She understands what most other American cities do not understand, and what, in view of our almost unrestricted immigration laws, it seems the National Government cannot be made to understand: namely, that mere numbers do not count for everything; that there is the matter of quality of population to be considered.
Therefore, though Charleston's white population is no greater than that of many a place which would own itself frankly a small town, Charleston knows that by reason of the character of its population it is a great city.

And that is precisely the case.

Charleston people are city people _par excellence_.

They have the virtues of city people, the vices of city people, and the civilization and sophistication of those who reside in the most aristocratic capitals.

For that is another thing that Charleston is; it is unqualifiedly the aristocratic capital of the United States; the last stronghold of a unified American upper class; the last remaining American city in which Madeira and Port and _noblesse oblige_ are fully and widely understood, and are employed according to the best traditions.
I have been told of a lady who remarked that Charleston was "the biggest little place" she ever saw.