“Sydney Exhibition” and nobs. 1879.

To any one not familiar with sarcasm this is it.

The Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser NSW

7 Nov 1879

NOTES ON PASSING EVENTS

(BY MOMUS)

I was unspeakably gratified on reading the notes of the reporter of the 'Molong Express' regarding the Exhibition. 

He states that a friend of his in Sydney seriously remarked that the Government wished to see the 'wealthy' country residents down first (to the Exhibition), and afterwards the- smaller fry.

It is quite impossible for me to to express my admiration for the kind consideration of the. Government for myself and other of my wealthy -intimates of the upper ten thousand, and we (the U.T.T.) can hardly find words to express our gratitude for sparing us tho indignity of being brought into contact with the nobodies, who perhaps have actually to earn their living by the work of their hands. 

This appreciation of our high position as the possessors of wealth, by the Government, we look upon is only our inalienable right, and I am gratified to find that the Government estimates us at our proper value.

The article continues — You- have seen this week the Exhibition at 5s. per head; in a few days it is to be 2s. 6d.; soon' after 1s, with a 2s. 6d. dash off now and again; and in due course it is will be for a time 1s., then 6d., then 2d., and Id., and when it comes to that the powers that be will reduce the train fares.

This is as it should be, and the common people will then have an opportunity of visiting the Garden Palace, when it has become quite too low a resort for the aristocratic wealthy class to patronise. 

Wealth has its obligations, and one of the chief of them is to make the lower orders aware of the fact that an immense difference exists between the two classes, and their proper position is always after us. 

Three cheers for the nobs!