第5章

类别:其他 作者:Eliot Gregory字数:18879更新时间:18/12/14 16:55:33
shewas,invitinghimtodineanddrivedaily,butwhenhebroachedthesubjectof\"sitting,\"was\"toobusyjustthatday。\"Laterintheautumnshewouldbequiteathisdisposal。Intheautumn,however,shewasvisiting,nevertendaysinthesameplace。Earlywinterfoundher\"gettingherhouseinorder,\"amysteriousriteapparentlyattendedwithvastworryandfatigue。Withcoolingenthusiasm,thepaintercalledandcoaxedandwaited。NovemberbroughttheoperaandthefullswingofaNewYorkseason。Sofarshehasgivenhimhalfadozensittings,squeezedinbetweenaluncheon,whichmadeher\"unavoidablylate,\"forwhichsheischarmingly\"sorry,\"andareceptionthatshewasforcedtoattend,although\"itbreaksmyhearttoleavejustasyouarebeginningtoworksowell,butI reallymust,orthetiresomeoldcatwhoisgivingtheteawillbesayingallsortsofunpleasantthingsaboutme。\"Sosheflitsoff,leavingthepoor,disillusionedpainterbeforehiscanvas,knowingnowthathisdreamisover,thatinamonthortwohisprettysitterwillbeoffagaintoNewOrleansforthecarnival,orabroad,andthathiswearyroundofwaitingwillrecommence。Hewillbefortunateifsomedayitdoesnotfloatbacktohim,inthemysteriouswaydisagreeablethingsdocometoone,thatshehasbeenheardtosay,\"IfeardearMr。Paletteisnotveryclever,forIhavebeensittingtohimforoverayear,andhehasreallydonenothingyet。\" Hehasbeensimplythevictimofastateofaffairsthatneitherofthemwerestrongenoughtobreakthrough。ItneverenteredintoBeauty\'sheadthatshecouldleadalifedifferentfromherfriends。Shewashonestlyanxioustohaveasuccessfulportraitofherself,butthesacrificeofanyofherhabitswasmorethanshecouldmake。 Whoamongmyreaders(andIamtemptedtobelievetheyareallmoresensiblethantheaboveyoungwoman)hasnot,duringasummerpassedwithagreeablefriends,madeathousandpleasantlittleplanswiththemfortheensuingwinter,-thebookstheyweretoreadatthesametime,the\"exhibitions\"theyweretosee,thevisitstoourwonderfulcollectionsintheMetropolitanMuseumorprivategalleries,cosylittledinners,etc。?Andwhohasnotfound,asthewinterslipsaway,thatfewofthesecharmingplanshavebeencarriedout?Heandhisfriendshaveunconsciouslyfallenbackintotheirrutsofformeryears,andthepleasantthingsprojectedhavebeenbrushedasidebythatstrongestoftyrants,habit。 Ionceaskedaverygreatlady,whosegraciousmannerwasneverdisturbed,whofloatedthroughtheendlesscomplicationsofherlifewithsmilingserenity,howsheachievedthisOlympiancalm。 Shewasgoodenoughtoexplain。\"ImakealistofwhatIwanttodoeachday。Then,asIfindmydaypassing,orIgetbehind,ortired,Ithrowovereveryotherengagement。Icouldhavedonethemallwithhurryandfatigue。Iprefertodoone-halfandenjoywhatIdo。IfIgotoahouse,itistoremainandappreciatewhateverentertainmenthasbeenpreparedforme。Ineveroffertoanyhostesstheslightofahurried,DISTRAIT\'call,\'withglancesatmywatch,andan\'on-the-wing\'manner。Itismucheasiernottogo,ortosendacard。\" ThisbringsmearoundtoasubjectwhichIbelieveisoneofthecausesofmycorrespondent\'sdilemma。Ifearthatshenevercanrefuseanything。Itisapeculiartraitofpeoplewhogoabouttoamusethemselves,thattheyarealwayssuretheparticularentertainmenttheyhavebeenaskedtolastisgoingto\"beamusing。\"Itrarelyisdifferentfromtheothers,butthesepeopleareconvinced,thattostayawaywouldbetomisssomething。A weary-lookinggirlabout1A。M。(atahouse-party)whenaskedwhyshedidnotgotobedifshewassotired,answered,\"thenightsI gotobedearly,theyalwaysseemtodosomethingjolly,andthenI missit。\" Thereisnogreaterproofofhowmuchthiswearyroundwearsonwomenthantheactsofthefewwhofeelthemselvesstrongenoughintheirpositiontodefycustom。Theyhavethrownofftheyoke(atleasttheyoungeroneshave)doubtlessbackedupbytheirhusbands,formenaremuchquickertoseetheaimlessnessofthisstupidsocialroutine。FirsttheybrokedownthegreatNew-Year-call\"grind。\"Menoverfortydoubtlessrecallwithashudder,thatawfulcustomwhichcompelledamantogetintohisdressclothesattenA。M。,andpasshisdayrushingaboutfromhousetohouselikeapostman。Out-of-townclubsandsporthelpedtodoawaywiththatremnantofNewAmsterdam。Nextcamethemalerevoltfromtheafternoon\"tea\"or\"musical。\"Ablackcoatisrarenowateitherofthesefunctions,orifseenisprettysuretobeonabackoverfifty。Next,welordsofcreationrefusedtocallatall,orleaveourcards。Amarriedwomannowleavesherhusband\'scardwithherown,andsistersleavethe\"pasteboard\"oftheirbrothersandoftenthoseoftheirbrothers\'friends。Anycombinationisgoodenoughto\"shootacard。\" InLondonthemenhavegoneastepfurther。Itisnotuncommontohearayoungmanboastthatheneverownedavisitingcardormadea\"duty\"callinhislife。Neithertherenorwithusdoesamancountasa\"call\"aquietcupofteawithawomanhelikes,andacigaretteandquiettalkuntildressingtime。Lettheyoungwomenhavecourageandtakemattersintotheirownhands。(TheolderonesarehopelessandwillgoonpushingthisJuggernautcarovereachother\'swearybodies,untiltheendofthechapter。)Letthemhavethecourageoccasionallyto\"refuse\"something,tokeepthemselvesfreefromaimlessengagements,andbringthispaste- boardwartoaclose。Ifawomanisattractive,shewillbeaskedoutallthesame,neverfear!Ifsheisnotpopular,thefewdozenof\"egg-shellextra\"thatshecanmanagetoslipinatthefrontdoorsofheracquaintanceswillnothelphermuch。 Ifthismatteris,however,sovastlyimportantinwomen\'seyes,whynotadoptthecontinentalanddiplomaticcustomandsendcardsbypostorotherwise?There,ifanew-comerdinesoutandmeetstwenty-fivepeopleforthefirsttime,cardsmustbeleftthenextdayattheirtwenty-fiverespectiveresidences。Howthecardsgetthereisofnoimportance。Itisadiplomaticfictionthatthenewacquaintancehascalledinperson,andthecallwillbereturnedwithintwenty-fourhours。Thinkofthesavingoftimeandstrength!InParis,onNewYear\'sDay,peoplesendcardsbyposttoeverybodytheywishtokeepup。Thatdoesforayear,andnomoreisthoughtaboutit。Allthetimethusgainedcanbegiventocultureorrecreation。 Ihaveoftenwonderedwhyoneseessofewwomenoneknowsatourpictureexhibitionsorflowershows。Itisnolongeramysterytome。Theyareallbusytrottingupanddownourlongsidestreetsleavingcards。Hideousvision!ShouldDantebyanychancereincarnate,hewouldfindherethematerialreadymadetohishandforaneighthcircleinhisINFERNO。 CHAPTER21-\"LikeMasterLikeMan。\" AFREQUENTandnaivecomplaintonehears,isoftheunsatisfactorinessofservantsgenerally,andtheiringratitudeandastonishinglackofaffectionfortheirmasters,inparticular。 \"AfterallIhavedoneforthem,\"isprettysuretosumupthelongtaleofahousewife\'sgriefs。Ofallthedelightfulinconsistenciesthatgracethefemalemind,thislatterpointofviewalwaysstrikesmeasbeingthemostcomplete。Iartfullyleadmyfairfriendontotellmeallaboutherwoes,andsheissuretobeexquisitelyone-sidedandquiteunconsciousofherposition。 \"Theyaresoextravagant,takesolittleinterestinmythings,andleavemeatamoment\'snotice,iftheygetanideaIamgoingtobreakup。Horridthings!IwishIcoulddowithoutthem!Theycausemeendlessworryandannoyance。\"Myfriendisverynearlyright,-butwithwhomliesthefault? Theconditionswerebadenoughyearsago,whenservantswerekeptfordecadesinthesamefamily,descendinglikeheirloomsfromfathertoson,often(abroad)beingthefostersistersorbrothersoftheirmasters,andboundtothehouseholdbyanhundredtiesofsympathyandtradition。Butinourday,andinAmerica,wherethereisrarelyevenacommonlanguageornationalitytoformabond,andwherehouseholdsarebrokenupwithsuchfacility,therelationbetweenmasterandservantisoftensostrainedandsounpleasantthatweriskbecoming(whatforeignersreproachuswithbeing),anationofhotel-dwellers。Noristhisclass-feelinggreatlytobewonderedat。Thecontrarywouldbeastonishing。 Fromtheprimitivehousehold,whereapoorneighborcomesinas\"help,\"tothe\"great\"establishmentwherethebutlerandhousekeepereatapart,andagroupofplush-cladflunkiesimportedfromEnglandadorntheentrance-hall,nothingcouldbebettercontrivedtosetoneclassagainstanotherthandomesticservice。 Proverbshavegrownoutofitineverylanguage。\"Nomanisaherotohisvalet,\"and\"familiaritybreedscontempt,\"areclearenough。 Ourcomicpapersarefullofthemisunderstandingsandabsurditiesofthesituation,whileonerarelyseesajokemadeabouttheotherwaysthatthepoorearntheirliving。Thinkofitforamoment! Tobeobligedtoattendpeopleatthetimesofdaywhentheyareleastattractive,whenfromfatigueortempertheydropthemaskthatsocietygluestotheirfacessomanyhoursinthetwenty-four; toseealwaystheseamysideoflife,thesmallexpedients,theaidstonature;tostandbehindachairandhearanacquaintanceofyourmaster\'sridiculed,whohasjustbeenwarmlypraisedtohisface;toseeahostesswhohasbeengraciouslyurgingherguests\"nottogososoon,\"blurtoutallherboredomandthankfulness\"thatthosetiresomeSo-and-So\'s\"are\"paidoffatlast,\"assoonasthedoorisclosedbehindthem,mustneedsgiveacuriousbenttoaservant\'smind。Theyseetheiremployersinsincere,andcopythem。Manyamistresswhohasbeensmilinglyassuredbyhermaidhowmuchherdressbecomesher,andhowyoungsheislooking,wouldbethunderstrucktohearherselflaughedatandcriticised(nonetoodelicately)fiveminuteslaterinthatservant\'stalk。 Servantsaretrainedfromtheiryouthuptoconcealtheirtruefeelings。Adomesticwhosaidwhatshethoughtwouldquicklyloseherplace。Frankly,isitnotaskingagooddealtoexpectamaidtobeveryfondofaladywhomakeshersitupnightafternightuntilthesmallhourstounlaceherbodiceortakedownherhair; orimagineavaletcanbedevotedtoamasterhehastogetintobedasbesthecanbecauseheistootipsytogetthereunaided? Immortal\"Figaro\"isthetype!Supple,liar,corrupt,intelligent,-heaidshismasterandlaughsathim,featheringhisownnestthewhile。Thereisasayingthat\"horsescorruptwhoeverliveswiththem。\"Itwouldbemorecorrecttosaythatdomesticservicedemoralizesalikebothmasterandman。 AlreadyweareobligedtodependonimmigrationforourservantsbecauseanAmericanrevoltsfromthefalseposition,thoughhewillinglyacceptslongerhoursorharderworkwherehehasnoonearoundhimbuthisequals。Itistheoldstoryofthefree,hungrywolf,andthewell-fed,butchained,house-dog。