Whatisthelogicaldeductiontobedrawnfromallthis？Simplythatpeopledonotseewiththeireyesorjudgewiththeirunderstandings；thatanall-pervadinghypnotism，anambientsuggestion，attimesenvelopsustakingfrompeopleallfreewill，andreplacingitwiththetasteandjudgmentofthemoment。
Thenumberofpeopleissmallineachgeneration，whoarestrongenoughtoriseabovetheirsurroundingsandthinkforthemselves。
Therestareasdryleavesonastream。Theyfloatalongandturngaylyintheeddies，convincedallthetime(asperhapsaretheleaves)thattheyactentirelyfromtheirownvolitionandthattheirmovementsarehavingaprofoundinfluenceonthedirectionandforceofthecurrent。
CHAPTER10-BohemiaLUNCHINGwithatalentedEnglishcomedianandhiswifetheotherday，theconversationturnedonBohemia，theevasiveno-man\'s-landthatThackerayreferredto，insomanyofhisbooks，andtowhichhelookedbacklovinglyinhislateryears，when，ashesaid，hehadforgottentheroadtoPrague。
Theladyremarked:\"PeoplehavebeenmorethankindtoushereinNewYork。Wehavedinedandsuppedoutconstantly，andhavemetwithgraciouskindness，suchaswecanneverforget。Butsofarwehavenotmetasinglepainter，orauthor，orsculptor，oramanwhohasexploredacorneroftheearth。NeitherhavewehadthegoodlucktofindourselvesinthesameroomwithTeslaorRehan，EdisonorDrew。WeshallregretsomuchwhenbackinEnglandandareaskedaboutyourpeopleoftalent，beingobligedtosay，\'Wenevermetanyofthem。\'Whyisit？Wehavenotbeeninanyonecircle，andhavepitchedourtentsinmanycities，duringourtoursoverhere，butalwayswiththesameresult。WereadyourAmericanauthorsasmuchas，ifnotmorethan，ourown。ThenamesofdozensofyourdiscoverersandpaintersarehouseholdwordsinEngland。
Whenmyhusbandplannedhisfirsttouroverheremyoneideawas，\'Howniceitwillbe!NowIshallmeetthosedelightfulpeopleofwhomIhaveheardsomuch。\'Thedisappointmenthasbeencomplete。
NeveronehaveIseen。\"
Icouldnotbutfeelhowalltootrueweretheremarksofthisintelligentvisitor，rememberinghowquickthesocietyofLondonistowelcomeanewcelebrityororiginalcharacter，howaplaceisatoncemadeforhimateveryhospitableboard，apermanentonetowhichheisexpectedtoreturn；andhownoContinentalentertainmentisconsideredcompletewithoutsomebrightparticularstartoshineinthefirmament。
\"Lion-hunting，\"Ihearmyreadersaywithasneer。Thatmaybe，butitmakessocietyworththecandle，whichitrarelyisoverhere。IrealizedwhatIhadoftenvaguelyfeltbefore，thattheBohemiatheEnglishladywaslookingforwasnottobefoundinthiscountry，more\'sthepity。Notthattheelementsarelacking。
Farfromit，(forevenmorethaninLondonshouldwebeabletocombinesuchasociety)，butperhapsfromamisconceptionofthetrueideaofsuchasociety，dueprobablytoHenryMurger\'sdrearybookSCENESDELAVIEDEBOHEMEwhichischargeablewiththefactthatacircleofthiskindevokesinthemindofmostAmericansvisionsofascrubby，poorly-fedandless-washedcommunity，aworldtheywouldhardlydareasktotheirtablesforfearofsomeembarrassingunconventionalityofconductordress。
Yetthatcanhardlybethereason，foreveninMurgerorPauldeKock，attheirworst，theheroisstillagentleman，andevenwhenheborrowsafriend\'scoat，itistogotoagreathouseandamongpeopleofrank。Besides，wearebecomingtoocosmopolitan，andwandertooconstantlyoverthislittleglobe，nottohavelearnedthattheBohemiaof1830isascompletelyathingofthepastasaGRISETTEoraglyphisodon。ItdisappearedwithGavarniandtheauthorswhodescribedit。Althoughwehavekepttheword，itsmeaninghasgraduallychangeduntilithascometomeansomethingdifficulttodefine，awill-o\'-the-wisp，whichonetriesvainlytograsp。Witheachdecadeithasputonanewformandchangeditscentre，theonedefinitefactbeingthatitcombinesthebetterelementsofseveralsociallayers。
Dropin，ifyouareinParisandknowtheway，atoneofMadeleineLemaire\'sinformaleveningsinherstudio。ThereyoumayfindthePrincedeLigne，chattingwithRejaneorCoquelin；orHenrid\'Orleans，justbackfromanexpeditionintoAfrica。Alittlefurtheron，Saint-Saenswillberunningoverthekeys，preparinganaccompanimentforoneofMadamedeTredern\'ssongs。ThePrincessMathilde(thatpassionateloverofart)willsurelybethere，and-
butitisneedlesstoparticularize。
CrosstheChannel，andgetyourselfaskedtooneofIrving\'schoicesuppersaftertheplay。Youwillfindthebar，thestage，andthepulpitrepresentedthere，a\"happyfamily\"overwhichthe\"Prince\"
oftenpresides，smokingcigaraftercigar，untilthetardyLondondaylightappearstobreakuptheentertainment。
Forbotharecentreswherethegiftedandthetravelledmeetthegreatofthesocialworld，onafootingofperfectequality，andwhere，ifanyprestigeisaccorded，itisthatofbrains。Whenyouhaveseentheseplacesandadozenotherslikethem，youwillrealizewhattheactor\'swifehadinhermind。
Now，letmewhispertoyouwhyIthinksuchcirclesdonotexistinthiscountry。Inthefirstplace，wearestilltooprovincialinthisbigcityofours。NewYorkalwaysremindsmeofadefinitionIonceheardofCaliforniafruit:\"Verylarge，withnoparticularflavor。\"Wearelikeaboy，whohashadthemisfortunetogrowtooquicklyandlooklikeaman，butwhosemindhasnotkeptpacewithhisbody。Whatheknowsisundigestedandchaotic，whilehisappearancemakesyouexpectmoreofhimthanhecangive-hencedisappointment。
