第7章

Threehundredhiddenmusicians，dividedintowindandchordorchestras，accompanyachorusoftwohundredexecutants，andfurnishthemusicforaballetofseventydancers。

Asthethirdstrokediesaway，theMuse，MademoiselleRabuteau，entersanddeclaimsthesalutationaddressedbyLouisGallettotheCityofBeziers。Atitsconclusionthetragedybegins。

Thisisnottheplacetodescribeorcriticiseatlengthsonewanattemptatclassicrestoration。TheauthorfollowstheadmirablefableofantiquitywithadirectnessandsimplicityworthyofhisGreekmodel。ThestoryofDejaniraandHerculesistoofamiliartoberepeatedhere。Thehero’sinfidelityandthepassionofaneglectedwomanarerelatedthroughfiveactslogicallyandforcibly，withthenoblemusicofSaint—

Saensasabackground。

Wewatchthegrowingaffectionofthedemi—godforthegentleIole。Wesympathizewithjealous，desperateDejanirawheninalastattempttogainbacktheloveofHerculesshepersuadestheunsuspectingIoletoofferhimatunicsteepedinNessus’sblood，whichDejanirahasbeentoldbyCentaurwillwhenwarmedinthesunrestorethewearertoherarms。

Attheopeningofthefifthactwewitnessthenuptialfetes。

Religiousdancesandprocessionscirclearoundthepyrelaidforamarriagesacrifice。Dejanira，hiddeninthethrong，watchesinanagonyofhopeforthemiracletobeworked。

Herculesacceptsthefatalgarmentfromthehandsofhisbrideandcallsuponthesun—godtoignitethealtars。Thepyreflames，theheatwarmstheclingingtunic，whichwrapsHerculesinitsfoldsoftorture。Writhinginagony，heflingshimselfupontheburningpyramid，followedbyDejanira，who，indespair，seestoolatethatshehasbeenbutatoolinthehandsofNessus。

Nofeebleprose，nocharactersofblackorwhite，candojusticetotheclosingscenesofthisperformance。Theroarofthechorus，thethunderoftheactors’voices，theimpressionofrealityleftonthebreathlessspectatorsbytheopen—airrealityofthescene，theardentsun，therustlingwind，theplayoflightandshadeacrossthestage，theinvocationofHerculesaddressedtotherealheavens，nottoapaintedfirmament，combinedaneffectthatfewamongthatvastconcoursewillforget。

Atthefarewellbanquetinthearenaaftertheperformance，GeorgesLeygues，thecaptainoftheCadets，inanswertoaspeechfromthePrefect，replied："Youaskaboutouraimsandpurposesandspeakinadmirationoftheenthusiasmarousedbythepassageofourband！

"Ouraimsaretovivifythetraditionsandlanguageofournativeland，andthememoryofagloriousancestry，tofostertheloveofourlittleprovinceatthesametimeaspatriotismforthegreatercountry。Wearestrivingforadecentralizationofart，fortheelevationofthestage；butaboveall，wepreachagospelofgayetyandhealthylaughter，thescienceofremainingyoungatheart，wouldteachpluckandgoodhumorinthewearystruggleofexistence，characteristicsthathavemarkedourcountrymenthroughhistory！WehaveborrowedamottofromLopedeVega（thatGasconofanotherrace），andinscribe`PARLALANGUAETPARL’EPEE’uponourbanner，thatthesepurposesmaybereadbytheworldasitruns。"

Chapter30—TheDinnerandtheDramaCLAUDEFROLLO，holdingthefirstprintedbookhehadseeninonehand，andpointingwiththeothertothegiganticmassofNotreDame，darkagainstthesunset，prophesied"CECITUERA

CELA。"Onemightto—dayparaphrasethesentencewhichVictorHugoputintohisarchdeacon’smouth，andpointingtotheelaboratelyappointeddinner—tablesofourgeneration，assertthattheDinnerwaskillingtheDrama。

NewYorkundoubtedlypossessesatthismomentmoreandbetterconstructedtheatres，inproportiontoitspopulation，thananyothercityontheglobe，and，withthesingleexceptionofParis，moremoneyisprobablyspentatthetheatrebyourpeoplethaninanyothermetropolis。Yetcuriouslyenough，eachdecade，eachseasonwidensthebreachbetweenourdiscriminatingpublicandthestage。Thetheatre，insteadofkeepingabreastwiththeintellectualmovementofourcountry，hasforthelastthirtyyearsbeenslowlybutsteadilydeclining，untilatthismomentthereishardlyacompanyplayinginlegitimatecomedy，tragedy，ortheclassicmasterpiecesofourlanguage。

Inspiteofthefactthatweareanationinfullliteraryproduction，boastingauthorswhorankwiththegreatestofothercountries，thereishardlyonepoetorprose—writerto—

day，ofrecognizedability，whoworksforthestage，norcanwecountmorethanoneortwohigh—classcomediesorlyricdramasofAmericanorigin。

Itisnotmyintentionheretocriticisethecontemporarystage，althoughtheconditionofthedramainAmericaissouniqueandsodifferentfromitssituationinothercountriesthatitmightwellattracttheattentionofinquiringminds；

butrathertoglanceatthesocialcauseswhichhaveproducedthiscuriousstateofaffairs，andthestrainedrelationsexistingbetweenourelite（herethewordisusedinitswidestandmostelevatedsense）andourstage。

Therecanbelittledoubtthatthedeteriorationintheclassofplaysproducedatourtheatreshasbeenbroughtaboutbychangesinoursocialconditions。Thepernicious"star"

system，thedifficultyofkeepingstockcompaniestogether，therarityofhistrionicabilityamongAmericansareexplanationswhichhaveatdifferenttimesbeenofferedtoaccountforthesephenomena。Foremost，however，amongthecausesshouldbeplacedanexceedinglysimpleandprosaicfactwhichseemstohaveescapednotice。Irefertothedisplacementofthedinnerhour，andtheceremonynowsurroundingthatmeal。