Theforeignersthatimmigrationnowbringsus,fromcountrieswheregreatclassdistinctionsexist,finditnaturalto\"serve。\"Withtheincreaseineducationandconsequentself-respect,thedifficultyofgettingefficientandcontentedservantswillincreasewithus。IthasalreadybecomeagreatsocialprobleminEngland。Thetroubleliesbeneaththesurface。Ifasuperiorclassacceptserviceatall,itiswiththeintentionofquicklygettingmoneyenoughtodosomethingbetter。Withthemserviceismerelythemeanstoanend。 Afirststepontheladder! Badmastersarethecauseofsomuchsuffering,thattoprotectthemselves,thegreatbrother-hoodofservantshaveimaginedasystemofkeepingrunof\"places,\"andgivingthema\"character\" whichanaspirantcanfindoutwithlittletrouble。Thisorganizationissocomplete,andsowellcarriedout,thatahouseholdwheretheladyhasa\"temper,\"wherethefoodispoor,orwhichbreaksupoften,canrarelygetafirst-classdomestic。The\"place\"hasbeenboycotted,agoodservantwillsoonerremainidlethanenterit。Ifcircumstancesaretoomuchforhimandheacceptsthesituation,itiswithhiseyesopen,knowinginfinitelymoreabouthisnewemployersandtheirfailingsthantheydreamof,orthantheycouldpossiblyfindoutabouthim。 Onethingnevercanbesufficientlyimpressedonpeople,viz。:thatweareforcedtolivewithdetectives,alwaysbehindusincapsordress-suits,readytonoteeverycarelessword,everyincautiouscriticismoffriendoracquaintance-theirmoneymattersortheirloveaffairs-andwhohavenothingmoreinterestingtodothantorepeatwhattheyhaveheard,withembroideriesandadditionsoftheirown。Consideringthis,andthatninepeopleoutoftentalkquiteobliviousoftheirservants\'presence,itistobewonderedatthatsolittle(andnotthatsomuch)troubleismade。 ItalwaysamusesmewhenIaskafriendifsheisgoingabroadinthespring,tohavehersay\"Hush!\"withafrightenedglancetowardsthedoor。 \"Iam;butIdonotwanttheservantstoknow,orthehorridthingswouldleaveme!\" Poor,simplelady!Theyknewitbeforeyoudid,andhaddiscussedthewholematterovertheir\"tea\"whileitwasanalmostunutteredthoughtinyourmind。Iftheyhavenotalreadygivenyounotice,itisbecause,onthewholeyourhousesuitsthemwellenoughforthepresent,whiletheylookabout。Donotworryyoursimplesoul,tryingtokeepanythingfromthem。Theyknowtheamountofyourlastdressmaker\'sbill,andtherowyourhusbandmadeoverit。 Theyknowhowmuchyouwouldhavelikedyoung\"Croesus\"foryourdaughter,andthelittletricksyouplayedtobringthatmarriageabout。TheyknowwhyyouarenolongeraskedtodineatMrs。 Swell\'s,whichismorethanyouknowyourself。Mrs。Swellexplainedthemattertoafewfriendsoverherlunch-tablerecently,andthebutlertoldyourmaidthatsameevening,whowaslaughingatthestoryassheputonyourslippers! Beforeweblamethemtoomuch,however,letusrememberthattheyhaveitintheirpowertomakegreattroubleiftheychoose。Andconsideringthelittlethatismadeinthisway,wemustconcludethat,onthewhole,theyarebetterthanwegivethemcreditforbeing,andfillatryingsituationwithmuchgoodhumorandkindliness。Theladywhoisastonishedthattheytakesolittleinterestinher,willperhapsfeeldifferentlyifshereflectshowlittletroubleshehasgivenherselftofindouttheiranxietiesandgriefs,theirtemptationsandheart-burnings;theirmaterialsituation;whomtheysupportwiththeirslowlyearnedwages,whatclaimstheyhaveonthemfromoutside。Ifshewillalsoreflectonthenumberofdaysinayearwhensheis\"notherself,\"whenheadachesordisappointmentsrufflehercharmingtemper,shemaycometotheconclusionthatitistoomuchtoexpectallthevirtuesfortwentydollarsamonth。 Alittlemorehumaninterest,mygoodfriends,alittlemoreindulgence,andyouwillnotriskfindingyourselfinthepositionoftheladywhowrotemethatlastsummershehadbeenobligedtokeepopenhousefor\"\'Cook\'tourists!\" CHAPTER22-AnEnglishInvasionoftheRivieraWHENsixtyyearsagoLordBrougham,ENROUTEforItaly,wasthrownfromhistravellingberlineandhislegwasbroken,neartheItalianhamletofCannes,theRivierawasasunknowntothepoliteworldasthecentreofChina。TheGRANDTOURwhicheveryyoungaristocratmadewithhistutor,oncomingofage,onlyincludedcrossingfromFranceintoItalybytheAlps。ItwastheoccurrenceofanunusuallyseverewinterinSwitzerlandthatturnedBroughamasideintothelongerandlesstravelledrouteVIAtheCorniche,themarvellousRomanroadatthattimefallenintooblivion,andlittleusedevenbythelocalpeasantry。 Duringthetediousweekswhilehislegwasmending,LordBroughamamusedhimselfbyexploringthesurroundingcountryinhiscarriage,andwasquicktorealizetheadvantagesoftheclimate,andappreciatethemarvellousbeautyofthatcoast。Beforethebrokenmemberwaswholeagain,hehadboughtatractoflandandbegunavilla。Smallseed,tofurnishsuchaharvest!Tothetravellerofto-daytheRivieraoffersanalmostunbrokenchainofbeautifulresidencesfromMarseillestoGenoa。 ABritonwillinglyfollowswherealordleads,andCannesbecamethecentreofEnglishfashion,apositionitholdsto-dayinspiteofmanyattractiverivals,andthedefectionofVictoriawhocomesnowtoCimiez,backofNice,beingunwillingtovisitCannessincethesuddendeaththereoftheDukeofAlbany。