Oursocietyisyetinknickerbockers，andhasretainedallsortsoflittlenessesandprejudiceswhicholdercivilizationshavelongsincerelegatedtothementallumberroom。AnequivalenttothispointofviewyouwillfindinEnglandorFranceonlyinthesmaller\"cathedral\"cities，andeventheretheoldaristocratshavethecourageoftheiropinions。Here，whereeverythingisquitefranklyonamoneybasis，and\"positions\"aremadeandlostlikeafortune，byaturnofthemarket，thosequalitieswhicharepurelymental，andonwhichitishardtoputapracticalvalue，arenaturallyatadiscount。Wearequitereadytopayforthebest。
Witnessourprivategalleriesandtheopera，butwesay，liketheparvenuinEmileAugier\'sdelightfulcomedyLEGENDREDEM。
POIRIER，\"Patronizeart？Ofcourse!Buttheartists？Never!\"
Andfrankly，itwouldbetoomuch，woulditnot，toexpectafamilyonlyhalfagenerationawayfromanironfoundry，oramine，tobewillingtoreceiveIrvingorBernhardtontermsofperfectequality？
Asitwouldbeunjusttodemandamaturemindintheovergrownboy，itisuselesstohopefordelicatetactandsocialfeelingfromtheparvenu。Tobegraciousandateasewithallclassesandprofessions，onemustbeperfectlysureofone\'sownposition，andwithusfewfeelthissecurity，itbeingbasedontoofrailafoundation，acrisisinthe\"street\"goingalongwaytowardsdestroyingit。
OfcourseIamgeneralizinganddoubtnotthatinmanycultivatedhomestherightspiritexists，butunfortunatelythesearenotthecentreswhichgivethetonetoour\"world。\"LatelyatoneofthemostsplendidhousesinthiscityayoungItaliantenorhadbeenengagedtosing。Whenhehadfinishedhestoodalone，unnoticed，unspokentofortherestoftheevening。Hehadbeenpaidtosing。
\"Whatmore，incommonsense，couldhewant？\"thoughtthe\"world，\"
withoutreflectingthatitwasprobablynottheTENORwholostbythatarrangement。Itneedsadelicatehandtoholdthereinsoverthebacksofsuchafine-mouthedcommunityasartistsandsingersform。Theyrarelygivetheirbestwhensingingorperforminginahostileatmosphere。
Afewyearsagowhenafancy-dressballwasgivenattheAcademyofDesign，theoriginalideawastohaveitanartists\'ball；thecommunityofthebrushwere，however，approachedwithsuchacompletelackoftactthat，withhardlyanexception，theyheldaloof，andattheballshoneconspicuousbytheirabsence。
AtpresentinthiscityIknowofbuttwohospitablefiresideswhereyouaresuretomeetthebestthecityholdsofeitherforeignornativetalent。Theoneispresidedoverbythewifeofayoungcomposer，andtheother，oddlyenough，bytwounmarriedladies。AninvitationtoadinnerorasupperateitherofthesehousesisaseagerlysoughtafterandashighlyprizedinthegreatworldasitisbytheBohemians，thoughneither\"salon\"isopenregularly。
Thereisstillhopeforus，andIalreadyseesignsofbetterthings。Perhaps，whenmyEnglishfriendreturnsinafewyears，wemaybeabletoprovetoherthatwehavefoundtheroadtoPrague。
CHAPTER11-SocialExilesBALZAC，inhisCOMEDIEHUMAINE，hasreviewedwithamaster-handalmosteveryphaseoftheSocialWorldofParisdownto1850andThackeraylefthardlyacornerofLondonHighLifeunexplored；butsogreathavebeenthechanges(progress，itsadmirerscallit，)
sincethen，that，couldBalzaccomebacktohisbelovedParis，hewouldfeellikeaforeignerthere；andThackeray，whowasamongusbutyesterday，wouldhavedifficultyinfindinghisbearingsintheseaoftheLondonworldto-day。
Wehavechangedsoradicallythatevenacasualobservercannothelpbeingstruckbythedifference。Amongothermostsignificant\"phenomena\"hasappearedaphaseoflifethatnotonlyneitherofthesegreatmenobserved(fortheverygoodreasonthatithadnotappearedintheirtime)，butwhichseemsalsotohaveescapedthenoticeofthewritersofourownday，closeobserversastheyareofanynewdevelopment。ImeantheclassofSocialExiles，pitiablewanderersfromhomeandcountry，whohaunttheContinent，andaretobefound(sadlittlecolonies)inout-of-the-waycornersofalmosteverycivilizedcountry。
Toknowmuchofthisformofmodernlife，onemusthavebeenawanderer，likemyself，andhavepitchedhistentinmanyqueerplaces；fortheyareshygameandnoteasilyraised，frequentingmostlyquietoldcitieslikeVersaillesandFlorence，orinexpensivewatering-placeswheretheirmeagreincomesbecomeaffluencebycontrast。Thefirstthoughtondroppinginonsuchasettlementis，\"Howintheworlddidthesepeopleeverdrifthere？\"
Itissimpleenoughandgenerallycomesaboutinthisway:
Thefatherofawealthyfamilydies。Thefortuneturnsouttobelessthanwasexpected。Thewidowandchildrendecidetogoabroadforayearorso，duringtheirperiodofmourning，partiallyfordistraction，andpartially(afactwhichisnotspokenof)becauseathometheywouldbeforcedtochangetheirwayoflivingtoasimplerone，andthatishardtodo，justatfirst。Latertheythinkitwillbequiteeasy。Sothefamilyemigrates，andafteralittlesight-seeing，settlesinDresdenorTours，casuallyatfirst，inahotel。Ifthereareyoungchildrentheyaremadetheexcuse。\"Thelanguagesaresoimportant!\"Orelseoneofthedaughtersdevelopsatasteformusic，orasontakesupthestudyofart。Inayearortwo，beforeafurnishedapartmentistaken，theideaofreturningisdiscussed，butabandoned\"forthepresent。\"Theybeginvaguelytorealizehowdifficultitwillbetotakelifeupagainathome。Duringallthistimetheirincome(likeeverythingelsewhentheownersareabsent)hasbeenslowlybutsurelydisappearing，makingthereturneachyearmoredifficult。Finally，foreconomy，anunfurnishedapartmentistaken。Theysendhomeforbitsoffurnitureandfamilybelongings，andgraduallydropintothegreatarmyoftheexpatriated。
