Afterafewvisitsthesuitordeclareshimself；thegirlisflattered，thefatherloseshishead，seeingvisionsofhisloveddaughterhob-nobbingwithroyalty，andintoxicatingthought!
snubbingthe\"swells\"athomewhohadshownreluctancetorecognizehimandhisfamily。
Itisnexttoimpossibleforhimtogetanyreliableinformationabouthisfutureson-in-lawinacountrywhere，asanAmerican，hehasfewsocialrelations，belongstonoclub，andwhoseidiomisasealedbooktohim。Everycircumstanceconspirestokeeptheflawsonthearticleforsaleoutofsightandplacethesuitorinanadvantageouslight。Severalweeks\'\"courting\"follows，paterfamiliasagreestopartwithahandsomeshareofhisearnings，andamarriageis\"arranged。\"
Inthecasewherethegirlhasretainedsomeofherself-respectthesuitorismadetocometohercountryfortheceremony。And，thatthecontrastbetweenEuropeanwaysandoursimplehabitsmaynotbetoostriking，anestablishmentishastilygottogether，withhiredliveriesandnew-boughtcarriages，asinarecentcaseinthisstate。Thesensationalpaperswriteupthis\"internationalunion，\"andpublish\"faked\"portraitsofthebrideandhernoblespouse。Thesovereignofthegroom\'scountryenchantedthatsomemoreAmericanmoneyistobeimportedintohislandsendsaneconomicalpresentandanautographletter。Theactends。
Limelightandslowmusic!
Inafewyearsrumorsofdissentandtroublefloatvaguelybacktothegirl\'sfamily。Finally，eitheragreatscandaloccurs，andthereisonedishonoredhomethemoreintheworld，oranexpatriatedwoman，thousandsofmilesfromthefriendsandrelativeswhomightbeofsomecomforttoher，makesuphermindtoaccept\"anything\"forthesakeofherchildren，andattemptstobuildupsomesortofanexistenceoutoftheremainsofherlostillusions，andthefatherwakesupfromhisdreamtorealizethathiswealthhasonlyservedtoruinwhathelovedbestinalltheworld。
Sometimestheconditionsaredelightfullycomic，asinawell-knowncase，wherethedaughter，whomarriedintoanindolent，happy-go-
luckyItalianfamily，hadinheritedherfather\'sbusinesspushandenergyalongwithhisfortune，andimmediatelysetabout\"running\"
herhusband\'sestateasshehadseenherfatherdohisbank。Shetriedtoreviveahalf-forgottenindustryinthedistrict，scrapedandwhitewashedtheirpicturesqueoldvilla，proposedherhusband\'senteringbusiness，andinshortdashedheaddownagainstallhisinheritedtraditionsandnationalprejudices，untilhernewfamilyloathedthesightofthebriskAmericanface，andthepoorshehadtriedtohelp，sulkedintheirnewlydrainedhousesandrefusedtobecomforted。HerwayswerenotItalianways，andsheseemedtothenun-likeItalianladies，almostunsexed，asshetrampedaboutthefields，talkingartificialmanureandsubsoildrainagewiththemen。Yetneithershenorherhusbandwastoblame。TheyoungItalianhadbutfollowedtheteachingsofhisfamily，whichdecreedthattheonlyhonorablewayforanaristocrattoacquirewealthwastomarryit。TheAmericanwifehonestlytriedtodoherdutyinthisnewposition，naivelythinkingshecouldengrafttransatlantic\"go\"upontheindolentItaliancharacter。Herworkwasinvain；
shemadeherselfandherhusbandsounpopularthattheyarenowlivinginthiscountry，regrettingtoolatetheerroroftheirways。
Anothercasebutlittlelesslaughable，isthatofaBostongirlwithaneatlittlefortuneofherown，who，whenmarriedtotheyoungVienneseofherchoice，foundthatheexpectedhertolivewithhisfamilyonthethirdflooroftheir\"palace\"thetwolowerfloorsbeingrentedtoforeigners，andastherewashardlyenoughmoneyforaboxattheopera，shewasnotexpectedtogo，whereashispositionmadeitnecessaryforhimtohaveastallandappeartherenightlyamongthemenofhisrank，theastonishedanddisillusionedBostonianremainingathomeENTETE-A-TETEwiththewomenofhisfamily，whoseemedtothinkthisthemostnaturalarrangementintheworld。
Itcertainlyisastonishingthatwe，themostpatrioticofnations，withsuchhighopinionofourselvesandourinstitutions，shouldbesoreadytohandoverourdaughtersandourducatstothefirstforeignerwhoasksforthem，oftenrequiringlessinformationabouthimthanweshouldconsidernecessarybeforebuyingahorseoradog。
Womenofnoothernationhavethismaniaforespousingaliens。
Nowhereelsewouldagirlwithalargefortunedreamofmarryingoutofhercountry。Herhighestidealofahusbandwouldbeamanofherownkin。Itistherarestthingintheworldtofindawell-bornFrench，Spanish，orItalianwomanmarriedtoaforeignerandlivingawayfromhercountry。Howcanawomanexpecttobehappyseparatedfromallthetiesandtraditionsofheryouth？Ifsheistakenabroadyoung，shemaystillhopetoreplaceherfriendsasisoftendone。Buttherealreasonofunhappinessgreateranddeeperthanthisliesinthefundamentaldifferenceofthewholesocialstructurebetweenourcountryandthatofheradoption，andtheradicallydifferentwayoflookingateverysideoflife。
Surelyagirlmustfeelthatamanwhoallowsamarriagetobearrangedforhimandonlysignsthecontactbecauseitspecuniaryclausesaretohissatisfaction，andwhowouldwithdrawinamomentiftheseweresuppressed，musthaveanentirelydifferentpointofviewfromherownonallthevitalissuesoflife。
Foreignersundoubtedlymakeexcellenthusbandsfortheirownwomen。
Buttheyare，exceptinrarecases，unsatisfactoryhelpmeetsforAmericangirls。Itisimpossibletotouchonmorethanasideortwoofthissubject。Butasanillustrationthefollowingcontrastedstoriesmaybecited:
TwosistersofanaristocraticAmericanfamily，eachwithanincomeofoverfortythousanddollarsayear，recentlymarriedFrenchnoblemen。Theynaturallyexpectedtocontinueabroadthelifetheyhadledathome，inwhichoperaboxes，saddlehorses，andconstantentertainingweremattersofcourse。Inbothcases，ourcompatriotsdiscoveredthattheirhusbandsneitherofthempennilesshadentirelydifferentviews。Inthefirstplace，theyweretoldthatitwasconsidered\"badform\"inFranceforyoungmarriedwomentoentertain；besides，themoneywasneededforimprovements，andinmanyotherways，andaseverywell-to-doFrenchfamilyputsasideatleastathirdofitsincomeasDOTSforthechildrenboysaswellasgirls，thesebridesfoundthemselvescrampedformoneyforthefirsttimeintheirlives，andobliged，duringtheironemonthayearinParis，toputupwithhiredtraps，anddependontheirfriendsforeveningsattheopera。
Thisstoryisatellingset-offtothecaseofanAmericanwife，whoonedayreceivedawindfallintheformofacheckforatidyamount。Sheimmediatelyproposedatripabroadtoherhusband，butfoundthathepreferredtoremainathomeinthesocietyofhishorsesanddogs。Soourfaircompatriotstartsoffwithhisfullconsent，hasherouting，spendsherlittle\"pile，\"andreturnsafterthreeorfourmonthstothehomeofherdelightedspouse。
Dothesetwostoriesneedanycomment？Letoursistersandtheirfriendsthinktwicebeforetheymakethemselvesirrevocablywheelsinamachinewhoseworkingisunknowntothem，lesttheybetorntopiecesasitmoves。Havingthegoodlucktobeborninthe\"paradiseofwomen，\"letthembewarehowtheyleaveit，charmtheserpentneversowisely，fortheymayfindthemselves，likethePeri，outsidethegate。
CHAPTER6-TheComplacencyofMediocrityFULLassmallintellectsareofqueerkinks，unexplainedturningsandgroundlesslikesanddislikes，theblandcontentmentthatbuoysuptheincompetentisthemostdifficultofallvagariestoaccountfor。Rarelydotwenty-fourhourspasswithoutexamplesofthisexasperatingweaknessappearingonthesurfaceofthoseshallowsthatcommonplacepeoplesonaivelycall\"theirminds。\"
Whatonewouldexpectisextrememodesty，inthehalf-educatedortheignorant，andself-approbationhigherupinthescale，whereitmightmorereasonablydwell。Experience，however，teachesthatexactlytheoppositeisthecaseamongthosewhohaveachievedsuccess。
Theaccidentsofalifeturnedbychanceoutofthebeatentracks，havethrownmeattimesintoacquaintanceshipwithsomeofthegreaterlightsofthelastthirtyyears。Andnotonlyhavetheybeen，asarule，mostunassumingmenandwomen；butinthemajorityofcasespositivelyself-depreciatory；doubtingofthemselvesandtheirtalents，constantlyaimingatgreaterperfectionintheirartorahigherdevelopmentoftheirpowers，nevercontentedwithwhattheyhaveachieved，beyondtheideathatithasbeenanothersteptowardtheirgoal。Knowingthis，itisalwaysashockonmeetingthemediocrepeoplewhoformsuchadiscouragingmajorityinanysociety，todiscoverthattheyareallsopleasedwiththemselves，theirachievements，theirplaceintheworld，andtheirownabilityanddiscernment!
WhohasnotsatchafinginsilencewhileMediocrity，inawhitewaistcoatandjanglingfobs，occupiedtheafter-dinnerhourinimpartingsecond-handinformationashispersonalviewsonliteratureandart？Canyounothearhimsayingonceagain:\"I
don\'tpretendtoknowanythingaboutartandallthatsortofthing，youknow，butwhenIgotoanexhibitionIcanalwayspickoutthebestpicturesataglance。SortofawayIhave，andI
nevermakemistakes，youknow。\"
Thengoandwatch，asIhave，HenriRochefortashelaboriouslyformstheopinionsthataretoappearlaterinoneofhis\"SALONS，\"
realizingthewhilethatheisFACILEPRINCEPSamongtheartcriticsofhisday，thatwithalinehecanmakeormarareputationandbyaworddrawtheadmiringcrowdaroundanunknowncanvas。WhileRocheforttoilsandpondersandhesitates，doyousupposeadoubtastohisownastutenesseverdimstheself-
complacencyofWhiteWaistcoat？Never!
