worldly ways and byways(世俗之路)-第8节
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the opinions that are to appear later in one of his 〃SALONS；〃 realizing the
while that he is FACILE PRINCEPS among the art critics of his day； that
with a line he can make or mar a reputation and by a word draw the
admiring crowd around an unknown canvas。 While Rochefort toils and
ponders and hesitates； do you suppose a doubt as to his own astuteness
ever dims the self… complacency of White Waistcoat？ Never！
There lies the strength of the feeble…minded。 By a special dispensation
of Providence； they can never see but one side of a subject； so are always
convinced that they are right； and from the height of their contentment；
look down on those who chance to differ with them。
A lady who has gathered into her dainty salons the fruit of many years'
careful study and tireless 〃weeding〃 will ask anxiously if you are quite
sure you like the effect of her latest acquisition … some eighteenth…century
statuette or screen （flotsam； probably； from the great shipwreck of
Versailles）； and listen earnestly to your verdict。 The good soul who has
just furnished her house by contract； with the latest 〃Louis Fourteenth
Street〃 productions； conducts you complacently through her chambers of
horrors； wreathed in tranquil smiles； born of ignorance and that smug
assurance granted only to the … small。
When a small intellect goes in for cultivating itself and improving its
mind； you realize what the poet meant in asserting that a little learning was
a dangerous thing。 For Mediocrity is apt； when it dines out； to get up a
subject beforehand； and announce to an astonished circle； as quite new and
personal discoveries； that the Renaissance was introduced into France
from Italy； or that Columbus in his day made important 〃finds。〃
When the incompetent advance another step and write or paint … which；
alas！ is only too frequent … the world of art and literature is flooded with
their productions。 When White Waistcoat； for example； takes to painting；
late in life； and comes to you； canvas in hand； for criticism （read praise）；
he is apt to remark modestly：
〃Corot never painted until he was fifty； and I am only forty…eight。 So I
feel I should not let myself be discouraged。〃
The problem of life is said to be the finding of a happiness that is not
enjoyed at the expense of others； and surely this class have solved that
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Sphinx's riddle； for they float through their days in a dream of
complacency disturbed neither by corroding doubt nor harassed by
jealousies。
Whole families of feeble…minded people； on the strength of an ancestor
who achieved distinction a hundred years ago； live in constant
thanksgiving that they 〃are not as other men。〃 None of the great man's
descendants have done anything to be particularly proud of since their
remote progenitor signed the Declaration of Independence or governed a
colony。 They have vegetated in small provincial cities and inter…married
into other equally fortunate families； but the sense of superiority is ever
present to sustain them； under straitened circumstances and diminishing
prestige。 The world may move on around them； but they never advance。
Why should they？ They have reached perfection。 The brains and enterprise
that have revolutionized our age knock in vain at their doors。 They belong
to that vast 〃majority that is always in the wrong；〃 being so pleased with
themselves； their ways； and their feeble little lines of thought； that any
change or advancement gives their system a shock。
A painter I know was once importuned for a sketch by a lady of this
class。 After many delays and renewed demands he presented her one day；
when she and some friends were visiting his studio； with a delightful
open…air study simply framed。 She seemed confused at the offering； to his
astonishment； as she had not lacked APLOMB in asking for the sketch。
After much blushing and fumbling she succeeded in getting the painting
loose； and handing back the frame； remarked：
〃I will take the painting； but you must keep the frame。 My husband
would never allow me to accept anything of value from you！〃 … and smiled
on the speechless painter； doubtless charmed with her own tact。
Complacent people are the same drag on a society that a brake would
be to a coach going up hill。 They are the 〃eternal negative〃 and would
extinguish； if they could； any light stronger than that to which their weak
eyes have been accustomed。 They look with astonishment and distrust at
any one trying to break away from their tiresome old ways and habits； and
wonder why all the world is not as pleased with their personalities as they
are themselves； suggesting； if you are willing to waste your time listening
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to their twaddle； that there is something radically wrong in any innovation；
that both 〃Church and State〃 will be imperilled if things are altered。 No
blight； no mildew is more fatal to a plant than the 〃complacent〃 are to the
world。 They resent any progress and are offended if you mention before
them any new standards or points of view。 〃What has been good enough
for us and our parents should certainly be satisfactory to the younger
generations。〃 It seems to the contented like pure presumption on the part
of their acquaintances to wander after strange gods； in the shape of new
ideals； higher standards of culture； or a perfected refinement of
surroundings。
We are perhaps wrong to pity complacent people。 It is for another class
our sympathy should be kept； for those who cannot refrain from doubting
of themselves and the value of their work … those unfortunate gifted and
artistic spirits who descend too often the VIA DOLOROSA of discontent
and despair； who have a higher ideal than their neighbors； and； in
struggling after an unattainable perfection； fall by the wayside。
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CHAPTER 7 … The Discontent of
Talent
THE complacency that buoys up self…sufficient souls； soothing them
with the illusion that they themselves； their towns； country； language； and
habits are above improvement； causing them to shudder； as at a sacrilege；
if any changes are suggested； is fortunately limited to a class of stay…at…
home nonentities。 In proportion as it is common among them； is it rare or
delightfully absent in any society of gifted or imaginative people。
Among our globe…trotting compatriots this defect is much less general
than in the older nations of the world； for the excellent reason； that the
moment a man travels or takes the trouble to know people of different
nationalities； his armor of complacency receives so severe a blow； that it is
shattered forever； the wanderer returning home wiser and much more
modest。 There seems to be something fatal to conceit in the air of great
centres； professionally or in general society a man so soon finds his level。
The 〃great world〃 may foster other faults； human nature is sure to
develop some in every walk of life。 Smug contentment； however；
disappears in its rarefied atmosphere； giving place to a craving for
improvement； a nervous alertness that keeps the mind from stagnating and
urges it on to do its best。
It is never the beautiful woman who sits down in smiling serenity
before her mirror。 She is tireless in her efforts to enhance her beauty and
set it off to the best advantage。 Her figure is never slender enough； nor her
carriage sufficiently erect to satisfy。 But the 〃frump〃 will let herself and all
her surroundings go to seed； not from humbleness of
