withdrewmoreandmoreintoitsshell，goingsofar，afterthefallofMacMahon，astochangeits\"season\"tothespring，sothattheballsandFETESitgaveshouldnotcoincidewiththe\"official\"
entertainmentsduringthewinter。
Thenextpeopletohavea\"shy\"atthe\"OldFaubourg\'s\"GothicbattlementsweretheJews，whowerevictoriousinafewlightskirmishesandsucceededincapturingoneortwoillustrioushusbandsfortheirdaughters。ThewilyIsraelites，however，discoveredthattitledsons-in-lawwereexpensivearticlesandoftenturnedoutunsatisfactorily，sotheyquicklydesisted。TheEnglish，themostpracticalofsocieties，havealwayslefttheFaubourgalone。Ithasbeenreservedforourcountrywomentolaythemostdeterminedsiegeyetrecordedtothatuntakenstronghold。
ItisacharacteristicoftheAmericantemperamenttobeunabletoseeacloseddoorwithoutdevelopinganintensecuriositytoknowwhatisbehind；ortoread\"NoAdmittancetothePublic\"overanentrancewithoutimmediatelydeterminingtogetinsideatanyprice。Soitiseasytounderstandtheattractionanhermeticallysealedsocietywouldhaveforourfaircompatriots。Yearafteryeartheyhaveflungthemselvesagainstitsclosedgateways。
Repulsed，theyhaveretiredonlytoformagainfortheattack，butareasfarawayto-dayfromplantingtheirflaginthatcitadelaswhentheyfirstbegan。Itdoesnotmattertothemwhatisinside；
theremaybe(asinthiscase)onlymouldyoldhallsandagroupofpeoplewithantiquatedideasandways。Itisenoughforacertaintypeofwomantoknowthatsheisnotwantedinanexclusivecircle，tobereadytodieintheattempttogetthere。ThispointofviewremindsoneofMrs。Snob\'ssayingaboutanewarrivalatahotel:\"Iamsureshemustbe\'somebody\'forshewassorudetomewhenIspoketoher；\"andheranswertoherdaughterwhenthegirlsaid(onarrivingatawatering-place)thatshehadnoticedaverynicefamily\"wholookasiftheywantedtoknowus，Mamma:\"
\"Then，mydear，\"repliedMammaSnob，\"theycertainlyarenotpeoplewewanttomeet!\"
ThemeninFrenchsocietyarewillingenoughtomakeacquaintancewithforeigners。YoumayseetheyouthoftheFaubourgdancingatAmericanballsinParis，orrunningoverforoccasionalvisitstothiscountry。Butwhenitcomestotakingtheirwomen-kindwiththem，itisadifferentmatter。Americanswhohaveknownwell-bornFrenchmenatschoolorcollegearesurprised，onmeetingthemlater，tobeasked(cordiallyenough)todineENGARCONatarestaurant，althoughtheirParisianfriendismarried。AnEnglishman\'sorAmerican\'sfirstwordwouldbeonalikeoccasion:
\"Comeanddinewithmeto-night。Iwanttointroduceyoutomywife。\"SuchanideawouldnevercrossaFrenchman\'smind!
OneAmericanIknowisastrikingexampleofthis。HewasborninParis，wenttoschoolandcollegethere，andhaslivedinthatcityallhislife。HissistermarriedaFrenchnobleman。Yetatthismoment，inspiteofhiswealth，hischarmingAmericanwife，andmanybeautifulentertainments，hehasnotonewarmFrenchfriend，ortheENTREEonafootingofintimacytoasingleGallichouse。
ThereisnoanalogybetweentheEnglisharistocracyandtheFrenchnobility，exceptthattheyarebothantiquatedinstitutions；theEnglishisthemoreharmfulonaccountofitslegislativepower，theFrenchisthemorepretentious。TheHouseofLordsisthemostopenclubinLondon，thepaymentofanentrance-feeintheshapeofachecktoapartyfundbeinganall-sufficientsesame。InFrance，onemustbeborninthemagiccircle。ThespiritoftheEmigrationof1793isnotyetextinct。Thenoblesliveintheirownworld(howexpressivethewordis，seemingtoexcludealltherestofmankind)，piningafteranimpossibleRESTAURATION，alientothepresentday，holdingalooffrompoliticsforfearofcomingintouchwiththemasses，withwhomtheypridethemselvesonhavingnothingincommon。
Whatleadsmanypeopleastrayonthissubjectisthattherehasformedaroundthisancientsocietyacirclecomposedofrich\"outsiders，\"whohavemarriedintogoodfamilies；andofeccentricmembersofthelatter，whofromaloveofexcitementorforinterestedmotiveshavebrokenawayfromtheirtraditions。NewlyarrivedAmericansareapttomistakethis\"world\"fortherealthing。Intothiscircleitisnotdifficultforforeignerswhoarerichandanxioustoseesomethingoflifetogainadmission。Tobereceivedbytheladiesofthisoutercircle，seemstoourcompatriotstobeanachievement，untiltheylearntherealstandingoftheirnewacquaintances。
Nogayerhouses，however，existthanthoseofthenewset。Attheircityorcountryhouses，theyentertaincontinually，andtheyarethepeopleonemeetstowardfiveo\'clock，onthegroundsofthePoloClub，intheBois，atFETESgivenbytheIslandClubofPuteaux，attendingtheracemeetings，ordiningatAmericanhouses。
Asfarasamusementandfungo，onemightseekmuchfurtherandfareworse。
Itisvery，veryrarethatforeignersgetbeyondthiscircle。
OccasionallythereisamarriagebetweenanAmericangirlandsomeFrenchmanofhighrank。Inthesecasesthegirlis，asitwere，swallowedup。Herfamilyseelittleofher，sherarelyappearsingeneralsociety，and，littlebylittle，sheislosttoheroldfriendsandrelations。IknowofseveralcasesofthiskindwhereitistobedoubtedifadozenAmericansoutsideofthegirls\'
connectionsknowthatsuchwomenexist。ThefallinrentsandlandvalueshasmadetheFrencharistocracypoor；itisonlybythegreatesteconomy(anditneverenteredintoanAmericanmindtoconceiveofsucheconomyasispractisedamongthem)thattheysucceedinholdingontotheirhistoricalchateauxorbeautifulcityresidences；sothatprideplaysalargepartintheisolationinwhichtheylive。
ThefactthatnotitlesarerecognizedofficiallybytheFrenchgovernment(themosttheycanobtainbeinga\"courtesy\"
recognition)hasplacedthesepeopleinasingularlyfalseposition。AnAmericangirlwhohasmarriedaDukeisagooddealastonishedtofindthatsheislegallyonlyplain\"MadameSoandSo；\"thatwhenherhusbanddoeshismilitaryservicethereisnotraceofthehigh-soundingtitletobefoundinhisofficialpapers。Someyearsago，acolonelwasrebukedbecauseheallowedtheDucd\'Alencontobeaddressedas\"Monseigneur\"bytheotherofficersofhisregiment。Thisoughttomakeambitiouspapasreflect，whentheytreatthemselvestotitledsons-in-law。Theyshouldatleasttryandgetanarticlerecognizedbythelaw。