Thereliesthestrengthofthefeeble-minded。ByaspecialdispensationofProvidence，theycanneverseebutonesideofasubject，soarealwaysconvincedthattheyareright，andfromtheheightoftheircontentment，lookdownonthosewhochancetodifferwiththem。
Aladywhohasgatheredintoherdaintysalonsthefruitofmanyyears\'carefulstudyandtireless\"weeding\"willaskanxiouslyifyouarequitesureyouliketheeffectofherlatestacquisition-
someeighteenth-centurystatuetteorscreenflotsam，probably，fromthegreatshipwreckofVersailles，andlistenearnestlytoyourverdict。Thegoodsoulwhohasjustfurnishedherhousebycontract，withthelatest\"LouisFourteenthStreet\"productions，conductsyoucomplacentlythroughherchambersofhorrors，wreathedintranquilsmiles，bornofignoranceandthatsmugassurancegrantedonlytothe-small。
Whenasmallintellectgoesinforcultivatingitselfandimprovingitsmind，yourealizewhatthepoetmeantinassertingthatalittlelearningwasadangerousthing。ForMediocrityisapt，whenitdinesout，togetupasubjectbeforehand，andannouncetoanastonishedcircle，asquitenewandpersonaldiscoveries，thattheRenaissancewasintroducedintoFrancefromItaly，orthatColumbusinhisdaymadeimportant\"finds。\"
Whentheincompetentadvanceanotherstepandwriteorpaint-
which，alas!isonlytoofrequent-theworldofartandliteratureisfloodedwiththeirproductions。WhenWhiteWaistcoat，forexample，takestopainting，lateinlife，andcomestoyou，canvasinhand，forcriticismreadpraise，heisapttoremarkmodestly:
\"Corotneverpainteduntilhewasfifty，andIamonlyforty-eight。
SoIfeelIshouldnotletmyselfbediscouraged。\"
Theproblemoflifeissaidtobethefindingofahappinessthatisnotenjoyedattheexpenseofothers，andsurelythisclasshavesolvedthatSphinx\'sriddle，fortheyfloatthroughtheirdaysinadreamofcomplacencydisturbedneitherbycorrodingdoubtnorharassedbyjealousies。
Wholefamiliesoffeeble-mindedpeople，onthestrengthofanancestorwhoachieveddistinctionahundredyearsago，liveinconstantthanksgivingthatthey\"arenotasothermen。\"Noneofthegreatman\'sdescendantshavedoneanythingtobeparticularlyproudofsincetheirremoteprogenitorsignedtheDeclarationofIndependenceorgovernedacolony。Theyhavevegetatedinsmallprovincialcitiesandinter-marriedintootherequallyfortunatefamilies，butthesenseofsuperiorityiseverpresenttosustainthem，understraitenedcircumstancesanddiminishingprestige。Theworldmaymoveonaroundthem，buttheyneveradvance。Whyshouldthey？Theyhavereachedperfection。Thebrainsandenterprisethathaverevolutionizedourageknockinvainattheirdoors。
Theybelongtothatvast\"majoritythatisalwaysinthewrong，\"
beingsopleasedwiththemselves，theirways，andtheirfeeblelittlelinesofthought，thatanychangeoradvancementgivestheirsystemashock。
ApainterIknowwasonceimportunedforasketchbyaladyofthisclass。Aftermanydelaysandreneweddemandshepresentedheroneday，whensheandsomefriendswerevisitinghisstudio，withadelightfulopen-airstudysimplyframed。Sheseemedconfusedattheoffering，tohisastonishment，asshehadnotlackedAPLOMBinaskingforthesketch。Aftermuchblushingandfumblingshesucceededingettingthepaintingloose，andhandingbacktheframe，remarked:
\"Iwilltakethepainting，butyoumustkeeptheframe。Myhusbandwouldneverallowmetoacceptanythingofvaluefromyou!\"-andsmiledonthespeechlesspainter，doubtlesscharmedwithherowntact。
Complacentpeoplearethesamedragonasocietythatabrakewouldbetoacoachgoinguphill。Theyarethe\"eternalnegative\"andwouldextinguish，iftheycould，anylightstrongerthanthattowhichtheirweakeyeshavebeenaccustomed。Theylookwithastonishmentanddistrustatanyonetryingtobreakawayfromtheirtiresomeoldwaysandhabits，andwonderwhyalltheworldisnotaspleasedwiththeirpersonalitiesastheyarethemselves，suggesting，ifyouarewillingtowasteyourtimelisteningtotheirtwaddle，thatthereissomethingradicallywronginanyinnovation，thatboth\"ChurchandState\"willbeimperilledifthingsarealtered。Noblight，nomildewismorefataltoaplantthanthe\"complacent\"aretotheworld。Theyresentanyprogressandareoffendedifyoumentionbeforethemanynewstandardsorpointsofview。\"Whathasbeengoodenoughforusandourparentsshouldcertainlybesatisfactorytotheyoungergenerations。\"Itseemstothecontentedlikepurepresumptiononthepartoftheiracquaintancestowanderafterstrangegods，intheshapeofnewideals，higherstandardsofculture，oraperfectedrefinementofsurroundings。
Weareperhapswrongtopitycomplacentpeople。Itisforanotherclassoursympathyshouldbekept；forthosewhocannotrefrainfromdoubtingofthemselvesandthevalueoftheirwork-thoseunfortunategiftedandartisticspiritswhodescendtoooftentheVIADOLOROSAofdiscontentanddespair，whohaveahigheridealthantheirneighbors，and，instrugglingafteranunattainableperfection，fallbythewayside。
CHAPTER7-TheDiscontentofTalentTHEcomplacencythatbuoysupself-sufficientsouls，soothingthemwiththeillusionthattheythemselves，theirtowns，country，language，andhabitsareaboveimprovement，causingthemtoshudder，asatasacrilege，ifanychangesaresuggested，isfortunatelylimitedtoaclassofstay-at-homenonentities。Inproportionasitiscommonamongthem，isitrareordelightfullyabsentinanysocietyofgiftedorimaginativepeople。
Amongourglobe-trottingcompatriotsthisdefectismuchlessgeneralthanintheoldernationsoftheworld，fortheexcellentreason，thatthemomentamantravelsortakesthetroubletoknowpeopleofdifferentnationalities，hisarmorofcomplacencyreceivessosevereablow，thatitisshatteredforever，thewandererreturninghomewiserandmuchmoremodest。Thereseemstobesomethingfataltoconceitintheairofgreatcentres；
professionallyoringeneralsocietyamansosoonfindshislevel。
