by lucky ventures in petroleum lands and stocks, and by army contracts.
Now other speculations provide recruits for this class, to which Wall
street is constantly sending fresh "stars" to blaze awhile in the
firmament of society, and then to make way for others. The shoddy
element is not, however, confined to those who acquire wealth with
rapidity or by speculations. There are many who rise very slowly and
painfully in the world, who, when blessed with fortune, throw themselves
headlong into the arms of "shoddy."

It is not difficult to recognize these persons. They dress not only
handsomely, but magnificently, making up in display what they lack in
taste. They cover themselves with jewels, and their diamonds, worn on
ordinary occasions, might in some instances rival the state gems of
European sovereigns. Their rough, hard hands, coarse faces, loud voices,
bad English, and vulgar manners contrast strikingly with the splendors
with which they surround themselves. They wear their honors uneasily,
showing how little they are accustomed to such things. They look down
with disdain upon all less fortunate in wealth than themselves, and
worship as demi-gods those whose bank accounts are larger than their own.
They are utterly lacking in personal dignity, and substitute for that
quality a supercilious hauteur.

II. FASHIONABLE EXTRAVAGANCE.

Extravagance is the besetting sin of New York society. Money is
absolutely thrown away. Fortunes are spent every year in dress and in
all sorts of follies. Houses are fitted up and furnished in the most
sumptuous style, the building and its contents being sometimes worth a
million of dollars. People live up to every cent of their incomes, and
often beyond them. It is no uncommon occurrence for a fine mansion, its
furniture, pictures, and even the jewels of its occupants, to be pledged
to some usurer for the means with which to carry on this life of luxury.
Each person strives to outdo his or her acquaintances. Those who have
studied the matter find no slight cause for alarm in the rapid spread of
extravagance among all classes of the city people, for the evil is not
confined to the wealthy. They might afford it, but people of moderate
means, who cannot properly make such a heavy outlay, are among those most
guilty of the fault.

In no other city of the land is there to be seen such magnificent
dressing on the part of the ladies as in New York. The amount of money
a