Oh，thepathosofit!Onewhohasnotseenthesepoorstrandedwaifsintheirself-imposedexile，witheyesturnedtowardstheirnativeland，cannotrealizeallthesadnessandlonelinesstheyendure，rarelyadoptingthecountryoftheirresidencebutbecomingmorefirmlyAmericanastheyearsgoby。Thehomepapersandperiodicalsaretaken，theAmericanchurchattended，iftherehappenstobeone；theEnglishchapel，ifthereisnot。NeveraFrenchchurch!IntheirheartstheythinkitalmostirreverenttoreadtheserviceinFrench。Theacquaintanceofafewfellow-
exilesismadeandthatofahalf-dozenEnglishfamilies，mothersanddaughtersandayoungersonortwo，whomtheferociousprimogeniturecustomhascastoutofthehomesoftheirchildhoodtoeconomizeontheContinent。
IhaveinmymindalittlesettlementofthiskindatVersailles，whichwasatype。Theformaloldcity，fallenfromitsgrandeur，wasasingularlyappropriatesettingtothelittlecomedy。Therethemodestpursesoftheexilesfoundrentswithintheirreach，thequartersvastandairy。Thegalleriesandtheparkaffordedadiversion，andthenParis，dearParis，theAmericanMecca，waswithinreach。AtthetimeIknewit，thecolonywasfairlyprosperous，manyofitsmemberslivinginthetwoorthreeprincipalPENSIONS，theothersinapartmentsoftheirown。Theygavefeeblelittleentertainmentsamongthemselves，card-partiesandteas，anddinedaboutwitheachotherattheirrespectiveTABLESD\'HOTE，evenknowingastrayFrenchmanortwo，whomthequestofamealhadtemptedoutoftheirnativefastnessesasitdoesthewolvesinahardwinter。WritingandreceivinglettersfromAmericawasoneoftheprincipaloccupations，andanepistledescriptiveofaparticulareventathomewenttherounds，andwaseagerlyreadanddiscussed。
ThemeritsofthedifferentPENSIONSalsoformedasubjectofvitalinterest。Theadvantagesanddisadvantagesoftheserivalestablishmentswere，asatopic，neverexhausted。MADAMEUNETELLE
gavefiveo\'clocktea，includedinthesevenfrancsaday，butherrivalgaveonemoremeatcourseatdinnerandhercoffeewascertainlybetter，whileathirdundoubtedlyhadanicersetofpeople。Noonehereathomecanrealizetheimportancethesemattersgraduallyassumeintheeyesoftheexiles。Theirslenderincomeshavetobesocarefullyhandledtomeetthestrainofeventhissimplewayofliving，iftheyaretoshowasurplusforalittletriptotheseashoreinthesummermonths，thatanextrafrancadaybecomesaseriousconsideration。
Everynowandthenafamilystronger-mindedthantheothers，orwithseriousreasonsforreturninghome(adaughtertobringoutorasontoputintobusiness)，wouldbreakawayfromitssomnolentsurroundingsandre-crosstheAtlantic，alternatingbetweenhopeandfear。ItisherethatasadfateawaitsthesemodernRipVanWinkles。Theyfindtheirnativecitieschangedbeyondrecognition。
(Forwemovefastinthesedays。)Themothergetsouthervisitinglistoftenyearsbeforeandisthunderstrucktofindthatitcontainschieflynamesofthe\"dead，thedivorced，anddefaulted。\"
Thewavesofadecadehavewashedoverherplaceandtheworldsheoncebelongedtoknowshernomore。Theleadersofherdayonwhoseaidshecountedhaveretiredfromthefray。Younger，andalas!unknownfacessitintheoperaboxesandaroundthedinnertableswherebeforeshehadfoundonlyfriends。Afterafeeblelittlestruggletogetagainintothe\"swim，\"thefamilydriftsbackacrosstheoceanintothequietbackwaterofacontinentaltown，andgoescirclingaroundwiththeothertwigsanddryleaves，moralflotsamandjetsam，thrownasidebythegreatrushoftheoutsideworld。
Fortheparentsthelifeisnottoosad。Theyhavehadtheirday，andare，perhaps，alittlegladintheirheartsofaquietoldage，awayfromtheheatandsweatofthebattle；butfortheyoungergenerationitisannihilation。Eachyeartheircirclegrowssmaller。Deathtakesawayonememberafteranotherofthefamily，untiloneisleftaloneinaforeignlandwithnotiesaroundher，orwithherfar-away\"home，\"thelattermoreanamenowthanareality。
AyearortwoagoIwastakingluncheonwithourconsulathisprimitivevilla，anhour\'sridefromthecityofTangier，aridemadeondonkey-back，asnoroadsexistinthatsunnyland。Afterourcoffeeandcigars，hetookmeahalf-hour\'swalkintothewildernessaroundhimtocallonhisnearestneighbors，whosemodeofexistenceseemedasourceofanxietytohim。IfoundmyselfinthepresenceoftwoAmericanladies，theyoungerbeingcertainlynotlessthanseventy-five。TomyastonishmentIfoundtheyhadbeenlivingtheresomethirtyyears，sincethedeathoftheirparents，inanisolationandremotenessimpossibletodescribe，inanArabhouse，withnativeservants，\"theworldforgetting，bytheworldforgot。\"YettheseladieshadnameswellknowninNewYorkfiftyyearsago。
