the ways of men(人们的手段)-第47节
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not play to raise a laugh。〃
If one of my readers doubts the assertion that the better classes have
ceased to attend our theatres； except on rare occasions； let him inquire
about； among the men and women whose opinions he values and respects；
how many of last winter's plays they considered intellectual treats； or what
piece tempted them to leave their cosy dinner…tables a second time。 It is
surprising to find the number who will answer in reply to a question about
the merits of a play EN VOGUE； 〃I have not seen it。 In fact I rarely go to a
theatre unless I am in London or on the Continent！〃
Little by little we have taken to turning in a vicious and ever…
narrowing circle。 The poorer the plays； the less clever people will make
the effort necessary to see them； and the less such elite attend； the poorer
the plays will become。
That this state of affairs is going to last； however； I do not believe。 The
darkest hour is ever the last before the dawn。 As it would he difficult for
the performances in most of our theatres to fall any lower in the scale of
frivolity or inanity； we may hope for a reaction that will be deep and far…
reaching。 At present we are like people dying of starvation because they
do not know how to combine the flour and water and yeast before them
into wholesome bread。 The materials for a brilliant and distinctly national
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stage undoubtedly exist in this country。 We have men and women who
would soon develop into great actors if they received any encouragement
to devote themselves to a higher class of work； and certainly our great city
does not possess fewer appreciative people than it did twenty years ago。
The great dinner…giving mania will eat itself out； and managers；
feeling once more that they can count on discriminating audiences； will no
longer dare to give garbled versions of French farces or feeble dramas as
compiled from English novels； but； turning to our own poets and writers；
will ask them to contribute towards the formation of an American stage
literature。
When； finally； one of our poets gives us a lyric drama like CYRANO
DE BERGERAC； the attractions of the dinner…table will no longer be
strong enough to keep clever people away from the theatre； and the
following conversation； which sums up the present situation； will become
impossible。
BANKER （to Crushed Tragedian）。 … No； I haven't seen you act。 I have
not been inside a theatre for two years！
C。T。 … It's five years since I've been inside a bank！
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CHAPTER 31 … The Modern
ASPASIA
MOST of the historic cities of Europe have a distinct local color； a
temperament； if one may be allowed the expression； of their own。 The
austere calm of Bruges or Ghent； the sensuous beauty of Naples； attract
different natures。 Florence has passionate devotees； who are insensible to
the artistic grace of Venice or the stately quiet of Versailles。 In Cairo one
experiences an exquisite BIEN ETRE； a mindless； ambitionless
contentment which； without being languor； soothes the nerves and tempts
to indolent lotus…eating。 Like a great hive； Rome depends on the memories
that circle around her； storing； like bees； the centuries with their honey。
Each of these cities must therefore leave many people unmoved； who after
a passing visit； wander away； wondering at the enthusiasm of the
worshippers。
Paris alone seems to possess the charm that bewitches all conditions；
all ages； all degrees。 To hold the frivolous… minded she paints her face and
dances； leading them a round of folly； exhaustive alike to health and purse。
For the student she assumes another mien； smiling encouragement； and
urging him upward towards the highest standards； while posing as his
model。 She takes the dreaming lover of the past gently by the hand； and
leading him into quiet streets and squares where she has stored away a
wealth of hidden treasure； enslaves him as completely as her more sensual
admirers。
Paris is no less adored by the vacant…minded； to whom neither art nor
pleasure nor study appeal。 Her caprices in fashion are received by the
wives and daughters of the universe as laws； and obeyed with an
unwavering faith； a mute obedience that few religions have commanded。
Women who yawn through Italy and the East have； when one meets them
in the French capital； the intense manner； the air of separation from things
mundane； that is observable in pilgrims approaching the shrine of their
deity。 Mohammedans at Mecca must have some such look。 In Paris
women find themselves in the presence of those high priests whom they
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have long worshipped from a distance。 It is useless to mention other
subjects to the devotee； for they will not fix her attention。 Her thoughts are
with her heart； and that is far away。
When visiting other cities one feels that they are like honest married
women； living quiet family lives； surrounded by their children。 The French
Aspasia； on the contrary； has never been true to any vow； but has； at the
dictate of her passions； changed from royal and imperial to republican
lovers； and back again； ruled by no laws but her caprices； and discarding
each favorite in turn with insults when she has wearied of him。 Yet
sovereigns are her slaves； and leave their lands to linger in her presence；
and rich strangers from the four corners of the earth come to throw their
fortunes at her feet and bask a moment in her smiles。
Like her classic prototype； Paris is also the companion of the
philosophers and leads the arts in her train。 Her palaces are the meeting…
places of the poets； the sculptors； the dramatists； and the painters； who are
never weary of celebrating her perfections； nor of working for her
adornment and amusement。
Those who live in the circle of her influence are caught up in a
whirlwind of artistic production； and consume their brains and bodies in
the vain hope of pleasing their idol and attracting her attention。 To be
loved by Paris is an ordeal that few natures can stand； for she wrings the
lifeblood from her devotees and then casts them aside into oblivion。 Paris；
said one of her greatest writers； 〃AIME A BRISER SES IDOLES！〃 As
Ulysses and his companions fell； in other days； a prey to the allurements
of Circe； so our powerful young nation has fallen more than any other
under the influence of the French siren； and brings her a yearly tribute of
gold which she receives with avidity； although in her heart there is little
fondness for the giver。
Americans who were in Paris two years ago had an excellent
opportunity of judging the sincerity of Parisian affection； and of sounding
the depth and unselfishness of the love that this fickle city gives us in
return for our homage。 Not for one moment did she hesitate； but threw the
whole weight of her influence and wit into the scale for Spain。 If there is
not at this moment a European alliance against America it is not from any
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lack of effort on her part towards that end。
The stand taken by LA VILLA LUMIERE in that crisis caused many
naive Americans； who believed that their weakness for the French capital
was returned； a painful surprise。 They imagined in the simplicity of their
innocent hearts that she loved them for themselves； and have awakened；
like other rich lovers； to the humiliating knowledge that a penniless
neighbor was receiving the caresses that Croesus paid for。 Not only did the
entire Parisian press teem at that moment with covert insults directed
towards us； but in society； at the clubs and tables of the aristocracy； it was
impossib