Fortyyearsagodinnerwasstillasimpleaffair，takenathoursvaryingfromthreetofiveo’clock，andunitingfewbutthemembersofafamily，holidaysandfetesbeingtherareoccasionswhenguestswereasked。Therewasprobablynotahotelinthiscountryatthattimewhereadinnerwasservedlaterthanthreeo’clock，andDelmonico’s，newlyinstalledinMr。MosesGrinnell’shouse，cornerofFourteenthStreetandFifthAvenue，wastheonlyestablishmentofitskindinAmerica，andtheonerestaurantinNewYorkwhereladiescouldbetakentodine。Inthosetranquildayswhendinnerpartieswerefewanddancesararity，theatre—goingwastheonerippleonthequietstreamofhomelife。Wallack’s，atthecornerofThirteenthStreetandBroadway，Booth’sinTwenty—thirdStreet，andFechter’sinFourteenthStreetwerethehomesofgoodcomedyandhigh—classtragedy。

Alongabout1870themorearistocratically—mindedNewYorkerstooktodiningatsixorsix—thirtyo’clock；sincetheneachdecadehasseenthedinnerrecedefurtherintothenight，untilitisacommonoccurrencenowtositdowntothatrepastateightorevennineo’clock。Notonlyhasthehourchanged，butthemealitselfhasundergonearadicaltransformation，inkeepingwiththegeneralincreaseofluxuriousliving，becomingaseriousalthoughhurriedfunction。Inconsequence，togotothetheatreandbepresentattherisingofthecurtainmeans，forthemajoritypossessingsufficientmeanstogooftentotheplayandcultureenoughtobediscriminating，thedisarrangementoftheentiremachineryofahouseholdaswellasthehabitsofitsinmates。

Inadditiontothis，dozensofsumptuousestablishmentshavesprungupwherethepleasureofeatingissupplementedbyallurementstotheeyeandear。Fineorchestrasplaynightly，theairisladenwiththeperfumeofflowers，ascenicperspectiveofpalmgardenandmarblecorridorflattersthesenses。Thetemptation，toamanweariedbyadayofbusinessorsport，toabandontheideaofgoingtoatheatre，andlingerinsteadoverhiscigaramidtheseattractivesurroundings，isalmostirresistible。

If，however，temptedbysomesuccess，hehurrieshisguestsawayfromtheirmeal，theyareinnoconditiontoappreciateaseriousperformance。ThepressurehasbeentoohighalldayfortheoverworkedmanandhisENERVEEwifetodesireanybutthelightesttomfooleryinanentertainment。Peopleengagedinthelethargicprocessofdigestionarenotgoodcriticsofeitherelevatedpoetryordelicateinterpretation，andinconsequencecraveamusementratherthanamentalstimulant。

Managerswerequicktoperceivethattheirproductionswerenolongertakenseriously，andthatitwasawasteoftimeandmoneytoofferhigh—classentertainmentstoaudienceswhomanynonsensewouldattract。WhenaplaylikeTHESWELLMISS

FITZWELLwillpackaNewYorkhouseformonths，andthenfloatacompanyonthehightideofsuccessacrossthecontinent，itwouldbefollytoproduceanythingbetter。NewYorkinfluencesthetasteofthecountry；itisinNewYorkreallythatthestandardhasbeenlowered。

Inanswertotheseremarks，thequestionwilldoubtlessberaised，"ArenottheinfluenceswhichitisassertedarekillingthedramainAmericaatworkinEnglandorontheContinent，wherepeoplealsodinelateandwell？"

Yes，andno！Peopleabroaddineaswell，undoubtedly；aselaborately？Certainlynot！WiththeexceptionoftheEnglish（andevenamongthemdinner—givinghasneverbecomesouniversalaswithus），nootherpeopleentertainforthepleasureofhospitality。OntheContinent，adinner—partyisalwaysan"axe—grinding"function。Afamilywhoaskedpeopletodinewithouthavingadistinctendinviewforsuchanoutlaywouldbelookeduponbytheirfriendsandrelativesaslittleshortoflunatics。Diplomatistsareallowedcertainsumsbytheirgovernmentsforentertaining，andareformallydinedinreturnbytheirguests。AgreatFrenchladywhoisaskedtodineouttwiceaweekconsidersherselffortunate；aNewYorkwomanofequalpositionhardlydinesathomefromDecember1toApril15，unlesssheisreceivingfriendsatherowntable。

Parisianladiesrarelygotorestaurants。InLondontherearenotmorethanthreeorfourplaceswhereladiescanbetakentodine，whileinthiscitytherearehundreds；ourpeoplehavecaughtthehabitofdiningawayfromhome，acustomsingularlyinkeepingwiththeAmericantemperament；for，althoughitcostsmore，itislesstrouble！

Thereasonwhyforeignersdonotentertainatdinnerisbecausetheyhavefoundotherandmoresatisfactorywaysofspendingtheirmoney。Thisleavespeopleabroadwithanumberofeveningsontheirhands，unoccupiedhoursthataregenerallypassedatthetheatre。Onlytheotherdayadiplomatistsaidtome，"Iamsurprisedtoseehowsmallaplacethetheatreoccupiesinyourthoughtsandconversation。

Withusitisthepivotaroundwhichliferevolves。"

Fromonecauseoranother，notonlythewealthy，butthethoughtfulandcultivatedamongus，golesseachyeartothetheatre。Theabstinenceofthisclassisthemostsignificant，forwell—read，refined，fastidiouscitizensaretheprideofacommunity，andtheirinfluenceforgoodisfar—

reaching。OfthiseliteNewYorkhasmorethanitsshare，butyouwillnotmeetthemattheplay，unlessDuseorJefferson，BernhardtorCoquelinisperforming。Thebestonlytemptssuchminds。ItwasbytheencouragementofthisclassthatBoothwasenabledtogiveHAMLETonehundredconsecutiveevenings，andFechterwasinducedtolingerhereandbuildatheatre。

Incomparisonwiththeverdictsofsuchpeople，theopinionsoffashionablesetsareoflittleimportance。ThelatterlongagogaveupgoingtotheplayinNewYork，exceptduringtwoshortseasons，oneintheautumn，"beforethingsgetgoing，"

andagaininthespring，aftertheseasonisover，beforetheyflitabroadortothecountry。Duringtheseperiods"smart"

peoplegenerallyattendinbandscalled"theatreparties，"aninflictionunknownoutsideofthiscountry，anarrangementaboveallotherscalculatedtobringthestageintocontempt，assuchpartiesseldomarrivebeforethemiddleofthesecondact，taketenminutestogetseated，andthenchatgaylyamongthemselvesfortherestoftheevening。

Thetheatre，havingceasedtoformanintegralpartofoursociallife，hascometobethepastimeofpeoplewithnothingbettertodo，—thefloatingpopulationofourhotels，theshop—girlandheryoungmanenjoyinganeveningout。Theplaysproducedbythegentlemenwho，Iamtold，controlthestageinthiscountryforthemoment，areadaptedtotherequirementsofanaudiencethat，havingnoparticularstandardfromwhichtojudgetheliterarymeritsofaplay，thetraining，accent，ortalentoftheactors，areperfectlycontentedsolongastheyareamused。Togetalaugh，atanyprice，hasbecometheambitionofmostactorsandthedreamofmanagers。

AyoungactressinacompanythatplayedanAmericantranslationofMME。SANSGENEalloverthiscontinentaskedmerecentlywhatIthoughtoftheirperformance。IsaidI

thoughtit"aburlesqueoftheoriginal！""Ifyouthoughtitaburlesquehereintown，"sheanswered，"it’swellyoudidn’tseeusontheroad。Therewasnomonkeytrickwewouldnotplaytoraisealaugh。"

Ifoneofmyreadersdoubtstheassertionthatthebetterclasseshaveceasedtoattendourtheatres，exceptonrareoccasions，lethiminquireabout，amongthemenandwomenwhoseopinionshevaluesandrespects，howmanyoflastwinter’splaystheyconsideredintellectualtreats，orwhatpiecetemptedthemtoleavetheircosydinner—tablesasecondtime。ItissurprisingtofindthenumberwhowillanswerinreplytoaquestionaboutthemeritsofaplayENVOGUE，"I

havenotseenit。InfactIrarelygotoatheatreunlessI

aminLondonorontheContinent！"

Littlebylittlewehavetakentoturninginaviciousandever—narrowingcircle。Thepoorertheplays，thelesscleverpeoplewillmaketheeffortnecessarytoseethem，andthelesssucheliteattend，thepoorertheplayswillbecome。

Thatthisstateofaffairsisgoingtolast，however，Idonotbelieve。Thedarkesthouriseverthelastbeforethedawn。

Asitwouldhedifficultfortheperformancesinmostofourtheatrestofallanylowerinthescaleoffrivolityorinanity，wemayhopeforareactionthatwillbedeepandfar—

reaching。Atpresentwearelikepeopledyingofstarvationbecausetheydonotknowhowtocombinetheflourandwaterandyeastbeforethemintowholesomebread。Thematerialsforabrilliantanddistinctlynationalstageundoubtedlyexistinthiscountry。Wehavemenandwomenwhowouldsoondevelopintogreatactorsiftheyreceivedanyencouragementtodevotethemselvestoahigherclassofwork，andcertainlyourgreatcitydoesnotpossessfewerappreciativepeoplethanitdidtwentyyearsago。

Thegreatdinner—givingmaniawilleatitselfout；andmanagers，feelingoncemorethattheycancountondiscriminatingaudiences，willnolongerdaretogivegarbledversionsofFrenchfarcesorfeebledramasascompiledfromEnglishnovels，but，turningtoourownpoetsandwriters，willaskthemtocontributetowardstheformationofanAmericanstageliterature。

When，finally，oneofourpoetsgivesusalyricdramalikeCYRANODEBERGERAC，theattractionsofthedinner—tablewillnolongerbestrongenoughtokeepcleverpeopleawayfromthetheatre，andthefollowingconversation，whichsumsupthepresentsituation，willbecomeimpossible。

BANKER（toCrushedTragedian）。—No，Ihaven’tseenyouact。

Ihavenotbeeninsideatheatrefortwoyears！

C。T。—It’sfiveyearssinceI’vebeeninsideabank！

Chapter31—TheModernASPASIA

MOSTofthehistoriccitiesofEuropehaveadistinctlocalcolor，atemperament，ifonemaybeallowedtheexpression，oftheirown。TheausterecalmofBrugesorGhent，thesensuousbeautyofNaples，attractdifferentnatures。Florencehaspassionatedevotees，whoareinsensibletotheartisticgraceofVeniceorthestatelyquietofVersailles。InCairooneexperiencesanexquisiteBIENETRE，amindless，ambitionlesscontentmentwhich，withoutbeinglanguor，soothesthenervesandtemptstoindolentlotus—eating。Likeagreathive，Romedependsonthememoriesthatcirclearoundher，storing，likebees，thecenturieswiththeirhoney。Eachofthesecitiesmustthereforeleavemanypeopleunmoved，whoafterapassingvisit，wanderaway，wonderingattheenthusiasmoftheworshippers。

Parisaloneseemstopossessthecharmthatbewitchesallconditions，allages，alldegrees。Toholdthefrivolous—

mindedshepaintsherfaceanddances，leadingthemaroundoffolly，exhaustivealiketohealthandpurse。Forthestudentsheassumesanothermien，smilingencouragement，andurginghimupwardtowardsthehigheststandards，whileposingashismodel。Shetakesthedreamingloverofthepastgentlybythehand，andleadinghimintoquietstreetsandsquareswhereshehasstoredawayawealthofhiddentreasure，enslaveshimascompletelyashermoresensualadmirers。

Parisisnolessadoredbythevacant—minded，towhomneitherartnorpleasurenorstudyappeal。Hercapricesinfashionarereceivedbythewivesanddaughtersoftheuniverseaslaws，andobeyedwithanunwaveringfaith，amuteobediencethatfewreligionshavecommanded。WomenwhoyawnthroughItalyandtheEasthave，whenonemeetsthemintheFrenchcapital，theintensemanner，theairofseparationfromthingsmundane，thatisobservableinpilgrimsapproachingtheshrineoftheirdeity。MohammedansatMeccamusthavesomesuchlook。InPariswomenfindthemselvesinthepresenceofthosehighpriestswhomtheyhavelongworshippedfromadistance。

Itisuselesstomentionothersubjectstothedevotee，fortheywillnotfixherattention。Herthoughtsarewithherheart，andthatisfaraway。

Whenvisitingothercitiesonefeelsthattheyarelikehonestmarriedwomen，livingquietfamilylives，surroundedbytheirchildren。TheFrenchAspasia，onthecontrary，hasneverbeentruetoanyvow，buthas，atthedictateofherpassions，changedfromroyalandimperialtorepublicanlovers，andbackagain，ruledbynolawsbuthercaprices，anddiscardingeachfavoriteinturnwithinsultswhenshehasweariedofhim。