AstatueofLordBrougham,the\"discoverer\"ofthelittoral,hasbeenerectedinthesunnylittlesquareatCannes,andtheEnglishhaveinmanyotherways,stampedthecityfortheirown。 Nootherracecarrytheirindividualitywiththemastheydo。Theycanliveyearsinacountryandassimilatenoneofitscustoms;onthecontrary,imposinghabitsoftheirown。Itisjustthisthatmakesthemsuchwonderfulcolonizers,andexplainswhyyouwillfindlittlegroupsofEnglishpeopledrinkingaleandplayinggolfintheshadeofthePyramidsornearthefrozenslopesofFoosiyama。Therealinwardnessofitisthattheyareadullrace,and,likedullpeopledespiseallthattheydonotunderstand。Todifferfromthemistobeinthewrong。Theycannotarguewithyou;theysimplyknow,andthatendsthematter。 IhadadiscussionrecentlywithaBritononthepronunciationofaword。Asthereisno\"Institute,\"asinFrance,tosettlemattersofthiskind,ImaintainedthatweAmericanshadasmuchauthorityforourpronunciationofthisparticularwordastheEnglish。Theanswerwascharacteristic。 \"IknowIamright,\"saidmyIslandfriend,\"becausethatisthewayIpronounceit!\" WalkingalongtheprincipalstreetsofCannesto-day,youmightimagineyourself(exceptfortheclimate)atCowesorBrighton,soBritisharetheshopsandthecrowdthatpassesthem。Everyrestaurantadvertises\"afternoontea\"andBass\'sale,andeveryothersignbearsaLondonname。ThislittlematterofteaisparticularlycharacteristicofthewaytheEnglishhaveimposedatasteoftheirownonarebelliousnation。NothingisfurtherfromtheFrenchtastethantea-drinking,andyetaParisianladywillnowinviteyougravelyto\"fiveo\'clocker\"withher,althoughIcanrememberwhenthatbeveragewasabhorredbytheFrenchasamedicine;ifyouhadaskedaFrenchmantotakeacupoftea,hewouldhaveanswered: \"Why?Iamnotill!\" EvenParis(thatsupremeandundisputedarbiteroftaste)hassubmittedtoEnglishinfluence;tailor-madedressesandlow-heeledshoeshavebecomeas\"goodform\"inFranceasinLondon。ThelasttwoPresidentsoftheFrenchRepublichavetakentheoathofofficedressedinfrock-coatsinsteadofthedressclothestowhichFrenchofficialsformerlyclungastothesacraments。 ThemunicipalitiesofthelittleSoutherncitieswerequicktoseizetheirgoldenopportunity,andeverythingwasdonetodetaintherichEnglishwanderingdowntowardsItaly。Millionswerespentintransformingtheircramped,dirty,littletowns。Wideboulevardsborderedwithpalmandeucalyptusspreadtheirsunnylinesinalldirections,beingbaptizedPROMENADEDESANGLAISorBOULEVARDVICTORIA,inartfulflattery。Thenarrowmountainroadswerewidened,casinosandtheatresbuiltandcarnivalFETES organized,thecitiesoffering\"cups\"foryacht-orhorse-races,andgivinggroundsfortennisandgolfclubs。CleverSouthernpeople!Themoneyreturnedtothemahundredfold,andtheylivedtoseetheirwildcoastbecomethechosenresidenceofthewealthiestaristocracyinEurope,andtherockyhillsidesblossomintoterraceaboveterraceofvillagardens,wherepalmandroseandgeraniumviewiththeoliveandthemimosatoshadethewhitevillasfromthesun。To-day,nolittletownonthecoastiswithoutitsEnglishchapel,Britishclub,tennisground,andgolflinks。OnafairdayatMonteCarlo,Nice,orCannes,theprevailingconversationisinEnglish,andthehandsome,well- dressedsonsofAlbionloungealongbesidetheirastonishingwomankindasthoroughlyathomeasonBondStreet。 ThosewonderfulEnglishwomenarethesourceofunendingmarvelandamusementtotheFrench。Theycanneverunderstandthem,andsmallwonder,forwiththeexceptionofthesmall\"set\"thatsurroundsthePrinceofWales,whoaredressedintheParisianfashion,allEnglishwomenseemtobeoverwhelmedwithregretatnotbeingbornmen,andtohavespenttheirtimeandingenuitysince,intryingtomakeupfornature\'smistake。Everymasculinegarmentistwistedbythemtofitthefemalefigure;theirconversation,likethatoftheirbrothers,isabouthorsesanddogs;theirhatsandglovesarethesameasthemen\'s;andwhenwiththeirfine,largefeetinstoutshoestheystartoff,withthatparticularswinginggaitthatmakestheskirtseemsuperfluous,forastrolloftwentymilesorso,Englishwomendoseemtotheuninitiatedtohavesucceededintheirambitionofobliteratingthedifferencebetweenthesexes。 Itisofanevening,however,whenconcealmentisnolongerpossible,thatthenativetasteburstsforth,theAnglo-Saxonstandingdeclaredinallherplainness。Strongisthecontrasthere,wheretheyareplacedsidebysidewithallthatEuropeholdsofelegant,andwell-dressedFrenchwomen,whetherofthe\"world\"orthe\"half-world,\"areinvariablymarvelsoffitnessandfreshness,thesimplestmaterialsbeingconvertedbytheirskilfultouchintotoilettes,soartfullyadaptedtothewearer\'sfigureandcomplexion,astoraisesuch\"creations\"tothelevelofafineart。 Anartistfeels,hemustfixoncanvasthatparticularcombinationofcolorsorthatwonderfullineofbustandhip。ItiswithashudderthatheturnstotheBritishmatron,forshehasprobably,forthisoccasion,drapedherselfinan\"artmaterial,\"- principally\"Liberty\"silksofdirtygreensandblues(aestheticshades!)。Heistemptedtocryoutinhisdisgust:\"Oh,Liberty! Liberty!Howmanycrimesarecommittedinthyname!