TheglimpseIhadoftheirexistencemademethoughtfulasIrodehomeinthetwilight，acrossasuburbnonetoosafeforstrangers。
Whathadthefutureinstoreforthosetwo？Or，worsestill，forthesurvivorofthosetwo？Incontrast，Isawacertainhumble\"home\"farawayinAmerica，wheretwooldladieswereendingtheirlivessurroundedbylovingfriendsandrelations，honoredandcherishedandguardedtenderlyfromtherudeworld。
InbigcitieslikeParisandRomethereisanotherclassoftheexpatriated，thewealthywhohavelefttheirhomesinamomentofpiqueafterthefailureofsomesocialorpoliticalambition；andwhofindinthesecentrestherecognitionrefusedthemathomeandforwhichtheirsoulsthirsted。
ItisnottotheseIrefer，althoughitiscurioustoseeagroupofpeoplelivingforyearsinacountryofwhichthey，halfthetime，donotspeakthelanguage(beyondthenecessitiesofhouse-
keepingandshopping)，knowingbutfewofitsinhabitants，andseeingnoneofthesocietyoftheplace，theiracquaintancerarelygoingbeyondthatequivocal，hybridclassthatsurroundsrich\"strangers\"andhangsontotheouteredgeoftheGRANDMONDE。Onefeelsforthislatterclassmerelycontempt，butone\'spityisreservedfortheformer。WhatobjectlessonssomelivesontheContinentwouldbetoimpatientsoulsathome，whofeeldiscontentedwiththeirsurroundings，andanxioustobreakawayandwanderabroad!Letthemthinktwicebeforetheycutthethousandtiesithastakenalifetimetoform。Bettermonotonyatyourownfireside，myfriends，whereattheworst，youareknownandhaveyourplace，nomatterhowsmall，thananoldageamongstrangers。
CHAPTER12-\"SevenAges\"ofFurnitureTHEprogressthroughlifeofactive-mindedAmericansisapttobeaseriesoftransformations。Ateachsucceedingphaseofmentaldevelopment，anoldskindropsfromtheirgrowingintelligence，andtheyassimilatetheideasandtastesoftheirnewcondition，withafacilityandcompletenessunknowntoothernations。
Oneseriesofmetamorphosesparticularlyamusingtowatchis，thatofanobservant，receptivedaughterofUncleSamwho，aidedandfollowed(atadistance)byanadoringhusband，graduallydevelopsherexcellentbrain，andrisesthroughfathomsofself-cultureandpurblindexperiment，tothesurfaceofdilettantismandconnoisseurship。Onecangenerallydetecttheexactstageofevolutionsuchaladyhasreachedbythebentofherconversation，thebookssheisreading，and，lastbutnotleast，byhermaterialsurroundings；nooutwardandvisiblesignsreflectinginwardandspiritualgracesoclearlyastheobjectspeoplecollectaroundthemfortheadornmentoftheirrooms，orthewayinwhichthoseroomsaredecorated。
Afewyearsago，whenayoungmanandhisbridesetuphousekeepingontheirownaccount，the\"oldpeople\"ofbothfamiliesseizedtheopportunitytounloadonthebeginners(underthepretenceofhelpingthemalong)aquantityoffurnitureandbelongingsthathad(astheshopkeeperssay)\"ceasedtoplease\"theiroriginalowners。
Thenarrowquartersofthetyrosareencumberedbyungainlysofasandarm-chairs，mostprobablyofcarvedrosewood。ETAGERESOFthesamelugubriousmaterialgracethecornersoftheirtinydrawing-
room，thebitsofmirrorinsertedbetweentheshelvesdistortingtheimageoftheownersintoheadlessorlimblessphantoms。Halfoftheirlittledining-roomisfilledwithablack-walnutsideboard，ingeniouslycontrivedtotakeupasmuchspaceaspossibleandholdnothing，itsgracelesstopadornedwithastag\'sheadcarvedinwoodandimitationantlers。
Thenovicesintheirinnocencelivecontentedamidtheirhideoussurroundingsforayearortwo，whenthewifeentershersecondepoch，which，forwantofabetterword，wewillcalltheJapaneseperiod。Thegrimfurnituregraduallydisappearsunderalayerofsilkandgauzedraperies，thebarewallsblossomwithpaperumbrellas，fansarenailedingroupspromiscuously，whereveranemptyspaceoffendshereye。Bowsofribbonareattachedtoeverypossibleprotuberanceofthefurniture。Eventhetableserviceisnotspared。Irememberdiningatahouseinthisstageofitsartisticdevelopment，wherethemarrowbonesthatformedonecourseofthedinnerappearedeachwithacoquettishlittlebow-knotofpinkribbonarounditsneck。
Oncelaunchedonthisseaofadornment，thehousewifesoonlosesherbearingsanddecoratesindiscriminately。Heroldeveningdressesservetodrapethemantelpieces，andshepasseseverysparehourembroidering，braiding，orfringingsomematerialtoadornherrooms。AtChristmasherfriendscontributespecimensoftheirhandiworktothecollection。
Theviewofotherhousesandotherdecorationsbeforelongintroducesthewormofdiscontentintotheblossomofourfriend\'scontentment。Thefruitofherlaborsbecomestastelessonherlips。Asthefinancesofthefamilyaresatisfactory，there-
arrangementoftheparlorflooris(athersuggestion)confidedtoafirmofupholsterers，whomakeacleansweepoftherosewoodandthebow-knots，andretire，aftersomemonthsoflabor，leavingthedelightedwifeinpossessionofasuiteofroomsglitteringwitheverymonstrositythatanimaginativetradesman，spurredonbyunlimitedcredit，coulddevise。
