Chapter1—"UNCLESAM"
THEgentlemanwhogracedthegubernatorialarm—chairofourstatewhenthiscenturywasbornhappenedtobeanadmirerofclassicloreandthesonorousnamesofantiquity。
Itisowingtohisweaknessinbestowingpompouscognomensonourembryotownsandvillagesthatto—daynameslikeUtica,Syracuse,andIthaca,insteadofevokingvisionsofhistoricpompandcircumstance,raiseinthemindsofmostAmericansthepictureofcockylittlecities,richonlyintrolley—carsandMethodistmeeting—houses。
When,however,thisculturedgovernor,inhisardor,christenedoneofthecitiesTroy,andthehillinitsvicinityMountIda,helittledreamedthatayouthwaslivingonitsslopeswhosenamewasdestinedtobecomeahouseholdwordtheworldover,asthesynonymfortheproudestandwealthiestrepublicyetknowntohistory,asobriquetthatwouldbefamiliarinthemouthsofracestowhosecontinentseventhetitlesofJupiterorMarshadneverpenetrated。
Alittlebeforethiscenturybegan,twoboyswithpacksboundontheirstalwartshoulderswalkedfromNewYorkandestablishedabrickyardintheneighborhoodofwhatisnowPerryStreet,Troy。EbenezerandSamuelWilsonsoonbecameesteemedcitizensoftheinfantcity,theirkindlinessandbenevolencewinningforthemtheaffectionandrespectofthecommunity。
Theyoungerbrother,Samuel,wasanespecialfavoritewiththechildrenoftheplace,whoseexplorationsintohisdeeppocketsweregenerallyrewardedbythediscoveryofsomesimple"sweet"orhome—madetoy。Theslenderyouthwiththe"nutcracker"faceprovingtobethemerriestofplayfellows,intheirlovehislittlebandofadmirersgavehimthepetnameof"UncleSam,"bywhichhequicklybecameknown,totheexclusionofhisrealname。Thisisthekindlyandhumbleoriginofatitlethemerespeakingofwhichto—dayquickensthepulseandmoistenstheeyesofmillionsofAmericanswiththesamethrillthatthedearoldflagarouseswhenwecatchsightofit,especiallyanunexpectedglimpseinsomeforeignland。
Withincreasingwealththebrick—yardoftheWilsonbrotherswasreplacedbyanextensiveslaughteringbusiness,inwhichmorethanahundredmenweresoonemployed—avastestablishmentforthatday,killingweeklysomethousandheadofcattle。Duringthemilitaryoperationsof1812thebrotherssignedacontracttofurnishthetroopsatGreenbushwithmeat,"packedinfullboundbarrelsofwhiteoak";soonafter,SamuelwasappointedInspectorofProvisionsforthearmy。
ItisacuriouscoincidencethatEnglandalsoshouldhavetakenanex—army—contractorasherpatronsaint,forifwearetobelievetradition,St。GeorgeofCappadociafilledthatpositionunsatisfactorilybeforehepassedthroughmartyrdomtosainthood。
Trueprototypeofthenationthatwaslatertoadopthimasitsgodfather,theshrewdandhonestpatriot,"UncleSam,"notonlylivedloyallyuptohiscontracts,givingfullmeasureandofhisbest,butprovedhimselfincorruptible,makingithisbusinesstoseethatotherstoofulfilledtheirengagementsbothintheletterandthespirit;sothatthe"U。S。"(abbreviationofUnitedStates)whichhepencilledonallprovisionsthathadpassedhisinspectionbecameintheeyesofofficersandsoldiersaguaranteeofexcellence。
Samuel’soldfriends,theboysofTroy(nowenlistedinthearmy),naivelyimaginingthatthemysticinitialswereanallusiontothepetnametheyhadgivenhimyearsbefore,wouldacceptnomeatsbut"UncleSam’s,"murmuringifotherviandswereofferedthem。Theircomradeswithoutinquiryfollowedthisexample;untilsostrongdidtheprejudiceforfoodmarked"U。S。"become,thatothercontractors,inorderthattheirprovisionsshouldfindfavorwiththesoldiers,tooktoannouncing"UncleSam"brands。
Tothegreaterpartofthetroops,ignorant(asaremostAmericansto—day)oftherealoriginofthispseudonym,"UncleSam’s"beefandbreadmeantmerelygovernmentprovisions,andthestepfromnationalbelongingstoanimpersonationofourcountrybyanideal"UncleSam"wasbutalogicalsequence。
Inhisvigorousoldage,SamuelWilsonagainlivedonMountIda,neartheestatesoftheWarrenfamily,whereaschildrenweweretakentovisithishouseandhearanecdotesoftheagedpatriot’shospitalityandhumor。Thehonorinwhichhewasheldbythecountry—side,theinfluenceforgoodheexerted,andtheinformaltribunalheheld,towhichhisneighborscametogettheirdifferencesstraightenedoutbyhiscommonsense,arestilltalkedofbytheolderinhabitants。Onestoryinparticularusedtocharmourboyishears。ItwasaboutadisputeoverlandbetweentheLivingstonsandtheVanRensselaers,whichwasbroughttoanendby"UncleSam’s"producingabarrelofoldpapers(confidedtohimbybothfamiliesduringthewar,forsafekeeping)andextractingfromthisoriginal"strongbox"titledeedstothepropertyinlitigation。
Now,inthesetroubledtimesofours,whenrumorsofwarareagainintheair,one’sthoughtsrevertwithpleasuretothehalf—mythicalfigureonthethresholdofthecentury,andtolegendsoftheclear—eyedgiant,withthequizzicalsmileandthetender,loyalheart,whoselife’sworkmakeshimamorelovablemodelandanoblerexampletoholdupbeforetheyouthofto—daythanallthemythologicaldeitiesthateverdisportedthemselvesontheoriginalMountIda。
Thereisasingularfitnessinthischoiceof"UncleSam"asourpatronsaint,fortobehonestandloyalandmodest,tolovelittlechildren,todoone’sdutyquietlyintheheydayoflife,andbecomeamediatorinoldage,istofulfilaboutthewholedutyofman;andeverypatrioticheartmustwishtheanalogymaybelongmaintained,thatourlovedcountry,likeitsprototype,maycontinuetheprotectorofthefeebleandapeace—makeramongnations。
Chapter2—DomesticDespotsTHOSEwhowalkthroughthewell—to—doquartersofourcity,andglance,perhapsalittleenviouslyastheypass,towardthecheerfulfiresides,donotreflectthatinalmosteveryoneoftheseapparentlyhappyhomesapitilesstyrantreigns,amisshapenmonsterwithoutbowelsofcompassionorthoughtbeyonditsowngreedyappetites,whositslikeSinbad’sawfulburdenonthenecksoftenderwomenanddistractedmen。
Sometimesthisincubustakestheformofapug,sometimesofapoodle,orsimplyabastardcuradmittedtothefamilybosominamomentofunreflectingpity;sizeandpedigreeareofnoimportance;theresultisalwaysthesame。OnceCalibanisinstalledinhisstronghold,peaceandindependencedesertthatroof。
Wereaddailyoffatherstyrannizingovertremblingfamilies,ofstepmothersandunnaturalchildrenturningwhatmightbehappyhomesintoamateurInfernos,andsigh,aswethinkofmartyrdomsenduredbyoverworkedanimals。
Itischeeringtoknowthatsocietieshavebeenformedfortheprotectionofdumbbrutesandhelplesschildren。Willnoattemptbemadetoalleviatethisotherformofsuffering,whichhasapparentlyescapedtheeyeofthereformer?
Theanimalkingdomisdivided—likeallGaul—intothreedivisions:wildbeasts,thatareobligedtohustleforthemselves;laboringandproducinganimals,forwhichmanprovidesbecausetheyareusefultohim—anddogs!Ofallcreatedthingsonourglobethecanineracehavethesoftest"snap。"Themoreonethinksaboutthiscuriousexceptionintheirfavorthemoreunaccountableitappears。Weneglectsuchwildthingsaswedonotslaughter,andexacttoilfromdomesticatedanimalsinreturnfortheirkeep。Dogsalone,shirkingallcaresandlabor,liveinidlecomfortatman’sexpense。
WhenthatpainfulfamilyjarbrokeupthelittlegardenpartyinEdenandforcedourfirstparentstoworkorhuntforaliving,theoriginalDog(equallydisgustedwitheitheralternative)hitontheluminousideaofposingasthechampionofthedisgracedcouple,andattachedhimselftoAdamandEve;notthatheapprovedoftheirconduct,butsimplybecauseheforesawthatifhemadehimselfcompanionableandcosyhewouldbeaskedtostaytodinner。
Fromthatdaytothepresent,withtheexceptionofoccasionallywatchingsheepandhouses—alazyoccupationatthebest—andalittlelightcartinginBelgium(dogsweregivenupasturn—spitscenturiesago,becausetheyperformedthatdutybadly),nocaninehasraisedapawtodoanhonestday’swork,neitherhasanymemberofthegenusbeenknownvoluntarilytoperformausefulact。
Howthen—oneasksone’sselfinawonder—didthemythoriginatethatDogwasthefriendofMan?Likeamultitudeofotherfallaciestaughttoinnocentchildren,thisfollymustbeunlearnedlater。Friendofman,indeed!Why,the"LittleBrothersoftheRich"areguilelessphilanthropistsincomparisonwithmostcanines,andunworthytobenamedinthesamebreathwiththem。Dogsdiscoveredcenturiesagothattoliveinluxury,itwasonlynecessarytoassumeanexaggeratedaffectionforsomewealthymortal,andhavesinceprovedthemselvespastmastersinadifficultartinwhichfewmensucceed。Thenumberofhumanbeingswhomanagetoliveontheirfriendsissmall,whereastheveriestmongrelcurcontrivestoenjoyfoodandlodgingatsomedupe’sexpense。
Factssuchasthese,however,havenotover—thrownthegreatdogmyth。Onecanhardlyopenachild’sbookwithoutcomingacrosssometaleofcanineintelligenceanddevotion。Mytenderyouthwassaddenedbythestoryofonedisinteresteddogthatrefusedtoleavehismaster’sgraveandwasfoundfrozenathispostonableakwinter’smorning。WiththeexperienceofyearsinpetdogsInowsuspectthat,insteadofactinginthistheatricalfashion,thatpuptrottedhomefromthefuneralwiththemostprosperousandsimple—mindedcoupleintheneighborhood,andafterasubstantialmealwenttosleepbythefire。Hemusthavebeenacleverdogtogetsomuchfreeadvertisement,soprobablystrolledouttohismaster’sgravethenextnoon,whenpeoplewereabouttohearhim,andhowledalittletokeepupappearances。
Ihavewritten"therichestandmostsimplemindedcouple,"
becausecenturiesofself—seekinghavedevelopedinthesebeastsanespecialaptitudeforspottingpossiblevictimsataglance。Youwillrarelyfinddogscoquettingwiththestrong—
mindedorwastingblandishmentswherethereisnottheprobabilityofimmediateprofit;butonceletevenapuppygetatenderheartedgirloragedcoupleunderhisinfluence,nopitywillbeshownthevictims。
ThereisahousenotasquareawayfromMr。Gerry’sphilanthropicheadquarters,whereastateofthingsexistscalculatedtoextracttearsfromacustom—houseofficial。TwoelderlyvirginsarethereheldinbondagebyaMinotaurnobiggerthanyourtwofists。Thesegooddameshaveatastefortravelling,butchangeofclimatedisagreeswiththeirtyrant。
Theydislikehouse—keepingand,likegoodAmericans,wouldpreferhotellife,neverthelesstheykeepupanestablishmentinacheerlesssidestreet,witharetinueofservants,because,forsooth,theirsatrapexactsabackyardwherehecanwalkofamorning。Thesespinsters,althoughlovingsisters,nolongergoabouttogether,Caligula’snervesbeingsoshakenthatsolitudeupsetsthem。Hewouldsoonerexpirethanbeleftalonewiththeservant,fortheexcellentreasonthathisbadtemperandabsurdairshavemadehimdangerousenemiesbelowstairs—andheknowsit!
Anotherhouseholdinthiscityrevolvesaroundtwobrainless,goggle—eyedbeasts,importedatmuchexpensefromtheslopesofFuji—yama。Thecarethatislavishedonthoseheathenmonsterspassesbelief。Maidsareemployedtocarrythemupanddownstairs,andmenarecalledinthenighttohurryforadoctorwhenChihasover—eatenorFudevelopscolic;yettheirdevotedmistresstellsme,withtearsinhereyes,thatinspiteofthiscare,whenshetakesherdarlingsforawalktheydonotknowherfromthefirststrangerthatpasses,andwillfollowanyboywhowhistlestotheminthestreet。
Whatrevoltsmeinthecharacterofdogsisthat,notcontentwithescapingfromtheresponsibilitiesentailedonalltheotherinhabitantsofourglobebythestruggleforexistence,thesefour—leggedPecksniffshavesucceededinmakingforthemselvesafallaciousreputationforhonestyanddevotion。
WhatlittlelingeringbeliefIhadincaninefidelitysuccumbedthenIwastoldthatSt。Bernards—thosemodelsofintegrityandcourage—havefallenintothehabitofcarryingtheflasksofbrandythatthekindmonksprovideforthesuccorofsnowboundtravellers,totheneighboringhamletsandexchangingthecontentsfor—chops!
Willtheworldeverwaketothetruecharacterofthesefour—
leggedimpostorsandrealizethatinsteadofbeingdisinterestedandsincere,mostfamilypetsareconsummatehypocrites。Innocent?Pshaw!Theirpretty,coaxingwaysandpretencesofaffectionareunadulteratedguile;theirostentatiousdevotion,simplyaclevermanoeuvretoexciteinterestandobtainunmeritedpraise。Itisuseless,however,tohopethatthingswillchange。Solongasthisgiddyoldworldgoesonwaltzinginspace,solongshallwecontinuetobedupedbyshamsandpinourfaithonfrauds,confoundinganattractivebearingwithasweetdispositionandmistakingdishevelledhairandeccentricappearanceforbrains。EvenintheOrient,wheredogshavebeengrantedimmunityfromotherlaborontheconditionthattheyorganizedaneffectivestreet—cleaningdepartment,theyhavebeenfalsetotheirtrustandhaveevadedtheircontractsquiteasiftheywereTammanybraves,likewhomtheypasstheirdaysinslumberandtheirnightsinsettlingprivatedisputes,whilethecityremainsuncleaned。
Inurseyetanothergrudgeagainstthecaninerace!ThatVoltaireofawhelp,whoimposedhimselfuponourconfidingfirstparents,musthavehadanimportantpullatheadquarters,forhecertainlysucceededingettingthedecreeconcerningbeautyandfitnesswhichappliestoallmammals,includingmanhimself,reversedinfavorofdogs,andhandeddowntohisdescendantsthesecretofmakingdefectsanddeformitiespasscurrentasqualities。Whileotheranimalsarevaluedforsleekcoatsandslenderproportions,caninemonstrositieshavealwaysbeenindemand。Wedonotadmiresquintsorprotrudingunderjawsinourownrace,yetbulldogshavepersuadedmanyweak—mindedpeoplethatthesedefectsarecharmingwhencombinedinanindividualoftheirbreed。
Thefoxinthefable,whoafterlosinghistailtriedtomakethatbereavementthefashion,failedinhisundertaking;Dutchcanal—boatdogshave,however,beensuccessfulwherethefoxfailed,andareto—daypamperedandprizedforacurtailmentthatwouldcondemnanyotheranimal(exceptperhapsaManxcat)toawaterygraveatbirth。
Icanonlyrecalltwoinstanceswherecaninesycophantsgottheirdeserts;thefirsttale(probablyapocryphal)isaboutadonkey,foryearsthesilentvictimofalittleterrierwhohadbeentrainedtoleadhimtowaterandback。Thedog—asmighthavebeenexpected—abusedthesituation,whilepretendingtobeverykindtohischarge,neverallowedhimtorollonthegrass,ashewouldhaveliked,ordrinkinpeace,andharassedthepoorbeastinmanyotherways,getting,however,muchcreditfromtheneighborsfordevotionandintelligence。Finally,onedayaftermonthsofwaiting,thepatientvictim’schancecame。Gettinghistormentorwelloutintodeepwater,thedonkeyquietlysatdownonhim。
Theothertaleistrue,forIknewtheladywhoprovidedinherwillthatherentireestablishmentshouldbekeptupforthecomfortandduringthelifeofthethreefatspanielsthathadsolacedherdecliningyears。Theheirstriedtobreakthewillandfailed;thedelighteddomestics,seeingbeforethemaperiodofrepose,proceeded(headedbytheportlyhousekeeper)
toconsulta"vet"astohowthelifeofthepreciouslegateesmightbeprolongedtotheutmost。Hisadvicewastostopallsweetsandrichfoodandgiveeachoftheanimalsatleastthreehoursofhardexerciseaday。Fromthatmomentthelazybrutesledadog’slife。Waterandthedetested"Spratt"
biscuit,scornedinhappierdays,formedtheirmeagreordinary;insteadofsomnolentairingsinasoftlycushionedlandautheyweretornfromchimneycornermusingstoberacedthroughcold,muddystreetsbyagroomonhorseback。
Thosetwotalesgivemethekeenestpleasure。WhenIamreceivedonenteringafriend’sroomwithachorusofyelpsandattackedindarkcornersbysnarlinglittlehypocriteswhofawnonmeintheirmaster’spresence,IhumblypraythatsomesuchNemesismaybeinstorefortheseFAUXBONHOMMESbeforetheyleavethisworld,asapparentlynoprovisionhasbeenmadefortheirpunishmentinthenext。
Chapter3—Cyrano,Rostand,CoquelinAMONGtheproverbsofSpanishfolk—lorethereisasayingthatgoodwineretainsitsflavorinspiteofrudebottlesandcrackedcups。ThesuccessofM。Rostand’sbrilliantdrama,CYRANODEBERGERAC,initsEnglishdressprovesoncemorethetruthofthisadage。Thefunandpathos,thewitandsatire,oftheoriginalpiercethroughthehalting,feebletranslationlikelightthrougharaggedcurtain,dazzlingthespectatorsandsettingtheirenthusiasmablaze。
Thosewholovethetheatreatitsbest,whenitappealstoourfinerinstinctsandmovesustohealthylaughterandtears,oweadebtofgratitudetoRichardMansfieldforhiscourageingivingus,asfarasthedifferenceoflanguageandrhythmwouldallow,thisCHEFD’OEUVREunchanged,freefromthemutilationsoftheadapter,withtheauthor’swishesandthestagedecorationsfollowedintothesmallestdetail。InthiswayweprofitbythevastlaborandstudywhichRostandandCoquelingavetotheoriginalproduction。
RumorsofthesuccessattainedbythisplayinParissoonfloatedacrosstous。ThetwoorthreeFrenchbooksellersherecouldnotimportthepiecefastenoughtomeettheeverincreasingdemandofourreadingpublic。Bythetimespringcame,therewerefewcultivatedpeoplewhohadnotreadthenewworkanddiscusseditsoriginallanguageanddaringtreatment。
OnarrivinginParis,myfirsteveningwaspassedatthePorteSt。Martin。Afterthepiecewasover,IdroppedintoCoquelin’sdressing—roomtoshakethisoldacquaintancebythehandandgivehimnewsofhismanyfriendsinAmerica。
Coquelininhisdressing—roomisoneofthemostdelightfulofmortals。Theeffortofplayingsetshisbloodinmotionandhiswitsparkling。Heseemedasfreshandgaythateveningasthoughtherewerenotfivekillingactsbehindhimandthefatigueofatwo—hundred—nightrun,uninterruptedevenbySundays,addedtohis"record。"
Aftertheoperationofremovinghishistoricnosehadbeenperformedandtheactorhadresumedhisownclothesandfeatures,wegotintohiscarriageandweredriventohisapartmentinthePlacedel’Etoile,acosymuseumfullofcomfortablechairsandpricelessbric—a—brac。Theconversationnaturallyturnedduringsupperonthepieceandthisnewauthorwhohadsprunginanightfromobscuritytoaglobe—embracingfame。How,Iasked,didyoucomeacrosstheplay,andwhatdecidedyoutoproduceit?
Coquelin’sreplywassointerestingthatitwillbebettertorepeattheactor’sownwordsashetoldhistaleoverthedismantledtableinthetranquilmidnighthours。
"Ihad,likemostParisians,knownRostandforsometimeastheauthorofafewgracefulversesandaplay(LES
ROMANESQUES)whichpassedalmostunnoticedattheFrancais。
"AboutfouryearsagoSarahBernhardtaskedmetoher`hotel’
tohearM。Rostandreadaplayhehadjustcompletedforher。
Iacceptedreluctantly,asatthatmomentwewerebusyatthetheatre。Ialsodoubtediftherecouldbemuchinthenewplaytointerestme。ItwasLAPRINCESSELOINTAINE。IshallrememberthatafternoonaslongasIlive!Fromthefirstlinemyattentionwasrivetedandmysenseswerecharmed。
Whatstruckmeasevenmoreremarkablethanthepiecewasthemasterlypowerandfinishwithwhichtheboyishauthordeliveredhislines。Where,Iaskedmyself,hadhelearnedthatdifficultart?Thegreatactress,alwaysquicktorespondtothevoiceofart,acceptedtheplaythenandthere。
"AfterthereadingwasoverIwalkedhomewithM。Rostand,andhadalongtalkwithhimabouthisworkandambitions。Whenwepartedathisdoor,Isaid:`Inmyopinion,youaredestinedtobecomethegreatestdramaticpoetoftheage;I
bindmyselfhereandnowtotakeanyplayyouwrite(inwhichthereisapartforme)withoutreadingit,tocancelanyengagementsImayhaveonhand,andproduceyourpiecewiththeleastpossibledelay。’AnofferIdon’timaginemanyyoungpoetshaveeverreceived,andwhichIcertainlyneverbeforemadetoanyauthor。
"Aboutsixweekslatermynewacquaintancedroppedinonemorningtoreadmethesketchhehadworkedoutforadrama,thetitleroleofwhichhethoughtwouldpleaseme。Iwasdelightedwiththeidea,andtoldhimtogoahead。Amonthlaterwemetinthestreet。Onaskinghimhowtheplaywasprogressing,tomyastonishmentheansweredthathehadabandonedthatideaandhituponsomethingentirelydifferent。
ChancehadthrowninhiswayanoldvolumeofCyranodeBergerac’spoems,whichsodelightedhimthathehadbeenreadingupthelifeanddeathofthatunfortunatepoet。FromthisreadinghadsprungtheideaofmakingCyranothecentralfigureofadramalaidinthecityofRichelieu,d’Artagnan,andthePRECIEUSESRIDICULES,aseventeenth—centuryParisofloveandduelling。
"Atfirstthisideastruckmeasunfortunate。TheelderDumashadworkedthatveinsowellandsocompletely,Idoubtedifanyliterarygoldremainedforanotherauthor。ItseemedfoolhardytoresuscitatetheTHREEGUARDSMENepoch—andI
doubtedifitwerepossibletocarryouthisideaandplayanintenseandpatheticroledisguisedwithaburlesquenose。
"Thiscontrastingofthegrotesqueandthesentimentalwasofcoursenotnew。VictorHugohadbrokenawayfromclassictraditionwhenhemadeahunchbacktheheroofadrama。Thereremained,however,theriskofourParisianpublicnotacceptingthenewsituationseriously。Itseemedtomelikebringingthesublimeperilouslyneartheridiculous。
"Fortunately,Rostanddidnotsharethisopinionormydoubts。
Hewasfullofenthusiasmforhispieceandconfidentofitssuccess。Wesatwherewehadmet,underthetreesoftheChampsElysees,foracoupleofhours,turningthesubjectaboutandlookingatthequestionfromeverypointofview。
Beforewepartedthepoethadconvincedme。Therole,asheconceivedit,wascertainlyoriginal,andthereforetempting,openingvastpossibilitiesbeforemydazzledeyes。
"IfoundoutlaterthatRostandhadgonestraighthomeafterthatconversationandworkedfornearlytwentyhourswithoutleavingthestudy,wherehiswifefoundhimatdaybreak,fastasleepwithhisheadonapileofmanuscript。HewasatmyroomsthenextdaybeforeIwasup,sittingonthesideofmybed,readingtheresultofhislabor。AsthestoryunfoldeditselfIwasmoreandmoredelighted。HisideaofresuscitatingthequaintinterioroftheHoteldeBourgogneTheatrewasoriginal,andthebalconyscene,eveninoutline,enchanting。AfterthereadingRostanddashedoffashehadcome,andformanyweeksIsawnomoreofhim。
"LAPRINCESSELOINTAINEwas,inthemeantime,producedbySarah,firstinLondonandtheninParis。IntheEnglishcapitalitwasafailure;withusitgainedaSUCCESD’ESTIME,thefantasticgraceandlightnessofthepiecesavingitfromabsoluteshipwreckintheeyesoftheliterarypublic。
"Betweenourselves,"continuedCoquelin,pushingasidehisplate,atwinkleinhissmalleyes,"isthereasonofthislackofsuccessverydifficulttodiscover?ThePrincessinthepieceissupposedtobeafairyenchantressinhersixteenthyear。Theplayturnsonheryouthandinnocence。
Now,honestly,isSarah,evenonthestage,anyone’sidealofyouthandinnocence?"ThiswasaskedsonaivelythatIburstintoalaugh,inwhichmyhostjoinedme。Unfortunately,thisgrandmamma,likeEllenTerry,cannotbemadetounderstandthattherearerolessheshouldleavealone,thatwithalltheillusionsthestagelendsshecannolongerplaygirlishpartswithsuccess。
"ThefailureofhisplayproducedthemostdisastrouseffectonRostand,whohadgivenupayearofhislifetoitscompositionandwasprofoundlychagrinedbyitsfall。Hesankintoamildmelancholy,refusingformorethaneighteenmonthstoputpentopaper。OntherareoccasionswhenwemetI
urgedhimtopullhimselftogetherandriseabovedisappointment。Littlebylittle,hisfriendswereabletoawakenhisdormantinterestandgethimtoworkagainonCYRANO。Asheslowlyregainedconfidenceandbegantakingpleasureoncemoreinhiswork,theboyishauthortooktodroppinginonmeatimpossiblemorninghourstoreadsomescenehotfromhisardentbrain。Whenseatedbymybedside,hedeclaimedhislinesuntil,litathisflame,Iwouldjumpoutofbed,andwrappingmydressing—gownhastilyaroundme,seizethemanuscriptoutofhishands,and,beforeIknewit,findmyselfaddressingimaginaryaudiences,pokerinhand,inlieuofasword,withanyhatthatcametohanddoingdutyfortheplumedheadgearofourhero。Littlebylittle,lineuponline,themasterpiecegrewunderhishands。Mycareerasanactorhasthrownmeinwithmanyformsofliteraryindustryanddoggedapplication,butthepowerofsustainedeffortanduntiring,unflaggingzealpossessedbythatfragileyouthsurpassedanythingIhadseen。
"Astheworkbegantakingform,Rostandhiredaplaceinthecountry,sothatnovisitorsorinvitationsmighttempthimawayfromhisdailytoil。Rich,young,handsome,marriedtoawomanallPariswasadmiring,witheverydoor,socialorBohemian,wideopenbeforehisbirthandtalent,hevoluntarilyshuthimselfupforoverayearinadismalsuburb,allowingnoamusementtodisturbhisincessanttoil。
Mme。Rostandhassincetoldmethatatonetimesheseriouslyfearedforhisreasonifnotforhislife,asheaveragedtenhoursadaysteadywork,andwhenthespellwasonhimwouldpassnightafternightathisstudytable,rewriting,cutting,modellinghisplay,nevercontented,alwaysstrivingafteramoreexpressiveadjective,amoreharmoniousororiginalrhyme,castingasideamonth’sfinishedworkwithoutasecondthoughtwhenhejudgedthatanotherformexpressedhisideamoreperfectly。
"ThatnosuccessischeaplyboughtIhavelongknown;myprofessionaboveallothersiscalculatedtoteachonethattruth。
"IfRostand’splayisthebestthiscenturyhasproduced,andourgreatestcriticsareunanimousinpronouncingitequal,ifnotsuperior,toVictorHugo’smasterpieces,theyoungauthorhasnotstolenhislaurels,butgainedthemleafbyleafduringendlessmidnighthoursofbrain—wringingeffort—apricethatfewinagenerationwouldbewillingtogiveorcapableofgivingforfame。Thelaborhadbeeninproportiontothesuccess;italwaysis!Idoubtifthereisonewordinhis`duel’balladthathasnotbeenchangedagainandagainforamorefittingexpression,asonemightassorttheshadesofamosaicuntilaharmoniouswholeisproduced。Ihavethereinmydeskwholescenesthathediscardedbecausetheywerenotessentialtotheactionofthepiece。Theywillprobablyneverbeprinted,yetareasbrilliantandcosttheirauthorasmuchlaborasanythatthepublicapplaudedto—
night。
"AsourrehearsalsproceededIsawanothersideofRostand’scharacter;theenergyandendurancehiddeninhisalmosteffeminateframeastonishedusall。Healmostlivedatthetheatre,drillingeachactor,designingeachcostume,orderingthesettingofeachscene。Therewasnotadressthathedidnotcopyfromsomeoldprint,oraPASSADEthathedidnotindicatetothehumblestmemberofthetroop。ThemarvellousdictionthatIhadnoticedduringthereadingatSarah’sservedhimnowandgavethekeytotheentireperformance。I
haveneverseenhimpeevishordiscouraged,butalwayscourteousandcheerfulthroughallthosewearyweeksofrepetition,wheneventhemostenthusiasticfeeltheircourageoozingawayundertheawfulgrindofafternoonandeveningrehearsal,thelatterbeginningatmidnightaftertheregularperformancewasover。
"Thenewswassomehowspreadamongthetheatre—lovingpublicthatsomethingoutiftheordinarywasinpreparation。Thepaperstookupthetaleandrepeatedituntilthewholecapitalwaskeyeduptoconcertpitch。Theopeningnightwaseagerlyawaitedbythecritics,theliteraryandtheartisticworlds。Whenthecurtainroseonthefirstacttherewastheemotionofagreateventfloatingintheair。"HereCoquelin’sfaceassumedanintenseexpressionIhadrarelyseentherebefore。Hewasbackonthestage,livingoveragaintheglorioushoursofthatnight’striumph。Hisbreathwascomingquickandhiseyesaglowwiththememoryofthatevening。"Never,neverhaveIlivedthroughsuchanevening。
VictorHugo’sgreatesttriumph,thefirstnightofHERNANI,wastheonlytheatricaleventthatcancomparetoit。It,however,wasinjuredbytheenmityofacliquewhopersistentlyhissedthenewplay。Thereisbutonephrasetoexpresstheenthusiasmatourfirstperformance—UNESALLEEN
DELIREgivessomeideaofwhattookplace。Asthecurtainfelloneachsucceedingacttheentireaudiencewouldrisetoitsfeet,shoutingandcheeringfortenminutesatatime。
Thecoulisseandthedressing—roomswerepackedbythecriticsandtheauthor’sfriends,besidethemselveswithdelight。I
wastremblingsoIcouldhardlygetfromonecostumeintoanother,andhadtorefusemydoortoeveryone。AmidallthisconfusionRostandaloneremainedcoolandseemedunconsciousofhisvictory。Hecontinuedquietlygivinglastrecommendationstothefigurants,overseeingthesettingofthescenes,andthankingtheactorsastheycameoffthestage,withthesameself—possessedurbanityhehadshownduringtherehearsals。Finally,whentheplaywasover,andwehadtimetoturnandlookforhim,ourauthorhaddisappeared,havingquietlydrivenoffwithhiswifetotheirhouseinthecountry,fromwhichhenevermovedforaweek。"
Itstrucktwoo’clockasCoquelinended。Thesleeplesscityhadatlastgonetorest。Atourfeet,aswestoodbytheopenwindow,thegreatsquarearoundtheArcdeTriomphelaysilentandempty,itsvastarchrisingdimlyagainstthenightsky。
AsIturnedtogo,Coquelintookmyhandandremarked,smiling:"Nowyouhaveheardthestoryofagenius,anactor,andamasterpiece。"
Chapter4—Machine—madeMenAMONGthecommonplacewhiteandyellowenvelopesthatcomposethebulkofone’scorrespondence,appearfromtimetotimedaintyepistlesontintedpaper,adornedwithcrestsormonograms。"Ha!ha!"Ithinkwhenoneoftheseappears,"hereissomethingworthopening!"Forbetweenourselves,readermine,oldbachelorslovetoreceivenotesfromwomen。It’ssoflatteringtoberememberedbythedearcreatures,andrecallsthetimewhenlifewasbeginning,andPOULETSinfemininewritingsuggestedsuchdelightfulpossibilities。
OnlythismorninganenvelopeofdelicateNilegreencausedmeadistinctthrillofanticipation。Tojudgebyappearancesitcouldcontainnothinglessattractivethanadeclaration,so,tearingithurriedlyopen,Iread:"Messrs。Sparks&Splitherstakepleasureincallingattentiontotheirpatentsuspendersandnewestdesignsinreversiblepapercollars!"
Now,ifthat’snotenoughtoputanymaninabadhumorfortwenty—fourhours,Ishouldliketoknowwhatis?Moreover,I
have"patents"inhorror,experiencehavinglongagorevealedthefactthatapatentisprettysuretobeonlyanewwayofdoingfastandcheaplysomethingthatformerlywasaccomplishedslowlyandwell。
Fewpeoplestoptothinkhowquicklythislandofoursisdegeneratingintoaparadiseofthecheapandnasty,butallowthemselvestobeheatedandcooledandwhirledaboutthestreetstothedetrimentoftheirnervesanddigestions,undertheimpressionthattheyareenjoyingthebenefitsofmodernprogress。
Socomplexhaslifebecomeintheselaterdaysthattheverybedswelieonandthemealsweeatarecontrolledbypatents。
Everygarmentandpieceoffurniturenowpaysa"royalty"tosomeinventor,fromthehatsonourheadstothecarpetsunderfoot,whichlatterarenotonlymanufactured,butcleanedandshakenbymachinery,and(beitremarkedENPASSANT)losetheirnapprematurelyintheprocess。Tosatisfyournationalloveofthenew,anendlessandnamelessvarietyoftriflesappearseachseason,so—calledlaborandtime—savingcombinations,thatenjoyabriefhourofvogue,onlytomakewayforanewerseriesofinventions。
Aslongasourgeniusesconfinedthemselvestomakinglifeonelongandbreathlessscramble,itwasbadenough,butalineshouldhavebeendrawnwheremeddlingwiththesanctityofthetoiletbegan。This,alas!wasnotdone。Nothinghasremainedsacredtotheinventor。Inconsequence,theaverageup—to—
dateAmericanisawalkingcollectionofYankeenotions,aningeniousillusion,madeupofpatents,requiringasniceadjustmenttoputtogetherandundoasathirteenth—centurywarrior,andcarryinghardlylessmetalabouthispersonthanaCrusaderofold。
ThereareanumberofhaberdasheryshopsonBroadwaythathavecausedmetowastemanypreciousminutesgazingintotheirwindowsandwonderingwhatthestrangeinstrumentsofsteelandelasticcouldbe,thatwereexhibitedalongsideofthesocksandties。Theusesofthesewould,inallprobability,haveremainedwrappedinmysterybutfortheexperienceofonefatefulmorning(afteranightinasleeping—car),whencountlesshiddenthingsweremadeclear,asIsat,anawe—
struckwitnesstomyfellow—passengers’—toilets?—No!
Gettingtheirmachineryintorunningorderfortheday,wouldbeamorecorrectexpression。
Originally,"tags"werethebackboneofthetoilet,differentgarmentsbeingheldtogetherbytheiraid。Later,buttonsandattendantbutton—holeswereevolved,nowreplacedbythedevicesusedincomposingthemachine—mademan。AsfarasI
couldsee(Ihaveovercomeanaturaldelicacyinmakingmydiscoveriespublic,becauseitseemsunfairtokeepallthisinformationtomyself),nothingsoarchaicasabutton—holeisemployedatthepresenttimebyourpatent—riddencompatriots。
Theshirt,forinstance,whichwasformerlysuchasimple—
mindedandstraightforwardgarment,knowingnoguile,hasbecome,inthehandsoftheinventors,amerepretence,afrailscaffold,onwhichanelaboratesuperstructureofshamsiserected。
Thevarietiesofthisgarmentthatoneseesintheshopwindows,exposingvirginbosomstotheday,arenotwhattheyseem!Thoseverybosomsarefakes,andcannotopen,beinginsteadpiercedbyeyelets,intowhichbogusstudsarefixedbymachinery。Theownerisobligedtoenterintothosedeceptivegarmentssurreptitiouslyfromtherear,bystratagem,asitwere。Whyallthistrouble,oneasks,fornoapparentreason,exceptthatold—fashionedshirtsopenedinfront,andnoYankeewillwearanon—patentedgarment—ifhecanhelpit?
Therewasnotasingleaccessorytothetoiletinthatcarwhichbehavedinanormalway。Buttonsmostlybackedintoplace,tail—endforemost(likehorsesgettingbetweenshafts),wheresomehiddenmechanismscrewedorclinchedthemtotheirmoorings。
Collarsandcuffs(integralpartsoftheprimitivegarment)
arenowalabyrinth,inwhichallbuttheinitiatedmustlosethemselves,beingdouble—decked,detachable,reversible,andmadeofeveryknownsubstanceexceptlinen。Thecuffmostinfavorcanbewornfourdifferentways,andisattachedtotheshirtbyasteelinstrumentthreeincheslong,withanipperateachend。Theamountofwhitevisiblebelowthecoat—
sleeveisregulatedbyanothercontrivance,mostlyofelastic,wornfurtherupthearm,aroundthebiceps。Moderncollarsareretainedinpositionbyasystemofscrewsandlevers。
Socksareattachednolongerwiththeold—fashionedgarter,butbyaidofalittleharnesssimilartothatwornbypug—
dogs。
Onetraveller,afterlacinghisshoes,adjustedacontrivanceresemblingablackbeetleontheknottopreventitsuntying。
Healsowore"hygienicsuspenders,"adiscoveryofgreatimportance(overthreethousandpatentshavebeentakenoutforthisonenecessityofthetoilet!)。Thisbraceperformsseveraltasksatthesametime,suchasholdingunmentionablegarmentsinplace,keepingthewearererect,andprovidinganight—keyguard。Itisalsosaidtocureliverandkidneydiseasebymeansofanarrangementofpulleyswhichthrowthestrainaccordingtothewearer’sposition—Iomittherestofitsqualities!
Thewatchesofmycompanions,Inoticedwithastonishment,allworeIndia—rubberruffsaroundtheirnecks。Herecuriositygettingthebetterofdiscretion,Iaskedwhatpurposethatinventionserved。Itwasgraciouslyexplainedtomehowsuchruffspreventedtheft。Theyweresomadethatitwasimpossibletodrawyourwatchoutofapocketunlessyouknewthetrick,whichstruckmeasamitigatedblessing。Infact,theideakeptoccurringthatlifemightbecometerriblyuncomfortableunderthesecomplexconditionsforabsent—mindedpeople。
Pencils,Ifind,arenolongerputintopocketsorslippedbehindtheear。Everycommercial"gent"wearsapatentonhischest,wherehispenandpencilnestleinacoilofwire。
Eyeglassesarenotallowedtodangleaimlesslyabout,asofold,butretirewithasnapintoanovalbox,afterthefashionofrollershades。Scarf—pinshaveguardsscrewedonfrombehind,andundergarments—butheremodestystopsmypen。
SeeingthatIwasinterestedintheirmake—up,severaltravellingagentsonthetraingotouttheirboxesandshowedmethelatestartificesthatcouldbeattachedtotheperson。
Onegentlemanproducedacollectionofringsmadetogoonthefingerwithaspring,likebracelets,anarrangement,heexplained,thatwasparticularlyconvenientforpeopleafflictedwithenlargedjoints!
Anothertemptedmewithwhathecalleda"literaryshirtfront,"—itwasinfactapaperpad,fromwhichforcleanlinessaleafcouldbepeeledeachmorning;the"wrong"
sideofthesheetthusremovedcontainedacalendar,muchusefulinformation,andthechaptersofa"continued"story,whichendedwhenthe"dickey"wasusedup。
Athirdtravellerwas"pushing"acollar—buttonthatpliedasmanytradesasFigaro,combiningthefunctionsofcravat—
holder,stud,andscarf—pin。Notbeingsuccessfulinsellingmeoneofthese,hebroughtforwardsomething"withoutwhich,"
heassuredme,"nogentleman’swardrobewascomplete"!Itprovedtobeaninsidiousarrangementofgiltwire,whichheadjustedonhispoor,overworkedcollar—button,andthentiedhiscravatthroughandaroundit。"Notiethusmade,"hesaid,"wouldeversliporgetcrooked。"Hehadbeensocivilthatitwasembarrassingnottobuysomethingofhim;I
investedtwenty—fivecentsinthecravat—holder,asitseemedtheleastcomplicatedofthepatentsonexhibition;not,however,havinggraduatedinaschoolofmechanicsIhaveneverbeenabletomakeitwork。Ittakesanhourtotieacravatwithitsaid,andaslongtogetituntied。Mostofthemeninthatcar,Ifound,gotaroundthedifficultybywearingready—madetieswhichfastenedbehindwithaclasp。
Ithasbeensuggestedthatthereasonourcompatriotshavesuchastrainedandanxiouslookisbecausetheyarealltryingtorememberthenumbersoftheirstreetsandhouses,thefloortheirofficeison,andthecombinationoftheirsafes。Iaminclinedtothinkthatthehuntedlookwewearcomesfromanawfulfearofforgettingthesecretsofourpatentsandbeingunabletoundoourselvesinanemergency!
Thinkforamomentofthehorrorofcominghometiredandsleepyafteraconvivialevening,andfindingthatsomeofyourhiddenmachineryhadgonewrong;thatbyasuddenmovementyouhaddisturbedthenicebalanceofsomeleverwhichinrevengerefusedtoreleaseitsprey!Theinventorsofonewell—knowncuff—holderclaimthatithada"bull—doggrip。"Thinkofsittingdressedallnightintheembraceofthatmechanicalcanineuntiltheinventorcouldbecalledintosetyoufree!
IneverdoubtedthatbraverywastheleadingcharacteristicoftheAmericantemperament;sincethatglimpseintothesecretcompositionofmycompatriots,admirationhasbeenvastlyincreased。Thefoolhardydaringitmustrequire—dressedasthosemenwere—togooutinathunder—stormmakesoneshudder:itcertainlycouldnotbefoundinanyotherrace。
Thedangerofcross—countryhuntingorbull—fightingisasnothingcomparedtotheriskamodernAmericantakeswhenhesitsinatrolley—car,wherethechancesofhismachineryformingafatal"shortcircuit"mustbeimmense。Theutterimpossibilityinwhichhefindshimselfofmakingatoiletquicklyonaccountofsomanytime—savingaccessoriesmustincreasehischancesofgetting"left"inanaccidentaboutfiftypercent。Whobutoneofourpeoplecouldcontemplatewithequanimitythethoughtofattemptingtheadjustmentofsuchdelicateanddifficultcombinationswhileasteamerwassinkingandthelife—boatsbeingmanned?
Ourgrandfatherscontributedthewoodennutmegtocivilization,andendowedagratefuluniversewithothermoney—savingdevices。To—daytheinventortakestheAmericanbabyfromhiscradleanddoesnotreleasehimevenatthegrave。Whatatreatoneofthemachine—mademenofto—daywillbetothearcheologistsoftheyear3000,whentheychanceuponawell—preservedspecimen,withallhispatentsthickuponIhim!Withapropheticeyeonecanalmostseethekindlyoldgentlemanofthatdaystudyingtheparaphernaliafoundinthetombandattemptingtoaccountforthedifferentpieces。Inkwillflowanddiscussionsragebetweenthecampmaintainingthatcuff—holdersweretutelardeitiesburiedwiththedeadbypiousrelativesandthecroupassertingthatthelittlepiecesofsteelwereaformofpocketmoneyintheyear1900。BothwillprobablymisquoteTennysonandKiplinginsupportoftheirtheories。
Thequestionhasoftenbeenraised,Whatsideofournineteenth—centurycivilizationwillbemostadmiredbyfuturegenerations?Inviewoftheabovefactstherecanremainlittledoubtthatwhenthesecretsofthepapercollarandthetrouser—stretcherhavebecomelostarts,itwillbethosebenefitsthatremoteageswillenvyus,andrarespecimensof"ventilatedshoes"and"reversibletissue—paperundergarments"
willformthechoicesttreasuresofthecollector。
Chapter5—ParnassusMANYyearsago,agentlemanwithwhomIwasdrivinginadistantquarterofParistookmetoahouseontherueMontparnasse,whereweremainedanhourormore,hechattingwithitsowner,andIlisteningtotheirconversation,andwonderingattheconfusionofbooksinthebigroom。Aswedroveaway,mycompanionturnedtomeandsaid,"Don’tforgetthisafternoon。Youhaveseenoneofthegreatestwritersourcenturyhasproduced,althoughtheworlddoesnotyetrealizeit。Youwilllearntolovehisworkswhenyouareolder,anditwillbeasatisfactiontorememberthatyousawandspokewithhimintheflesh!"
WhenIreturnedlatertoParisthelittlehousehadchangedhands,andamarbletabletstatingthatSainte—Beuvehadlivedanddiedthereadorneditsfacade。Mystudentfootstepstookmemanytimesthroughthatquietstreet,butneverwithoutavisionofthepoet—criticflashingback,asIglancedupatthewindowwherehehadstoodandtalkedwithus;asmyfriendpredicted,Sainte—Beuve’swritingshadbecomeapreciouspartofmysmalllibrary,thememoryofhisgenialfaceaddingavividinteresttotheirperusal。
ImadealittlePilgrimagerecentlytothequietoldgardenwhere,aftermanyyears’delay,abustofthiswriterhasbeenunveiled,withthesamecompanion,nowveryold,whothirtyyearsagopresentedmetotheoriginal。
Thereis,perhaps,inallParisnomoreexquisitecornerthantheGardenoftheLuxembourg。Ateveryseasonitisbeautiful。ThewintersunlightseemstolingeronitsstatelyItalianterracesafterithasceasedtoshineelsewhere。Thefirstlilacsbloomhereinthespring,andwhenmidsummerhasturnedalltherestofParisintoablazing,whitewilderness,thesegardensremaincoolandtranquilintheheartofturbulent"Bohemia,"abitoffragrantnaturefilledwiththesongofbirdsandthevoicesofchildren。Surelyitwasagraciousinspirationthatselectedthisshadyparkasthe"Poets’Corner"ofgreat,newParis。HenriMurger,LecontedeLisle,TheodoredeBanville,PaulVerlaine,arehere,andnowSainte—Beuvehascomebacktohisfavoritehaunt。LikeFrancoisCoppeeandVictorHugo,helovedthesehistoricALLEES,andknewthestoneinthemasheknewthe"LatinQuater,"forhislifewaspassedbetweenthebookstallsofthequaysandtheoutlyingstreetwherehelived。
Aswesatrestingintheshade,mycompanion,whohadbeenoneofSainte—Beuve’spupils,felltotalkingofhismaster,hismemoryrefreshedbythefamiliarsurroundings。"Cananythingbesadder,"hesaid,"thanfindingafaceonehaslovedturnedintostone,ornamesthatwerethewatch—wordsofone’syouthservingassignsatstreetcorners—larueFlaubertorTheodoredeBanville?Howfarawaytheymakethepastseem!
PoorSainte—Beuve,thatbustyonderisbutapoorrewardforalifeoftoil,amodesttributetohisencyclopaedicbrain!
Hisworks,however,arehisbestmonument;hewouldbethelasttorepineorcavil。
"Theliteraryworldofmydayhadtwopoles,betweenwhichitvibrated。ThelittlehouseintherueMontparnassewasone,therockofGuernseytheother。Wespokewithaweof`FatherHugo’andmentioned`UncleBeuve’withtenderness。TheGoncourtbrothersacceptedSainte—Beuve’sjudgmentontheirworkastheverdictofa`SupremeCourt。’Notapoetorauthorofthatdaybutclimbedwithabeatingheartthenarrowstaircasethatledtothegreatwriter’slibrary。PaulVerlaineregardedashisliterarydiplomaaletterfromthis`Balzacdelacritique。’"
"AttheentranceofthequaintPassageduCommerce,underthearchthatleadsintotherueSaint—Andre—des—Arts,standsahotel,whereforyearsSainte—Beuvecamedailytowork(awayfromtheimportunatewhobesiegedhisdwelling)inaroomhiredundertheassumednameofDelorme。ItwastherethatwesenthimabasketoffruitonemorningaddressedtoMr。
Delorme,NESainte—Beuve。Itwastherethatmostofhisenormouslaborwasaccomplished。
"AcuriouscornerofoldParisthatCourduCommerce!JustoppositehiswindowwastheapartmentwhereDantonlived。Ifonechosetoseekforthemitwouldnotbehardtodiscoveronthepavementofthissamepassagethemarksmadebyayoungdoctorindecapitatingsheepwithhisnewlyinventedmachine。
Thedoctor’snamewasGuillotin。
"Thegreatcriticlovedtheseoldquartersfilledwithhistory。HewasfondofexplainingthatMontparnassehadbeenahillwherethestudentsoftheseventeenthandeighteenthcenturiescametoamusethemselves。In1761theslopewaslevelledandtheboulevardlaidout,butthenamewaspredestined,hewoulddeclare,forthehabitationofthe`Parnassiens。’
"HisenemiespretendedthatyouhadbuttomentionMichelet,Balzac,andVictorHugotoseeSainte—Beuveinthreedegreesofrage。Hehad,itistrue,distinctexpressionsonhearingthoseauthorsdiscussed。Thephrasethenmuchusedinspeakingofanoriginalpersonality,`HeislikeacharacteroutofBalzac,’alwaysthrewmymasterintoatemper。I
cannotremember,however,havingseenhiminoneofthosefamousrageswhichmadeBarbeyd’Aurevillysaythat`Sainte—
Beuvewasaclevermanwiththetemperofaturkey!’TheformerwasmuchnearerthetruthwhenhecalledtheauthorofLESLUNDISaFrenchWordsworth,orcomparedhimtoalayBENEDICTIN。Hehadawayofreadinganewlyacquiredvolumeashewalkedthroughthestreetsthatwastypicalofhislife。
Mymasterwasalwaysstudyingandalwaysadvancing。
"HeneverentirelyrecoveredfromhismortificationatbeinghissedbythestudentsontheoccasionofhisfirstlectureattheCollegedeFrance。Returninghomeheloadedtwopistols,oneforthefirststudentwhoshouldagaininsulthim,andtheothertoblowouthisownbrains。Itwasnoidlethreat。ThemanGuizothadnicknamed`Werther’wascapableofexecutinghisplan,forthiscauselessunpopularitywasanguishtohim。
Afterhisdeath,Ifoundthosetwopistolsloadedinhisbedroom,butjusticehadbeendoneanotherway。Alloppositionhadvanished。Everystudentinthe`Quarter’
followedthemodestfuneraloftheirSenator,whohadbecomethechampionofliterarylibertyinanepochwhenpoetrywasheldinchains。
"TheEmpirewhichmadehimSenatorgained,however,butanindocilerecruit。OnhisonevisittoCompiegnein1863,theEmperor,wishingtobeparticularlygracious,saidtohim,`I
alwaysreadtheMONITEURonMonday,whenyourarticleappears。’Unfortunatelyforthiscompliment,itwastheCONSTITUTIONNELthathadbeenpublishingtheNOUVEAUXLUNDIS
formorethanfouryears。Inspiteoftheunitedeffortsofhisfriends,Sainte—BeuvecouldnotbebroughttothepointofcomplimentingNapoleonIII。onhisLIFEOFCAESAR。
TheauthorofLESCONSOLATIONSremainedthroughlifetheproudestandmostindependentofmen,abourgeois,enemyofalltyranny,askingprotectionofnoone。Andwhataworker!
Reading,sifting,studying,analyzinghissubjectbeforecomposingoneofhisfamousLUNDIS,aliteraryportraitwhichheaimedatmakingcompleteandfinal。Oneofthesearticlescosthimasmuchlaborasotherauthorsgivetothecompositionofavolume。
"BywayofamusementonSundayevenings,whenworkwastemporarilylaidaside,helovedthetheatre,delightingineverykindofplay,fromthebroadfarcesofthePalaisRoyaltothetragediesofRacine,andentertainingcomediansinorder,ashesaid,`tokeepyoung’!OneeveningTheophileGautierbroughtaprettyactresstodinner。Sainte—Beuve,whowaspast—masterinthedifficultartofconversation,andonwhomafairwomanactedasaninspiration,surpassedhimselfonthisoccasion,surprisingeventheGoncourtswithhisknowledgeoftheEighteenthcenturyandthewomenofthattime,Mme。deBoufflers,Mlle。deLespinasse,laMarechaledeLuxembourg。Thehoursflewbyunheededbyallofhisguestsbutone。TheDEBUTANTEwasoverheardconfiding,laterintheevening,toafriendattheGymnase,wheresheperformedinthelastact,`Ouf!I’mgladtogethere。I`vebeendiningwithastupidoldSenator。Theytoldmehewouldbeamusing,butI’vebeenboredtodeath。’WhichremindedmeofmyonevisittoEngland,whenIheardayoungnoblemandeclarethathehadbeento`suchadulldinnertomeetaduffercalled"Renan!"’
"Sainte—Beuve’sLARMESDERACINEwasgivenattheTheatreFrancaisduringitsauthor’slastillness。HisdisappointmentatnotseeingtheperformancewassokeenthatM。Thierry,thenADMINISTRATEURofLaComedie,tookMlle。FavarttotherueMontparnasse,thatshemightrecitehisversestothedyingwriter。Whentheactress,theninthezenithofherfameandbeauty,cametothelines—
JeanRacine,legrandpoete,Lepoeteaimantetpieux,ApresquesalyremuetteSefutvoileeatouslesyeux,Renoncantalagloirehumaine,S’ilsentaitensonamepleineLeflotcontenumurmurer,Nesavaitquefondreenpriere,Pencherl’urnedanslapoussiereAuxpiedsduSeigneur,etpleurer!
thetearsofSainte—BeuveaccompaniedthoseofRacine!"
Thereweretearsalsointheeyesmycompanionturnedtowardmeasheconcluded。Thesunhadsetwhilehehadbeenspeaking。Themarbleofthestatuesgleamedwhiteagainsttheshadowsofthesombreoldgarden。Theguardianswereclosingthegatesandwarningthelingeringvisitorsaswestrolledtowardtheentrance。
Itseemedasifwehadbeenforanhourinthepresenceoftheportlycritic;andthecircleofbrilliantmenandwittywomenwhosurroundedhim—Flaubert,Tourgueneff,TheophileGautier,Renan,GeorgeSand—wererealitiesatthatmoment,notabstractionswithgreatnames。Itwaslikereturningfromanotherage,tostepoutagainintotheglareandbustleoftheBoulevardSt。Michel。
Chapter6—ModernArchitectureIFaforeigntourist,ignorantofhiswhereabouts,weretosailaboutsunsetupourspaciousbayandviewforthefirsttimetheeccentricsky—lineoflowerNewYork,hewouldrubhiseyesandwonderiftheywerenotplayinghimatrick,fordistanceandtwilightlendthechaoticmassesaroundtheBatteryacertainwildgracesuggestiveofTitanstrongholdsorprehistoricabodesofWotan,ratherthanthebusinesspartofapracticalmoderncity。
"But,"asJohnDrewusedtosayinTHEMASKEDBALL,"whatadifferenceinthemorning!"whenavisittohisbankertakesthenewarrivaldowntoWallStreet,andouruncompromisingAmericandaylightdispelshisillusions。
YearsagoSPIRITUALArthurGilmanmournedoverthedecayofarchitectureinNewYorkandpointedoutthatStewart’sshop,atTenthStreet,boreaboutthesamerelationtoIctinus’
nobleartasanironcookingstove!ItiswelldeathremovedtheBostoncriticbeforeourcityenteredintoitspresentBrobdingnagianphase。IfheconsideredthatStewart’sandtheFifthAvenueHotelfailedinartisticbeauty,whatwouldhavebeenhisopinionofthegracelesspilesthatcrowdourislandto—day,besidewhichthoseolderbuildingsseemalmostclassicalintheirsimplicity?
OnehardlydarestothinkwhatimpressionastudentfamiliarwiththesymmetryofOldWorldstructuresmustreceiveonarrivingforthefirsttime,letussay,attheBowlingGreen,forthetruthwouldthendawnuponhimthatwhatappearedfromadistancetobethegroundleveloftheislandwasinrealitytherooflineofaveragefour—storybuildings,fromamongwhichthekeepsandcampanilesthathadsopleasedhim(whenviewedfromtheNarrows)riselikegiganticweedsgonetoseedinafieldofgrass。