第8章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"Worldly Ways and Byways",免费读到尾

  Thetravellersconsultedtheresidentsintheirpurchasesofcopiesoftheoldmasters,fortherewerefashionsintheseluxuriesasineverythingelse。Therewasarunatthattimeonthe\"MadonnaintheChair;\"and\"BeatriceCenci\"waslongprimefavorite。

  Thousandsofthelatterleeringandwinkingoverhereverlastingshoulder,weresolemnlysenthomeeachyear。Nooneeverdreamedofbuyinganoriginalpainting!Thetouristsalsodevelopedatasteforlargemarblestatues,\"Nydia,theBlindGirlofPompeii\"

  peoplereadBulwer,ByronandtheBiblethenbeinginsuchdemandthatIknewoneblockinlowerFifthAvenuethatpossessedsevenblindNydias,alllife-size,inwhitemarble,-aformofdecorationaboutaswelladaptedtothosescantyfrontparlorsasasteamengineoracarriageandpairwouldhavebeen。IfearBulwer\'sheroineisatadiscountnow,andoftenwonderasIseethoseoldresidencesturningintoshops,whathasbecomeofthesevenwhiteelephantsandalltheirbrothersandsistersthatourinnocentparentsbroughtsoproudlybackfromItaly!Ihavesucceededinlocatingtwostatuesevidentlyimportedatthattime。

  Theygracethebackstepsofarathershabbyvillainthecountry,-DemosthenesandCicero,largerthanlife,dreary,funerealmemorialsofthefolliesofourfathers。

  Thesimpledayswehavebeenspeakingofdidnot,however,outlastthecirclethatinauguratedthem。About1867afewrichNewYorkersbegan\"tryingtoknowtheItalians\"andgoaboutwiththem。

  Onefamily,\"uptosnuff\"inmoresensesthanone,marriedtheirdaughtertothescionofaprincelyhouse,andimmediatelyalargenumberofhercompatriotswerebittenwiththemadnessofgoingintoItaliansociety。

  In1870,RomebecamethecapitalofunitedItaly。Thecourtremovedthere。The\"improvements\"began。Wholequarterswereremodelled,andthedearoldRomeofotherdays,theRomeofHawthorneandMadamedeStael,wassweptaway。WiththisnewstateofthingscameanumberofAmerico-Italianmarriagesmoreorlesssuccessful;andanythinglikeanAmericansociety,properlyso-

  called,disappeared。To-dayfamiliesofourcompatriotspassingthewintermonthsinRomeareeithertouristswholiveinhotels,andseesights,orgoasfarastheycanintoItaliansociety。

  TheQueenofItaly,whospeaksexcellentEnglish,developedaPENCHANTforAmericans,andhasattachedseveralwhomarriedItalianstoherpersonindifferentcourtcapacities;indeed,theold\"Black\"society,whohaveremainedtruetothePope,whentheywishtoridiculethenew\"White\"orroyalcircle,callitthe\"Americancourt!\"Thefeelingisbitterstillbetweenthe\"Blacks\"

  and\"Whites,\"andanAmericangirlwhomarriesintooneofthesecirclesmustmakeuphermindtoseenothingoffriendsorrelativesintheoppositionranks。Itissaidthatanamalgamationisbeingbroughtabout,butitisslowwork;agenerationwillhavetodieoutbeforemuchrealminglingofthetwocourtswilltakeplace。Asboththesecirclesarepoor,verylittleentertainmentgoeson。Oneseesalittlelifeinthediplomaticworld,andtheKingandQueengiveaballortwoduringthewinter,butsincetherepeateddefeatsoftheItalianarmsinAfrica,andtheheavyfinancialdifficultiesthingsthesesovereignstakeveryseriouslytoheart,therehasnotbeenmuch\"go\"inthecourtentertainments。

  TheyoungsethopegreatthingsofthenewPrincessofNaples,thebrideoftheheir-apparent,aladywhoiscreditedwithbeingfulloffunandlife;itisfondlyimaginedthatshewillsettheballrollingagain。Bythebye,herfirstlady-in-waiting,theyoungDuchessdelMonteofNaples,wasanAmericangirl,andaveryprettyone,too。SheenjoyedforsometimetheenviabledistinctionofbeingtheyoungestandhandsomestduchessinEurope,untilMissVanderbiltmarriedMarlboroughandtooktherecordfromher。ThePrinceandPrincessofNaplesliveattheirNeapolitancapital,andwillnotdomuchtohelpthingsinRome。Besideswhichheisverydelicateandpassesfornotbeinganytoofondoftheworld。

  Whatmakesthingsworseisthatthegreatnoblesaremostly\"landpoor,\"andeventhericheronesburnedtheirfingersinthecrazeforspeculationthatturnedallRomeupsidedownintheyearsfollowing1870andItalianunity,whentheynaivelyimaginedtheirnewcapitalwastobecomeagainafterseventeencenturiesthemetropolisoftheworld。Wholequartersofnewhouseswererunupforapopulationthatfailedtoappear;thesehousesnowstandemptyandarefastgoingtoruin。Sothatlittleinthewayofentertainingistobeexpectedfromthebankrupts。Theyareagenialrace,theseItaliannobles,andwelcomerichstrangersandmarrythemwithmuchenthusiasm-justashadetoomuch,perhaps-

  thegirlcountingforsolittleandherDOTforsomuchinthematrimonialscale。Itisonlynecessarytokeepopenhousetohavethepickoftheyoungeronesasyourguests。TheywillcometoentertainmentsatAmericanhousesandbringalltheirrelations,anddance,anddine,andflirtwithgreatgoodhumorandpersistency;butifthereisnotagoodsolidfortuneinthebackground,inthebestofsecurities,theprettiestAmericansmilesnevertemptthembeyondflirtation;theseasonover,theydisappearupintotheirmountainvillastowaitforanewimportationfromtheStates。

  InRome,aswellasintheotherItaliancities,thereare,ofcourse,stilltobefoundAmericansinsomenumberswhereontheContinentwillyounotfindthem?,livingquietlyforstudyoreconomy。Buttheyarenotnumerousorunitedenoughtoformasociety;andareapttobeinvolvedinbitterstrifeamongthemselves。

  Why,youask,shouldAmericansquarrelamongthemselves?

  SomeyearsagoIwaspassingthesummermonthsontheRhineatatinyGermanwatering-place,principallyfrequentedbyEnglish,whowerealllivingtogetheringreatpeaceandharmony,untilonefatalday,whenanEarlappeared。HewasapoorIrishEarl,verysimpleandunoffending,buthebroughtwarintothattown,heart-

  burnings,envy,andbackbiting。TheEnglishcolonyatoncedivideditselfintotwocamps,thosewhoknewtheEarlandthosewhodidnot。Andpeacefledfromourlittlesociety。YouwillfindineveryforeigncapitalamongtheresidentAmericans,justsuchastateofaffairsasconvulsedthatGermanspa。Thenative\"swells\"

  havecometobetheappleofdiscordthatdividesourgoodpeopleamongthemselves。Thosewhohavebeensuccessfulinknowingtheforeignersavoidtheircompatriotsandlivewiththeirnewfriends,whiletheothergroupwho,fromlaziness,disinclination,orprinciple?haveremainedtruetotheirAmericancircle,cannotresistcallingtheotherssnobs,andlaughingabitenviously,perhapsattheirupwardstruggles。

  ItisthesameinFlorence。ThelittletherewasleftofanAmericansocietywenttopiecesonthatrock。Ourparentsfortyyearsagoseemtometohavebeenmuchmoreself-respectingandsensible。TheyknewperfectlywellthattherewasnothingincommonbetweenthemselvesandtheItaliannobility,andthatthosegoodpeoplewerenotgoingtoputthemselvesouttomaketheacquaintanceofalotofstrangers,mostlyofanotherreligion,unlessitwastobemateriallytotheiradvantage。Sotheyleftthemquietlyalone。Idonotpretendtojudgeanyone\'smotives,butconfessIcannothelpregardingwithsuspicionaforeignerwholeaveshisowncircletominglewithstrangers。Itresemblestoocloselytheamiabilitiesofthewolfforthelamb,orthesuddenpolitenessofaschool-boytoalittlegirlwhohasreceivedaboxofcandies。

  CHAPTER37-TheNewportofthePastFEWofthe\"carriageladiesandgentlemen\"whodisportthemselvesinNewportduringthesummermonths,yachtinganddancingthroughtheshortseason,thenflittingawaytofreshfieldsandpasturesnew,realizethattheirdaintilyshodfeethavebeentreadinghistoricground,orcaretocastathoughtbacktothepast。Oddlyenough,tothemajorityofpeoplethepastisavolumerarelyopened。Notthatitboresthemtoreadit,butbecausethey,likechildren,wantsomeonetoturnoveritsyellowleavesandpointoutthepicturestothem。FewofthehumanmotesthatdanceintheraysoftheafternoonsunastheyslantacrossthelittlePark,thinkofthefablewhichassertsthatasea-wornbandofadventurousmen,centuriesbeforetheCabotsortheGenoesediscovererthoughtofcrossingtheAtlantic,hadpushedbravelyoutoveruntriedseasandlandedonthisrockycoast。Yetoneapparentevidenceoftheirstaytemptsourthoughtsbacktothetimeswhenitissaidtohavebeenbuiltasabowerforaking\'sdaughter。

  Longfellow,intheswingingverseofhis\"SkeletoninArmor,\"

  breathingoftheseaandtheNorseman\'sfatallove,hasthrownsuchaglamourofpoetryaroundthetower,thatonewouldfainbelieveallherelates。ThehardyNorsemen,iftheyevercamehere,succumbedintheirstrugglewiththenativetribes,or,discouragedbydeathandhardships,sailedaway,leavingthecloudsofobliviontocloseagaindarklyaroundthiscontinent,andthefogofdiscussiontocirclearoundthe\"OldMill。\"

  Thelittlesettlementofanotherrace,speakinganothertongue,thatcenturieslatersprangupintheshadowofthetower,quicklygrewintoabusyandprosperouscity,which,likeNewYork,itsrival,wascapturedandheldbytheEnglish。Towalknowthroughsomeofitsquaint,narrowstreetsistostepbackintoRevolutionarydays。HardlyahousehaschangedsincethetimewhentheredcoatsoftheBritishofficersbrightenedtheprimperspectives,andturnedloyalyoungheadsastheypassed。

  AtthecornerofSpringandPelhamStreets,stillstandstheresidenceofGeneralPrescott,whowascarriedawayprisonerbyhisopponents,theyhavingroweddowninwhale-boatsfromProvidencefortheattack。Rochambeau,ourFrenchally,lodgedlowerdowninMaryStreet。InthetowerofTrinity,onecanreadtheepitaphoftheunfortunateChevalierdeTernay,commanderoftheseaforces,whosebodyliesnearby。Manyyearslaterhisrelative,theDucdeNoailles,whenMinistertothiscountry,hadthissimpletabletrepairedandmadeavisittothespot。

  AlongperiodofprosperityfollowedtheRevolution,duringwhichNewportgrewandflourished。OurpiousandGod-fearing\"forbears,\"

  havingsecuredpersonalandreligiousliberty,proceededtoinaugurateamostsuccessfulandremunerativetradeinrumandslaves。Itwasatriangulartransactionandyieldedathree-foldprofit。Thesimplepopulationofthatday,numberinglessthantenthousandsouls,possessedtwentydistilleries;findingitaphysicalimpossibilitytodrinkALLtherum,theyconceivedthehappythoughtofsendingthesurplusacrosstothecoastofAfrica,whereitappearstohavebeenmuchappreciatedbythenativechiefs,whoeagerlyexchangedthepickoftheirloyalsubjectsforthatliquid。ThesepoorbrutesweretakentotheWestIndiesandexchangedforsugar,ladenwithwhich,thevesselsreturnedtoNewport。

  Havingintroducedtheduskychieftainstothecharmsofdeliriumtremensandtheirsubjectstolife-longslavery,onecanalmostseethesepiousdeaconsproceedingtochurchtoofferupthanksforthereturnoftheirsuccessfulvessels。Alas!even\"thebestlaidschemesofmiceandmen\"cometoanend。TheWarof1812,theopeningoftheErieCanalandsundryrailwaysstruckablowatNewportcommerce,fromwhichitneverrecovered。Thecitysankintooblivion,andforoverthirtyyearsnotahousewasbuiltthere。