Thewoodworkofthedoorsandmantelsisanintricatepuzzleofinlaidwoods，theceilingsarepanelledandpaintedincomplicateddesigns。The\"parlor\"isprovidedwithacompletesetofneat，old-goldsatinfurniture，puffedatitsangleswithpeacock-coloredplush。
Themonumentalfoldingdoorsbetweenthelong，narrowroomsaredrapedwiththesamechastecombinationofstuffs。
Thedining-roomblazeswithagoldandpurplewallpaper，setoffbyebonizedwoodworkandfurniture。Theconscientiouscontractorhasneglectednocorner。Everysquareinchoftheceilings，walls，andfloorshasbeencarved，embossed，stencilled，orgildedintoabewilderingmonotony。
Thehusband，whoseaffairsarerapidlyincreasingonhishands，hasnotimetoattendtosuchinsignificantdetailsashousedecoration，thewifehasperfectconfidenceinthetasteofthefirmemployed。Soatthesuggestionofthelatter，andinordertocompletethebeautyoftherooms，aBouguereau，aToulmoucheandacoupleofSchreyersarebought，andanumberofmodernFrenchbronzesscatteredaboutonthemulticoloredcabinets。Then，atlast，thehappyownersofallthissplendoropentheirdoorstotheadmirationoftheirfriends。
Aboutthetimethepeacockplushandthegildingbegintoshowsignsofwearandtear，rumorsofafreshfashionindecorationfloatacrossfromEngland，andthenewgospelofthebeautifulaccordingtoClarenceCookisfirstpreachedtoanastonishednation。
Thefortuneofourcouplecontinuingtodevelopwithpleasingrapidity，thebuildingofacountryhouseisnextdecidedupon。A
friendofthehusband，whohasrecentlystartedoutasanarchitect，designsthemapicturesqueresidencewithoutastraightlineonitsexteriororasquareroominside。Thishouseisdoneupinstrictobediencetotheteachingsofthenewsect。Thedining-roomismadeaboutascheerfulastheentrancetoafamilyvault。Therestofthehousebearsacloseresemblancetoanecclesiasticaljunkshop。Theentrancehallisfilledwithwhatappearstobeacommuniontableinsolidoak，andthemassivechairsandsetteesoftheparlorsuggestthewithdrawingroomofRowena，aestheticshadesofmomie-clothdrapedeep-setwindows，whereanaemicanddisjointedfemalesinstainedglasspluckconventionalroses。
Toeachofthesesuccessivetransitionsthehusbandhasremainedobedientlyandtranquillyindifferent。Hehasinhisheartconsideredthemallequallyunfittinganduncomfortableandsighedinregretfulmemoryofadeep，old-fashionedarm-chairthatshelteredhisafter-dinnernapsintheearlyrosewoodperiod。Sofarhehasbeenasclayinthehandsofhisbelovedwife，buttheanaemicladiesandthecommuniontablearethelastdropthatcauseshiscuptooverflow。Herevoltsandbeginstotakemattersintohisownhandswiththeresultthatthehouseholdentersitsfifthincarnationunderhisguidance，duringwhicheverythingispaintedwhiteandallthewall-papersareavividscarlet。ThefamilysitonbogusChippendaleandeatoffblueandwhitechina。
Withthebuildingoftheirgrandnewhouseneartheparkthecouplerisetogetherintothesixthcycleoftheirdevelopment。Havingtravelledandstudiedtheepochsbythistime，theycantellaLouisXIV。fromaLouisXV。room，andrecognizethatmahoganyandbrasssphinxesdenotefurnitureoftheEmpire。Thisnewlyacquiredknowledgeis，however，vagueandhazy。Theyhavenoconfidenceinthemselves，sogiveoverthefittingoftheirprincipalfloorstotheNewYorkbranchofagreatFrenchhouse。Littleistalkedofnowbutperiods，plans，andelevations。UndertheguidanceoftheFrenchfirm，theyacquireatvastexpense，fakedreproductionsashistoricfurniture。
Thespaciousroomsarestickywithnewgilding，andthefloweredbrocadesofthehangingsandfurniturecrackletothetouch。Theroomswerenotdesignedbythearchitecttoreceiveanyspecialkindof\"treatment。\"Immensefolding-doorsunitethesalons，andwindowsopenanywhere。Thedecorationsofthewallshavebeenappliedlikeapoultice，regardlessoftheproportionsoftheroomsandthedistributionofthespaces。
Buildinganddecoratingare，however，thebestofeducations。Thehusband，freedatlastfromhisbusinessoccupations，findsinthisnewstudyaninterestandacharmunknowntohimbefore。Heandhiswifearebothvaguelydisappointedwhentheirresplendentmansionisfinished，havingalreadyoutgrownit，andrecognizethatinspiteofcorrectdetail，theircostlyapartmentsnomoreresemblethestatelyandsimplesalonsseenabroadthanthecabinofaFallRiverboatresemblestheGALERIEDESGLACESatVersailles。Thehumiliatingknowledgethattheyareallwrongbreaksuponthem，asitisdoingonhundredsofothers，atthesametimeasthedesiretoknowmoreandappreciatebettertheperfectproductionsofthisart。
Aseventhandlaststepisbeforethembuttheyknownothowtomakeit。Asurerguidethantheupholstereris，theyknow，essential，buttheirlibrarycontainsnothingtohelpthem。Otherspossesstheinformationtheyneed，yettheyareignorantwheretoturnforwhattheyrequire。
Withsingularappropriatenessavolumetreatingofthisdelightful\"art\"hasthisseasonappearedatScribner\'s。\"TheDecorationofHouses\"istheresultofawoman\'sfaultlesstastecollaboratingwithaman\'stechnicalknowledge。Itsmissionistorevealtothehundredswhohaveadvancedjustfarenoughtofindthattheycangonofartheralone，truthslyingconcealedbeneaththesurface。Itteachesthatconsummatetasteissatisfiedonlywithaperfectedsimplicity；thatthefacadesofahousemustbetheenvelopeoftheroomswithinandadaptedtothem，astheroomsaretothehabitsandrequirementsofthem\"thatdwelltherein；\"thatproportionisthebackboneofthedecorator\'sartandthatsupremeeleganceisfitnessandmoderation；and，aboveall，thatanattentiontoarchitecturalprinciplescanaloneleaddecorationtoaperfectdevelopment。
