"At present there is no distinction among the upper ten thousand of the city"

In this quote, Nathaniel Parker Willis is highlighting the absence of social difference among the rich elite in the city. He refers to them as the "upper ten thousand," a term typically utilized to explain the most affluent and most prominent members of society. However, despite their status and wealth, Willis suggests that there is no clear distinction or hierarchy amongst them. This could be viewed as a commentary on the homogeneity and exclusivity of the upper class, where wealth and status are the only defining elements. It likewise speaks to the idea that, despite their wealth, these people may still struggle with issues of identity and belonging within their own social circle.