Yetsovereignsareherslaves，andleavetheirlandstolingerinherpresence；andrichstrangersfromthefourcornersoftheearthcometothrowtheirfortunesatherfeetandbaskamomentinhersmiles。

Likeherclassicprototype，Parisisalsothecompanionofthephilosophersandleadstheartsinhertrain。Herpalacesarethemeeting—placesofthepoets，thesculptors，thedramatists，andthepainters，whoareneverwearyofcelebratingherperfections，norofworkingforheradornmentandamusement。

Thosewholiveinthecircleofherinfluencearecaughtupinawhirlwindofartisticproduction，andconsumetheirbrainsandbodiesinthevainhopeofpleasingtheiridolandattractingherattention。TobelovedbyParisisanordealthatfewnaturescanstand，forshewringsthelifebloodfromherdevoteesandthencaststhemasideintooblivion。Paris，saidoneofhergreatestwriters，"AIMEABRISERSESIDOLES！"

AsUlyssesandhiscompanionsfell，inotherdays，apreytotheallurementsofCirce，soourpowerfulyoungnationhasfallenmorethananyotherundertheinfluenceoftheFrenchsiren，andbringsherayearlytributeofgoldwhichshereceiveswithavidity，althoughinherheartthereislittlefondnessforthegiver。

AmericanswhowereinParistwoyearsagohadanexcellentopportunityofjudgingthesincerityofParisianaffection，andofsoundingthedepthandunselfishnessofthelovethatthisficklecitygivesusinreturnforourhomage。Notforonemomentdidshehesitate，butthrewthewholeweightofherinfluenceandwitintothescaleforSpain。IfthereisnotatthismomentaEuropeanallianceagainstAmericaitisnotfromanylackofeffortonherparttowardsthatend。

ThestandtakenbyLAVILLALUMIEREinthatcrisiscausedmanynaiveAmericans，whobelievedthattheirweaknessfortheFrenchcapitalwasreturned，apainfulsurprise。Theyimaginedinthesimplicityoftheirinnocentheartsthatshelovedthemforthemselves，andhaveawakened，likeotherrichlovers，tothehumiliatingknowledgethatapennilessneighborwasreceivingthecaressesthatCroesuspaidfor。NotonlydidtheentireParisianpressteematthatmomentwithcovertinsultsdirectedtowardsus，butinsociety，attheclubsandtablesofthearistocracy，itwasimpossibleforanAmericantoappearwithself—respect，sopersistentlywereouractionsandourreasonsforundertakingthatwarmisunderstoodandmisrepresented。IntheconversationofthesalonsandinthedailypapersitwasassumedthattheSpanishwerearaceofnoblepatriots，fightinginthedefenceofalovedandloyalcolony，whilewewereahordeofblatantcowards，whohadlongfermentedarevolutioninCubainordertoappropriatethatcovetedisland。

WhentheSpanishauthoritiesallowedanAmericanship（surprisedinoneofherportsbythedeclarationofwar）todepartunharmed，thefactwasmagnifiedintoanactofalmostidealgenerosity；ontheotherhand，whenwedecidednottopermitprivateering，thatannouncementwasreceivedwithderisivelaughterasapretentiousposetocoverhiddeninterests。Thereisreasontobelieve，however，thatthisfeelinginfavorofSpaingoeslittlefurtherthanthepressandthearistocraticcirclessodeartotheAmerican"climber"；therealheartoftheFrenchnationisastruetousaswhenacenturyagoshespentbloodandtreasureinourcause。Itistheinconstantcapitalalonethat，falsetoherroleofliberator，hassidedwiththetyrant。

YetwhenIwanderthroughhershadyparksorleanoverhermonumentalquays，drinkinginthebeautyofthefirstspringdays，intoxicatedbytheperfumeoftheflowersthatthenightshowershavekissedintobloom；orlingerofaneveningovermycoffee，withthebrilliantlifeoftheboulevardspassinglikeacarnivalprocessionbeforemyeyes；whenIsitinhertheatres，enthralledbythegeniusofheractorsandplaywrights，orstandbewilderedbeforethetenthousandpaintingsandstatuesoftheSalon，Ifeelinclined，likeabetrayedlover，topardonmyfaithlessmistress：sheistoolovelytoremainlongangrywithher。Yourealizesheisfalseandwillbetrayyouagain，laughingatyou，insultingyourweakness；butwhenshesmilesallfaultsareforgotten；

theardorofherkissesblindsyoutoherinconstancy；shepoursoutadraughtthatnootherhandscanbrew，andclaspsyouinarmssofairthatlifeoutsidethosefragilebarriersseemsstaleandunprofitable。

Chapter32—ANationinaHurryINearlydaysofsteamnavigationontheMississippi，therivercaptains，itissaid，hadtheplayfulhabit，whenpressedfortimeorenjoyinga"spurt"witharival，ofrunningtheirengineswithadarkyseatedonthesafety—valve。

One’sfirsthomeimpressionafteraseasonoflazyContinentaltravellingandvisitinginsomnolentEnglishcountryhouses，isthatanemblematicalEthiopianshouldbequarteredonournationalarms。

ZolatellsusinNOUVELLECAMPAGNEthathisvividimpressionsareallreceivedduringthefirsttwenty—fourhoursinanewsurrounding，—themind，likeaphotographicfilm，quicklylosingitssensibility。

ThisfleetingreceptivenessmakesreturningAmericanspainfullyconsciousofnervesinthehomeatmosphere，andtheheadlongpaceatwhichourcompatriotsareliving。

Thehabitoflayingsuchfaultstotheclimateisbutapoorexcuse。Ourgrandparentsandtheirparentslivedpeacefullivesbeneaththesesameskies，undisturbedbythemorbidinfluencesthataresupposedtokeyustosuchapainfulconcertpitch。

TherewasanIndiansummerlanguorintheairaswesteamedupthebaylastOctober，thatapparentlyinvitedrepose；yetnosoonerhadwesetfootonournativedock，andtakenonegoodwhiffofhomeair，thanallouracquiredcalmdisappeared。

Peoplewhotendaysbeforewouldhavesat（atajourney’send）

contentedlyinawaiting—room，whiletheirluggagewasbeingsortedbyleisurelyofficials，nowhustlenervouslyabout，naggingthecustom—houseofficersandeggingontheporters，asthoughthesavingofthenexthalfhourweretheprimeobjectofexistence。