The\"greatworld\"mayfosterotherfaults；humannatureissuretodevelopsomeineverywalkoflife。Smugcontentment，however，disappearsinitsrarefiedatmosphere，givingplacetoacravingforimprovement，anervousalertnessthatkeepsthemindfromstagnatingandurgesitontodoitsbest。
Itisneverthebeautifulwomanwhositsdowninsmilingserenitybeforehermirror。Sheistirelessinhereffortstoenhanceherbeautyandsetitofftothebestadvantage。Herfigureisneverslenderenough，norhercarriagesufficientlyerecttosatisfy。
Butthe\"frump\"willletherselfandallhersurroundingsgotoseed，notfromhumblenessofmindoranoverwhelmingsenseofherownunworthiness，butinpurecomplacentconceit。
Acriticismtowhichthehighlygiftedlaythemselvesopenfromthosewhodonotunderstandthem，istheirloveofpraise，thecriticsfailingtograspthefactthatthispassionformeasuringone\'sselfwithothers，likethegad-flypursuingpoorIo，neverallowsamoment\'sreposeinthegreenpasturesofsuccess，butgoadsthemconstantlyuptherockysidesofendeavor。Itisnotthattheyloveflattery，butthattheyneedapprobationasacounterpoisetothedarkmomentsofself-abasementandasasustainingaidforhigherflights。
ManyyearsagoIwaspresentatafinalsittingwhichmymaster，CarolusDuran，gavetooneofmyfaircompatriots。HeknewthattheladywasleavingParisonthemorrow，andthatinanhour，herhusbandandhisfriendswerecomingtoseeandcriticisetheportrait-alwaysaterribleordealforanartist。
Toanyonefamiliarwiththispainter\'smoods，itwasevidentthattheresultofthesittingwasnotentirelysatisfactory。Thequickbreathing，theimpatienttappingmovementofthefoot，theswiftbackwardspringstoobtainabetterview，socharacteristicofhiminmomentsofdoubt，andwhichhadtwentyyearsbeforeearnedhimthenameofLEDANSEURfromhisfellow-copyistsattheLouvre，betrayedtoevenacasualobserverthathisdiscouragementanddiscontentwereatboilingpoint。
Thesoundofabellandamurmurofvoicesannouncedtheentranceofthevisitorsintothevaststudio。Aftertheformalitiesofintroductionhadbeenaccomplishedthenew-comersglancedattheportrait，bututteredneveraword。Fromittheypassedinaperfectlycasualmannertoaninspectionofthebeautifulcontentsoftheroom，investigatingthetapestries，admiringthearmor，andfinally，afteranotherglanceattheportrait，thehusbandremarked:\"Youhavegivenmywifeajollylongneck，haven\'tyou？\"
and，turningtohisfriends，beganlaughingandchattinginEnglish。
Ifvitriolhadbeenthrownonmypoormaster\'squiveringframe，theeffectcouldnothavebeenmoreinstantaneous，hisignoranceofthelanguagespokendoubtlessexaggeratinghisimpressionofbeingridiculed。Suddenlyheturnedverywhite，andbeforeanyofushaddivinedhisintentionhehadseizedaJapaneseswordlyingbyandcutadozengashesacrossthecanvas。Then，droppinghisweapon，heflungoutoftheroom，leavinghissitterandherfriendsinspeechlessconsternation，towonderthenandeverafterinwhatwaytheyhadoffendedhim。Intheiropinions，ifamanhadtalentandunderstoodhisbusiness，heshouldproduceportraitswiththesameeasethathewouldanswerdinnerinvitations，andiftheypaidfor，theywereinnowayboundalsotopraise，hiswork。Theywereentirelypleasedwiththeresult，butdidnotconsideritnecessarytotellhimso，noideahavingcrossedtheirmindsthathemightbeinoneofthosemoodssofrequentwithartisticnatures，whenwordsofapprobationandpraiseareasnecessarytothem，astheairwebreatheistous，mortalsofacommonerclay。
Eveninthetheatricalandoperaticprofessions，thosehotbedsofconceit，youwillgenerallyfindamongthe\"stars\"abysmaldepthsofdiscouragementanddespair。Onegreattenor，whohasdelightedNewYorkaudiencesduringseveralwinterspast，invariablyannouncestohisintimatesonarisingthathis\"voicehasgone，\"
andthat，inconsequencehewill\"neversingagain，\"andhastobecaressedandcajoledbackintosomesemblanceofconfidencebeforeattemptingaperformance。Thissameartist，withanalmostlimitlessrepertoireandareputationnonewsuccessescouldenhance，recentlyriskedalltosingwhatheconsideredahigherclassofmusic，infinitelymorefatiguingtohisvoice，becausehewasimpelledonwardbytheidealthatforcesgeniustoconstantimprovementanddevelopmentofitspowers。
Whatthepeoplewhomeettheseartistsoccasionallyataprivateconcertorbehindthescenesduringtheintensestrainofarepresentation，taketooreadilyformonumentalegoismandconceit，is，thegreaterpartofthetime，merelythedesireforasustainingword，alongingforthestimulantofpraise。
Allactorsandsingersarebutbigchildren，andmustbehumoredandpettedlikechildrenwhenyouwishthemtodotheirbest。Itisnecessaryforthemtofeelintouchwiththeiraudiences；tobeassuredthattheyarenotfallingbelowthehighidealsformedfortheirwork。
Somewintersagoaperformanceattheoperanearlycametoastandstillbecauseanall-conqueringsopranowasfoundcryinginherdressing-room。Aftermanywearymomentsofconsolationandquestioning，itcameoutthatshefeltquitesureshenolongerhadanytalent。Oneoftheothersingershadlaughedathervoice，andinconsequencetherewasnothinglefttolivefor。Ahalf-hourlater，owingtojudicious\"treatment，\"shewassinginggloriouslyandbowingherthankstothundersofapplause。
Ratherthanblamethisdivinediscontentthathasmademanwhatheisto-day，letusglorifyandenvyit，pityingthewhilethefrailmortalvesselsitconsumeswithitsflame。Noadulationcanturnsuchnaturesfromtheirgoal，andinthehouroftriumphtheslaveisalwaysattheirsidetowhisperthewordofwarning。Thisdiscontentistheleaventhathasraisedthewholeloafofdullhumanitytobetterthingsandhigherefforts，thoseprivilegedtofeelitarethesunsthatilluminateoursystem。Ifontheseluminariesobservershavediscoveredspots，itiswelltorememberthattheseblemishesarebutthedefectsoftheirqualities，andbetterfarthanthetotaleclipsethatshroudssolargeapartofhumanityincolorlesscomplacency。