\"ItisoneoftheoddestthingsintheworldthattheEnglishshouldhaveelectedtolivesomuchinFrance,forthereareprobablynowheretwopeoplessodiametricallyopposedoneverypoint,orwhosopersistentlyandwilfullymisunderstandeachother,astheEnglishandtheFrench。 IthasbeenmyfatetoliveagooddealonbothsidesoftheChannel,andnothingismoreamusingthantoheartheabsurditiesthataregravelyassertedbyeachoftheirneighbors。ToaBriton,aFrenchmanwillalwaysbe\"eithertigerormonkey\"accordingtoVoltaire;whiletotheFrenchmindEnglishgravityisonlyhypocrisytocovereveryvice。NothingpleaseshimsomuchasagreatscandalinEngland;hewillgleefullybringyouapapercontainingtheaccountofit,toprovehowtrueishisopinion。ItisquiteuselesstoexplaintotheBritishmind,asIhaveoftentriedtodo,thatallFrenchmendonotpasstheirlivesdrinkingabsintheontheboulevards;andasEnglishmenseemtoleavetheirmoralsinavaliseatDoverwhenoffforavisittoParis,tobepickedupontheirreturn,itistimelosttotrytomakeaGaulunderstandwhatgoodhusbandsandfathersthesonsofAlbionare。 ThesetwogreatnationsseemtostandintherelationtoeachotherthatRomeandGreeceheld。TheEnglisharetheconquerorsoftheworld,anditsgreatcolonizers;withavastcapitalinwhichwealthandmiseryjostleeachotheronthestreets;ahideousconglomerationofbuildingsandmonuments,withoutformandvoid,verymuchasoldRomemusthavebeenundertheCaesars,enormousbuildingswithouttaste,andenormouswealth。 TheFrenchhaveinheritedthetemperamentoftheGreeks。Thedrama,painting,andsculpturearethepreoccupationofthepeople。Theyearlyexhibitionsare,foramonthbeforetheyopen,theuniquesubjectofconversationindrawing-roomorclub。Thestateprotectstheartistandbuyshiswork。TheirCONSERVATOIRESformthesingers,andtheirschoolsthepaintersandarchitectsofEuropeandAmerica。 TheEnglishcopythemintheirbigway,justastheRomanscopiedthemasterpiecesofGreekart,whiletheydespisedtheauthors。ItisrarethataplaysucceedsinPariswhichisnotinstantlytranslatedandproducedinLondon,oftenwiththeadapter\'snameprintedontheprogrammeinplaceoftheauthor\'s,theFrench-man,whoonlywroteit,beingignored。JustastheGreeksfadedawayanddisappearedbeforetheirRomanconquerors,itistobefearedthatinourdaythispeopleofafinerclaywillsuccumb。The\"defectsoftheirqualities\"willbetheirruin。Theywillstopathome,occupiedwithliteratureandart,perfectingtheirdaintycities;whiletheirtougherneighborsaredominatingtheglobe,imposingtheirlanguageandcustomsontheconqueredpeoplesortheearth。OnefeelsthisontheRiviera。 Itremindsyouofthecuckoowho,onceinstalledinarobin\'snest,thatseemstohimconvenientandwarmlylocatedinthesunshine,endsbykickingoutalltheyoungrobins。 CHAPTER23-ACommonWeaknessGOVERNMENTSmaychangeandalltheconditionsoflifebemodified,butcertainambitionsandneedsofmanremainimmutable。Climates,customs,centuries,haveinnowaydiminishedthecravingforconsideration,thedesiretobesomebody,tobearsomemarkindicatingtotheworldthatoneisnotasothermen。 Forcenturiestitlessuppliedthewant。Thissatisfactionhasbeendeniedtous,soambitioussoulsareobligedtoseekothermeanstofeedtheirvanity。 Evenbeforewewerebornintotheworldofnations,anattemptwasmadeamongstthearistocraticallymindedcourtsurroundingourchiefmagistrate,toformasocietythatshould(withoutthename) bethebeginningofaclassapart。 TheorderoftheCincinnatiwastohavebeenthenucleusofanAmericannobility。Thetendenciesofthissocietyarerevealedbythefactthatprimogeniturewasitsfundamentallaw。Nothingcouldhavebeenmoreopposedtothespiritoftheage,normoreatvariancewiththedeclarationofourindependence,thantheinsertionofsuchaclause。Thisfactwasdiscoveredbythefar- seeingeyeofWashington,andthesocietywassuppressedinthehope(sharedbyalmostallcontemporaries)thatwithnewformsofgovernmentthenatureofmanwouldundergoatransformationandriseabovesuchpuerileambitions。 Timehasshownthefallacyofthesedreams。Allthathasbeenaccomplishedisthedisplacementoftheobjectivepoint;thedesire,themaniaforahandletoone\'snameisasprevalentasever。Leavethecentresofcivilizationandwanderinthesmalltownsandvillagesofourcountry。EveryothermanyoumeetisintroducedastheColonelortheJudge,andyouwilldowellnottoinquiretoocloselyintothematter,nortoasktoseethetitle- deedstosuchdistinctions。Ontheotherhand,toomithisprefixinaddressingoneoftheselocalmagnates,wouldbetooffendhimdeeply。Thewomen-folkwerequicktoborrowalittleofthisdistinction,andinWashingtonto-dayoneisgravelypresentedtoMrs。SenatorSmithorMrs。ColonelJones。Theclimaxbeingreachedbyoneaspiringfemalewhostylesherselfonhervisitingcards,\"Mrs。Acting-Assistant-PaymasterRobinson。\"Ifbyanychanceitshouldoccurtoanyonetoaskhermotiveinsportingsuchanunwieldyhandle,shewouldsaythatshedidit\"becauseonecan\'tbegoingaboutexplainingthatoneisnotjustordinaryMrs。 RobinsonorThompson,likethethousandothersintown。\"Awomanwhocannotfindanexcuseforassumingsuchaprefixwillsometimehaverecoursetoanotherstratagem,toparticularizeanordinarysurname。