MostofwhatiswrittenhereisperfectlywellknowntoresidentAmericansinParis，andhasbeenthecauseofgraduallysplittingthatonceharmonioussettlementintotwoperfectlydistinctcamps，betweenwhichnoloveislost。Themembersofone，clingingtotheircountrymen\'screedofhavingthebestornothing，havebeencontentedtoliveinFranceandknowbutfewFrenchpeople，entertainingamongthemselvesandmarryingtheirdaughterstoAmericans。Themembersoftheother，whohave\"gonein\"forFrenchsociety，takewhattheycanget，and，onthewhole，leadveryjollylives。Itoftenhappens(perhapsitisonlyacoincidence)thatladieswhohavenotbeenverysuccessfulathomearepartialtothiscircle，wheretheyeasilyfindguestsfortheirentertainmentsandtherecognitiontheirsoulslongfor。
Whatthefutureofthe\"GreatFaubourg\"willbe，itishardtosay。
AllhopeofapossibleRESTAURATIONappearstobelost。WilltheproudnecksthatrefusedtobendtotheOrleansdynastyorthetwo\"empires\"bowthemselvestotherepublicanyoke？Itwouldseemasifitmustterminateinthisway，foreverythinginthisworldmustfinish。Buttheendisnotyet；onecannothelpfeelingsympathyforpeoplewhoaretryingtoliveuptotheirtraditionsandbetruetosuchimmaterialidolsas\"honor\"and\"family\"inthisdiscouraginglymaterialage，wheneverythinggoesdownbeforetheGoldenCalf。NordoesonewonderthatmenwhocantracetheirancestorsbacktotheCrusadesshouldhesitatetoallythemselveswiththelastrichPARVENUwhohasraisedhimselffromthegutter，orresenttheardorwithwhichthelatestimportationofAmericanambitiontriestochumwiththemandpushitswayintotheirlife。
CHAPTER31-Men\'sMannersNOTHINGmakesonefeelsooldastowakeupsuddenly，asitwere，andrealizethattheconditionsoflifehavechanged，andthatthestandardsyouknewandacceptedinyouryouthhavebeenraisedorlowered。Theyoungmenyoumeethavesomehowbecomeuncomfortablypolite，offeringyouarmchairsintheclub，andlisteningwithashadeofdeferencetoyourstories。Theyareofanothergeneration；theirwaysarenotyourways，northeirambitionsthoseyouhadinyoungerdays。Oneistemptedtolookalittlecloser，toanalyzewhatthechangeis，inwhatthissubtledifferenceconsists，whichyoufeelbetweenyourpastandtheirpresent。Youaresurprisedandalittleangrytodiscoverthat，amongotherthings，youngmenhavebettermannersthanweregeneralamongtheyouthsoffifteenyearsago。
Anyoneoverfortycanrememberthreeepochsinmen\'smanners。WhenIwasaveryyoungman，therewerestillgoingaboutinsocietyanumberofgentlemenbelongingtowhatwasreverentlycalledthe\"oldschool，\"whohadevidentlytakenSirCharlesGrandisonastheirmodel，readLordChesterfield\'sletterstohissonwithattention，andbeenbroughtuptocommenceletterstotheirfathers，\"HonoredParent，\"signingthemselves\"Yourhumbleservantandrespectfulson。\"Thereareafewsucholdgentlemenstilltobefoundinthemoreconservativeclubs，wherecertainwindowsaretacitlyabandonedtotheseelegant-manneredfossils。Theyarequiteharmlessunlessyouhappentofindtheminareminiscentmood，whentheyareapttobealittletiresome；ittakestheirrustymentalmachinerysolongtogetworking!Washingtonpossessesaparticularlyfinecollectionamongtheretiredarmyandnavyofficersandex-officials。Itisafactwellknownthatnoonedrawingapensioneverdies。
About1875，anewgenerationwithnewmannersbegantomakeitsappearance。AnumberofitsmembershadbeeneducatedatEnglishuniversities，andcamehomeburningtoupsetoldwaysandteachtheireldershowtolive。Theybrokeawayfromtheoldclubsandstartedsmallerandmoreexclusivecirclesamongthemselves，principallyinthecountry。Thiswasaperiodofbadmanners。
TruetotheirEnglishmodel，theyconsideredit\"goodform\"tobeuncivilandtomakenoefforttowardsthegeneralentertainmentwheninsociety。Nottospeakmorethanawordortwoduringadinnerpartytoeitherofone\'sneighborswasthesupremeCHIC。Asarevoltfromthetwice-toldtalesoftheirelderstheyheldittobe\"badform\"totellastory，nomatterhowfreshandamusingitmightbe。Anunfortunateoutsiderwhoventuredtotelloneintheirclubwascrushedbyhavinghistalereceivedindeadsilence。
Whenitwasfinishedoneofthepartywould\"ringthebell，\"andthecircleorderdrinksattheexpenseofthemanwhohaddaredtoamusethem。Howtheprofessionalstory-tellermusthaveshuddered-hewhosestoryneverwasripeuntilithadbeentoldacoupleofhundredtimes，andwhowouldproduceacertaintaleatacertaincourseassurelyasclock-work。
Thatthestory-tellingtypewasabore，Igrant。TobegrabbedonenteringyourclubandobligedtolistentoSmith\'slast，ortohavetheconversationafterdinnermonopolizedbyJonesandhiseternal\"Speakingofcoffee，Irememberonce，\"etc。addedanadditionalhardshiptoexistence。Buttheoppositepose，whichbecamethefashionamongthereformers，washardlylesswearisome。
Tositamongagroupofperfectlymutemen，withanoccasionalworddroppingintothesilencelikeastoneinawell，wassurelylittlebetter。
Agirltoldmeshehadoncesatthroughanentirecotillionwithayouthwhoseonlyremarkduringtheeveninghadbeen(afterabsorbedcontemplationofthearticlesinquestion)，\"Howdoyoulikemysocks？\"
Onanotheroccasionmyneighborattablesaidtome:
\"Ithinkthemanonmyrighthasgonetosleep。Heissittingwithhiseyesclosed!\"Shewasmistaken。Hewaspractisinghisnewlyacquired\"reposeofmanner，\"andlivinguptothestandardofhisset。
Themodelyoungmanofthatperiodhadanotheroffensivehabit，hisposeofneverseeingyou，whichgotonthenervesofhiselderstoaconsiderableextent。Ifhecameintoadrawing-roomwhereyouweresittingwithalady，hewouldshakehandswithherandbeginaconversation，ignoringyourexistence，althoughyoumayhavebeenhisguestatdinnerthenightbefore，orheyours。Thiswasalsoatenetofhiscreedborrowedfromtrans-Atlanticcousins，who，bythebye，duringthetimeIspeakof，foundAmerica，andespeciallyourEasternstates，ahappyhunting-ground，-alltheclubs，countryhouses，andsocietygenerallyopeningtheirdoorstothe\"sesame\"ofEnglishnationality。