Itwillneverbeknownhowmanymaster-pieceshavebeenlosttotheworldbecauseatthecriticalmomentafriendhasnotbeenathandwiththestimulantofsympathyandencouragementneededbyanoverworked，strainingartistwhowasbeginningtoloseconfidenceinhimself；tosoothehisirritatednerveswiththebalmofpraise，andtakehispoorachingheadonafriendlyshoulderandlethimsoboutthereallhisdoubtanddiscouragement。
Soletusnotbeniggardlyorungenerousinmetingouttostrugglingfellow-beingstheirshare，andperchancealittlemorethantheirshareofapprobationandapplause，poorenoughreturn，afterall，forthepleasuretheirlaborshaveprocuredus。Whatadequatecompensationcanwemeteouttoanauthorforthehoursofdelightandself-forgetfulnesshistalenthasbroughttousinmomentsofloneliness，illness，orgrief？Whatcanpayourdebttoapainterwhohasfixedoncanvasthefacewelove？
Thelittlereturnthatitisinourpowertomakeforallthejoythesegiftedfellow-beingsbringintoourlivesisclosingoureyestominorimperfectionstowarmlyapplaudthemastheymoveupward，alongtheirstonypath。
CHAPTER8-SlouchISHOULDliketosee，ineveryschool-roomofourgrowingcountry，ineverybusinessoffice，attherailwaystations，andonstreetcorners，largeplacardsplacedwith\"Donotslouch\"printedthereonindistinctandimposingcharacters。IfevertherewasatendencythatneedednippinginthebudIfearthebudisfastbecomingafull-blownflower，itisthisdiscouragingnationalfailing。
EachyearwhenIreturnfrommyspringwanderings，amongthebenightedandeffetenationsoftheOldWorld，onwhomtheuntravelledAmericanlooksdownfromtheheightofhissuperiority，Iamstruckanewbythecontrastbetweenthetrim，well-groomedofficialsleftbehindononesideoftheoceanandthehappy-go-
lucky，slouchingindividualsIfindontheother。
AsIrideuptownthisunpleasantimpressiondeepens。Inthe\"littleMotherIsle\"Ihavejustleft，bus-drivershavequiteacoachingair，withhatandcoatofknowingform。Theysportflowersintheirbutton-holesandsaluteotherbus-drivers，whentheymeet，withatwistofwhipandelbowrefreshinglycorrect，showingthattheytakeprideintheircalling，andhavebeenatsomepainstoturnthemselvesoutassmartinappearanceasfinanceswouldallow。
Here，onthecontrary，thestageandcabdriversImeetseemtobeunderablight，andtohavelostallinterestinlife。Theyloungeonthebox，theirlegsstragglingaimlessly，onehandholdingthereins，theotherhangingdejectedlybytheside。YetthereislittledoubtthattheseheartbrokencitizensareearningdoublewhattheirLondonCONFRERESgain。Theshadowofthenationalpeculiarityisoverthem。
WhenIgettomyrooms，theelevatorboyisreclininginthelift，andhardlyraiseshiseye-lidsashelanguidlymanoeuvrestherope。
Ihaveseenthatboynowformonths，butneverwhenhisbootsandclotheswerebrushedorwhenhiscravatwasnotridingproudlyabovehiscollar。OnoccasionsIhaveofferedhimpins，whichhetookwearily，doubtlessbecauseitwaslesstroublethantorefuse。
Thenextday，however，hiscravatagainrodetriumphant，mockingmyeffortstokeepitinitsplace。Hishair，too，hasbeenacauseofwondertome。Howdoeshemanagetohaveitalwayssolongandsounkempt？Morethanonce，whenexpectingcallers，Ihavebribedhimtohaveitcut，butitseemedtogrowinthenight，backtoitspoeticprofusion。
InwhatdoesthisnobledisregardforappearanceswhichcharacterizesAmericanmenoriginate？Ourclimate，assomesuggest，ordiscouragementatnotallbeingmillionaires？Itmorelikelycomesfromanabsencewithusofthemilitarytrainingthatabroadgoessofartowardlickingyoungmenintoshape。
IshallneverforgetthesurpriseonthefaceofaFrenchstatesmantowhomIonceexpressedmysympathyforhiscountry，laboringundertheburdenofsovastastandingarmy。Heanswered:
\"Thefinancialburdenisdoubtlessgreat；butyouhaveothers。
Witnessyourpensionexpenditures。Withusthemoneydrawnfromthepeopleisusedinsuchawayastobeofinestimablevaluetothem。Wetaketheyounghobbledehoyfarm-handormechanic，ignorant，mannerless，uncleanlyashemaybe，andturnhimoutattheendofthreeyearswithhisregiment，self-respectingandwell-
mannered，withhabitsofcleanlinessandobedience，havingacquiredabearing，andaloveoforderthatwillclingtoandservehimallhislife。Wedonotgosofar，\"headded，\"asourEnglishneighborsindrillingmenintosuperbmanikinsof\'form\'andcarriage。Ourauthoritiesdonotconsideritnecessary。Butwereclaimyouthsfromtheslovenlinessoftheirnativevillageorworkshopandmakethemtidyandmannerlycitizens。\"
TheseremarkscametomindtheotherdayasIwatchedagroupofNewEnglandyouthsloungingonthestepsofthevillagestore，orsittinginrowsonaneighboringfence，untilIlongedtotryifevenajudicialarrangementoftacks，\'business-endup，\'onthesefavoriteseatswouldinfuseanyenergyintotheirmovements。I
cametotheconclusionthatmyFrenchacquaintancewasright，fortheonlytrim-lookingmentobeseen，wereeitherveteransofourwaroryouthsbelongingtothelocalmilitia。AndnowheredoesoneseefinerspecimensofhumanitythanWestPointandAnnapolisturnout。
Ifanyonedoubtswhatkindofmenslouchingyouthsdevelopinto，lethimlookwhenhetravels，atthedejectedappearanceofthefarmhousesthroughoutourland。Surelyourruralpopulationsarenotsomuchpoorerthanthoseofothercountries。Yetwhenonecomparesthedrearyhomesofevenourwell-to-dofarmerswiththesmiling，well-kepthamletsseeninEnglandorontheContinent，suchwouldseemtobethecase。
Ifourswereanoldandbankruptnation，thisairofdiscouragementanddecaycouldnotbegreater。OutsideofthebigcitiesonelooksinvainforsomesignofAmericandashandenterpriseintheappearanceofourmenandtheirhomes。
Duringajourneyofoverfourthousandmiles，madelastspringastheguestofagentlemanwhoknowsourcountrythoroughly，Iwasimpressedmostpainfullywiththisabjectair。Neverinallthosedaysdidweseeafruit-treetrainedonsomesunnysouthernwall，asmilingflower-gardenorcarefullyclippedhedge。Myhosttoldmethathardlythenecessaryvegetablesaregrown，theinhabitantsoftheWestandSouthpreferringcannedfood。Itislesstrouble!
