第2章

Afterafewvisitsthesuitordeclareshimself；thegirlisflattered，thefatherloseshishead，seeingvisionsofhisloveddaughterhob-nobbingwithroyalty，and(intoxicatingthought!)

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"scountry(enchantedthatsomemoreAmericanmoneyistobeimportedintohisland)sendsaneconomicalpresentandanautographletter。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。Buttherealreasonofunhappiness(greateranddeeperthanthis)liesinthefundamentaldifferenceofthewholesocialstructurebetweenourcountryandthatofheradoption，andtheradicallydifferentwayoflookingateverysideoflife。

Surelyagirlmustfeelthatamanwhoallowsamarriagetobearrangedforhim(andonlysignsthecontactbecauseitspecuniaryclausesaretohissatisfaction，andwhowouldwithdrawinamomentiftheseweresuppressed)，musthaveanentirelydifferentpointofviewfromherownonallthevitalissuesoflife。

Foreignersundoubtedlymakeexcellenthusbandsfortheirownwomen。

Buttheyare，exceptinrarecases，unsatisfactoryhelpmeetsforAmericangirls。Itisimpossibletotouchonmorethanasideortwoofthissubject。Butasanillustrationthefollowingcontrastedstoriesmaybecited:

TwosistersofanaristocraticAmericanfamily，eachwithanincomeofoverfortythousanddollarsayear，recentlymarriedFrenchnoblemen。Theynaturallyexpectedtocontinueabroadthelifetheyhadledathome，inwhichoperaboxes，saddlehorses，andconstantentertainingweremattersofcourse。Inbothcases，ourcompatriotsdiscoveredthattheirhusbands(neitherofthempenniless)hadentirelydifferentviews。Inthefirstplace，theyweretoldthatitwasconsidered"badform"inFranceforyoungmarriedwomentoentertain；besides，themoneywasneededforimprovements，andinmanyotherways，andaseverywell-to-doFrenchfamilyputsasideatleastathirdofitsincomeasDOTSforthechildren(boysaswellasgirls)，thesebridesfoundthemselvescrampedformoneyforthefirsttimeintheirlives，andobliged，duringtheironemonthayearinParis，toputupwithhiredtraps，anddependontheirfriendsforeveningsattheopera。

Thisstoryisatellingset-offtothecaseofanAmericanwife，whoonedayreceivedawindfallintheformofacheckforatidyamount。Sheimmediatelyproposedatripabroadtoherhusband，butfoundthathepreferredtoremainathomeinthesocietyofhishorsesanddogs。Soourfaircompatriotstartsoff(withhisfullconsent)，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-centurystatuetteorscreen(flotsam，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，forcriticism(readpraise)，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-beingsbringintoourlivesis(closingoureyestominorimperfections)towarmlyapplaudthemastheymoveupward，alongtheirstonypath。

CHAPTER8-SlouchISHOULDliketosee，ineveryschool-roomofourgrowingcountry，ineverybusinessoffice，attherailwaystations，andonstreetcorners，largeplacardsplacedwith"Donotslouch"printedthereonindistinctandimposingcharacters。Ifevertherewasatendencythatneedednippinginthebud(Ifearthebudisfastbecomingafull-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。

Onewouldimaginethevillagerswereallonthepointofmovingaway(andtheygenerallyare，iftheycanselltheirland)，solittleinterestdotheyshowinyourplans。Likeallpeoplewhohavefallenintobadhabits，theyhavegrowntolovetheirslatternlywaysandclingtothem，resentingfuriouslyanyattempttoshakethemuptoenergyandreform。

Thefarmerhasnot，however，amonopoly。Slouchseemsubiquitous。

Ourrailwayandsteam-boatsystemshavetriedinvaintocombatit，andsuppliedtheiremployeeswithalivery(Ibegthefreeandindependentvoter"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"sLastSupper(Botticellihadnotbeeninventedthen)inthechoicestguide-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。Thesculptorsandpaintersofthatday(menofasgreattalentasanynowliving)，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。