CHAPTER13-OurEliteandPublicLifeTHEcomplaintissooftenheard，andseemssowellfounded，thatthereisagrowinginclination，notonlyamongmenofsocialposition，butalsoamongourbestandcleverestcitizens，tostandalooffrompubliclife，andthisreluctanceontheirpartissounfortunate，thatonefeelsimpelledtoseekoutthecauseswheretheymustlie，beneaththesurface。Atafirstglancetheyarenotapparent。Whyshouldnotthehonorofrepresentingone\'stownorlocalitybeaseagerlysoughtafterwithusasitisbyEnglishorFrenchmenofposition？Thatsuchisnotthecase，however，isevident。
Speakingofthistheotherevening，overmyafter-dinnercoffee，withahigh-mindedandpublic-spiritedgentleman，whonotlongagorepresentedourcountryataEuropeancourt，headvancedtwotheorieswhichstruckmeasbeingwellworthrepeating，andwhichseemedtoaccounttoacertainextentforthiscuriousabstinence。
Asafirstandmostimportantcause，heplacedthefactthatneitherournationalnor(hereinNewYork)ourstatecapitalcoincideswithourmetropolis。InthiswedifferfromEnglandandallthecontinentalcountries。Theresultisnotdifficulttoperceive。InLondon，amanoftheworld，abusinessman，oragreatlawyer，whorepresentsalocalityinParliament，canfulfilhismandateandatthesametimeleadhisusuallifeamonghisownset。Thelawyerorthebusinessmancanfollowduringthedayhisprofession，orthoseaffairsonwhichhedependstosupporthisfamilyandhispositionintheworld。Then，afterdinner(owingtothepeculiarhoursadoptedforthesittingsofParliament)，hecantakehisplaceasalaw-maker。IfhebeaLondon-bornman，heinnowaychangeshiswayoflifeorthatofhisfamily。If，onthecontrary，hebeacountymagnate，thechangehemakesisallforthebetter，asittakeshimandhiswifeanddaughtersuptoLondon，thehavenoftheirlongings，andthecentreofallsortsofsocialdissipationsandadvancement。
Withus，itisexactlythecontrary。AstheDistrictofColumbiaelectsnoone，everybodylivinginWashingtonofficiallyismoreorlessexpatriated，andthesociallifeitoffersisapoorsubstituteforthecirclewhichmostfamiliesleavetogothere。
That，however，isnotthemostimportantsideofthequestion。GotoanygreatlawyerofeitherNewYorkorChicago，andproposesendinghimtoCongressortheSenate。Hisanswerissuretobe，\"Icannotaffordit。Iknowitisanhonor，butwhatistoreplacethehundredthousanddollarsayearwhichmyprofessionbringsmein，nottomentionthatallmypracticewouldgotopiecesduringmyabsence？\"Oragain，\"HowshouldIdaretoproposetomyfamilytoleaveoneofthegreatcentresofthecountrytogoandvegetateinalittleprovincialcitylikeWashington？No，indeed!Publiclifeisoutofthequestionforme!\"
DoesanyonesupposeEnglandwouldhavetheclassofmenshegetsinParliament，ifthatbodysatatBristol？
UntilrecentlythemanwhooccupiedthepositionofLordChancellormadethirtythousandpoundsayearbyhisprofessionwithoutinterferinginanywaywithhispublicduties，andatthepresentmomentarecordershipinLondoninnowisepreventsprivatepractice。WerethesegentlemenAmericans，theywouldbeobligedtorenounceallhopeofprofessionalincomeinordertoservetheircountryatitsCapital。
Letusglanceforamomentattheotherreason。Owingtoourlaws(doubtlessperfectlyreasonable，andwhichitisnotmyintentiontocriticise，)amanmustresideintheplaceherepresents。Hereagainwedifferfromallotherconstitutionalcountries。
Unfortunately，ourcleveryoungmenleavethesmalltownsoftheirbirthandflockuptothegreatcentresasofferingwiderfieldsfortheiradvancement。Inconsequence，thelocalelectorfindshischoicelimitedtowhatisleft-theintellectualskimmedmilk，ofwhichthecreamhasbeencarriedtoNewYorkorotherbigcities。
Nocountrycanexistwithoutametropolis，andassuchacentrebyanaturallawofassimilationabsorbsthebestbrainsofthecountry，inothernationsithasbeenfoundtotheinterestsofallpartiestosenddownbrilliantyoungmentothe\"provinces，\"tobe，ingoodtime，returnedbythemtothenationalassemblies。
Asthisisnotapoliticalarticlethesimpleindicationofthesetwocauseswillsuffice，withoutenteringintothequestionoftheirreasonablenessoroftheirjustice。Thesocialbearingofsuchaconditionisheretheonlysideofthequestionunderdiscussion；itisdifficulttoover-ratetheinfluencethataman\'sfamilyexertoverhisdecisions。
Politicalambitionisexceedinglyrareamongourwomenofposition；
whentheAmericanhusbandisbittenwithit，thewifesubmitsto，ratherthanabets，hisinclinations。Inmostcasesourwomenarenotcosmopolitanenoughtoenjoybeingtransplantedfarawayfromtheirfriendsandrelations，eventofillpositionsofimportanceandhonor。ANewYorkwomanofgreatfranknessandintelligence，whofoundherselfrecentlyinaWesterncityunderthesecircumstances，said，inanswertoaflatteringremarkthat\"theladiesoftheplaceexpectedhertobecometheirsocialleader，\"\"I
