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。
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