Ittookourinnocentyouthsagoodtenyearstodiscoverthattherewasnoreciprocityinthearrangement；itwasonlyinthenextepoch(thelistofthethreereferredto)thatourmenrecoveredtheirself-respect，andassumedtowardsforeignersingeneraltheattitudeofpoliteindifferencewhichistheirmannertouswhenabroad。Nothingcouldhavebeenmoreprovincialandnarrowthantheideasofour\"smart\"menatthattime。Theycongregatedinlittlecliques，huddlingtogetherinpublic，andcrackingpersonaloldjokes；butwerespeechlesswithMAUVAISEHONTEifthrownamongforeignersorintoothercirclesofsociety。Allthisisnottobewonderedatconsideringtheamountoftheirgeneraleducationandreading。OnecharminglittlecustomthengreatlyinvogueamongourJEUNESSEDOREEwastoremainataball，aftertheotherguestshadretired，tipsy，andthenbreakanythingthatcametohand。Itwassoamusingtothrowchina，glass，orvaluableplants，outofthewindows，tostriptothewaistandboxorbaitthetiredwaiters。
Ilookattheboysgrowinguparoundmewithsincereadmiration，theyaresosuperiortotheirpredecessorsinbreeding，incivility，indeferencetoolderpeople，andinathousandotherlittlewaysthatmarkhigh-bredmen。ThestrayEnglishman，ofnoparticularstandingathomenolongerfindsourmeneagertoentertainhim，toputtheirbest\"hunter\"athisdisposition，toboard，lodge，andfeedhimindefinitely，ormakehimhonorarymemberofalltheirclubs。Itisaconstantsourceofpleasuretometowatchthisyoungergeneration，soplainlydoIseeinthemtheinfluenceoftheirmothers-womenIknewasgirls，andwhoweresofaraheadoftheirbrothersandhusbandsinrefinementandculture。Tohaveseenthesegirlsmarryandbringuptheirsonssowellhasbeenasatisfactionandacompensationformanydisillusions。Woman\'sinfluencewillalwaysremainthestrongestleverthatcanbebroughttobearinraisingthetoneofafamily；
itisimpossiblenottoseeabouttheseyoungmenareflectionofwhatwefoundsocharmingintheirmothers。Onedespairsattimesofhumanity，seeingvulgarityandsnobbishnessridingtriumphantlyupward；butwherethetoneoftheyoungergenerationisashighasIhavelatelyfoundit，thereisstillmuchhopeforthefuture。
CHAPTER32-AnIdealHostessTHEsayingthat\"One-halfoftheworldignoreshowtheotherhalflives\"receivedformeanadditionalconfirmationthislastweek，whenIhadthegoodfortunetomeetagainanoldfriend，nowforsomeyearsretiredfromthestage，whereshehadbyhercharmandbeauty，aswellasbyhersinging，heldalltheParisianworldatherprettyfeet。
Ourmeetingwasfollowedonherpartbyaninvitationtotakeluncheonwithherthenextday，\"tomeetafewfriends，andtalkoveroldtimes。\"Sohalf-pasttwelve(theinvariablehourforthe\"secondbreakfast，\"inFrance)thefollowingdayfoundmeenteringashadydrawing-room，whereafewpeopleweresittinginthecoolhalf-lightthatstrayedacrossfromacanvas-coveredbalconyfurnishedwithplantsandlowchairs。BeyondonecaughtaglimpseofperhapsthegayestpicturethatthebrightcityofParisoffers，-thesweepoftheBoulevardasitturnstotheRueRoyale，theflowermarket，gaywithathousandcolorsinthesummersunshine，whileaboveallthecolorandmovement，rose，coolandgray，thesplendidcolonnadeoftheMadeleine。Therattleofcarriages，therolloftheheavyomnibusesandtheshrillcriesfromthestreetbelowfloatedup，softenedintoaharmoniousmurmurthatinnowayinterferedwithourconversation，andissweeterthanthefinestmusictothosewholovetheirParis。
FiveorsixroomsENSUITEopeningonthestreet，andasmanymoreonalargecourt，formedtheapartment，whereeverythingbetrayedtheARTISTEandthesinger。Thewalls，hungwithsilkortapestry，heldacollectionoforiginaldrawingsandpaintings，afortuneinthemselves；thedozenportraitsofourhostessinfavoriteroleswerebymengreatintheartworld；acoupleofpianoscoveredwithwell-wornmusicandnumberlessphotographssignedwithnamesthatwouldhavemadeanautograph-fiend\'smouthwater。
Afteragracious，cooingwelcome，morewhisperedthanspoken，IwaspresentedtotheguestsIdidnotknow。Beforethisceremonywaswellover，twomaidsinblack，withwhitecaps，openedadoorintothedining-roomandannouncedluncheon。Asthisiswrittenonthethemethat\"peopleknowtoolittlehowtheirneighborslive，\"I
givetheMENU。Itmayamusemyreadersandserve，perhaps，asalittleobjectlessontothoseathomewhoimaginethatquantityandnotqualityisofimportance。
Ourgracioushostesshadearnedafortuneinherprofession(andI
amtoldthattwoCHEFSpresideoverhersimplemeals)；soitwasnotaspiritofeconomywhichdictatedthissimplicity。Atfirst，HORSD\'OEUVRESwereserved，-allsortsoftemptinglittlethings，-verythinslicesofham，spicedsausages，olivesandcaviar，andeaten-notmerelypassedandrefused。Thencametheonehotdishofthemeal。\"One!\"IthinkIhearmyreaderexclaim。Yes，myfriend，butthatonewasamarvelinitsway。ChickenA
L\'ESPAGNOLE，boiled，andburiedinriceandtomatoescookedwhole-
adishtobedreamedofandrememberedinone\'sprayersandthanksgivings!AfteratleasttwohelpingseachtothisCHEF-
D\'OEUVRE，coldlardedfilletandameatpatewereservedwiththesalad。Thenabitofcheese，abeatencreamofchocolate，fruit，andbon-bons。Foradrinkwehadthewhitewinefromwhichchampagneismade(byachemicalprocessandtheadditionofmanyinjuriousingredients)；inotherwords，apureBRUTchampagnewithjustasuggestionofsparkleatthebottomofyourglass。Allthepartythenmigratedtogetherintothesmoking-roomforcigarettes，coffee，andatinyglassofLIQUEUR。
Thesedetailshavebeengivenatlength，notonlybecausethemealseemedtome，whileIwaseatingit，tobeworthyofwholecolumnsofprint，butbecauseoneofthebesettingsinsofourdearlandistoserveaprofusionoffoodnoonewantsandwhichthehostesswouldneverhavedreamedoforderinghadshebeenalone。