ConsideringhowextravagantweAmericansareinotherwaysitseemscuriousthatweshouldbesoeconomicaloftime！Itwasuselesstostruggleagainstthecurrent，however，ortoattempttoholdone’sselfback。Beforetenminutesonshorehadpassed，theold，familiar，unpleasantsensationofbeinginahurrytookpossessionofme！Itwasirresistibleandall—pervading；fromthemovementsofthecrowdsinthestreetstothewhistleoftheharbortugs，everythingbreathedofhaste。Theverydogshadapparentlynotimetoloiter，butscurriedaboutasthoughlatefortheirengagements。

ThetransitfromdocktohotelwaslikeavisittoanewcircleintheINFERNO，wheretrainsrumbleeternallyoverhead，andcablecarsglideandblockaroundapale—facedthrongofthedamned，whoareforced，inexpiationoftheirsins，tohastenforevertowardanunreachablegoal。

Acuriouscursehasfallenuponourpeople；an"influence"isatworkwhichforcesustoattemptinanhourjusttwiceasmuchascanbeaccomplishedinsixtyminutes。"Doaswellasyoucan，"whispersthe"influence，""butdoitquickly！"Thatmottomightbeengraveduponthefrontsofourhomesandbusinessbuildings。

ItisonaccountofthisnewstandardthatrapidityinatransactionontheStreetisappreciatedmorethancorrectnessofdetail。Abrokerto—daywilltakemorecreditforhavingreceivedandexecutedanorderforChicagoandreturnedananswerwithinsixminutes，thanforanyamountofcarefulwork。Theordermayhavebeenillexecutedandthedetailsmixed，buttherewillhavebeencelerityofexecutiontoboastofTheyoungmanwhoexpectstosucceedinbusinessto—daymustbea"hustler，"haveasnap—shotstyleinconversation，patronizerapidtransitvehicles，understandshorthand，andeatat"breathlessbreakfasts。"

Beingtakenrecentlytooneoftheseestablishmentsfor"quicklunch，"asIbelievethecorrectphraseis，toeatbuckwheatcakes（andverygoodtheywere），Ihadanopportunityofstudyingthewaysofthemoderntime—savingyoungman。

Itishishabituponenteringtodashforthebill—of—fare，andgiveanorder（ifheisadroitenoughtocatchoneofthemaidsonthefly）beforeremovingeithercoatorhat。Atleastfifteensecondsmaybeeconomizedinthisway。Onceseated，theluncherfallstoonanythingathand；bread，coldslaw，crackers，orcatsup。Whenthedishorderedarrives，hegetshisforkintoitasitappearsoverhisshoulder，andhascleanedtheplatebeforethesaucemakesitsappearance，sothatiseatenbyitselforwithbread。

Cupsofcoffeeorteagodownintwoswallows。Littlepilesofcakesarecutinquartersanddisappearinfourmouthfuls，muchafterthefashionofchildrendowntheogre’sthroatinthemechanicaltoy，masticationbeingeitheralostartorconsideredafoolishwasteofenergy。

Areallyaccomplishedlunchercanassimilatehislastquarterofcakes，wiggleintohiscoat，andpayhischeckatthedeskatthesamemoment。Thenext，heisdowntheblockinpursuitofarecedingtrolley。

ToanyonefreshfromtheContinent，wheretheentiremachineryoftradecomestoastand—stillfromeleventooneo’clock，thatDEJEUNERmaybetakeninsomnolenttranquillity，thenervoustensionpervadingarestauranthereisprodigious，andwhatisworse—catching！Duringrecentvisitstothebusinesscentresofourcity，Ifindthattheideaofeatingisrepugnant。Itseemstobewrongtowastetimeonanythingsounproductive。Lastweekafriendofferedmea"luncheontablet"fromaboxonhisdesk。"It’sasgoodasameal，"hesaid，"andsomuchmoreexpeditious！"

Theproprietorofonedown—townrestauranthasthestockquotationsexhibitedonablack—boardattheendofhisroom；

inthiswayhispatronscankeepintouchwiththe"Street"astheyhurriedlystokeup。

Aparlorcar，towardajourney’send，isanotherexcellentplacetoobserveournativeways。ComingfromWashingtontheotherdaymyfellow—passengersbegantoshowsignsofrestlessnessnearNewark。Booksandpaperswerethrownaside；

ageneral"uprising，unveiling"followed，accompaniedbyourobjectionablecustomofhavingourclothesbrushedineachother’sfaces。BythetimeJerseyCityappearedonthehorizon，everyman，woman，andchildinthatcarwasjammed，baggageinhand，intothestuffylittlepassagewhichprecedestheentrance，swayingandstaggeringaboutwhilethetrainbackedanddelayed。

Theexplanationofthisisquitesimple。The"influence"wasatwork，preventingthosepeoplefromactinglikeothercivilizedmortals，andremainingseateduntiltheirtrainhadcometoastandstill。

Beingfreshfromthe"otherside，"andretainingsomeofmyacquiredcalm，Isatinmychair！Thesurpriseonthefacesoftheotherpassengerswarnedme，however，thatitwouldnotbesafetocarrythisposetoofar。Theporter，puzzledbytheunaccustomedsight，touchedmekindlyontheshoulder，andaskedifI"feltsick"！Sonow，toavoidallaffectationofsuperiority，Istruggledintomygreat—coat，regardlessofeightydegreestemperatureinthecar，andmeeklyjoinedthestandingarmyofmartyrs，tohurry，scamperingwiththemfromthestill—movingcartotheboat，andontothetrolleybeforethecrafthadbeenmooredtoitslandingpier。

InParis，ontakinganomnibus，youaregivenanumberandtherighttothefirstvacantseat。Whentheplacesina"bus"

arealloccupieditreceivesnofurtheroccupants。Imagineatractionlineattemptingsuchareformhere！Therewouldbeariot，andtheconductorshangedtothenearesttrolley—polesinanhour！

Topreventacitizenfromcrowdingintoanover—fullvehicle，andstampingonitsoccupantsintheprocess，wouldbetoinfringeoneofhisdearestprivileges，nottomentionhischanceofridingfree。

