and yet it is he who, by reason merely of his riches, is the leader of society, and it is he whom the rest of the world is trying to imitate, and ingratiate itself with.

And this adoration and aping of wealth is exceedingly costly. The desire to appear wealthy has ruined countless homes, the fear that poverty may be suspected has undermined the peace and health and happiness of countless lives. I am not among those who preach that poverty is a blessing; it would perhaps be a blessing for those to whom wealth is a curse, but it is by no means a blessing to those who feel its brunt and its oppression. But poverty or a lack of abundance is by no means a shame. Why a pretence of wealth when wealth is lacking? Is a man less wise, less moral, less sincere, less decent, because he has no superfluous riches? Does lack of wealth in any way affect the qualities of manhood? Why, then, instead of looking upon poverty as merely a discomfort, does one act as if it were a disgrace that must be covered up at any cost? Many a man (and particularly many a woman), will, in the fear of appearing poor, deprive himself of absolute necessities, even undermine his health, or go into debt, in order to acquire the things that will disguise from those wealthier than he, his actual condition. The imitation of wealth, as well as the craving for wealth, is becoming so potent a factor in human nature, that man will violate not only the basic rules of society, but also the finest propensities of his own soul in order to reach that petty goal.

The desire to secure the good opinion of the world for oneself leads also to many vanities and not at all harmless foibles. Note the many faces hidden under a coat of cosmetics, fearing to disclose the lines which time has furrowed upon them. Man is too eager to retain the period of his youth. Youth is actually worshipped; and where it cannot be retained,