be Jerichoed before he would pay, as So-and-so had invited him in. So-and-so replied that he was a—something—liar, as he well knew it wag Buggins that had asked them all to come in. In this way they flung the ball from one to the other, until one of the waiters said he would not stand their nonsense any longer, but go for the “ master,” Thinking they had carried the game far enough, one of the larrikins exclaimed, “Oh, don’t lose your temper, old fellow ; there's your money for yon," whereupon they all rushed out, chuckling themselves at their predominating rowdyism. This style of thing is very irritating to quiet orderly people who have the misfortune to come in contact, if . only for a few minutes, with the “ swell mob” of Sydney. But it is impossible to escape them altogether. Everywhere you go they are to be hiet, in steamboats, tramcars, and railways, wherever money enables them to force their way. Of a Sunday, or general holiday, the various suburban trams reek with their filthy language. It bus got so unbearable in this respect that no respectable lady will venture in these easy convoy, ances on those occasions. The Botany trams, 1 especially, are “ tabooed ” on those days to our wives and families. Nay, so outrageous has it become in the way of crushing, rushing, rudeness, and obscenity, that I have heard many young tradesmen declare they would never go to Botany again in the trams. I was ono day myself in one of these holiday cars, when the“ language of the scum;” was so intolerable that the guard had to threaten if he hoa;d any more of it be would have them forcibly ejected at the next stopping place. Going to Botany is not quite so bad as returning from it. Botany is beyond the five mile ring which environs Sydney with grogtaps on a Snnday. The “ swell mob ” go to that pleasant watering place sad and sober, but after they have been there a couple or three hours, t hey como back to town in a state of offensive exuberance. Their language and demeauor are then something frightful. They fight and quarrel among themselves, indulging the while in oaths which are horrible to listen to. Their black coataand gold chains make a striking contrast to their foul and coarse vocabulary.