Sheremembersthatherhusband,whoeversincehewasbornhasbeenknowntoeverybodyasJim,istheproudpossessorofthemiddlenameIvanhoe,orPericles(probablytheresultofaromanticmother\'sreading);soonefinedaytheyoungcouplebloomoutasMr。andMrs。J。PericlesSparks,totheamusementoftheirfriends,theirownsatisfaction,andthehopelessconfusionoftheirtradespeople。 NotlongagoaWesterner,whowentabroadwithatravellingshow,wasreceivedwithenthusiasminEnglandbecauseitwasthought\"TheHonorable\"whichprecededhisnameonhiscardsimpliedthatalthoughanAmericanhewassomehowthesonofanearl。Asamatteroffactheowedthistitletohavingsat,manyyearsbeforeintheSenateofafar-westernState。Hewillclingtothat\"Honorable\"andprintitonhiscardswhilelifelasts。IwastoldtheotherdayofanAmericancarpetwarriorwhoappearedatcourtfunctionabroaddecoratedwitheverycollegebadge,andfootballmedalinhispossession,towhichheaddedatthelastmomentabrasstrunkcheck,tocompletethebrilliancyoftheeffect。ThislatterdecorationattractedtheattentionoftheHeirApparent,whoinquiredthemeaningofthemystic\"416\"uponit。Thiswouldhavebeena\"facer\"toanybutatruesonofUncleSam。Nothingdaunted,however,our\"General\"replied\"That,Sir,isthenumberofpitchedbattlesIhavewon。\" Ihavemydoubtsastotheabsoluteveracityofthistale。Butthatthesonofoneofourgenerals,appearednotlongagoatapublicreceptionabroad,wearinghisfather\'smedalsanddecorations,issaidtobetrue。DecorationsontheContinentareofficialbadgesofdistinctionconferredandrecognizedbythedifferentgovernments。AnAmericanwhowears,outofhisowncountry,anarmyorcollegebadgewhichhasnoofficialexistence,properlyspeaking,beingrecognizedbynogovernment,butwhichismadeintentionallytolookasmuchaspossiblelikethe\"Legiond\'Honneur,\"isdeliberatelyimposingontheignoranceofforeigners,andisbutlittlelessofapretentiousidiotthantheownersofthetrunkcheckandtheborroweddecorations。 Thereseemsnoendtothewaysalittleambitiousgamecanbeplayed。Onedevicemuchinfavorisforthewifetoattachherownfamilynametothatofherhusbandbymeansofahyphen。Bythisarrangementshedoesnotentirelyloseherindividuality;asaresultwehaveasplendidassortmentofhybridnames,suchasVanCortland-SmithandBeekman-Brown。Betheyneversoincongruousthesedouble-barrelledcognomensservetheirpurposeandraiseambitiousmortalsabovethelevelofotherSmithsandBrowns。 Findingthatthisarrangementworkswellintheirowncase,itispassedontothenextgeneration。TherearenomoreTomsandBillsintheseaspiringdays。ThelittleboysareallCadwalladersorCarrolls。Theirschool-fellows,however,worksadhavocwiththesehigh-soundingtitlesandquicklyabbreviatethemintohumble\"Cad\" or\"Rol。\" Itissurprisingtonoticewhatanumberofmiddle-agedgentlemenhaveblossomedoutoflatewithdecorationsintheirbutton-holesaccordingtotheforeignfashion。OninquiryIhavediscoveredthattheseornamentsdesignatemembersoftheG。A。R。,theLoyalLegion,orsomelocalPost,fortherosettesdifferinformandcolor。Whenthesegentlementravelabroad,toreducetheirwaistsorimprovetheirminds,theeffectsonthehotelwaitersandcabmenmustbeimmense。Theywillbechargedthreetimestheordinarytariffinsteadofonlythedoublewhichisthestranger\'susualfateatthehandsofsimple-mindedforeigners。Thesatisfactionmustbecheap,however,atthatprice。 Evenourwisemenandsagesdonotseemtohaveescapedthecontagion。Oneseesprofessorsandclergymen(whooughttosetabetterexample)trailinghalfadozenlettersaftertheirnames,initialswhichtotheinitiateddoubtlessmeansomething,butwhicharealsointendedtofillthesoulsoftheignorantwithenvy。I canrecallbutonecaseofaforeigndecorationbeingrefusedbyacompatriot。Hewasageniusandweallknowthatgeniusesarecrazy。ThisgentlemanhaddonesomethingparticularlygratifyingtoanEasternpotentate,whoinreturnofferedhimoneofhissecond-bestorders。Itwasatoncerefused。Whenurgedonhimasecondtimeourcountrymanlosthistemperandanswered,\"Ifyouwanttogiveittosomebody,presentittomyvalet。Heismostanxioustobedecorated。\"Anditwasdone! Itdoesnotrequireadeeplymeditativemindtodiscoverthemotivesofambitiousstruggles。Thefirstandstrongestillusionofthehumanmindistobelievethatwearedifferentfromourfellows,andournaturalimpulseistotryandimpressthisbeliefuponothers。 Prideofbirthisbutoneofthemanifestationsoftheuniversalweakness-invariablytakingstrongerandstrongerholdofthepeople,whofromthemodestdimensionoftheirincome,orotheruntowardcircumstances,canfindnooutwardandvisibleformwithwhichtodazzletheworld。Youwillfindthatadesiretoshineisthesecretofmostofthetipsandpresentsthataregivenwhiletravellingorvisiting,fortheycanhardlybeattributedtopurespontaneousgenerosity。 Howmanypeopledoesonemeetwhotalkoftheirpoorandunsuccessfulrelativeswhileomittingtomentionrichandpowerfulconnections?Wearetoldthatfarfromblamingsuchatendencywearetoadmireit。Thatitisproperpridetoputone\'sbestfootforwardandkeepanoffendingmemberwelloutofsight,thatthemanwhowearsarosetteinthebutton-holeofhiscoatandhashalfthealphabetgallopingafterhisname,isanhonortohisfamily。 