  Itwasnotuntilnear1840thattheMiddletonsandIzzardsandotherwealthyandaristocraticSouthernfamiliesweretemptedtoNewportbytheclimateandthefacilitiesitofferedforbathing,shootingandboating。Aboarding-houseortwosufficedforthemodestwantsofthenew-comers,firstamongwhichstoodtheAquidneck,presidedoverbykindMrs。Murray。Itwasnotuntilsomeyearslater,whenNewYorkandBostonfamiliesbegantoappreciatetheplace,thatthefirsthotelswerebuilt,-theAtlanticonthesquarefacingtheoldmill,theBellevueandFillmoreonCatherineStreet,andfinallytheoriginalOceanHouse,destroyedbyfirein1845andrebuiltasweseeitto-day。Thecroakersoftheepochconsidereditmuchtoofaroutoftowntobesuccessful,foratitsdoortheopenfieldsbegan,agatethereseparatingthetownfromthecountryacrosswhichastraggling,half-maderoad,closedbyinnumerablegates,ledalongthecliffsandoutacrosswhatisnowtheOceanDrive。Theprincipalroadsatthattimeledinland;anyonewishingtodriveseawardhadtodescendeverytwoorthreeminutestoopenagate。Theyouthofthedaydiscoveredasourceofincomeinopeningandclosingtheseforpennies。

  Fashionhaddecreedthatthecorrecthourfordancingwas11A。M。,andMATINEESDANSANTESwereregularlygivenatthehotels,ourgrandmothersappearinginDECOLLETEmuslinfrocksadornedwithbroadsashes,anddisportingthemselvesgaylyuntilthedinnerhour。Low-neckdressesweretherule,notonlyfortheseinformalentertainments,butasevery-daywearforyounggirls,-anoldladyonlytheotherdaytellingmeshehadneverworna\"high-body\"

  untilafterhermarriage。Twoo\'clockfoundallthebeautiesandbeauxdining。Howincredulouslytheywouldhavelaughedifanyonehadprophesiedthattheirgrandchildrenwouldprefereightforty-

  fiveasadinnerhour!

  TheopeningofBellevueAvenuemarkedanotherepochinthehistoryofNewport。AboutthattimeGovernorLawrenceboughtthewholeofOchrePointfarmforfourteenthousanddollars,andMr。deRhambuiltonthenewlyopenedroadthefirst\"cottage,\"whichstandsto-daymodestlybackfromtheavenueoppositePerryStreet。Ifhouseshavesouls,asHawthorneaverred,andcanrememberandcompare,whatcuriousthoughtsmustpassthroughtheoakenbrainofthissimpleconstructionasitseesitsmarbleneighborsrearingtheirvastfacadesamongtrees。Thetrees,too,areaninnovation,forwhenthedeRhamcottagewasbuiltandMrs。ClevelandopenedhernewhouseattheextremeendofRoughPointthesecondsummerresidenceintheplaceitisdoubtfulifasingletreebroketherockymonotonyofthelandscapefromtheOceanHousetoBateman\'sPoint。

  GovernorLawrence,havingsoldoneacreofhisOchrePointfarmtoMr。Pendletonforthepricehehimselfhadpaidforthewhole,proceededtobuildastonewallbetweenthetwopropertiesdowntothewater\'sedge。ThepopulationofNewporthadbeenaccustomedtotaketheirSundayairingsandmoonlightramblesalong\"thecliffs,\"

  andviewedthisobstructionoftheirfavoritewalkwithdismay。Sostrongwastheirfeelingthatwhenthewallwascompletedtheyoungmenofthetownrepairedthereinthenightandtoreitdown。Itwasrebuilt,themortarbeingmixedwithbrokenglass。Thisinfuriatedthepeopletosuchanextentthatthewholepopulace,inbroaddaylight,accompaniedbythesummervisitors,destroyedthewallandthrewthematerialsintothesea。Lawrence,bentonmaintainingwhatheconsideredhisrights,calledthelawtohisaid。Itwasthendiscoveredthatanimmemorialriverainrightgavethefishermenandthepublicgenerally,accesstotheshoreforfishing,andalsotocollectseaweed,-arightofwaythatnoonecouldobstruct。

  Thiswasthebeginningofthelongstrugglebetweenthecliff-

  dwellersandthetownspeople;eachnewproperty-owner,disgustedattheideathatalltheworldcanstrollatwillacrosshiswell-keptlawns,hasinturntriedhishandatsuppressingthenowfamous\"walk。\"Notonlydothepublicclaimthelibertytowalkthere,butalsotherighttocrossanypropertytogettotheshore。AtthismomentthecityfathersandthecommitteeofthenewbuildingsatBailey\'sBeacharewranglingasgaylyasinGovernorLawrence\'sdayoverabitofwalllatelyconstructedacrosstheendofBellevueAvenue。Anewexpedienthasbeenhituponbysomeofthewould-beexclusiveownersofthecliffs;theyhaveloweredthe\"walk\"outofsight,thusinsuringtheirownprivacyandinnowayinterferingwiththerightsofthepublic。

  AmongthegentlemenwhosettledinNewportaboutGovernorLawrence\'stimewasLordBaltimoreMr。Calvert,hepreferredtocallhimself,whoremainedthereuntilhisdeath。HewasshyofreferringtohisEnglishpeerage,butwouldwillinglytalkofhisdescentthroughhismotherfromPeterPaulRubens,fromwhomhadcomedowntohimachateauinHollandandseveralsplendidpaintings。Thelatterhungintheparlorofthemodestlittledwelling,whereIwastakentoseethemandtheirownermanyyearsago。Myintroduceronthisoccasionwasherselfaladyofnoordinarybirth,beingthedaughterofStuart,ourgreatestportraitpainter。Ihavepassedmanyquiethoursinthequaintstudiothesameherfatherhadused,hearingherprattle-asshelovedtodoifshefoundasympatheticlistener-ofherfather,ofWashingtonandhispompousways,andthemanycelebritieswhohadinturnposedbefore