Nothingismorewearisomethantositattableandseecourseaftercourse，good，bad，andindifferent，served，afteryouhaveeatenwhatyouwant。Andnothingismorevulgarthantoservethem；foreitheraguestrefusesagreatdealofthefoodandappearsuncivil，orhemusteat，andregretitafterwards。Ifweaskpeopletoameal，itshouldbetosuchasweeat，asageneralthing，ourselves，andsuchastheywouldhaveathome。Otherwiseitbecomesostentationandvulgarity。Whyshouldonebeexpelledtoeatmorethanusualbecauseafriendhasbeenniceenoughtoaskonetotakeone\'sdinnerwithhim，insteadofeatingitalone？Itisthebeingamongfriendsthattempts，notthefood；thefactatskilfulwaitershavebeenabletoserveadozenvarietiesoffish，flesh，andfowlduringthetimeyouwereattablehasaddedlittletoanyone\'spleasure。Onthecontrary!Halfthetimeoneeatsfrompureabsenceofmind，anumberofmostinjuriousmixturesandsopreparesanawfulto-morrowandthefoundationofmanycomplicateddiseases。
IseeSmithandJonesdailyattheclub，wherewedinecheerfullytogetheronsoup，acutofthejoint，adessert，anddrinkapintofclaret。ButifeitherMrs。SmithorMrs。Jonesasksmetodinner，wehaveeightcoursesandhalfasmanywines，andSmithwillsayquitegravelytome，\"Trythis\'75\'PerrierJouet\'，\"asifhewereinthehabitofdrinkingitdaily。Itmakesmesmile，forhewouldassoonthinkoforderingabottleofthatwineattheclubashewouldthinkoforderingaflaskofnectar。
Buttoreturntoour\"mutton。\"Aswehadnoneofuseatentoomuch(andsobecomedigestingmachines)，wewerecheerfulandsprightly。
Alittlemusicfollowedandanauthorrepeatedsomeofhispoetry。
Inoticedthatduringthehourbeforewebrokeupourhostesscontrivedtohavealittletalkwitheachofherguests，whichshemadequitepersonal，appearingforthemomentasthoughtherestoftheworlddidnotexistforher，thanwhichthereisnomoresubtleflattery，andwhichistheactofawell-bredandappreciativewoman。GuestscannotbetreatedENMASSEanymorethanfood；toaskamantoyourhouseisnotenough。Heshouldbemadetofeel，ifyouwishhimtogoawaywithapleasantremembranceoftheentertainment，thathispresencehasinsomewayaddedtoitandbeenapersonalpleasuretohishost。
AgoodsoulthatallNewYorkknewafewyearsago，whoseentertainmentswereasthoughthestreethadbeenturnedintoaSALONforthemoment，usedtogoaboutamongherguestssaying，\"Therehavebeenonehundredandseventy-fivepeopleherethisThursday，tenmorethanlastweek，\"withsuchasatisfiedsmile，thatyoufeltthatshehadlittlelefttowishfor，andfoundyourselfwonderingjustwhichnumberyourepresentedinhermind。
Whenyouenteredshemusthavemurmuredanumeraltoherselfassheshookyourhand。
ThereismorethanonehouseinNewYorkwhereIhavegravedoubtsifthehostandhostessarequitesureofmynamewhenIdinethere；afteranabstractedwelcome，theyrarelyputthemselvesouttoentertaintheirguests。Blackcoatsandeveningdressesalternateinpleasingperspectivedownthelonglineoftheirtable。Theirgoldplateisout，andtheCHEFhasbeenallowedtoworkhisownsweetwill，sotheygivethemselvesnofurthertrouble。
Whydoesnotsomeonesuggesttotheseamphitrionstosendfifteendollarsinprettilymonogrammedenvelopestoeachoftheirfriends，requestingthemtoexpenditonadinner。Thecomplimentwouldbequiteaspersonal，andthentheguestsmightmakeuplittlepartiestosuitthemselves，whichwouldbemuchmoresatisfactorythangoing\"in\"withsomeonechosenathazardfromtheirhost\'svisitinglist，andlessfatiguingtothatgentlemanandhisfamily。
CHAPTER33-TheIntroducerWEallsuffermoreorlessfromtheperennial\"freshness\"ofcertainacquaintances-tiresomepeoplewhomamisguidedProvidencehasendowedwithover-flowingvitalityandanirrepressibleloveoftheirfellowmen，andwho，notcontentwithlookingonlifeasacontinual\"spree，\"insistonmakingothershappyinspiteofthemselves。Theirnameislegionandtheirpresenceubiquitous，buttheyrarelyannoyasmuchaswhendisguisedunderthemaskofthe\"Introducer。\"Inhisclutchesoneishelpless。Itisimpossibletoescapefromsuchphilanthropictyranny。He，inhisfreshness，imaginesthattopresenthumanbeingstoeachotherishismissioninthisworldandmovesthroughlifemakingtheseplatonicunions，oblivious，asareothermatch-makers，ofthemiseryhecreates。
Ifyouareoutforaquietstroll，oneofthesegenialgentlemenissuretocomeboundingup，andwithoutnoticeorwarningpresentyoutohis\"friend，\"-thegreaterpartofthetimeamanhehasmetonlyanhourbefore，butwhomheendowsoutofthewarehouseofhisgenerousimaginationwithseveraltalentsandallthevirtues。Inordertomakethesituationjustoneshademoreuncomfortable，thiskindlyboreproceedstosingahymnofpraiseconcerningbothofyoutoyourfaces，adding，inorderthatyoumaybothfeelquitefriendlyandpleasant:
\"Iknowyoutwowillfancyeachother，youaresoalike，\"-aphraseneatlycalculatedtonipanyconversationinthebud。Youdetesttheunoffendingstrangeronthespotandwouldliketokillthebore。Nottoappearanabsolutebruteyoustrugglethroughsomecommonplacephrases，discoveringthewhilethatyournewacquaintanceisnomoreanxioustoknowyou，thanyouaretomeethim；thathehasnottheslightestideawhoyouare，neitherdoeshedesiretofindout。Heclassesyouwiththebore，andhisoneidea，likeyourown，istoescape。SothattheonlyresultoftheIntroducer\'sgood-naturedinterferencehasbeentomaketwofellow-
creaturesmiserable。
Afriendwastellingmetheotherdayofthemartyrdomhehadsufferedfromthisclass。Hespokewithmuchfeeling，asheisthesoulofamiability，butsomewhatshort-sightedandafflictedwithahopelesslybadmemoryforfaces。Forthelastfewyears，hehasbeeninthehabitofspendingoneortwoofthewintermonthsinWashington，wherehisfriendsputhimupatonecluboranother。
Eachwinteronhisfirstappearanceatoneoftheseclubs，somekindlydisposedoldfogyissuretopresenthimtoacircleofthemembers，andhefindshimselfindiscriminatelyshakinghandswithJudgesandColonels。Aslittleornoconversationfollowstheseintroductionstofixtheindividualityofthemembersinhismind，heunconsciouslycutstwo-thirdsofhisnewlyacquiredcirclethenextafternoon，andthefollowingwinter，afteraten-months\'
absence，heinnocentlyignorestheotherthird。Sohopelesslyhasheoffendedinthisway，thatlastseason，onbeingpresentedtoaclubmember，thelatterpeevishlyblurtedout:
\"ThisisthefourthtimeIhavebeenintroducedtoMr。Blank，butheneverremembersme，\"andglaredcoldlyathim，layingitalldowntomyfriend\'ssnobbishnessandtotheairsofaNewYorkerwhenawayfromhome。Ifinsteadofbeingsacrificedtotheintroducer\'smistakenzealmypoorfriendhadbeenleftquietlytohimself，hewouldingoodtimehavemetthepeoplecongenialtohimandavoidedgivingoffencetoanumberofkindlygentlemen。
Thisintroducingmaniatakesanevenmoreaggressiveforminthehostess，whoimaginesthatsheislackinginhospitalityifanytwopeopleinherdrawing-roomarenotmadeknowntoeachother。Nomatterhowinterestedyoumaybeinachatwithafriend，youwillseeherbearingdownuponyou，bringingintowtheonehumanbeingyouhavecarefullyavoidedforyears。Escapeseemsimpossible，butasaforlornhopeyouflingyourselfintoconversationwithyournearestneighbor，tryingbyyourabsorbedmannertowardoffthecalamity。Invain!Withataponyourelbowyoursmilinghostessintroducesyouand，havingspoiledyourafternoon，flitsoffinsearchofotherprey。
Thequestionofintroductionsisoneonwhichitisimpossibletolaydownanyfixedrules。Theremustconstantlyoccursituationswhereone\'sactsmustdependuponakindlyconsiderationforotherpeople\'sfeelings，whichafterall，isonlyanothernamefortact。
Nothingsoplainlyshowsthebreedingofamanorwomanasskillinsolvingproblemsofthiskindwithoutgivingoffence。
Foreigners，withtheirgreaterknowledgeoftheworld，rarelyfallintotheerrorofindiscriminateintroducing，appreciatingwhatapresentationmeansandwhatobligationsitentails。TheEnglishfallintoexactlythecontraryerrorfromours，andcarryittoabsurdlengths。Startingwiththeassumptionthateverybodyknowseverybody，andbeingawareofthegeneraldreadofmeeting\"detrimentals，\"theyavoidthedifficultybymakingnointroductions。Thismayworkwellamongthemselves，butitistryingtoastrangerwhomtheyhavebeengoodenoughtoasktotheirtables，tositoutthemealbetweentwopeoplewhoignorehispresenceandconverseacrosshim；foranEnglishmanwillexpiresoonerthanspeaktoapersontowhomhehasnotbeenintroduced。
TheFrench，withthemarvelloustactthathasforcenturiesmadethemthelaw-giversonallsubjectsofetiquetteandbreeding，haveanotherwayofavoidinguselessintroductions。Theyassumethattwopeoplemeetinginadrawing-roombelongtothesameworldandsochatpleasantlywiththosearoundthem。OnleavingtheSALON
theacquaintanceissupposedtoend，andagentlemanwhoshouldatanothertimeorplaceboworspeaktotheladywhohadofferedhimacupofteaandtalkedpleasantlytohimoveritatafriend\'sreception，wouldcommitagrossbreachofetiquette。
IwasoncepresentatalargedinnergiveninColognetotheAmericanGeographicalSociety。NosoonerwasIseatedthanmytwoneighborsturnedtowardsmementioningtheirnamesandwaitingformetodothesame。Afterthattheconversationflowedonasamongfriends。Thiscustomstruckmeasexceedinglywell-bredandcalculatedtomakeaforeignerfeelathisease。
Amongothercurioustypes，therearepeoplesoconstitutedthattheyareunhappyifasinglepersoncanbefoundintheroomtowhomtheyhavenotbeenintroduced。Itdoesnotmatterwhothestrangermaybeorwhatchancethereisoffindinghimcongenial。
Theymustbepresented；nothingelsewillcontentthem。Ifyouarechattingwithafriendyoufeelapullatyoursleeve，andinanaudibleaside，theyaskforanintroduction。Theaspirantwillthenbringupandpresentthemembersofhisfamilywhohappentobenear。Afterthatheseemstobeatease，andhavingabsolutelynothingtosaywillsoondriftoff。Ourpublicmensufferterriblyfrompromiscuousintroductions；itisapartofapoliticalcareer；
agoodmemoryfornamesandfacesandacordialmannerunderfirehaveoftengonealongwayinfloatingastatesmanontosuccess。
Demand，wearetold，createssupply。DuringashortstayinaFloridahotellastwinter，Inoticedacuriouslittlemanwholookedlikeacrossbetweenawaiterandamusician。Ashespoketomeseveraltimesandseemedveryofficious，Iaskedwhohewas。
TheanswerwassogrotesquethatIcouldnotbelievemyears。I
wastoldthatheheldthepositionofofficial\"introducer，\"ormasterofceremonies，andthattheguestsunderhisguidancebecameknowntoeachother，danced，rode，andmarriedtotheirownanddoubtlesstohissatisfaction。Thefurtherwestonegoesthemorepronouncedthismaniabecomes。Everybodyisintroducedtoeverybodyonallimaginableoccasions。Ifamanasksyoutotakeadrink，hepresentsyoutothebar-tender。Ifhetakesyouforadrive，thecab-driverisintroduced。\"Boots\"makesyouacquaintedwiththechambermaid，andthehotelproprietorunitesyouinthebondsoffriendshipwiththeclerkatthedesk。Intercoursewithone\'sfellowsbecomesonelongdebauchofintroduction。Inthiscountrywhereeverylibertyisrespected，itisacuriousfactthatweshouldbedeniedthemostimportantofallrights，thatofchoosingouracquaintances。
CHAPTER34-AQuestionandanAnswerDEARIDLER:
IHAVEbeenreadingyourarticlesinTheEveningPost。Theyarereallymostamusing!Youdoknowsuchalotaboutpeopleandthings，thatIamtemptedtowriteandaskyouaquestiononasubjectthatispuzzlingme。Whatisitthatisnecessarytosucceed-socially？There!Itisout!Pleasedonotlaughatme。
Suchfunnypeoplegetonandsuchclever，agreeableonesfail，thatIamallatsea。Nowdobeniceandanswerme，andyouwillhaveaverygratefulADMIRER。
Theabovenote，inaratherjuvenilefemininehand，andbreathingafaintperfumeofVIOLETTEDEPARME，waspartofthemorning\'smailthatIfoundlyingonmydeskafewdaysago，indelightfulcontrasttothebillsandadvertisementswhichformedthebulkofmycorrespondence。ItwouldsupposeastoicismgreaterthanI
possess，nottohavefeltathrillofsatisfactioninitsperusal。
Therewas，then，someonewhoreadwithpleasurewhatIwrote，andwhohadbeenmovedtoconsultmeonaquestion(evidentlytoher)
ofimportance。Iinstantlydecidedtodomybestfortheedificationofmyfaircorrespondent(fornodoubtenteredmyheadthatshewasbothyoungandfair)，themorereadilybecausethatveryquestionhadfrequentlypresenteditselftomyownmindonobservingtheverycapriciouschoiceofDame\"Fashion\"inthedistributionofherfavors。