AsmallboyofmyacquaintancetellsmeherarelyfindsitnecessarytopayinaNewYorkcar。Theconductorsaretoohurriedandtoopreoccupiedpocketingtheirshareofthereceiptstokeepcount。"Whenhepasses，Ijustlookblank！"

remarkedtheingeniousyouth。

Ofalltheindividuals，however，inthecommunity，ouridleclasssufferthemostacutelyfromlackoftime，though，likeCharlesLamb’sgentleman，theyhaveallthereis。

Fromthemomentamanofleisure，orhiswife，wakensinthemorninguntiltheydropintoafitfulslumberatnight，theirdayisanagitatedchase。Nomatterwhereorwhenyoumeetthem，theyarealwaysonthewing。

"AmIlateagain？"gaspedathinlittlewomantometheotherevening，asshehurriedintothedrawing—room，whereshehadkeptherguestsanddinnerwaiting。"I’vebeensodrivenallday，I’mawreck！"Aglanceatherhatchet—facedhusbandrevealedthefactthathe，too，waschasingafterastrayhalf—hourlostsomewhereinhisyouth。Hiscolorandmostofhishairhadgoneinitspursuit，whilehishandshadacquiredatwitch，asthoughurgingonatiredsteed。

Goandaskthatladyforacupofteaattwilight；tentooneshewillreceiveyouwithherhaton，explainingthatshehasnothadtimetotakeitoffsincebreakfast。Ifshewritestoyou，hernotesaresigned，"Ingreathaste，"or"Inatearinghurry。"Sheisoutofherhousebyhalf—pasteightonmostmornings，yetwhencallingshesitsontheedgeofherchair，andassuresyouthatshehasnotamomenttostay，"hasonlyrunin，"etc。

Justwhatdriveshersohardisamystery，forbeyondavaguecharitymeetingortwoandsomecalls，sheaccomplisheslittle。Althoughwealthyandchildless，withnocaresandfewworries，shesuccumbstonervousprostrationeverytwoorthreeyears，"fromoverwork。"

Listentoacompatriot’saccountofhisEuropeantrip！Hewillcertainlytellyouhowshorttheoceancrossingwas，givinghoursandminuteswithzest，asthoughhehadgotaheadofFatherTimeinatransaction。Thenfollowsalistofthemanycountriesseenduringhistour。

Iknowaladylyingillto—daybecauseshewouldhurryherselfandherchildren，insixweekslastsummer，throughaContinentaltourthatshouldhaveoccupiedthreemonths。Shehadnoparticularreasonforhurrying；indeed，shegotaheadofherschedule，andhadtowaitinParisforthesteamer；adetail，however，thatinnowaydiminishedmadame’spleasureinhavingdonesomuchduringherholiday。Thissameladydeploreslackofleisurehours，yetifshefindsbyherengagementbookthatthereisafreeweekahead，shewillruntoWashingtonorLakewood，"forachange，"ororganizeapartytoFlorida。

Torealizehowouruppertenscramblethroughexistence，onemustalsocontrasttheirfidgetywayoffeedingwiththebovinecalminwhichaGermanabsorbshisnourishmentandthehoursItalianscanpassovertheirmeals；anAmericandinnerpartyaffordsustheopportunity。

ThereisanimpressionthatthefashionforquicklyserveddinnerscametousfromEngland。Ifthisistrue（whichI

doubt；itfitstoonicelywithourtemperamenttohavebeenimported），weoweH。R。H。adebtofgratitude，fornothingissotiresomeastoomanycoursesneedlesslyprolonged。

Likeallconverts，however，wearetoozealous。Fromoysterstofruit，dinnersnowareabreathlesssteeplechase，duringwhichwetakeourviandhedgesandchampagneditchesatadeadrun，withconversationpushedatmuchthesamespeed。Tobesilentwouldbetoimplythatonewasnothavingagoodtime，sowerattleandgobbleontowardthefinger—bowlwinning—

post，onlytofindthatrestisnotthere！

Asthehostesspilotstheladiesawaytothedrawing—room，shewhisperstoherspouse，"Youwon’tsmokelong，willyou？"Sowearemulctedintheenjoymentofeventhatlastresourceofwearyhumanity，thecigar，andarehustledawayfromthatandourcoffee，onlytofindthatourappearanceisasignalforageneralmove。

Oneoftheolderladiesrises；thenextmomentthewholecircle，likeaflockoffrightenedbirds，areupandoff，crowdingeachotherinthehallway，callingfortheircarriages，andconfusingtheunfortunateservants，whoaretryingtohelpthemintotheircloaksandovershoes。

Bearinginmindthattheguestscomeaslateastheydare，withoutbeingabsolutelyuncivil，thatdinnersareservedasrapidlyasisphysicallypossible，andthatthecirclebreaksupassoonasthemealends，oneasksone’sselfinwonderwhy，ifadinnerpartyissuchaborethatithastobescrambledthrough，COUTEQUECOUTE，wecontinuetodineout？

Itiswithintheboundsofpossibilitythatpeoplemayhavereasonsforhurryingthroughtheirdays，andthatdiningoutA

LALONGUEbecomesaweariness。

Theoneplace，however，whereyoumightexpecttofindpeoplereposefulandcalmisatthetheatre。Thelaborofthedayisthenover；theyhaveassembledforanhourortwoofrelaxationandamusement。Yetitisattheplaythatourrestlessnessismostapparent。Watchanaudience（which，beitremarkedinpassing，hasarrivedlate）duringthelasttenminutesofaperformance。Nosoonerdotheydiscoverthattheendisdrawingnearthanpeoplebegintostruggleintotheirwraps。Bythetimetheplayershavelinedupbeforethefootlightsthehouseisfullofdisappearingbacks。

Past，indeed，aretheunruffleddayswhenaheroinewasexpected（aftertheactionofaplayhadended）todelivertheclosingENVOIdeartothewritersofQueenAnne’sday。

Thackeraywrites：—

THEPLAYISDONE！THECURTAINDROPS，SLOWFALLINGTOTHEPROMPTER’SBELL！

AMOMENTYETTHEACTORSTOPS，ANDLOOKSAROUND，TOSAYFAREWELL！

Acomedianwhoattemptedanysuchabuseofthesituationto—

daywouldfindhimselfaddressingemptybenches。Beforehehadfinishedthefirstlineofhisepilogue，mostofhispublicwouldbehousedintherapidtransitcars。Notalent，nonoveltyholdsouraudiencestotheendofaperformance。