  Stuart\'seasel。Shehadbeenherfather\'scompanionandaid,presentatthesittings,preparinghisbrushesandcolors,andpaintinginbackgroundsandaccessories;andwouldwillinglyshowhispaletteandexplainhismethodsandtheoriesofcolor,hispredilectionforscrumblingshadowsthinlyinblackandthenpaintingboldlyinwithbodycolor。Herlessonshadnotprofitedmuchtothegentle,kindlyoldlady,fortheproductionsofherownbrushwerefarfromresemblinghergreatparent\'swork。She,however,paintedcheerfullyontolife\'sclose,surroundedbyhermanyfriends,foremostamongwhomwasCharlotteCushman,whoalsopassedthelastyearsofherlifeinNewport。MissStuartwasovereightywhenIlastsawher,stillfullofspiritandvigor,beginningtheportraitofafamousbeautyofthatday,sincethewifeandmotherofdukes。

  MissStuart\'sdeathseemstocloseoneofthechaptersinthehistoryofthiscity,andtobreakthelastconnectinglinkwithitspast。Theworldmovessoquicklythatthesimpledaysandmodestamusementsofourfathersandgrandfathershavealreadyrecededintomistyremoteness。Welookattheirportraitsandwondervaguelyattheirgracelesscostumes。Weknowtheytrodthesesamestreets,andlaughedandflirtedandmarriedaswearedoingto-day,buttheyseemtousstrangelyfaraway,likeinhabitantsofanothersphere!

  Itishumiliatingtothinkhowsoonwe,too,shallhavebecometheancestorsofanewandcarelessgeneration;freshfaceswillreplaceourfadedones,youngvoiceswilllaughastheylookatourportraitshangingindarkcorners,wonderingwhowewere,andcriticisingtheapparelwethinksoartisticandappropriatehowwecouldeverhavemadesuchguysofourselves。

  CHAPTER38-AConquestofEuropeTHEmostimportanteventinmodernhistoryisthediscoveryofEuropebytheAmericans。Beforeit,thepeoplesoftheOldWorldlivedhappyandcontentedintheirowncountries,practisingthepatriarchalvirtueshandeddowntothemfromgenerationsofforebears,ignoringalikethevicesandbenefitsofmoderncivilization,asunderstoodonthissideoftheAtlantic。Thesimple-mindedEuropeansremainedathome,satisfiedwiththerankinlifewheretheyhadbeenborn,andinnocentofthewaysofthenewworld。

  Thesepeopleswere,onthewhole,notsomuchtobepitied,fortheyhadmanypleasingcraftsandartsunknowntotheinvaders,whichhadenabledthemtodecoratetheircapitalswithtasteinarudeway;nothingreallygreatliketheloftybuildingsandelevatedrailwaystructures,executedinAmericancities,butinterestingasshowingwhataningeniousrace,deprivedofthesecretsofmodernscience,couldaccomplish。

  Themoreaestheticofthenewcomersevenaffectedtoadmiretheantiquatedplacesofworshipandresidencestheyvisitedabroad,pointingouttotheircompatriotsthatinmanycasesmarble,bronzeandotherold-fashionedmaterialshadbeensocleverlytreatedastolookalmostlikethesuperiorcast-ironemployedathome,andthatsomeoftheoldpaintings,preservedwithvenerationinthemuseums,hadnearlythebrilliancyofmodernchromos。Astheirauthorshad,however,neglectedtouseaprocesslendingitselftorapidreproduction,theywereofnopracticalvalue。Inotherways,thecontinentalraces,whendiscovered,weresadlybehindthetimes。Inbusiness,theyignoredtheuseof\"corners,\"thatbackboneofAmericantrade,andtheirideasofadvertisingwerebutlittleinadvanceofthoseknownamongtheancientGreeks。

  ThediscoveryofEuropebytheAmericanswasmadeabout1850,atwhichdatethefirstbandsofadventurerscrossedtheseasinsearchofamusement。ThereportsthesepioneersbroughtbackoftheNAIVETE,politeness,andgullibilityofthenatives,andthecheapnessofexistenceintheircities,causedageneralexodusfromthewesterntotheeasternhemisphere。MostoftheAmericanswhohaduseduptheircreditathomeandthosewhoseincomeswereinsufficientfortheirwants,immediatelymigratedtothesehappyhuntinggrounds,wherelifewasinexpensiveandcreditunlimited。

  Thefirstarrivalsenjoyedforsometwentyyearsuniqueopportunities。TheywereabletoliveinsplendorforapittancethatwouldbarelyhavekepttheminnecessariesontheirownsideoftheAtlantic,andtopickupvaluablespecimensofnativehandiworkfornominalsums。Inthosehappydays,tobelongtotheinvadingracewasasufficientpassporttothegoodgracesoftheEuropeans,whoaskednootherguaranteesbeforetradingwiththenewcomers,butflockedaroundthem,offeringtheirservicesandtheirprimitivemanufactures,convincedthatAmericanswereallwealthy。

  Alas!Historyeverrepeatsitself。AsMexicansandPeruvians,afterreceivingtheirconquerorswithconfidenceandenthusiasm,cametoruethedaytheyhadopenedtheirarmstostrangers,sotheEuropeanpeoples,beforeaquarterofacenturywasover,realizedthatthehordesfromacrosstheseawhowereover-runningtheirlands,raisingprices,crowdingthenativestudentsoutoftheschools,andfinallyattemptingtoforceanentranceintosociety,hadlittletorecommendthemorjustifytheirpresenceexceptmoney。Eveninthissomeoftheintruderswereunsatisfactory。

  Thosewhohadbeenreceivedintothe\"bosom\"ofhotelsoftenforgottosettlebeforedeparting。Thecontinentalwomenwhohadprovidedthewivesofdiscovererswiththeraimentofthecountryaluxurygreatlyaffectedbythoseladiesfound,totheirdisgust,thattheirnewcustomerswereoftenunableorunwillingtoofferanyremuneration。

  Inconsequenceoftheseandmanyotherdisillusions,Americansbegantobecalledthe\"Destroyers,\"especiallywhenitbecameknownthatnothingwastooheavyortoobulkytobecarriedawaybytheinvaders,whotoretheinsidesfromthenativehouses,thepaintingsfromthewalls,thestatuesfromthetemples,andtransportedthisbootyacrosstheseas,muchinthesamewayastheRomanshadplunderedGreece。Elaboratefurnitureseemedespeciallytoattractthenewarrivals,whoacquiredvastquantitiesofit。

