第1章

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。