Ontheopeningnightoftheoperaseasonthiswinter，onethirdofthe"boxes"andorchestrastallswerevacantbeforeRomeo（who，beingaforeigner，wastakinghistime）hadexpired。

Oneoverworkedmatronofmyacquaintancehasperfectedaningeniousandtime—savingcombination。Bysignallingfromawindownearheroperaboxtoafootmanbelow，sheisabletogethercarriageatleasttwominutessoonerthanherneighbors。

DuringthelastactofanoperalikeTANN—HAUSERorFAUST，inwhichtheinconsideratecomposerhasplacedamusicalgemattheend，thisladyisworthwatching。Aftergettingintoherwrapsandovershoesshestands，handonthedoor，atthebackofherbox，listeningtothesingers；atacertainmomentshehurriestothewindow，makeshersignal，scurriesback，hearsCalvepourhersouloutinANGESPURS，ANGESRADIEUX，yetmanagestogetdownthestairsandintohercarriagebeforethecurtainhasfallen。

Wedeploretheprevailinghabitof"slouch"；yetifyouthinkofit，thisuniversalhurryisthecauseofit。Ourcitiesareleftunsightly，becausewecannotsparetimetobeautifythem。Nervousdiseasesaredistressinglyprevalent；stillwehurry！hurry！！hurry！！！until，asadiplomatistrecentlyremarkedtome，thewholenationseemedtohimtobebutfiveminutesaheadofanapoplecticfit。

Thecuriouspartofthematteristhatafterseveralweeksathome，muchthatwasstrangeatfirstbecomesquitenaturaltothetraveller，whofindshimselfthinkingwithpityofbenightedforeignersandtheirhumdrumways，andwouldresentanyattemptsatreform。

What，forinstance，wouldreplaceforenterprisingsoulsthejoyoftakingtheirmatutinalcarataflyingleap，ortheraptureofbeingfirstoutofatheatre？Whatdoespartofalastactorthe"starsong"matterincomparisonwithfiveminutesofvaluabletimetothegood？Liketherivercaptains，weproposetorununderfullheadofsteamandgetthere，orb—explode！

Chapter33—TheSpiritofHistoryBUILDINGSbecometombswhentheracethatconstructedthemhasdisappeared。Librariesandmanuscriptsarecatacombswheremostofusmightwanderinthedarkforever，findingnoissue。

Toknowdeadgenerationsandtheirenvironmentsthroughthesechannels，tofeelalovesostrongthatitcallsthepastforthfromitswinding—sheet，andgivesitlifeagain，asChristdidLazarus，istheprivilegeonlyofgreathistorians。

Franceishonoringthememoryofsuchamanatthismoment；

onewhoforfortyyearssoughtthevitalsparkofhiscountry’sexistence，strivingtoresuscitatewhathecalled"thegreatsoulofhistory，"asitdevelopedthroughsuccessiveactsofthevastdrama。ThisemploymentofhisgeniusisMichelet’stitletofame。

Inasombrestructure，thetallwindowsofwhichlookacrosstheLuxembourgtreestothePantheon，whereherhusband’sbusthasrecentlybeenplaced，awidowpreserveswithreligiouscarethesouvenirsofthisgreathistorian。Nothingthatcanrecalleitherhislifeorhislaborischanged。

MadameMichelet’slifeisinstrangecontrastwiththewaysofthemodernspousewho，underpretextofgrief，discardsanddisplaceseveryreminderofthedead。Inourday，whenthegreatartistoforget，anexistenceconsecratedtoamemoryissorarethattheworldmightbethebetterforknowingthatawomanliveswho，youngandbeautiful，washappyinthesocietyofanoldman，whosegeniussheappreciatedandcherished，wholoveshimdeadasshelovedhimliving。Byhercaretheapartmentremainsasitstoodwhenheleftit，todieatHyeres，—thefurniture，thepaintings，thewriting—table。

Nostrangerhassatinhischair，noacquaintancehasdrunkfromhiscup。Thiswoman，whowasaperfectwifeandnowfillsone’sidealofwhatawidow’slifeshouldbe，hasconstitutedherselfthevigilantguardianofherhusband’smemory。Shelovestotalkoftheillustriousdead，andtellhowhewasfondofsayingthatVirgilandVicowerehisparents。AnyonewhoreadstheGEORGICSorTHEBIRDwillseethetruthofthis，forhelovedallcreatedthings，hisardentspiritismperceivingthattheessencewhichmovedtheocean’stideswasthesamethatsangintherobinatthewindowduringhislastillness，whichhecalledhis"littlecaptivesoul。"

TheauthorofLABIBLEDEL’HUMANITEhadtoasupremedegreetheloveofcountry，andpossessedthepowerofreincarnatingwitheachsucceedingcycleofitshistory。Soluminouswashismind，soprofoundandfar—reachinghissympathy，thatheunderstoodtheobscureworkingsofthemediaevalmindasclearlyasheappreciatedMirabeau’stranscendentgenius。Hebelievedthathumanity，likePrometheus，wasself—made；thatnationsmodelledtheirowndestinyduringtheactionsandreactionsofhistory，aseachoneofusacquiresapersonalitythroughthestrugglesandtemptationsofexistence，bytheevolvingpowereverysoulcarrieswithinitself。

Michelettaughtthateachnationwastheheroofitsowndrama；thatgreatmenhavenotbeendifferentfromtherestoftheirrace—onthecontrary，beingthecondensationofanepoch，that，nomatterwhattheapparenteccentricitiesofaleadermayhavebeen，hewastheexpressionofapeople’sspirit。Thisdiscoverythataraceistransformedbyitsactionuponitselfandupontheelementsitabsorbsfromwithout，wipesawayatastrokethepopularbeliefin"predestinedraces"orprovidential"greatmen"appearingatcrucialmomentsandridingvictoriousacrosstheworld。

