the ways of men(人们的手段)-第48节
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towards us； but in society； at the clubs and tables of the aristocracy； it was
impossible for an American to appear with self…respect； so persistently
were our actions and our reasons for undertaking that war misunderstood
and misrepresented。 In the conversation of the salons and in the daily
papers it was assumed that the Spanish were a race of noble patriots；
fighting in the defence of a loved and loyal colony； while we were a horde
of blatant cowards； who had long fermented a revolution in Cuba in order
to appropriate that coveted island。
When the Spanish authorities allowed an American ship （surprised in
one of her ports by the declaration of war） to depart unharmed； the fact
was magnified into an act of almost ideal generosity； on the other hand；
when we decided not to permit privateering； that announcement was
received with derisive laughter as a pretentious pose to cover hidden
interests。 There is reason to believe； however； that this feeling in favor of
Spain goes little further than the press and the aristocratic circles so dear
to the American 〃climber〃； the real heart of the French nation is as true to
us as when a century ago she spent blood and treasure in our cause。 It is
the inconstant capital alone that； false to her role of liberator； has sided
with the tyrant。
Yet when I wander through her shady parks or lean over her
monumental quays； drinking in the beauty of the first spring days；
intoxicated by the perfume of the flowers that the night showers have
kissed into bloom； or linger of an evening over my coffee； with the
brilliant life of the boulevards passing like a carnival procession before my
eyes； when I sit in her theatres； enthralled by the genius of her actors and
playwrights； or stand bewildered before the ten thousand paintings and
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statues of the Salon； I feel inclined； like a betrayed lover； to pardon my
faithless mistress： she is too lovely to remain long angry with her。 You
realize she is false and will betray you again； laughing at you； insulting
your weakness； but when she smiles all faults are forgotten； the ardor of
her kisses blinds you to her inconstancy； she pours out a draught that no
other hands can brew； and clasps you in arms so fair that life outside those
fragile barriers seems stale and unprofitable。
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CHAPTER 32 … A Nation in a
Hurry
IN early days of steam navigation on the Mississippi； the river
captains； it is said； had the playful habit； when pressed for time or
enjoying a 〃spurt〃 with a rival； of running their engines with a darky
seated on the safety…valve。
One's first home impression after a season of lazy Continental
travelling and visiting in somnolent English country houses； is that an
emblematical Ethiopian should be quartered on our national arms。
Zola tells us in NOUVELLE CAMPAGNE that his vivid impressions
are all received during the first twenty…four hours in a new surrounding； …
the mind； like a photographic film； quickly losing its sensibility。
This fleeting receptiveness makes returning Americans painfully
conscious of nerves in the home atmosphere； and the headlong pace at
which our compatriots are living。
The habit of laying such faults to the climate is but a poor excuse。 Our
grandparents and their parents lived peaceful lives beneath these same
skies； undisturbed by the morbid influences that are supposed to key us to
such a painful concert pitch。
There was an Indian summer languor in the air as we steamed up the
bay last October； that apparently invited repose； yet no sooner had we set
foot on our native dock； and taken one good whiff of home air； than all our
acquired calm disappeared。 People who ten days before would have sat （at
a journey's end） contentedly in a waiting…room； while their luggage was
being sorted by leisurely officials； now hustle nervously about； nagging
the custom…house officers and egging on the porters； as though the saving
of the next half hour were the prime object of existence。
Considering how extravagant we Americans are in other ways it seems
curious that we should be so economical of time！ It was useless to struggle
against the current； however； or to attempt to hold one's self back。 Before
ten minutes on shore had passed； the old； familiar； unpleasant sensation of
being in a hurry took possession of me！ It was irresistible and all…
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pervading； from the movements of the crowds in the streets to the whistle
of the harbor tugs； everything breathed of haste。 The very dogs had
apparently no time to loiter； but scurried about as though late for their
engagements。
The transit from dock to hotel was like a visit to a new circle in the
INFERNO； where trains rumble eternally overhead； and cable cars glide
and block around a pale…faced throng of the damned； who are forced； in
expiation of their sins； to hasten forever toward an unreachable goal。
A curious curse has fallen upon our people； an 〃influence〃 is at work
which forces us to attempt in an hour just twice as much as can be
accomplished in sixty minutes。 〃Do as well as you can；〃 whispers the
〃influence；〃 〃but do it quickly！〃 That motto might be engraved upon the
fronts of our homes and business buildings。
It is on account of this new standard that rapidity in a transaction on
the Street is appreciated more than correctness of detail。 A broker to…day
will take more credit for having received and executed an order for
Chicago and returned an answer within six minutes； than for any amount
of careful work。 The order may have been ill executed and the details
mixed； but there will have been celerity of execution to boast of
The young man who expects to succeed in business to…day must be a
〃hustler；〃 have a snap…shot style in conversation； patronize rapid transit
vehicles； understand shorthand； and eat at 〃breathless breakfasts。〃
Being taken recently to one of these establishments for 〃quick lunch；〃
as I believe the correct phrase is； to eat buckwheat cakes （and very good
they were）； I had an opportunity of studying the ways of the modern time…
saving young man。
It is his habit upon entering to dash for the bill…of…fare； and give an
order （if he is adroit enough to catch one of the maids on the fly） before
removing either coat or hat。 At least fifteen seconds may be economized in
this way。 Once seated； the luncher falls to on anything at hand； bread； cold
slaw； crackers； or catsup。 When the dish ordered arrives； he gets his fork
into it as it appears over his shoulder； and has cleaned the plate before the
sauce makes its appearance； so that is eaten by itself or with bread。
Cups of coffee or tea go down in two swallows。 Little piles of cakes
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are cut in quarters and disappear in four mouthfuls； much after the fashion
of children down the ogre's throat in the mechanical toy； mastication being
either a lost art or considered a foolish waste of energy。
A really accomplished luncher can assimilate his last quarter of cakes；
wiggle into his coat； and pay his check at the desk at the same moment。
The next； he is down the block in pursuit of a receding trolley。
To any one fresh from the Continent； where the entire machinery of
trade comes to a stand…still from eleven to one o'clock； that DEJEUNER
may be taken in somnolent tranquillity； the nervous tension pervading a
restaurant here is prodigious； and what is worse … catching！ During recent
visits to the business centres of our city； I find that the idea of eating is
repugnant。