Ifyouwishtoformanideaoftheextenttowhichslouchprevailsinourcountry，trytostarta\"villageimprovementsociety，\"andexperience，asothershavedone，theapathyandill-willoftheinhabitantswhenyougoaboutamongthemandstrivetosummonsomeoftheirlocalpridetoyouraid。
InthetownnearwhichIpassmysummers，alargestone，fallenfromapassingdray，layfordaysinthemiddleoftheprincipalstreet，untilIpaidsomeboystoremoveit。Noonecared，andthedull-eyedinhabitantswoulddoubtlessbelookingatitstillbutformyimpatience。
Onewouldimaginethevillagerswereallonthepointofmovingawayandtheygenerallyare，iftheycanselltheirland，solittleinterestdotheyshowinyourplans。Likeallpeoplewhohavefallenintobadhabits，theyhavegrowntolovetheirslatternlywaysandclingtothem，resentingfuriouslyanyattempttoshakethemuptoenergyandreform。
Thefarmerhasnot，however，amonopoly。Slouchseemsubiquitous。
Ourrailwayandsteam-boatsystemshavetriedinvaintocombatit，andsuppliedtheiremployeeswithaliveryIbegthefreeandindependentvoter\'spardon，auniform!，withbutlittleeffect。
Theinherenttendencyistoostrongforthecorporations。Theconductorsstillshufflealongintheirspottedgarments，thecaponthebackofthehead，andtheirlegsanywhere，whiletheychewgumindefianceofthewholeBoardofDirectors。
GodowntoWashington，afteravisittotheHousesofParliamentortheChamberofDeputies，andobservethecontrastbetweenthebearingofourSenatorsandRepresentativesandtheairoftheirCONFRERESabroad。Ourlaw-makersseemtryingtoavoideveryappearanceof\"smartness。\"Indeed，Iamtold，sogreatistheprejudiceintheUnitedStatesagainstawell-turned-outmanthatacandidatewouldseriouslycompromisehischancesofelectionwhoappearedbeforehisconstituentsinotherthantheaccustomedshabbyfrock-coat，unbuttonedandfloating，apothat，nogloves，asmuchdoubtfullywhiteshirt-frontaspossible，andawispofblacksilkforatie；andifhecanexhibitalsoachin-whisker，hischancesofelectionaremateriallyincreased。
NothingoffendsaneyeaccustomedtoournativeLAISSERALLERsomuchasawell-brushedhatandshiningboots。Whenabroad，itiseasytospotacompatriotassoonandasfarasyoucanseeone，byhisgracelessgait，acrossbetweenaloungeandashuffle。Inreading-，ordining-room，heistheonlymanwhosespinedoesnotseemequaltoitswork，soheflopsandstragglesuntil，forthehonorofyourland，youlongtoshakehimandsethimsquarelyonhislegs。
Noamountofreasoningcanconvincemethatoutwardslovenlinessisnotasignofinwardandmoralsupineness。Aneglectedexteriorgenerallymeansalaxmoralcode。Themanwhoconsidersittoomuchtroubletositerectcanhardlyhavegivenmuchtimetohistuborhistoilet。Havingneglectedhisclothes，hewillneglecthismanners，andbetweenmoralsandmannersweknowthetieisintimate。
IntheOrientanewreignisofteninauguratedbytheconstructionofamosque。Vastexpenseisincurredtomakeitassplendidaspossible。But，oncecompleted，itisnevertouchedagain。Othersarebuiltbysucceedingsovereigns，butneitherthoughtnortreasureiseverexpendedontheoldones。Whentheycannolongerbeused，theyareabandoned，andfallintodecay。Thesamesystemseemstoprevailamongourprivateownersandcorporations。
Streetsarepaved，lamp-postserected，store-frontscarefullyadorned，butfromthehourtheworkmanputshisfinishingtouchuponthemtheyareabandonedtothehandoffate。Themudmaycakeupknee-deep，windandweatherworktheirownsweetwill，itisnoone\'sbusinesstointerfere。
WhenabroadoneofmyamusementshasbeenofanearlymorningtowatchParismakingitstoilet。Thestreetsaretakingabath，liveriedattendantsareblackingthebootsofthelamp-postsandnewspaper-KIOSQUES，theshop-frontsarebeingshavedandhavingtheirhaircurled，cafe\'sandrestaurantsareputtingoncleanshirtsandtyingtheircravatssmartlybeforetheirmanymirrors。
Bythetimetheworldisupandabout，thewholecity，smilingfreshlyfromitsmatutinaltub，isreadytogreetitgayly。
ItisthisattentiontodetailthatgivestoContinentalcitiestheirairofcheerfulnessandthrift，andtheutterlackofitthatimpressesforeignerssopainfullyonarrivingatourshores。
Ithasbeenthefashiontolaughatthedudeandhishighcollar，atthedarkyinhismaster\'scast-offclothes，apingstyleandfashion。Betterthedude，betterthecoloreddandy，bettereventheBowery\"tough\"withhisaffectedcarriage，fortheyatleastarereachingblindlyoutaftersomethingbetterthantheirsurroundings，strivingafteranideal，andareinjustsomuchthesuperiorsofthefoolishsoulswhomockthem-better，evenmisguidedefforts，thantheignoblestagnantquagmireofslouchintowhichweseemtobeslowlydescending。