Farbeitfrommetoderidethisweaknessinothers,forinmyheartIampersuadedthatifIlivedinChina,nothingwouldpleasememorethantohavemycapadornedwithacoralbutton,whileiffatehadcastmylifeinthepleasantplacesofcentralAfrica,aringinmynosewoulddoubtlesshavefilledmysoulwithjoy。ThefactthatIsharethisweaknessdoesnot,however,preventmylaughingatsuchfollyinothers。 CHAPTER24-ChangingParisPARISisbeginningtoshowsignsofthecoming\"Exhibitionof1900,\"andisinmanywaysgoingthroughacuriousstageoftransformation,sociallyaswellasmaterially。ThePALAISDE L\'INDUSTRIE,familiartoallvisitorshere,asthehomeoftheSALONS,theHorseShows,andathousandgayFETESandmerry- makings,isbeingtorndowntomakewayforthenewavenueleading,withthebridgeAlexanderIII。,fromtheChampsElyseestotheEsplanadedesInvalides。ThisthoroughfarewiththegildeddomeofNapoleon\'stombtocloseitsperspectiveisintendedtobethefeatureofthecoming\"show。\" Curiousironyofthingsinthisworld!ThePALAISDEL\'INDUSTRIE wasintendedtobetheonepermanentbuildingoftheexhibitionof1854。Anold\"Journal\"Ioftenreadtellshowthewritersawthelonglineofgildedcoaches(borrowedfromVersaillesfortheoccasion),eighthorsesapiece,ledbyfootmen-horsesandmenblazinginembroideredtrappings-leavetheTuileriesandproceedatawalktothegreatgatewayofthenowdisappearingpalace。 VictoriaandAlbertwhowereonanofficialvisittotheEmperorwerethefirsttoalight;thenEugenieintheradianceofherperfectbeautysteppedfromthecoach(sadomen!)thatfiftyyearsbeforehadtakenJosephineintearstoMalmaison。 ItmayinterestsomeladiestoknowhowanEmpresswasdressedonthatspringmorningforty-fouryearsago。Sheworerose-coloredsilkwithanover-dress(Ithinkthatiswhatitiscalled)ofblacklaceflounces,immensehoops,andablackCHANTILLYlaceshawl。Herhair,abrilliantgoldenauburn,wasdressedlowonthetemples,coveringtheears,andhungdownherbackinagoldnetalmosttoherwaist;attheextremebackofherheadwasplacedablackandrose-coloredbonnet;open\"flowing\"sleevesshowedherbarearms,one-buttoned,straw-coloredgloves,andrubybracelets; shecarriedatinyrose-coloredparasolnotafootindiameter。 HowEngland\'sgreatsovereignwasdressedthewriterofthejournaldoesnotsowellremember,forinthosedaysEugeniewasthecynosureofalleyes,andpeoplerarelylookedatanythingelsewhentheycouldgetaglimpseofherlovelyface。 Itappears,however,thattheQueensportedanIndiashawl,hoops,andagreenbonnet,whichwasnotparticularlybecomingtoherredface。SheandNapoleonenteredthebuildingfirst;theEmpress(whowasindelicatehealth)wascarriedinanopenchair,withPrinceAlbertwalkingatherside,amarvellouslyhandsomecoupletofollowthetwodowdylittlesovereignswhoprecededthem。ThewriterhadbybriberysucceededingettingplacesinanENTRESOL windowunderthearchway,andwasgreatlyimpressedtoseethosefourgreatoneslaughingandjokingtogetheroverEugenie\'stroubleingettingherhoopsintothenarrowchair! Whatchangeshavecometothatlaughinggroup!Twoaredead,onedyinginexileanddisgrace;anditwouldbehardtofindinthetworheumaticoldladieswhomoneseespotteringabouttheRivieranow,anytraceofthosesmilingwives。InFranceitisasifatidalwavehadsweptoverNapoleon\'scourt。OnlytheoldpalacestoodseverelybackfromtheChampsElysees,asifguardingitssouvenirs。Thepickofthemasonhasbroughtdowntheproudgatewaywhichitsimperialbuilderfondlyimaginedwastolastforages。TheTuileriesprecededitintooblivion。TheAlphaandOmegaofthatgorgeouspageantofthefiftiesvanishedlikeamirage! ItisnotherealoneonefindsParischanging。ArailwayisbeingbroughtalongthequaiswithitsdepotattheInvalides。AnotheristofinditsterminusoppositetheLouvre,wherethepicturesqueruinoftheCourdesCompteshasstoodhalf-hiddenbythetreessince1870。AlineofelectriccarscrossestheRondPoint,inspiteoftheoppositionofalltheneighborhood,anxioustokeep,atleastthatfineperspectivefreefromsuchdesecration。And,lastbutnotleast,thereiseveryprospectofanimmensesystemofelevatedrailwaysbeinginauguratedinconnectionwiththecomingworld\'sfair。ThedirectionofthiskindofimprovementisentirelyinthehandsoftheMunicipalCouncil,andthatbodyhasbecome(hereinParis)extremelyradical,nottosaycommunistic; andtakespleasureinannoyingtheinhabitantsofthericherquartersofthecity,underpretextofimprovementsandfacilitiesofcirculation。 Itiseasytoseehowstrongthefeelingisagainstthearistocraticclass。Norisitmuchtobewonderedat!Thearistocracyseemtotrytomakethemselvesunpopular。Theydetesttherepublic,whichhasshornthemoftheirsplendor,anddoeverythingintheirpower(sociallyanddiplomaticallytheirpowerisstillgreat)tointerferewithandfrustratetheplansofthegovernment。OnlylastyeartheyseizedanopportunityatthefuneralsoftheDuchessed\'AlenconandtheDucd\'Aumaletomakearoyalistmanifestationofthemostpronouncedcharacter。TheyoungDuchessed\'Orleanswaspubliclyspokenofandtreatedasthe\"QueenofFrance;\"attheprivatereceptionsgivenduringherstayinParisthesameceremonialwasobservedasifshehadbeenreallyonthethrone。