GROWTH OF VULGARITY.

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15359, 6 October 1923, Page 11 (Supplement)

GROWTH OF VULGARITY.

If a man of a pessimistic turn of mind were to return to London to-day after an' absence of 10 or'. 15 years, says- Mr L. F. Eastcrbrook in the Nineteenth Century, he would find ample pasture on which to browse his pessimism in the noise and general vulgarity which seem to have overtaken the English. Daughters of ancient and honoured families take jockeys with them everywhere as their dancing partners, and in the House of Commons, men of birth and education, who ought to know belter, brawl with Labour members, whom they should be instructing by example in dignity and respect. The popular reason given for all the vulgarity is reaction from the war. But those who arc making London hideous are men who never had any army discipline. The men who have conic back from the war are inclined to be quiet and taciturn, and do not laugh easily. The others, who arc yelling and shouting, are not finding real enjoyment. They are trying to hunt it down, to capture it by force, and so long as they use such methods it will always elude them. The real cause of the noise is a social revolution that has slowly been taking place for years, and has lately sped up its action. The old order of classes is changing. Money is becoming the touchstone of happiness and endeavour —even of respect. False standards are finding place among all classes. There is only one remedy, and that is by education in the widest sense—through the schools, the churches, the press, and the public and social institutions, and also through personal influence. Yellow journalism and other sensationalism should he discouraged. To direct the great rising force of democracy on constructive lines through public institutions there is a need for men of wide vision, sincere convictions, and great disinterestedness. An important factor is education by example. “It is the nature of the English to be generous in their judgments, mindful of old traditions, and quick to appreciate public service. To Ihe millings of ‘Red’ tub-thumpers they are discourngingly unresponsive. Therefore the true aristocracy, llio aristocracy of intellect, education and breeding, need have no fear of the issue, for iliey will come Ihrough the ordeal the more rcspecleri for being weighed in the balance and not found -.wanting. “ -