CHAPTER9-SocialSuggestionTHEquestionofhowfarweareunconsciouslyinfluencedbypeopleandsurroundings，inourlikesanddislikes，ouropinions，andeveninourpleasuresandintimatetastes，isadelicateandinterestingone，forthelinebetweensuccessandfailureintheworld，asonthestageorinmostoftheprofessions，issonarrowanddependssooftenonwhathumorone\'s\"public\"happentobeinataparticularmoment，thatthesubjectisworthyofconsideration。
Hasitneverhappenedtoyou，forinstance，todinewithfriendsandgoafterwardsinajollyhumortotheplaywhichprovedsodelightfulthatyouinsistontakingyourfamilyimmediatelytoseeit；whentoyourastonishmentyoudiscoverthatitisneitherclevernoramusing，onthecontraryratherdull。Yourfamilylookatyouinamazementandwonderwhatyouhadseentoadmireinsuchanasinineperformance。Therewasacaseofsuggestion!Youhadbeeninfluencedbyyourfriendsandhadsharedtheiropinions。Thesamethingoccursonahigherscalewhenoneisraisedoutofone\'sselfbyassociationwithgiftedandoriginalpeople，acommunionwithmorecultivatednatureswhichcausesyoutodiscoverandappreciateathousandhiddenbeautiesinliterature，artormusicthatlefttoyourself，youwouldhavefailedtonotice。Underthesecircumstancesyouwilloftenbeastonishedatthepointandpiquancyofyourownconversation。Thisisbuttootrueofanumberofsubjects。
Wefondlybelieveouropinionsandconvictionstobeoriginal，andwithinnocentconceit，imaginethatwehaveformedthemforourselves。Theillusionofbeingunlikeotherpeopleisacommonvanity。Bewareofthemanwhoassertssuchaclaim。Heissuretobeaboreandwillserveuptoyou，ashisown，amuddleofideasandopinionswhichhehasabsorbedlikeaspongefromhissurroundings。
Noplaceismorepropitiousforstudyingthiscuriousphenomenon，thanbehindthescenesofatheatre，thelastfewnightsbeforeafirstperformance。Thewholecompanyiskeyeduptoapointofmutualadmirationthattheyarefarfromfeelinggenerally。\"Thepieceischarmingandsuretobeasuccess。\"Theauthorandtheinterpretersofhisthoughtsareincompletecommunion。Thefirstnightcomes。Thepieceisafailure!Dropintothegreenroomthenandyouwillfindanastonishingchangehastakenplace。TheStarwilltakeyouintoacornerandassertthat，she\"alwaysknewthethingcouldnotgo，itwastooimbecile，withsuchacompany，itwasfollytoexpectanythingelse。\"TheauthorwillabusetheStarandthemanagement。Thewholetroupeisfranklydisconcerted，likepeoplearousedoutofahypnoticsleep，wonderingwhattheyhadseenintheplaytoadmire。
Inthesocialworldweareevenmoreinconsistent，acceptingwithtamenessthemostastonishingtheoriesandopinions。WholecircleswillgoonassuringeachotherhowcleverMissSo-and-Sois，or，howbeautifultheythinksomeoneelse。Notbecausethesegoodpeopleareanycleverer，ormoreattractivethantheirneighbors，butsimplybecauseitisintheairtohavetheseopinionsaboutthem。Tosuchanextentdoesthisholdgood，thatcertainpersonsareprivilegedtobevulgarandrude，tosayimpertinentthingsandmakeremarksthatwouldostracizealessfortunateindividualfromthepoliteworldforever；societywillonlysmilinglyshrugitsshouldersandsay:\"ItisonlyMr。So-and-So\'sway。\"Itisuselesstoassertthatincaseslikethese，peopleareinpossessionoftheirnormalsenses。Theyareunderinfluencesofwhichtheyareperfectlyunconscious。
Haveyoueverseenapieceguyed？Fewsaddersightsexist，thehumanbeingrarelygettingnearerthebrutethanwhenengagedinthisamusement。Nothingtheactororactresscandowillsatisfythepublic。Menwhounderordinarycircumstanceswouldbeincapableofinsultingawoman，willwhistleandstampandlaugh，atanunfortunategirlwhoisdoingherutmosttoamusethem。A
terribleexampleofthiswasgiventwowintersagoatoneofourconcerthalls，whenafamilyofWesternsingersweresubjectedtoabsoluteill-treatmentatthehandsofthepublic。Theyounggirlswereperfectlysincere，intheirrudeway，butthisdidnotpreventmenfromofferingthemeveryinsultmalicecoulddevise，andmakingthematargetforeverymissileathand。Solittledoesthepublicthinkforitselfincaseslikethis，thatattheopeningoftheperformancehadsomewell-knownpersongiventhesignalforapplause，thewholeaudiencewould，inallprobability，havebeendelightedandmadethewretchedsistersasuccess。
InmyyouthitwasthefashiontoaffectadmirationfortheItalianschoolofpaintingandespeciallyforthegreatmastersoftheRenaissance。WholefamiliesofperfectlyinartisticEnglishandAmericansmightthenheheardconscientiouslyadmiringtheceilingoftheSistineChapelorLeonardo\'sLastSupperBotticellihadnotbeeninventedtheninthechoicestguide-booklanguage。
WhenoneconsiderstheinfiniteknowledgeoftechniquerequiredtounderstandthedifficultiesovercomebythegiantsoftheRenaissanceandtoappreciatetheintrinsicqualitiesoftheircreations，oneasksone\'sselfinwonderwhatourparentsadmiredinthosepaintings，andwhattemptedthemtobringhomeandadorntheirhouseswithsuchdreadfulcopiesoftheirfavorites。Foriftheyappreciatedtheoriginalstheyneverwouldhaveboughtthecopies，andifthecopiespleasedthem，theymusthavebeenincapableofenjoyingtheoriginals。Yetallthesepeoplethoughtthemselvesperfectlysincere。To-dayyouwillseethesamethinggoingonbeforethepaintingsofClaudeMonetandBesnard，thesameadmirationexpressedbypeoplewho，youfeelperfectlysure，donotrealizewhytheseworksofartaresuperiorandcannomoreexplaintoyouwhytheythinkastheydothanthesheepthatfolloweachotherthroughaholeinawall，cangiveareasonfortheiractions。
Dressandfashioninclothesaresubjectsaboveallothers，wheretheineptitudeofthehumanmindismostevident。Canitbeexplainedinanyotherway，whythefashionsofyesterdayalwaysappearsohideoustous，-almostgrotesque？Takeupanoldalbumofphotographsandglanceoverthefadedcontents。Wasthereeveranythingsoabsurd？Lookatthetophatsmenwore，andattheskirtsofthewomen!
Themotherofafamilysaidtometheotherday:\"WhenIrecallthewayinwhichgirlsweredressedinmyyouth，Iwonderhowanyofusevergotahusband。\"
StudyaphotographoftheEmpressEugenie，thatsupremearbiterofeleganceandgrace。Oh!thosebunchyhoopedskirts!ThatawfulIndiashawlpinnedofftheshoulders，andthebonnetperchedonarollofhairinthenapeoftheneck!Whatwerepeoplethinkingofatthattime？Weretheylunaticstodeforminthiswaythebeautifullinesofthehumanbodywhichitshouldbethefirstobjectoftoilettoenhance，orweretheyonlylackingintheartisticsense？Nothingofthekind。Andwhatismore，theywereconvincedthattherealsecretofbeautyindresshadbeendiscoveredbythem；thatpastfashionswereabsurd，andthatthefuturecouldnotimproveontheircreations。Thesculptorsandpaintersofthatdaymenofasgreattalentasanynowliving，wereenthusiasticinreproducingthosemonstrositiesinmarbleoroncanvas，andauthorsravedabouttheidealgracewithwhichacertainbeautydrapedhershawl。
Anothermarkedmannerinwhichweareinfluencedbycircumambientsuggestion，isinthetransientfurorecertaingamesandpastimescreate。Weseeintelligentpeoplesogivenovertothisinfluenceasbarelytoallowthemselvestimetoeatandsleep，begrudgingthehoursthusstolenfromtheirfavoriteamusement。
Tenyearsago，tennisoccupiedeverymomentofouryoungpeople\'stime；nowgolfhastransplantedtennisinpublicfavor，whichdoesnotprove，however，thatthelatteristhebettergame，butsimplythatcompelledbytheaccumulatedforceofotherpeople\'sopinions，youthsandmaidens，oldduffersandmaturespinstersarewillingtopassmanyhoursdailyinallkindsofweather，solemnlyfollowinganindian-rubberballacrossten-acrelots。
Ifyousuggesttopeoplewhoarelaboringundertheillusiontheyareamusingthemselvesthatthegame，absorbingsomuchoftheirattention，isnotasexcitingastennisnorascleverincombinationsascroquet，thatinfactitwouldbequiteasamusingtorollanemptybarrelseveraltimesaroundaplowedfield，theylaughatyouinderisionandinstantlyputyoudownintheirprofoundmindsasamanwhodoesnotunderstand\"sport。\"
Yettheseverypeopleweretennis-madtwentyyearsagoandhadnightcometointerruptagameofcroquetwouldhaveorderedlanternslightedinordertofinishthematchsoenthrallingwereitsintricacies。
EverybodyhasknownhowtoplayBEZIQUEinthiscountryforyears，yetwithinthelasteighteenmonths，wholecirclesofourfriendshavebeenseizedwithamidsummermadnessandwillinglysatgluedtoacard-tablethroughlonghotafternoonsandagainafterdinneruntildaydawnedontheirfolly。
CertainMEMOIRESofLouisFifteenth\'sreigntellofan\"unravelling\"maniathatdevelopedathiscourt。Itbeganbysomepeoplefrayingoutoldsilkstoobtainthegoldandsilverthreadsfromworn-outstuffs；thisoccupationsoonbecametherage，nothingcouldrestrainthedeliriumofdestruction，greatladiestorepricelesstapestriesfromtheirwallsandbrocadesfromtheirfurniture，inordertounravelthosematerialsandastheoldstockdidnotsufficeforthedemandthousandswerespentonnewbrocadesandvelvets，whichwereinstantlydestroyed，entertainmentsweregivenwhereunravellingwastheonlyamusementoffered，theentirecourtthinkingandtalkingofnothingelseformonths。