TheyoungDuke,herhusband,wasnotpresent,beinginexileasapretender,butarmorialbearingsofthe\"reigningfamily,\"astheirfollowersinsistoncallingthem,werehungaroundtheMadeleineandonthefuneral-carsofboththeillustriousdead。 Thegovernmentissingularlylenienttothearistocrats。Ifapoormancries\"LonglivetheCommune!\"inthestreet,heisarrested。 Thepolice,however,stoodquietlybyandletagroupoftheoldnobilityshout\"LonglivetheQueen!\"asthetraincontainingtheyoungDuchessed\'Orleansmovedoutofthestation。Thesecretofthisleniencytowardthe\"pretenders\"tothethrone,isthattheyareverylittlefeared。Ifitamusesasetofwealthypeopletoplayatholdingacourt,thestronggovernmentoftherepubliccaresnotonejot。TheOrleansfamilyhaveneverbeenpopularinFrance,andtheyoungpretender\'smarriagetoanAustrianArchduchesslastyearhasnotimprovedmatters。 ItisthefashionintheconservativeFaubourgSt。Germain,toridiculethePresident,hiswifeandtheirbourgeoissurroundings,asfortyyearsagotheparentsofthesearistocratsaffectedtodespisetheimperialPARVENUS。TheswellsamusedthemselvesduringtheofficialvisitoftheEmperorandEmpressofRussialastyear(whichwasgallandwormwoodtothem)byexaggeratingandrepeatingallthesmallslipsinetiquettethatthePresident,anintelligent,butsimple-manneredgentleman,wassupposedtohavemadeduringthesojournofhisimperialguests。 BothM。andMme。Faureareextremelypopularwiththepeople,andareheartilycheeredwhenevertheyareseeninpublic。ThePresidentisthedespairoftheloversofroutineandetiquette,walkinginandoutofhisPalaisoftheElysee,likeaprivateindividual,andbreakingallrulesandregulations。Heisfondofriding,andjogsofftotheBoisofamorningwithnoescort,andoftenofaneveningdropsinatthetheatresinacasualway。TheothernightattheFrancaishesuddenlyappearedintheFOYERDES ARTISTES(Abeautifulgreenroom,hungwithhistoricalportraitsofgreatactorsandactresses,oneofthepridesofthetheatre)inthisinformalmanner。Mme。Bartet,whohappenedtobetherealoneatthetime,wassoimpressedatsuchanunprecedentedeventthatshefainted,andthePresidenthadtorunforwaterandhelpreviveher。ThenextdayhesentthegreatactressabeautifulvaseofSevreschina,fullofwater,insouvenir。 ToaloverofoldthingsandoldwaysanychangesintheParishehasknownandlovedareasadtrial。HenriDrumont,inhisdelightfulMONVIEUXPARIS,deploresthismodernmaniaforreformwhichhasdonesuchgoodworkinthenewquartersbutshould,hethinks,respectthehistoricstreetsandshadysquares。 Onenaturallyfeelsthatthesightsfamiliarinyouthlosebybeingtransformedanddoubtsthenecessityofsuchimprovements。 TheRomeofmychildhoodisnomore!HalfofCairowasruthlesslytransformedinsixty-fiveintoahideouscaricatureofmodernParis。Milanhasbeenremodelled,eachcitylosingincharmasitgainedinconvenience。 SofarParishasheldherown。Thespiritofthecityhasnotbeenlost,asintheothercapitals。ThefairmetropolisofFrance,inspiteofmanytransformations,stillholdsheradmirerswithadominatingsway。Shepoursoutforthemastrongelixirthatoncetastedtakestheflavoroutofexistenceinothercitiesandmakesheradorers,wheninexile,thirstforanotherdraughtofthesubtlenectar。 CHAPTER25-ContentmentAStheresultofcertainidealstandardsadoptedamonguswhenthiscountrywasstillinlongclothes,atimewhentheequalityofmanwasthenew\"fad\"ofmanynations,andtheprizesoflifefirstcamewithinthereachofthosefortunateorunscrupulousenoughtoseizethem,itbecamethefashion(andhasremainedsodowntoourday)toteacheverylittleboyattendingavillageschooltolookuponhimselfasapossiblefuturePresident,andtoassumethateverygirlwaspreparingherselfforthepositionoffirstladyintheland。Thisisverywellintheory,andpracticehasshownthat,asNapoleonsaid,\"Everyprivatemaycarryamarshal\'sbatoninhisknapsack。\"Alongsideofthegoodsuchincentivemayproduce,itisonlyfair,however,toconsideralsohowmuchharmmaylieinthiswayofpresentinglifetoachild\'smind。 AsafirstresultofsuchtalltalkingwefindinAmerica,morethaninanyothercountry,aninclinationamongallclassestoleavethesurroundingswheretheywerebornandbendtheirenergiestostrugglingoutofthepositioninlifeoccupiedbytheirparents。Therearenotwantingtheoristswhoholdthatthisisaqualityinanation,andthatitleadstogreatresults。A propositionopentodiscussion。 Itisdoubtlesssatisfactorytodesignatefirstmagistrateswhohaveraisedthemselvesfromhumblebeginningstothatproudposition,andtherearetimeswhenitispropertorecallsuchachievementstotherisinggeneration。Butasyouthisproverbiallyover-confidentitmightalsobewelltopointout,withoutdangerofdiscouragingoursanguineyoungsters,thatforonewhohassucceeded,abouttenmillionconfidentAmericanyouths,fullofambitionandloftyaims,havebeenobligedtocontentthemselveswithbeinghonestmeninhumblepositions,evenastheirfathersbeforethem。Asadhumiliation,Igrantyou,foraself- respectingcitizen,toendlifejustwherehisfatherdid;oftenthecase,nevertheless,inthishardworld,wheresomanyfinequalitiesgounappreciated,-nosocietieshavingasyetbeenformedtoseekout\"mute,ingloriousMiltons,\"andasktocrownthem!