  Here,however,thewilynativeswhowerebeginningtoappreciatetheirownbelongingshadrevenge。Immensequantitiesofworthlessimitationsweresecretlymanufacturedandsoldtothetravellersatfabulousprices。Thesameartificewasusedwithpaintings,saidtobebygreatmasters,andwithimitationsofoldstuffsandbric-

  a-brac,whichtheignorantandarrogantinvaderspretendedtoappreciateandcollect。

  PrevioustoourarrivaltherehadbeenaninvasionoftheContinentbytheEnglishabouttheyear1812。Oneoftheirhistorians,calledThackeray,givesanamusingaccountofthisintheopeningchaptersofhis\"ShabbyGenteelStory。\"Thatevent,however,wasunimportantincomparisonwiththegreatAmericanmovement,althoughbothwerecharacterizedbythesametotaldisregardofthefeelingsandprejudicesofindigenouspopulations。TheEnglishthenwalkedaboutthecontinentalchurchesduringdivineservice,gazingatthepicturesandconsultingtheirguide-booksasunconcernedlyasourcompatriotsdoto-day。Theyalsocrowdedintotheatresandconcerthalls,andafterwardswrotetothenewspaperscomplainingofthebadatmosphereofthoseprimitiveestablishmentsandofthelongENTR\'ACTES。

  Aslongastheinvadersconfinedthemselvestosuchtrifles,thepatientforeignerssubmittedtotheiroverbearinganduncouthwaysbecauseofthesupposedbenefittotrade。Thenativesevenwentsofarastobuildhotelsfortheaccommodationanddelightoftheinvaders,abandoningwholequarterstotheirguests。

  Therewas,however,apointatwhichcomplacencystopped。Theoldercivilizationshadformedamongthemselvesrestrictedandexclusivesocieties,towhichaccesswasalmostimpossibletostrangers。Thesesanctuariestemptedtheimmigrants,whoofferedtheirfairestvirginsandmuchtreasurefortheprivilegeofadmission。Theindigenousaristocrats,whoweremostlypoor,yieldedtotheseoffersandafewAmericanssucceededinforcinganentrance。Buttheoldnobilitysoonbecamefrightenedatthenumberandvulgarityoftheinvaders,andwithdrewseverelyintotheirshells,refusingtoacceptanyfurtherbribeseitherintheformoffemalesorfinance。

  Fromthismomentdatesthehumiliationofthediscoverers。AlltheirbootyandplunderseemedworthlessincomparisonwiththeElysiandelightstheyimaginedwereconcealedbehindthecloseddoorsofthoseholyplaces,visionsofwhichtorturedthewomenfromthewesternhemisphereandpreventedtheirtakinganypleasureinothervictories。Tobereceivedintothoseinnercirclesbecametheirchiefambition。Withthisendinviewtheydressedthemselvesinexpensivecostumes,tookthetroubletolearnthe\"lingo\"spokeninthecountry,wenttotheextremityofcopyingthewaysofthenativewomenbypaintingtheirfaces,andinoneortwocasesimitatedthelaxityoftheirmorals。

  Inspiteoftheseconcessions,ourwomenwerenotreceivedwithenthusiasm。Onthecontrary,theverynameofanAmericanbecameabywordandanabominationineverycontinentalcity。Thisprejudiceagainstusabroadishardlytobewonderedatonreflectingwhatwehavedonetoacquireit。Theagentschosenbyourgovernmenttotreatdiplomaticallywiththeconquerednations,owetheirselectiontopoliticalmotivesratherthantotheirtactorfitness。InthelargemajorityofcasesmenaresentoverwhoknowlittleeitherofthehabitsorlanguagesprevailinginEurope。

  Theworstelementsalwaysfollowinthewakeofdiscovery。Oursettlementsabroadgraduallybecametheabodeofthecompromised,thedivorced,thesociallyandfinanciallybankrupt。

  Withinthelastdecadewehavefoundawaytorevengetheslightsputuponus,especiallythoseofferedtoAmericansinthecapitalofGaul。Havingforthemomentnoplaywrightsofourown,themenwhoconcoctdramas,comedies,andburlesquesforourstagefind,insteadofwearyingthemselvesintryingtoproduceoriginalmatter,thatitismuchsimplertoadaptfromFrenchwriters。ThishasbeencarriedtosuchalengththatentireFrenchplaysarenowproducedinNewYorksignedbyAmericannames。

  ThegreatFrenchplaywrightscanprotectthemselvesbytakingoutAmericancopyright,butifoneofthemomitsthisformality,the\"conquerors\"immediatelyseizeuponhisworkandtranslateit,omittingintentionallyallmentionoftherealauthorontheirprogrammes。ThisseasonaplaywasproducedofwhichthefirstactwastakenfromGuydeMaupassant,thesecondandthird\"adapted\"

  fromSardou,withepisodesintroducedfromotherauthorstobrightenthemixture。Thepiecethuspatchedtogetherissignedbyawell-knownAnglo-Saxonname,andacceptedbyourmoralpublic,althoughtheoriginalofthefirstactwasstoppedbytheParisianpoliceastooimmoralforthatgaycapital。

  Ofwhatusewoulditbeto\"discover\"anewcontinentunlesstheexplorersweretoreapsomesuchbenefits?Letustakeeveryadvantagethatourproudpositiongivesus,plunderingtheforeignauthors,makingpenalsettlementsoftheircapitals,andignoringtheirfoolishcustomsandprejudiceswhenwetravelamongthem!InthiswayshallweeffectuallyimpressontheinferiorracesacrosstheAtlanticthegreatnessoftheAmericannation。

  CHAPTER39-ARaceofSlavesITisallverywellforustohaveinvadedEurope,andawakenedthatsomnolentcontinenttothelightsanddelightsofAmericanways;tohavebeautifiedthecitiesoftheoldworldwithgracefultrolleysandilluminatedthecatacombsatRomewithelectricity。

  EverytrueAmericanmustthrillwithsatisfactionattheseachievements,andtheknowledgethathebelongstoadominatingrace,beforewhichthewaningcivilizationofEuropemustfadeawayanddisappear。

  TohavediscoveredEuropeandtoruleasconquerorsabroadiswell,butitisnotenough,ifweareledinchainsathome。Itisrecordedofacertainambitiouscaptainwhose\"Commentaries\"madeourschool-daysaburden,that\"hepreferredtobethefirstinavillageratherthansecondatRome。\"Oddlyenough,WEarecontentedtobeslavesinourvillageswhileweareconquerorsinRome。Canitbethatthestrugglesofourancestorsforfreedomwerefoughtinvain?Didtheythrowofftheyokeofkings,crosstheAtlantic,foundanewformofgovernmentonanewcontinent,breakwithtraditions,andsignadeclarationofindependence,onlythatweshouldsuccumb,acenturylater,yieldingthefruitsoftheirhard-foughtbattleswithcravensupinenessintothehandsofcorporationsandmunicipalities;humblybowingnecksthatrefusetobendbeforeanointedsovereigns,tothewillofsteamboatsubordinates,theinsolenceofbe-diamondedhotel-clerks,andthecaptiousconductor?