don\'tseeanythingtolead，\"thusveryplainlyexpressingheropinionofthesituation。ItishardlyfairtoexpectawomanaccustomedtothelifeofNewYorkortheforeigncapitals，tolookforwardwithenthusiasmtoatermofyearspassedinAlbany，orinWashington。
InFranceverymuchthesamestateofaffairshasbeenreachedbyquiteadifferentroute。Thearistocracydetestthepresentgovernment，anditisnotconsidered\"goodform\"bythemtositintheChamberofDeputiesortoacceptanybutdiplomaticpositions。
Theycondescendtofillthelatterbecausethatentailslivingawayfromtheirowncountry，astheyfeelmoreateaseinforeigncourtsthanattheRepublicanreceptionsoftheElysee。
Thereisadeplorabletendencyamongourself-styledaristocracytolookupontheircircleasaclassapart。Theyseparatethemselvesmoreeachyearfromthelifeofthecountry，andaffecttosmileatanyoftheirnumberwhohonestlywishtobeofservicetothenation。They，liketheFrencharistocracy，areperfectlywilling，evenanxious，tofillagreeablediplomaticpostsatfirst-classforeigncapitals，andarenaivelyastonishedwhentheiroffersofservicearenotacceptedwithgratitudebytheauthoritiesinWashington。Butletahusbandproposetohisbetterhalfsomehumblepositioninthemachineryofourgovernment，andseewhatthelady\'sanswerwillbe。
Theopinionprevailsamongalargeclassofourwealthyandcultivatedpeople，thattogointopubliclifeistodescendtodutiesbeneaththem。Theyjudgethemenwhooccupysuchpositionswithinsultingseverity，classingthemintheirmindsascorruptandself-seeking，thanwhichnothingcanbemorechildishormoreimbecile。Anyobserverwhohaslivedinthedifferentgradesofsocietywillquicklyrenouncethepuerileideathatsportingorintellectualpursuitsarealoneworthyofagentleman\'sattention。
Thisverypoliticallife，whichappearsunworthyoftheirattentiontosomanymen，is，inreality，thegreatfieldwherethenationsoftheworldfightouttheirdifferences，wheretheseedissownthatwillripenlaterintovastcropsoftruthandjustice。Itis(ifrightlyregardedandhonestlyfollowed)thebattle-groundwhereman\'shighestqualitiesareputtotheirnoblestuse-thatofworkingforthehappinessofothers。
CHAPTER14-TheSmallSummerHotelWEcertainlyarethemosteccentricraceonthesurfaceoftheglobeandoughttobeadelighttothesoulofanexplorer，sofullisourcivilizationofcontradictions，unexplainedhabitsandcuriouscustoms。Itisquiteunnecessaryfortheinquisitivegentlemenwhopasstheirtimepryingintootherpeople\'saffairsandthenreturninghometowritebooksabouttheirdiscoveries，torisktheirlivesanddigestionsinlongjourneysintoCentralAfricaortothefrozenzones，whilesomuchgoodmaterialliesreadytotheirhandsinourownland。Thehabitsofthe\"natives\"
inNewEnglandalonemightoccupyanactivemindindefinitely，offeringasinterestingproblemsasanytobesolvedbypenetratingCentralAsiaorvisitingtheman-eatingtribesofAustralia。
Perhapsoneofourscientificcelebrities，beforeundertakinghisnextlongvoyage，willfindtimetomakeobservationsathomeandcollectsufficientdatatoanswersomequestionsthathavelongpuzzledmyunscientificbrain。Hewouldbedoinggoodwork。Fameandhonorsawaitthemanwhocanexplainwhy，forinstance，saneAmericansofthebetterclass，withmoneyenoughtochoosetheirsurroundings，shouldpasssomuchoftheirtimeinhotelsandboardinghouses。Theremustbeareasonforthevogueoftheseretreats-everyactionhasacause，howeverremote。Ishallawaitwiththedeepestinterestapaperonthissubjectfromoneofourgreatexplorers，untowardcircumstanceshavingsometimeagoforcedmetopassafewdaysinapopularestablishmentofthisclass。
DuringmyvisitIamusedmyselfbyobservingtheinmatesandtryingtodiscoverwhytheyhadcomethere。SofarasIcouldfindout，thegreaterpartofthembelongedtoourwell-to-doclass，andwhenathomedoubtlesslivedinluxurioushousesandwerewaitedonbytrainedservants。InthesmallsummerhotelwhereImetthem，theywerelivingindrearylittletenbytwelvefootrooms，containingonlytheabsolutenecessitiesofexistence，awash-stand，abureau，twochairsandabed。Andsuchabed!Onemattressaboutfourinchesthickoversqueakingslats，cottonsheets，sonicelycalculatedtothesizeofthebedthattheslightestmoveonthepartofthesleeperwoulddetachthemfromtheirmooringsandundothehousemaid\'swork；twolimp，discouragedpillowsthathadevidentlybeen\"banting，\"andafewtowelsafootlongwithasurfacelikesand-paper，completedthefittingsoftheroom。Bathswereunknown，andhotwaterwasaluxurydistributedsparinglybyacapricioushandmaiden。Itisonlyfairtoaddthateverythingintheroomwasperfectlyclean，aswasthecoarsetablelineninthediningroom。
Themealswereinharmonywiththeroomsandfurniture，consistingonlyofthestrictnecessities，cookedwithaSpartandisregardforsuchsybaritefoiblesasseasoningordressing。Ibelievetherewasasubstantialmealsomewhereintheearlymorninghours，butI