Thattherearepeoplewhosucceedbrilliantlyandmovefromsuccesstosuccess，amidanapplaudingcrowdoffriendsandadmirers，whileothers，apparentlytheirsuperiorsineveryway，aredistancedintherace，isanundeniablefact。Youhavebuttoglancearoundthecircleofyouracquaintancesandrelationstobeconvincedofthisanomaly。Toareflectingmindthequestionimmediatelypresentsitself，Whyisthis？Generalsocietyiscertainlycultivatedenoughtoappreciateintelligenceandsuperiorendowments。Howthendoesithappenthatthesocialfavoritesaresooftenlackinginthequalitieswhichatafirstglancewouldseemindispensabletosuccess？
Beforegoinganyfurtherletusstopamoment，andlookatthesubjectfromanotherside，foritismoreseriousthanappearstobeonthesurface。Tobelovedbythosearoundus，tostandwellintheworld，iscertainlythemostlegitimateaswellasthemostcommonofambitions，aswellastheincentivetomostoftheindustryandperseveranceinlife。Asidefromscience，whichissometimesfollowedforitselfalone，andvirtue，whichwearetoldlooksfornootherreward，thehopewhichinspiresagreatdealofthepersistenteffortswesee，isgenerallythatofraisingone\'sselfandthoseonelovesbyone\'seffortsintoaspherehigherthanwherecruelfatehadplacedthem；thatthey，too，maytaketheirplaceinthesunshineandenjoythegoodthingsoflife。Thisambitionisoftenpurelydisinterested；alifeofhardesttoilischeerfully
borne，withthehope(forsoleconsolation)thatdearoneswillprofitlaterbyallthework，andliveinacirclethepatienttoilerneverdreamsofentering。Surelyheisasternmoralistwhowoulddenythissatisfactiontothebreadwinnerofafamily。
Therearedoubtlessmanyhighermotivesinlife，moreelevatedgoalstowardwhichstrugglinghumanityshouldstrive。Ifyouexaminetheaveragemind，however，youwillbeprettysuretofindthatsuccessisthetouchstonebywhichwejudgeourfellowsandwhat，inourhearts，weadmirethemost。Thatisnottobewonderedat，either，forwehavedoneallwecantoimplantitthere。Fromachild\'sfirstopeningthought，itisimpresseduponhimthatthegreatobjectofexistenceistosucceed。Didaparentevertellachildtotryandstandlastinhisclass？Andyethumilityisavirtueweadmireintheabstract。Areanyofuswillingtostepasideandseeourinferiorspassusintherace？
Thatistoomuchtoaskofpoorhumanity。Wereotherandhigherstandardstobeaccepted，thestructureofcivilizationasitexiststo-daywouldcrumbleawayandthegreatmachinerundown。
Inreturningtomycorrespondentandherperfectlylegitimatedesiretoknowtheroadtosuccess，wemustrealizethattoalargepartoftheworldsocialsuccessistheonlykindtheyunderstand。
Thegreatinventorsandbenefactorsofmankindlivetoofarawayonaplanebythemselvestobetheobjectofjealousytoanybutaverysmallcircle；ontheotherhand，inthesedaysofequality，especiallyinthiscountrywherecastehasneverexisted，thesocialworldseemstoholdoutalluringandtangiblegiftstohimwhocanenteritsenchantedportals。Evenpolitics，tojudgebytheactionsofsomeofourlegislators，oflate，wouldseemtobeonlyastepping-stonetoitsdoor!
\"Butmyquestion，\"Ihearmyfairinterlocutorsaying。\"Youarenotansweringit!\"
Allingoodtime，mydear。Iamjustabouttodoso。DidyoueverhearofDarwinandhistheoryof\"selection？\"Itwouldbeaslighttoyourintelligencenottotakeitforgrantedthatyouhad。
Well，myobservationsintheworldleadmetobelievethatwefollowthereunconsciously，thesamerulesthatguidethewildbeastsintheforest。Certainindividualsareendowedbynaturewithtemperamentswhichmakethemtakenaturallytoasociallifeandshinethere。Inittheyfindtheirnaturalelement。Theydevelopfreelyjustwhereothersshrivelupanddisappear。Thereiscontinuallygoingonunseena\"naturalselection，\"thediscardingofunfitmaterial，theassimilationofnewandcongenialelementsfromoutside，withthelogicalresultofasurvivalofthefittest。Asidefromthis，youwillfindin\"theworld，\"asanywhereelse，thatthepersonwhosucceedsisgenerallyhewhohasbeenwillingtogivethemostofhisstrengthandmindtothatoneobject，andhasnotallowedtheflowersonthehillsidetodistracthimfromhispath，rememberingalsothatgeniusisoftenbutthe\"capacityfortakinginfinitepains。\"
Therearepeoplesoconstitutedthattheycheerfullygivetheeffortsofalifetimetotheattainmentofabrilliantsocialposition。Nofatigueistoogreat，andnosnubstoobittertobewillinglyundergoneinpursuitofthecherishedobject。Youwillneverfindsuchanindividual，forinstance，wanderingintheflowerybywaysthatleadtoartorletters，forthatwouldwastehistime。Ifhisfamilyaretoohardtoraise，hewillabandontheattemptandrisewithoutthem，forhecannothelphimself。Heisbutanatomworkingasblindlyupwardastheplantthatpushesitsmysteriouswaytowardsthesun。Brainsarenotnecessary。Goodlooksarebutatrumpthemoreinthe\"hand。\"Mannersmayhelp，butarenotessential。Theobjectcanbeandisattaineddailywithoutallthree。Wealthisbuttheoilthatmakesthemachineryrunmoresmoothly。Theall-importantfactoristhedesiretosucceed，sostrongthatitmakesanypriceseemcheap，andthatcanpayitselfbyastepgained，formortificationandwearinessandheart-burnings。
There，mydear，isthesecretofsuccess!IstopbecauseIfeelmyselfbecomingbitter，andthatisaframeofmindtobecarefullyavoided，becauseitinterfereswiththedigestionandupsetsone\'sgentlecalm!Ihavetriedtoansweryourquestion。Theanswerresolvesitselfintothesetwothings；thatitisnecessarytobebornwithqualitieswhichyoumaynotpossess，andcallsforsacrificesyouwoulddoubtlessbeunwillingtomake。Itremainswithyoutodecideifthelittlegameisworththecandle。ThedelightfulcommonsenseIfeelquitesureyoupossessreassuresmeastoyouranswer。
Takegaylysuchgoodthingsasmayfloatyourway，andprofitbythemwhiletheylast。Wanderoffintoallthecross-roadsthattemptyou。Stopoftentolendahelpinghandtoalessfortunatetraveller。Restintheheatoftheday，asyourspiritpromptsyou。Sitdownbeforethesunsetandrevelinitsbeautyandyouwillfindyourvoyagethroughlifemuchmoresatisfactorytolookbacktoandfulloffarsweetermemoriesthanifbysacrificinganyofthesepleasuresyouhadattainedthegreatestof\"positions。\"