  LastweekmytrainfromWashingtonarrivedinJerseyCityontime。

  WescurriedlikegoodAmericanstotheferry-boat,hotandtiredandanxioustogettoourdestination;ahopedeferred,however,forourboatwaskeptwaitingfortylongminutes,because,forsooth,anothertrainfromsomewhereintheSouthwasbehindtime。Expostulationswereinvain。Beingonlythepayingpublic,wehadnorightsthatthoseautocrats,theofficials,wereboundtorespect。Theargumentthatiftheyknewthesoutherntraintobesomuchbehind,theferry-boatwouldhaveplentyoftimetotakeusacrossandreturn,wasofnoavail,so,likeacargoof\"moo-cows\"

  asthechildrensay,wesubmittedmeekly。Inordertomakethetimepassmorepleasantlyforthetwohundredpeoplegatheredontheboat,aduskypotentatejudgedthemomentappropriatetoscrubthecabinfloors。So,aidedbyacoupleofsubordinates,heproceededtodelugetheentireplaceinfloodsofwater,obligingustositwithourfeettuckedupunderus,splashingtheladies\'

  skirtsandourwrapsandbelongings。

  Suchtreatmentofthepublicwouldhaveraisedariotanywherebutinthislandoffreedom。Doyousupposeanyonemurmured?Notatall。Thewell-trainedpublichadtheairofbeinginchurch。Myneighborsappearedastonishedatmyimpatience,andinformedmethattheywereoftendetainedinthatway,asthecompanywasshortofboats,buttheyhopedtohaveanewoneinayearortwo。ThisdetaildidnotpreventthatcorporationadvertisingourtraintoarriveinNewYorkatthree-thirteen,insteadofwhichwelandedatfouro\'clock。IfasimilarbreachofcontracthadhappenedinEngland,adozenletterswouldhaveappearedinthe\"Times,\"andthegrievancebeenwellaired。

  AnotherinflictiontowhichallwhotravelinAmericaaresubjectedisthebrushingatrocity。Twentyminutesbeforeatrainarrivesatitsdestination,thedespotwhohastakennonoticeofanyoneuptothismoment,excepttosnubthem,becomessuspiciouslyattentiveandinsistsonbrushingeverybody。Thedirtonetravellerhasbeenaccumulatingissentincloudsintothefacesofhisneighbors。

  Whenheispolishedoffandhaspaidhis\"quarter\"oftribute,thenextmangetsup,andthedirtisthenbrushedbackontonumberone,withnumbertwo\'scollectionadded。

  Labichebeginsoneofhisplayswithtwoservantsatworkinasalon。\"Dusting,\"saysoneofthem,\"istheartofsendingthedirtfromthechairontherightovertothesofaontheleft。\"I

  alwaysthinkofthatremarkwhenIseetheprocessperformedinaparlorcar,forwhenitisoverweareallexactlywherewebegan。

  Ifamanshouldshampoohishair,orhavehisbootscleanedinasalon,hewouldbeejectedasaboor;yettheideaapparentlyneverenterstheheadsofthosewhosoilandchoketheirfellow-

  passengersthatthebrushingmightbedoneinthevestibule。

  Onthesubjectoffreshairandheatwearealsointhehandsofofficials,dozensofpassengersbeingmadetosufferforthecapricesofoneoftheirnumber,orthetasteofsomecaptiousinvalid。Inotherlandstherightsofminoritiesareoftenignored。Withusitisthecontrary。Onesnifflingschool-girlwhoprefersatemperatureof80degreescanforceacarfullofpeopletoswelterinanatmospherethatisdeathtothem,becausesherefuseseithertoputonherwrapsortohaveawindowopened。

  Streetrailwaysaretorture-chamberswhereweslavesaremadetosufferinanotherway。Youmustbegintoreelandplungetowardsthedooratleasttwoblocksbeforeyourdestination,soastoleaptothegroundwhenthecarslowsup;otherwisetheconductorwillbeoffendedwithyou,andcarryyouseveralsquarestoofar,orwithajocose\"Steplively,\"willgraspyourelbowandshootyouout。Anyonewhoshouldsitquietlyinhisplaceuntilthevehiclehadcometoafullstop,wouldberegardedbytheslave-driverandhiscargoasaPOSEURwhowasassumingairs。

  Theideathatcarsandboatsexistfortheconvenienceofthepublicwasexplodedlongago。Wearemade,dozensoftimesaday,tofeelthatthisisnolongerthecase。Itis,onthecontrary,broughtvividlyhometousthatsuchconveyancesaremoneymakingmachinesinthepossessionofpowerfulcorporationstowhomwe,inourdebasement,havehandedoverthefreedomofourstreetsandrivers,andarerunintheinterestandatthediscretionoftheirowners。

  Itisnotonlybeforethegreatandthepowerfulthatwebowinsubmission。Theshop-girlisanothertyrantwhohasplantedherfootfirmlyontheneckofthenation。Sherespectsneithersexnorage。Ensconcedbehindthebulwarkofhercounter,shescornstonoticehumbleaspirantsuntiltheyhaveperformedapreliminarypenance;atimeshefillsupincheerfulconversationaddressedtootheryoungtyrants,onlydecidingtonoticecustomerswhensheseestheirlastgrainofpatienceisexhausted。Sheisoftenofamerrymood,andifanythingaboutyourappearanceormannerstrikeshercriticalsenseasamusing,willlaughgaylywithhercompanionsatyourexpense。

  AFrenchgentlemanwhospeaksourlanguagecorrectlybutwithsomeaccent,toldmethathefounditimpossibletogetservedinourstores,theshop-girlsburstingwithlaughterbeforehecouldmakehiswantsknown。