neversucceededingettingdownintimetoinspectit。Bysuccessfulbribery，Iinducedoneofthevillagebelles，whoservedattable，tobringacupofcoffeetomyroom。Thefirstmorningitappearedalreadypouredoutinthecup，withsugarandcoldmilkaddedatherdiscretion。Atoneo\'clockadinnerwasserved，consistingofsoup(occasionally)，onemeatdishandattendantvegetables，ameagredessert，andnothingelse。Athalf-pastsixtherewasanequallyrudimentarymeal，called\"tea，\"afterwhichnofurtherfoodwasdistributedtotheinmates，whoall，however，seemedperfectlycontentedwiththisarrangement。Infacttheyapparentlylookedontheactofeatingasadisagreeabletask，tobehurriedthroughassoonaspossiblethattheymightreturntotheiraimlessrockingandchattering。
Insteadofdinnerhourbeingthefeatureoftheday，unitingpeoplearoundanattractivetable，andattendedbyconversation，andthemeallastinglongenoughforone\'sfoodtobeproperlyeaten，itwasrushedthroughasthoughwewerealltryingtocatchatrain。
Then，whenthemealwasover，theboardersrelapsedintoapathyagain。
Nooneevercalledthishospitablehomeaboarding-house，fortheproprietorwasfuriousifitwasgiventhatname。Healsoscornedtheideaofkeepingahotel。SothatIneverquiteunderstoodinwhatrelationhestoodtowardus。Hecertainlyconsideredhimselfourhost，andignoredthefinancialsideofthequestionseverely。
Inordernottohurthisfeelingsbyspeakingtohimofmoney，wewereobligedtogetourbillsbystrategyfromamalesubordinate。
Minehostandhisfamilywereapparentlyunawarethattherewerepeopleundertheirroofwhopaidthemforboardandlodging。Wewerealllookeduponasguestsand\"entertained，\"andourrightsimpartiallyignored。
Nothing，Ifind，issodistinctiveofNewEnglandasthisgracefulveilingofthepracticalsideoflife。Thelandladyalwaysremindedme，byhermanner，ofBarrie\'sdescriptionofthebill-
sticker\'swifewho\"cut\"herhusbandwhenshechancedtomeethim\"professionally\"engaged。Asaresultofthisextremedetachmentfromthingsmaterial，thehouseranitself，orwasrunbyincompetentIrishandnegro\"help。\"Therewerenobellsintherooms，whichsimplifiedtheservice，andnothingcouldbeorderedoutofmealhours。
Thematerialdefectsinboardandlodgingsink，however，intoinsignificancebeforethemoralandsocialunpleasantnessofanestablishmentsuchasthis。Allages，allconditions，andallcreedsarepromiscuouslyhuddledtogether。Itisimpossibletochoosewhomoneshallknoworwhomavoid。Ahorribleburlesqueoffamilylifeisenabled，withallitsinconveniencesandnoneofitssanctity。Peoplefromdifferentcities，withdifferentinterestsandstandards，areexpectedto\"chum\"togetherinanintimacythatbeginswiththeeighto\'clockbreakfastandendsonlywhenallretireforthenight。Noprivacy，noisolationisallowed。Ifyoutakeabookandbegintoreadinaremotecornerofaparlororpiazza，someidlematronoridioticgirlwilltranquillyinvadeyourpoorlittlebitofprivacyandgabbleofheraffairsandtheday\'sgossip。Thereisnoescapeunlessyoumounttoyourten-by-
twelvecellandsit(likethePremiersofEnglandwhentheyvisitBalmoral)onthebed，todoyourwriting，forwantofanyotherconveniences。Evensuchretirementisresentedbytheboarders。
Youarethoughttobehaughtyandtogiveyourselfairsifyoudonotsitfortwelveconsecutivehourseachdayinunendingconversationwiththem。
Whenonereflectsthatthousandsofourcountrymenpassatleastone-halfoftheirlivesintheseasylums，andthatthousandsmoreinAmericaknownootherhomes，butmovefromonehoteltoanother，whilethesameoutlaywouldprocurethemcosy，cheerfuldwellings，itdoesseemasifthesemodernArabs，Holmes\'s\"FoldingBed-
ouins，\"weregraduallyreturningtoprehistorichabitsandwouldendbyeatingrootspromiscuouslyincaves。
Thecontradictionappearsmoremarkedthelongeronereflectsontheloveofindependenceandimpatienceofallrestraintthatcharacterizeourrace。IfsuchaninstitutionhadbeenconceivedbypeopleoftheOldWorld，accustomedtomoralslaveryandtoathousandpettytyrannies，itwouldnotbesoremarkable，butthatwe，ofalltheracesoftheearth，shouldhavecreatedaformoftortureunknowntoLouisXI。ortotheSpanishInquisitors，isindeedinexplicable!Outsideofthishappylandtheinstitutionisunknown。ThePENSIONwhenitexistsabroad，isonlyanexoticgrowthforanAmericanmarket。AmongEuropeannationsitisundreamedof；thepoorestwhentheytraveltakefurnishedrooms，wheretheyareservedinprivate，orgotorestaurantsorTABLE
D\'HOTESfortheirmeals。Inastrictlycontinentalhotelthepublicparlordoesnotexist。Peopledonottraveltomakeacquaintances，butforhealthorrecreation，ortoimprovetheirminds。TheenforcedintimacyofourAmericanfamilyhouse，withitsattendantquarrellingandback-biting，isaninflictionofwhichEuropeansareinhappyignorance。
Oneexplanation，only，occurstome，whichisthatamongNewEnglandpeople，largelydescendedfromPuritanstock，therestilllingerssomeblindimpulseatself-mortification，anhereditaryinclinationtomakethislifeasdisagreeableaspossiblebyself-
immolation。Theirancestors，wearetoldbyMacaulay，suppressedbullbaiting，notbecauseithurtthebull，butbecauseitgavepleasuretothepeople。HereinNewEnglandtheyrefusedtheRomandogmaofPurgatoryandthenwithcompleteinconsistency，inventedtheboarding-house，inorder，doubtless，totakeasmuchofthejoyaspossibleoutofthislife，asapreparationforendlessblissinthenext。
