the ways of men(人们的手段)-第23节
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themselves upon the altar of grand opera … simple； kindly souls； with little
or no taste for classical music； who have sat in the dark （mentally and
physically）； applauding what they didn't understand； and listening to vague
German mythology set to sounds that appear to us outsiders like music
sunk into a verbose dotage。 I am convinced the greater number would
have preferred a jolly performance of MME。 ANGOT or the CLOCHES
DE CORNEVILLE； cut in two by a good ballet。
It is； however； so easy to be mistaken on subjects of this kind that
generalizing is dangerous。 Many great authorities have liked tuneless
music。 One of the most telling arguments in its favor was recently
advanced by a foreigner。 The Chinese ambassador told us last winter in a
club at Washington that Wagner's was the only European music that he
appreciated and enjoyed。 〃You see；〃 he added； 〃music is a much older art
with us than in Europe； and has naturally reached a far greater perfection。
The German school has made a long step in advance； and I can now
foresee a day not far distant when； under its influence； your music will
closely resemble our own。〃
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THE WAYS OF MEN
CHAPTER 16 … The Poetic
CABARETS of Paris
THOSE who have not lived in France can form little idea of the
important place the CAFE occupies in the life of an average Frenchman；
clubs as we know them or as they exist in England being rare； and when
found being； with few exceptions； but gambling…houses in disguise。 As a
Frenchman rarely asks an acquaintance； or even a friend； to his apartment；
the CAFE has become the common ground where all meet； for business or
pleasure。 Not in Paris only； but all over France； in every garrison town；
provincial city； or tiny village； the CAFE is the chief attraction； the centre
of thought； the focus toward which all the rays of masculine existence
converge。
For the student； newly arrived from the provinces； to whose modest
purse the theatres and other places of amusement are practically closed；
the CAFE is a supreme resource。 His mind is moulded； his ideas and
opinions formed； more by what he hears and sees there than by any other
influence。 A restaurant is of little importance。 One may eat anywhere。 But
the choice of his CAFE will often give the bent to a young man's career；
and indicate his exact shade of politics and his opinions on literature；
music； or art。 In Paris； to know a man at all is to know where you can find
him at the hour of the APERITIF … what Baudelaire called
L'HEURE SAINTE DE L'ABSINTHE。
When young men form a society among themselves； a CAFE is
chosen as their meeting…place。 Thousands of establishments exist only by
such patronage； as； for example； the Cafe de la Regence； Place du Theatre
Francais； which is frequented entirely by men who play chess。
Business men transact their affairs as much over their coffee as in their
offices。 The reading man finds at his CAFE the daily and weekly papers； a
writer is sure of the undisturbed possession of pen； ink； and paper。 Henri
Murger； the author； when asked once why he continued to patronize a
certain establishment notorious for the inferior quality of its beer；
answered； 〃Yes； the beer is poor； but they keep such good INK！〃
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THE WAYS OF MEN
The use of a CAFE does not imply any great expenditure； a
CONSUMMATION costing but little。 With it is acquired the right to use
the establishment for an indefinite number of hours； the client being
warmed； lighted； and served。 From five to seven； and again after dinner；
the HABITUES stroll in； grouping themselves about the small tables； each
new…comer joining a congenial circle； ordering his drink； and settling
himself for a long sitting。 The last editorial； the newest picture； or the fall
of a ministry is discussed with a vehemence and an interest unknown to
Anglo…Saxon natures。 Suddenly； in the excitement of the discussion； some
one will rise in his place and begin speaking。 If you happen to drop in at
that moment； the lady at the desk will welcome you with； 〃You are just in
time！ Monsieur So…and…So is speaking； the evening promises to be
interesting。〃 She is charmed； her establishment will shine with a reflected
light； and new patrons be drawn there； if the debates are brilliant。 So
universal is this custom that there is hardly an orator to…day at the French
bar or in the Senate； who has not broken his first lance in some such
obscure tournament； under the smiling glances of the DAME DU
COMPTOIR。
Opposite the Palace of the Luxembourg； in the heart of the old Latin
Quarter； stands a quaint building； half hotel； half CAFE； where many years
ago Joseph II。 resided while visiting his sister； Marie Antoinette。 It is
known now as Foyot's； this name must awaken many happy memories in
the hearts of American students； for it was long their favorite meeting…
place。 In the early seventies a club； formed among the literary and poetic
youth of Paris； selected Foyot's as their 〃home〃 during the winter months。
Their summer vacations were spent in visiting the university towns of
France； reciting verses； or acting in original plays at Nancy； Bordeaux；
Lyons； or Caen。 The enthusiasm these youthful performances created
inspired one of their number with the idea of creating in Paris； on a
permanent footing； a centre where a limited public could meet the young
poets of the day and hear them recite their verses and monologues in an
informal way。
The success of the original 〃Chat Noir；〃 the first CABARET of this
kind； was largely owing to the sympathetic and attractive nature of its
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THE WAYS OF MEN
founder； young Salis； who drew around him； by his sunny disposition； shy
personalities who； but for him； would still be 〃mute； inglorious Miltons。〃
Under his kindly and discriminating rule many a successful literary career
has started。 Salis's gifted nature combined a delicate taste and critical
acumen with a rare business ability。 His first venture； an obscure little
CAFE on the Boulevard Rochechouart； in the outlying quarter beyond the
Place Pigalle； quickly became famous； its ever…increasing vogue forcing
its happy proprietor to seek more commodious quarters in the rue Victor
Masse； where the world…famous 〃Chat Noir〃 was installed with much
pomp and many joyous ceremonies。
The old word CABARET； corresponding closely to our English 〃inn；〃
was chosen； and the establishment decorated in imitation of a Louis XIII。
HOTELLERIE。 Oaken beams supported the low…studded ceilings： The
plaster walls disappeared behind tapestries； armor； old FAIENCE。 Beer
and other liquids were served in quaint porcelain or pewter mugs； and the
waiters were dressed （merry anachronism） in the costume of members of
the Institute （the Immortal Forty）； who had so long led poetry in chains。
The success of the 〃Black Cat〃 in her new quarters was immense； all Paris
crowding through her modest doors。 Salis had founded Montmartre！ … the
rugged old hill giving birth to a generation of writers and poets； and
nourishing this new school at her granite breasts。
It would be difficult to imagine a form of entertainment more tempting
than was offered in this picturesque inn。 In addition to the first； the entire
second floor of the building had been thrown into one large room； the
walls covered with a thousand sketches； caricatures； and crayon drawings
by hands since celebrated the world over。 A piano； with many chairs and
tables； completed the unpretending installation。 Here； during a couple of
hours each evening； either b