  NotlongagoIwasattheCompagnieLyonnaiseinPariswithastoutAmericanlady,whoinsistedontippingherchairforwardonitsfrontlegsassheselectedsomelaces。Suddenlythechairflewfromunderher,andshesatviolentlyonthepolishedfloorinanattitudesosupremelycomicthattherestofherpartywereinwardlyconvulsed。Notamusclemovedinthefacesofthewell-

  trainedclerks。Theproprietorassistedhertoriseasgravelyasifhewerebowingustoourcarriage。

  InrestaurantsAmericancitizensaretreatedevenworsethanintheshops。Youwillseecowedcustomerswhoareanxioustogetawaytotheirbusinessorpleasuresittingmutelypatient,untilawaiterhappenstoremembertheirorders。Idonotknowasingleestablishmentinthiscitywherethewaiterstakeanynoticeoftheircustomers\'arrival,orwheretheproprietorcomes,towardtheendofthemeal,toinquireifthedisheshavebeencookedtotheirtaste。TheinterestsogeneralontheContinentorinEnglandisreplacedherebythesameairofbeingdisturbedfrommoreimportantoccupations,thatcharacterizestheshop-girlandelevatorboy。

  Numbersofourpeopleliveapparentlyinaweoftheirservantsandtheopinionofthetradespeople。Onemiddle-agedladywhomI

  occasionallytaketothetheatre,insistswhenwearriveatherdooronmyaccompanyinghertotheelevator,inorderthattheyouthwhopresidesthereinmayseethatshehasanescort,theopinionofthissubordinateapparentlybeingofsupremeimportancetoher。Oneofour\"gildedyouths\"recentlytoldmeofathrillingadventureinwhichhehadfigured。Atthemomenthewaspassingunderanawningonhiswaytoareception,agustofwindsenthishatgambollingdowntheblock。\"Thinkwhatasituation,\"heexclaimed。\"Therestoodagroupofmyfriends\'footmenwatchingme。ButIwasequaltothesituationandenteredthehouseasifnothinghadhappened!\"SirWalterRaleighsacrificedacloaktopleaseaqueen。Thisyouthabandonedanewhat,fearingthelaughterofahalf-dozenservants。

  Oneofthereasonswhywehavebecomesoweakinthepresenceofourpaidmastersisthatnowhereistheindividualallowedtoprotest。Theothernightafriendwhowaswithmeatatheatreconsideredtheactinginferior,andexpressedhisopinionbyhissing。Hewaspromptlyejectedbyapoliceman。Themannextmewas,onthecontrary,sopleasedwiththepiecethatheencoredeverysong。Ihadpaidtoseethepieceonce,andrebelledatbeingobligedtoseeittwicetosuitmyneighbor。Onreferringthemattertothebox-office,thecaliphinchargeinformedmethattheslavesheallowedtoenterhisestablishmentlikethosewhoinotherdaysformedthecourtofLouisXIV。werepermittedtopraise,butweresuppressediftheymurmureddissent。InhisMEMOIRES,Dumas,PERE,tellsofa\"firstnight\"whenthreethousandpeopleapplaudedaplayofhisandonespectatorhissed。\"HewastheonlyoneIrespected,\"saidDumas,\"forthepiecewasbad,andthatcriticismspurredmeontoimproveit。\"

  Howcanwehopeforanyimprovementinthestandardofourentertainments,themannersofourservantsorthewaysofcorporationswhennoonecomplains?Wearetoomuchinahurrytofollowupagrievanceandhaveitrighted。\"Itdoesn\'tpay,\"\"I

  haven\'tgotthetime,\"arephraseswithwhichallsuchsubjectsaredismissed。Wewillsitinover-heatedcars,eatvilelycookedfood,putupwithinsolencefromsubordinates,becauseitistoomuchtroubletoassertourrights。IsthespiritthatpromptedthefirstshotsonLexingtonCommonbecomingextinct?HavethefloodsofemigrationsodilutedourAnglo-Saxonbloodthatwenolongercaretofightforliberty?Willnopatriotariseandleadarevoltagainstourtyrants?

  Iampreparedtofollowsuchaleader,andhavealreadymarkedmyprey。First,Iwillslayacertainmiscreantwhositsatthereceiptofcustomsinthebox-officeofanup-towntheatre。ForyearsIhavetriedtopropitiatethatsatrapwithmodestpolitenessandfeeblelittlejokes。Hehasneverbeensoftenedbyeither,butcontinuesto\"chuck\"theworstplacesouttomenomatterhowearlyIarrive,thebesthavealwaysbeengiventothespeculators,andtofrowndownmyattemptsatself-assertion。

  WhenIhaveseenthisenemyatmyfeet,Ishallstartdowntownstoppingonthewaytobrainthetelleratmybank,whoisperenniallyparinghisnails,andrefusestoseemeuntilthatoperationisperformed,totheofficeofanight-boatline,wheretheclerkhassooftenforcedme,withhundredsofotherwearyvictims,tostandinlinelikeconvicts,whilehechatswitha\"ladyfriend,\"hisbackturnedtousandhislegcomfortablythrownoverthearmofhischair。ThenIwilltakemyblood-stainedway-

  but,no!Itisbetternottoputmyvictimsontheirguard,buttoabidemytimeinsilence!Courage,fellow-slaves,ourdaywillcome!

  CHAPTER40-Introspection*

  THEcloseofayearmustbringeventothecarelessandtheleastinclinedtowardself-inspection,anhourofthoughtfulness,adesiretoglancebackacrossthepast,andsetone\'smentalhouseinorder,beforestartingoutonanotherstageofthejourneyforthatnonetoodistantbournetowardwhichweallaremoving。

  *Decemberthirty-first,1888。

  Ourmindsarelikesolitarydwellersinavastresidence,whomhabithasaccustomedtoliveinafewonlyofthecountlesschambersaroundthem。Wehavecollectedfromotherpartsofourlivesmentalfurnitureandbric-a-bracthattimeandassociationhaveendearedtous,haveinstalledthesemeagrebelongingsconvenienttoourhand,andcontrivedanentrancegivingfacileaccesstoourliving-rooms,avoidingtheeffortofalongdetourthroughtheechoingcorridorsanddisusedsalonsbehind。Noacquaintances,andbutfewfriends,penetrateintotheprivatechambersofourthoughts。Wesetasideacommonroomforthereceptionofvisitors,makingitascheerfulascircumstanceswillallowandtakecarethattheconversationthereinrarelyturnsonanysubjectmorepersonalthantheviewfromthewindowsorthepropheciesofthebarometer。