CHAPTER35-LivingonyourFriendsTHACKERAYdevotedachapterin\"VanityFair\"totheproblem\"HowtoLiveWellonNothingaYear。\"Itwasneitheraverynewnoraveryingeniousexpedientthat\"Becky\"resortedtowhenshediscountedherhusband\'spositionandconnectiontofleecethetradespeopleandcheatanoldfamilyservantoutofayear\'srent。Theauthormightmorejustlyhaveusedhiscleverphraseindescribing\"MajorPendennis\'s\"agreeableexistence。Wehavemadegreatprogressinthis，asinalmosteveryothermodeofliving，inthelatterhalfoftheVictorianera；intelligentindividualsofeithersex，whoknowtheropes，cannowaseasilyleadtheexistenceofamulti-
millionaire(withasmuchsatisfactiontothemselvesandtheirfriends)asthoughthebankaccount，withallitsattendantworries，stoodintheirownnames。Thissubjectissovast，itsramificationssofar-reachingandcomplicated，thatonehesitatesbeforelaunchingintoananalysisofit。Itwillbebettersimplytogiveafewinterestingexamples，andageneralruleortwo，fortheenlightenmentandguidanceofingenioussouls。
Humannaturechangeslittle；allthatoureducationalandsocialtraininghasaccomplishedisasmoothingofthesurface。Oneofthemoststrikingproofsofthisis，thathereinourprimitivecountry，assoonasaccumulationofcapitalallowedcertainfamiliestoliveingreatluxury，theyreturnedtothewaysofolderaristocracies，and，withotherwants，feltthenecessityofacourtaboutthem，ladiesandgentlemeninwaiting，pagesandjesters。Natureabhorsavacuum，soaclassofpeopleimmediatelyfeltanirresistibleimpulsetorushinandfillthevoid。Ouraristocratswerenotevenobligedtosendabroadtofillthesevacancies，astheywerefortheirfootmenandbutlers；thenativearticlewasquitereadyandwillingand，consideringthelittlepracticeitcouldhavehad，provedwonderfullyadaptedtothework。
Whenthemaniaforbuildingimmensecountryhousesandyachts(theowningofoperaboxesgoesalittlefurtherback)firstattackedthiscountry，thebuildersimaginedthat，oncecompleted，itwouldbetheeasiest，aswellasthemostdelightfultasktofillthemwiththepickoftheirfriends，thattheycouldgetallthetalentedandagreeablepeopletheywantedbysimplymakingasign。
Totheirastonishment，theydiscoveredthatwhatappearedsosimplewasadifficult，aswellasathanklesslabor。Irememberaskingaladywhohadowneda\"proscenium\"attheoldAcademy，whyshehaddecidednottotakeaboxinthe(then)newopera-house。
\"Because，havingpassedthirtyyearsofmylifeinvitingpeopletositinmybox，Iintendnowtorest。\"Itisverymuchthesamethingwithyachts。Acouplewhohaddeterminedtogoaroundtheworld，intheirlatelyfinishedboat，weredumbfoundedtofindtheirinvitationswerenoteagerlyaccepted。Afterexhaustingthesmalllistofpeopletheyreallywanted，theybeganwithothersindifferenttothem，andeventhenfilledouttheirnumberwithdifficulty。Ahostesswhocountsonaseriesofhousepartiesthroughtheautumnmonths，mustbeginearlyinthesummerifsheistohavetheguestsshedesires。
Itisjustherethatthe\"professional，\"ifImaybeallowedtousesuchanexpression，comestothefront。Heisalwaysavailable。
ItisindifferenttohimifhestartsonatouraroundtheworldorforawinterspreetoMontreal。Heisalwaysamusing，good-
humored，andcanbecountedonatthelastmomenttofillanyvacantplace，withoutbeingtheleastoffendedatthetardyinvitation，forhebelongstotheclasswhohavediscovered\"howtolivewellonnothingayear。\"Luxuryisasthebreathofhisnostrils，buthismeansallowoflittlebeyondnecessities。Thetemptationmustbegreatwheneverythingthatheappreciatesmost(andcannotafford)isurgeduponhim。Weshouldnotposeastoosternmoralists，andthrowstonesathim；fortheremayentermore\"bestFrenchplate\"intothecompositionofourownhousesthanweimagine。
Itishereourepochshowsitsimprovementoverearlierandcruderdays。Atpresentnotoad-eatingisconnectedwiththeacceptanceofhospitality，or，ifoccasionallyasmall\"batrachian\"isoffered，itissowelldisguisedbyanaccomplishedCHEF，andservedonsuchexquisiteoldDresden，thatitslipsdownwithverylittleeffort。Eventhisrarelyoccurs，unlesstheguesthasallowedhimselftobecometheinmateofaresidenceoryacht。Thenhetakeshischancewithothermembersofthehousehold，andifthehostorhostesshappenstohaveabadtemperasaset-offtotheirgoodtable，itisapttofareillwithourfriend。
Sofar，Ihavespokenofthisclassinthemasculine，whichisanerror，astheartissuccessfullypractisedbytheweakersex，withthisshadeofdifference。Asanunmarriedwomanisinlessgeneraldemand，sheisapttoattachherselftoonedearfriend，alwayssuretobealadyinpossessionoffinecountryandcityhousesandotherappurtenancesofwealth，oftenofinferiorsocialstanding；
sothatthereisgiveandtake，theguestrenderingrealservicetoanambitioushostess。Thefeminineaspirantneednotbehandsome。
Onthecontrary，anagreeableplainnessismuchmoreacceptable，servingasafoil。Butshemustbeexcellentinallgames，fromgolftopiquet，andwillingtoplayasoftenandaslongasrequired。Shemustalsocheerfullygointodinnerwiththeblueribbonboreoftheevening，onlyaskedonaccountofhisprettywife(bythebye，whyisitthatBeautyissooftenflankedbytheBeast？)，andsitbetweenhimandthe\"secondprize\"bore。Thesetwoworthieswouldhavebeentheportionofthehostessfifteenyearsago；shewouldhaveconsidereditherdutytoabsorbthemandpreventherotherguestssuffering。MAIS
CELA。Theladyofthehousenowthinksfirstofamusingherself，andarrangestositbetweentwofavorites。