Anhistorian，ifwhathewritesistohaveanyvalue，mustknowthepeople，theonegreathistoricalfactor。Radicalisminhistoryisthebeginningoftruth。Guidedbythislightofhisown，Micheletdiscoveredafreshfactorheretoforeunnoticed，thatvastfermentationwhichinFrancetransformsallforeignelementsintoanintegralpartofthecountry’sbeing。Afterstudyinghisownlandthroughthethirteencenturiesofhergrowth，fromthechartofChildeberttothewillofLouisXVI。，MicheletdeclaredthatwhileEnglandisacompositeempireandGermanyaregion，Franceisapersonality。Inconsequenceheregardedthehistoryofhiscountryasalongdramaticpoem。Herewereachtheinnerthoughtofthehistorian，thesecretimpulsethatguidedhismajesticpen。

TheveritableheroofhissplendidIliadisatfirstignorantandobscure，seekingpassionatelylikeOEdipustoknowhimself。Theinterestofthepieceisabsorbing。Wecanfollowthegradualdevelopmentofhisnatureasitbecomesmoreattractiveandsympatheticwitheachadvancingage，until，throughthehundredactsofthetragedy，heachievesasoul。ForMichelettowritethehistoryofhiscountrywastodescribethelongevolutionofahero。HewasfondoftellinghisfriendsthatduringtheRevolutionofJuly，whilehewasmakinghistranslationofVico，thisgreatfactwasrevealedtohimintheblazingvisionofapeopleinrevolt。Atthatmomenttheyoungandunknownauthorresolvedtodevotehislife，histalents，hisgiftofclairvoyance，themagicofhisinimitablestyleandcreativegenius，tofixingonpaperthefeaturesseeninhisvision。

Conceivedandexecutedinthisspirit，hishistorycouldbebutastupendousepic，andprovesonceagainthetruthofAristotle’sassertionthatthereisoftengreatertruthinpoetrythaninprose。

Seekingintheremotepastfortheoriginofhishero，MicheletpausesfirstbeforeTHECATHEDRAL。Thepoembeginslikesomemediaevaltale。Thefirstyearsofhisyouthfulcountryaredevotedtoamysticreligion。Underhisardenthandsvastnavesriseandbelfriestouchtheclouds。Itisbutasadandcrampeddevelopment，however；statutesrestrainhisyoungardorandchillhisblood。Itisnotuntiltheboyisbehindtheploughinthefieldsandsunlightthathisreallifebegins—apoor，brutishexistence，ifyouwill，butstilllife。The"Jacques，"halfmanandhalfbeast，oftheMiddleAgesistheresultofathousandyearsofsuffering。

Awoman’svoicecallsthisbrutetoarms。Anenemyisoverrunningtheland。Joanthevirgin—"myJoan，"Micheletcallsher—whoseheartbleedswhenbloodisshed，freeshercountry。Ashadow，however，soonobscuresthisgraciousvisionfromJacques’seyes。Thevastmonarchicalincubusrisesbetweenthepeopleandtheirideal。OurhistorianturnsindisgustfromthelaterFrenchkings。Hehasneithertimenorhearttowritetheirhistory，sopassesquicklyfromLouisXI。tothegreatclimaxofhisdrama—theRevolution。Therewefindhishero，emergingatlastfromtyrannyandoppression。Freedomandhappinessarebeforehim。Alas！hiseyes，accustomedtothedimlightofdungeons，aredazzledbythesunofliberty；hestrikesfriendandfoealike。

Inthesolitarygalleriesofthe"Archives"Micheletcommuneswiththegreatspiritsofthatday，Desaix，Marceau，Kleber，—

eldersonsoftheRepublic，whowhispermanysecretstotheirpupilasheturnsoverfadedpagestiedwithtri—coloredribbons，wherethecitiesofFrancehavewrittentheiraffectionforliberty，love—lettersfromJacquestohismistress。Micheletishappy。Hislonglaborisdrawingtoanend。Thegreatepicwhichhehasfollowedasitdevelopedthroughthecenturiesiscomplete。Hisherostandshandinhandbeforethealtarwiththespouseofhischoice，forwhosesmilehehastoiledandstruggled。Thepoet—historianseesagainintheFETEDELAFEDERATIONtheradiantfaceofhisvision，thetruefaceofFrance，LADULCE。

Throughallthelyricismofthismaster’sworkonefeelsthathehas"lived"historyashewroteit，followinghissubjectfromitsobscuregenesistoaradiantapotheosis。ThefaithfulcompanionofMichelet’sagehasbornewitnesstothispowerwhichhepossessedofprojectinghimselfintoanotherageandlivingwithhissubject。Sherepeatstothosewhoknowherhowhetrembledinpassionandburnedwithpatrioticemotionintranscribingthecrucialpagesofhiscountry’shistory，rejoicinginhersuccessesanddepressedbyherfaults，liketheclassichistorianwhorefusedwithhorrortotellthestoryofhiscompatriots’defeatatCannae，saying，"Icouldnotsurvivetherecital。"

"Doyouremember，"afriendonceaskedMadameMichelet，"how，whenyourhusbandwaswritinghischaptersontheReignofTerror，heendedbyfallingill？"

"Ah，yes！"shereplied。"ThatwastheweekheexecutedDanton。WewerelivinginthecountrynearNantes。Thegroundwascoveredwithsnow。Icanseehimnow，hurryingtoandfrounderthebaretrees，gesticulatingandcryingashewalked，`HowcanIjudgethem，thosegreatmen？HowcanI

judgethem？’Itwasinthiswaythathethrewhis`thousandsouls’intothepastandlivedinsympathywithallmen，anapostleofuniversallove。Afteroneofthesefecundhourshewoulddropintohischairandmurmur，`Iamcrushedbythiswork。Ihavebeenwritingwithmyblood！’"

Alas，hisagedeyesweredestinedtoreadsadderpagesthanhehadeverwritten，toseeyearsastragicasthe"Terror。"Helivedtoheartherecitalof（havingrefusedtowitness）hiscountry’shumiliation，andfelloneAprilmorning，inhisretirementnearPisa，unconsciousunderthedoubleshockofinvasionandcivilwar。Thoughherecoveredlater，hishorizonremaineddark。Thepatriotsufferedtoseepartyspiritandwarringfactionsrendingthenationhehadsooftencalledthepilotofhumanity’sbark，whichseemednowtobegoingstraightontherocks。"FINISGALLIAE，"murmuredthehistorian，whototheendlivedanddiedwithhisnativeland。

ThousandsyearlymountthebroadstepsofthePantheontolaytheirwreathsuponhistomb，andthousandsmoreineveryGallicschoolroomaredailylearning，inthepagesofhishistory，toloveFRANCELADULCE。