  Intheold-fashionedbrickpalaceatKensington,alittlesuiteofroomsiscarefullyguardedfromthepublicgaze,swept,garnishedandtendedasthoughtheoccupantsoflongagowerehourlyexpectedtoreturn。TheearlyyearsofEngland\'sagedsovereignwerepassedinthesesimpleapartmentsandbyherorderstheyhavebeenkeptunchanged,thefurnitureanddecorationsremainingto-dayaswhensheinhabitedthem。Inonecorner,isassembledagroupofdolls,dressedinthequaintfineryof1825。Asetofminiaturecookingutensilsstandsnearby。Achild\'sscrap-booksandcolor-boxeslieonthetables。Inonesunnychamberstandsthelittlewhite-drapedbedwheretheheiresstothegreatestcrownonearthdreamedherchildishdreams,andfromwhichshewashastilyarousedoneJunemorningtobesalutedasQueen。Sohomelikeandlivableanairpervadestheplace,thatonealmostexpectstoseethelonelylittlegirlofseventyyearsagoplayingabouttheunpretendingchambers。

  Affectionforthepastandareverenceforthememoryofthedeadhavecausedtheroyalwifeandmothertopreservewiththesamecaresouvenirsofherpassageinotherroyalresidences。Theapartmentsthatshelteredthefirsthappymonthsofherweddedlife,theroomswheresheknewthejoysandanxietiesofmaternity,havebecomeforherconsecratedsanctuaries,wherethewidowed,brokenoldladycomesoncertainanniversariestoevoketheunforgottenpast,tomeditateandtopray。

  Who,astheyearisdrawingtoitsclose,doesnotopeninmemorysomesuchsacredportal,andsitdowninthefamiliarroomstoliveoveragaintheoldhopesandfears,thrillinganewwiththejoysandtemptationsofotherdays?Yet,eachyearthesepilgrimagesintothepastmustbecomemoreandmorelonelyjourneys;thefriendswhomwecantakebythehandandleadbacktoouroldhomesbecomefewerwitheachdecade。Itwouldbeauselesssacrilegetoforcesomelistlessacquaintancetoaccompanyus。Hewouldnothearthevoicesthatcalltous,orseethelovedfacesthatpeoplethesilentpassages,andwouldwonderwhatattractionwecouldfindinthestuffy,old-fashionedquarters。

  Manypeoplehavesuchadislikeforanymentalprivacythattheypasstheirlivesinpublic,orsurroundedonlybysportingtrophiesandgames。Someenjoylivingintheirpantries,composingforthemselvessucculentdishes,andinterestedinthedoingsoftheservants,theircompanions。Othershaveturnedtheirsalonsintonurseries,orfeelapredilectionforthestableandthedog-

  kennels。Suchpeoplesoonwearyoftheirsurroundings,andmoveconstantly,destroying,whentheyleaveoldquarters,alltheobjectstheyhadcollected。

  Themenandwomenwhohavethuscurtailedtheirbelongingsare,however,quitecontentedwiththemselves。Nodoubtseverharassthemastothecommodityorappropriatenessoftheirlodgementsandlookwithpityandcontemptonfriendswhoremainfaithfultooldhabitations。Thedrawbacktoamigratoryexistence,however,isthefactthat,asaFrenchsayinghasputit,CEUXQUISEREFUSENT

  LESPENSEESSERIEUSESTOMBENTDANSLESIDEESNOIRES。Thesepeoplearesurprisedtofindastheyearsgobythatthefutileamusementstowhichtheyhavedevotedthemselvesdonotfilltotheirsatisfactionallthehoursofalifetime。Havingprovidednobooksnorlearnedtopractiseanyart,thetimehangsheavilyontheirhands。Theydarenotlookforwardintothefuture,soblankandcheerlessdoesitappear。Thepastisevenmoredistastefultothem。So,tofillthevoidintheirhearts,theyhurryoutintothecrowdasarefugefromtheirownthoughts。

  Happythosewhocaretorevisitoldabodes,childhood\'sremotewing,andthemoonlitporcheswheretheyknewtheraptureofafirst-lovewhisper。Whocanenterthechapelwheretheirdeadlie,andfeelnoblushofself-reproach,norburningconsciousnessofbrokenfaithnorwastedopportunities?Thenewyearwillbringtothemasnearanapproachtoperfecthappinessascanbeattainedinlife\'sjourney。Thefortunatemortalsarerarewhocan,withoutaheartacheorregret,passthroughtheirdisusedandabandoneddwellings;whodaretoopeneverydoorandenterallthesilentrooms;whodonothurryshudderinglybysomeobscurecorners,andreturnwithasighofrelieftothecheerfulsunlightandmurmursofthepresent。

  Sleeplessmidnighthourscomeinevitablytoeachofus,whenthecreakinggatesofsubterraneanpassagesfardowninourconsciousnessopenofthemselves,andghostlyinhabitantsstealoutofawfulvaultsandforceustolookagainintotheirfacesandtouchtheirunhealedwounds。

  Anoldladywhosecheerfulnessunderahundredgriefsandtribulationswasamarvelandanexample,oncetoldamanwhohadcometoherforcounselinamomentofbittertrouble,thatshehadderivedcomfortwhendifficultiesloomedbigaroundherbywritingdownallhercaresandworries,makingalistofthesubjectsthatharassedher,andhadalwaysfoundthat,whenreducedtomaterialwrittenwords,thedimensionsofhertroubleswereastonishinglydiminished。Sherecommendedherproceduretothetroubledyouth,andprophesiedthathisanxietieswoulddwindleawayintheclearatmosphereofpenandpaper。

  Introspection,thedeliberateunlatchingofclosedwickets,hasthesameeffect

  ofstealingawaythebitternessfromthoughtsthat,ifleftinthegloomofsemi-oblivion,willgrowuntiltheyovershadowawholelife。ItisbettertofollowtheexampleofEngland\'spureQueen,visitingoncertainanniversariesoursecretplacesandholdingcommunionwiththepast,foritisby。

  Thosewhohavecouragetoperformthoroughlythistaskwillcomeoutfromthesilentchamberspurifiedandchastened,morelenienttothefaultsandshortcomingsofothers,andbetterfittedtotakeupcheerfullytheburdensofanewyear。

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