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The Duke of Bedford's Book Of Snobs
John,Duke of Bedford divides his work into two parts, one on the Theory of Snobbery, and the second on Practice. In the first he tells us what the Oxford Dictionary says about snobs. They are 'persons with exaggerated respect for social position or wealth and a disposition to be ashamed of socially inferior connections, behave with servility to social superiors and judge of merit by externals'.
Bedford wants to go farther than this. He agrees that for snob it is not the essence, but 'the appearance that matters'.But he says snobbery in a broader way as a 'problem of belonging. Snobbery " is the desperate desire to belong to a class or circle to which one does not belong" .. he always aspires to be tolerated and ridiculed member of one class one grade higher than his own."
Bedford in the second part of the book goes on to give practical methods for satisfying one's snobbish needs. he provides a kind of guide for successful snobbery.
Bedford wants to go farther than this. He agrees that for snob it is not the essence, but 'the appearance that matters'.But he says snobbery in a broader way as a 'problem of belonging. Snobbery " is the desperate desire to belong to a class or circle to which one does not belong" .. he always aspires to be tolerated and ridiculed member of one class one grade higher than his own."
Bedford in the second part of the book goes on to give practical methods for satisfying one's snobbish needs. he provides a kind of guide for successful snobbery.
142 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1965
59 people want to read
About the author
John Robert Russell 13th Duke of Bedford
11 books2 followersJohn Ian Robert Russell, 13th Duke of Bedford (24 May 1917 – 25 October 2002) was a British peer and writer. He was married to film director Nicole Milinaire Russell.
He was the son of Hastings Russell, 12th Duke of Bedford & was known in his youth as Ian, with the courtesy title Lord Howland. In 1940 his father succeeded to the dukedom and Lord Howland acquired the courtesy title Marquess of Tavistock.
In 1940, he became a reporter for the Daily Express. In 1948, he emigrated to the Union of South Africa where he farmed in the Paarl area, before returning to the UK in 1953 upon succeeding to his father's estates.
He was the son of Hastings Russell, 12th Duke of Bedford & was known in his youth as Ian, with the courtesy title Lord Howland. In 1940 his father succeeded to the dukedom and Lord Howland acquired the courtesy title Marquess of Tavistock.
In 1940, he became a reporter for the Daily Express. In 1948, he emigrated to the Union of South Africa where he farmed in the Paarl area, before returning to the UK in 1953 upon succeeding to his father's estates.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 17, 2024
2024: Laughter needed.
Are some illnesses U? Of course. Gout, for example, was once very fashionable, but now it has mostly disappeared. Some rheumatic illnesses still retain a decent reputation and a bent hip may give the impression of an equestrian illness. Nervous breakdowns are good, too. Heart disease is connected with business, especially with American executives, and the wise upstart will avoid it. Syphilis seemed to be almost extinct, but is on the rise again and will invite scant sympathy. Frankly, we're advised, talking about your health is out. No one is really interested in your health. Everybody is interested only in himself.
Killingly funny, as Gert Stein sniffed when she gave this to me in 1928 and promised that the Duke wouldn't publish it until the '60s. In his "Art of Creation" essay, we learn, Arthur Koestler describes a woman who only had affairs with authors, regardless of sex or age. But she wouldn't tumble unless their books had sold 20,000 copies. A snob respects external recognition whether there is any merit behind it or not. Remember: appearance is reality, among snobs.
On conversation: Listen to the idiocies of others and you will
gain the rep of being a witty conversationalist.
On opera-ballet: As soon as it's an achievement to get in or obtain tickets: Go!
You don't have to know much as long as you can comment on the talent. Was "Tosca" composed by Cavaradossi or Verdi ? It doesnt matter as long as you're aware of the leading singers.
Theatregoing : Harmless. It matters little on the snob ladder. A dumb musical is preferable to serious drama. Reading: Permissable, but if you have literary taste, it's best kept secret. Art: OK, buy some art, but only as investment.
At dinner -- Non-U: Never keep cutting up your food as is dun for a baby. Cut for each bite. ~~ Coffee w main dish? : "The end of civilization."
Dismissive: Nasty comments abt others ? "Dispatch w one deadly remark."
Snobbery defined: "It's the problem of belonging. It's a need to belong to a circle or class."
Voice: "There's a mistaken belief that it's upper-class to speak too loudly." This is Non-U.
Also : "Do not be too polite. Over-politeness is the sign of not being quite--" Avoid phrases like, "Would you be so kind.." ~~ This extends to thanking someone.
Furs: "Sable is in. Mink is out, except for the lining."
House parties: "Do not go to bed with the hostess unless it is really necessary."
Sport: Squash, yes. Lawn-tennis is ok. Tops: Hunting. Perhaps yachting. "Playing bridge can gain you many desirable friends."
As in real mountaineering, "When you reach the top, you'll find that the climb was not really worthwhile."
This is one of the Ten Most Important Books of the 20th Century.
Are some illnesses U? Of course. Gout, for example, was once very fashionable, but now it has mostly disappeared. Some rheumatic illnesses still retain a decent reputation and a bent hip may give the impression of an equestrian illness. Nervous breakdowns are good, too. Heart disease is connected with business, especially with American executives, and the wise upstart will avoid it. Syphilis seemed to be almost extinct, but is on the rise again and will invite scant sympathy. Frankly, we're advised, talking about your health is out. No one is really interested in your health. Everybody is interested only in himself.
Killingly funny, as Gert Stein sniffed when she gave this to me in 1928 and promised that the Duke wouldn't publish it until the '60s. In his "Art of Creation" essay, we learn, Arthur Koestler describes a woman who only had affairs with authors, regardless of sex or age. But she wouldn't tumble unless their books had sold 20,000 copies. A snob respects external recognition whether there is any merit behind it or not. Remember: appearance is reality, among snobs.
On conversation: Listen to the idiocies of others and you will
gain the rep of being a witty conversationalist.
On opera-ballet: As soon as it's an achievement to get in or obtain tickets: Go!
You don't have to know much as long as you can comment on the talent. Was "Tosca" composed by Cavaradossi or Verdi ? It doesnt matter as long as you're aware of the leading singers.
Theatregoing : Harmless. It matters little on the snob ladder. A dumb musical is preferable to serious drama. Reading: Permissable, but if you have literary taste, it's best kept secret. Art: OK, buy some art, but only as investment.
At dinner -- Non-U: Never keep cutting up your food as is dun for a baby. Cut for each bite. ~~ Coffee w main dish? : "The end of civilization."
Dismissive: Nasty comments abt others ? "Dispatch w one deadly remark."
Snobbery defined: "It's the problem of belonging. It's a need to belong to a circle or class."
Voice: "There's a mistaken belief that it's upper-class to speak too loudly." This is Non-U.
Also : "Do not be too polite. Over-politeness is the sign of not being quite--" Avoid phrases like, "Would you be so kind.." ~~ This extends to thanking someone.
Furs: "Sable is in. Mink is out, except for the lining."
House parties: "Do not go to bed with the hostess unless it is really necessary."
Sport: Squash, yes. Lawn-tennis is ok. Tops: Hunting. Perhaps yachting. "Playing bridge can gain you many desirable friends."
As in real mountaineering, "When you reach the top, you'll find that the climb was not really worthwhile."
This is one of the Ten Most Important Books of the 20th Century.
September 19, 2017
Interesting and very funny, too
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews