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。