Societyhasbecomemuchsimpler，andespeciallylessexpensive，forunmarriedmenthanitusedtobe。Evenifahostessasksafavorinreturnforweeksofhospitality，thesacrificesherequiresofamanisrarelygreaterthanacotillionwithanunattractivedebutantewhomsheistryingtolaunch；orthesittingthroughaparticularlydulloperainordertoseehertothecarriage，herlordandmasterhavingslippedoffearlytohisclubandaquietgameofpool。Manypeoplewhoreadtheselinesareoldenoughtorememberthatprehistoricperiodwhenunmarriedgirlswenttothetheatreandparties，alonewiththementheyknew。ThiscustomstillprevailsinourirrepressibleWest。Itwasanarrangementbywhichalltheexpensesfellontheman-theatretickets，carriagesifitrained，andoftenabitofsupperafter。Ifayouthaskedagirltodancethecotillion，hewasexpectedtosendabouquet，suretocostbetweentwentyandtwenty-fivedollars。Whatablessedchangefortheimpecuniousswellwhenallthiswentoutoffashion!NewYorkishisparadisenow；inotherpartsoftheworldsomethingisstillexpectedofhim。InFranceittakestheformofahandsomebagofbon-bonsonNewYear\'sDay，ifhehasacceptedhospitalityduringthepastyear。Whilehereheneeddoabsolutelynothing(unlesshewishesto)，theoccasionalleavingofacardhavingbeensuppressedoflatebyourJEUNESSEDOREE，fiveminutesoftheirsocietyinanoperaboxbeingestimated(bythem)asamplereturnforadinneroraweekinacountryhouse。
Thetruthofitis，therearesofewmenwho\"goout\"(itbeingpracticallyimpossibleforanyoneworkingataseriousprofessiontositupnightafternight，evenifhedesired)，andatthesametimesomanywomeninsistonentertainingtoamusethemselvesorbettertheirposition，thatthemenwhogoaboutgetspoiledandalmostcometoconsidertheobligationconferred，whentheydineout。ThereisnomoreamusingsightthanpoorpaterfamiliassittingintheclubbetweensixandsevenP。M。pretendingtoreadtheeveningpaper，butreallywithhiseveonthedoor；hehasbeensentdownbyhiswifeto\"getaman，\"assheisoneshortforherdinnerthisevening。Hemustbeonewhowillfitinwellwiththeotherguests；hencepapa\'sanxiouslook，andthereasontheeditorialgetssolittleofhisattention!Watchhimasyoung\"professional\"loungesin。Thereisjusthisman-ifheonlyhappenstobedisengaged!Youwillsee\"Pater\"crosstheroomandshakehands，then，afterafewminutes\'whisperedconversation，hewillwalkdowntohiscoupewithsucharelievedlookonhisface。
Young\"professional，\"whoisinfaultlesseveningdress，willringforacocktailandtakeupthediscardedeveningpapertopassthetimetilleighttwenty-five。
Eighttwenty-five，advisedly，forhewillbethelasttoarrive，knowing，cleverdog，howmucheCLATitgivesonetohavearoomfullofpeopleaskingeachother，\"Whomarewewaitingfor？\"whenthedooropens，andheisannounced。Hewillstayamomentaftertheotherguestshavegoneandreceivethemostcordialpressuresofthehandfromagratefulhostess(ifnotspokenwordsofthanks)
inreturnforeatinganexquisitelycookeddinner，seatedbetweentwoagreeablewomen，drinkingirreproachablewine，smokingacigar，andwashingthewholedownwithaglassof1830brandy，orsomepricelesshistoricmadeira。
Thereisprobablyamoraltobeextractedfromallthis。ButfranklymyethicsaresomixedthatIfailtoseewheretheblamelies，andwhichisthelessworthyindividual，theostentatiousaxe-grindinghostortheinterestedguest。Onething，however，I
seeclearly，viz。，thatlifeisveryagreeabletohimwhostartsinwithfewprejudices，goodmanners，alargeamountofwell-concealed\"cheek\"andthehappyfacultyoftakingthingsastheycome。
CHAPTER36-AmericanSocietyinItalyTHEphraseattheheadofthischapterandothersentences，suchas\"AmericanSocietyinParis，\"orLondon，areconstantlyonthelipsofpeoplewhoshouldknowbetter。Inrealitythesesocietiesdonotexist。Doesmyreaderpause，wonderingifhecanbelievehiseyes？Hehasdoubtlessheardallhislifeofthesedelightfulcircles，andbelievesinthem。Hemayevenhavedined，ENPASSANT，atthe\"palace\"ofsomeresidentcompatriotinRomeorFlorence，undertheimpressionthathewaswithinitsmysticlimits。
Illusion!Aneffectofmirage，makingthatwhichappearsquitetangibleandsolidwhenviewedfromadistancedissolveintothinairasoneapproaches；likethemirage，cheatingthewearytravellerwithavisionofwhathemostlongsfor。
Forty，evenfiftyyearsago，therelivedinRomeagroupofveryagreeablepeople；StoryandthetwoGreenoughsandCrawford，thesculptor(fatherofthebrilliantnovelistoftoday)；CharlotteCushman(whodividedhertimebetweenRomeandNewport)，andherfriendMissStebbins，thesculptress，towhosehandsweowethebronzefountainontheMallinourPark；Rogers，thenworkingatthebronzedoorsofourcapitol，andmanyothercultivatedandagreeablepeople。Hawthornepassedacoupleofwintersamongthem，andthetoneofthatsocietyisreflectedinhis\"MarbleFaun。\"HetookStoryasamodelforhis\"Kenyon，\"andwasthefirsttonotetheexoticgraceofanAmericangirlinthatstrangesetting。Theyformedastranscendentalandunworldlyagroupasevergatheredabouta\"tea\"table。Greatthingswereexpectedofthemandtheirinfluence，buttheydisappointedtheworld，and，withtheexceptionofHawthorne，arebeingfastforgotten。
Nothingcouldbesimplerthanlifeinthepapalcapitalinthosepleasantdays。Moneywasrare，butlivingasdelightfullyinexpensive。Itwasaboutthattime，ifIdonotmistake，thatalistwaspublishedinNewYorkofthecitizensworthonehundredthousanddollars；anditwasnotalongone!TheRomancolonytook\"tea\"informallywitheachother，and\"received\"onstatedeveningsintheirstudios(whenmulledclaretandcakesweretheonlyrefreshmentoffered；verybadtheywere，too)，andmigratedinthesummertothemountainsnearRomeortoSorrento。Inthewintermonthstheircirclewasenlargedbyacontingentfromhome。AmongwealthyNewYorkers，itwasthefashionintheearlyfiftiestopassawinterinRome，when，togetherwithhisotherdissipations，paterfamiliaswouldsittooneoftheAmericansculptorsforhisbust，whichaccountsforthehorrorsonenowrunsacrossindarkcornersofcountryhouses，-ghostlyheadsin\"chinwhiskers\"andRomandraperies。
Thesonofoneofthesepioneers，morerichthancultivated，noticedtheotherday，whilevisitingafriendofmine，anexquisiteeighteenth-centurybustofMadamedePompadour，theprideofhishostess\'sdrawing-room。\"Ah!\"saidMidas，\"arebuststhefashionagain？Ihaveoneofmyfather，doneinRomein1850。I
willbringitdownandputitinmyparlor。\"
