worldly ways and byways(世俗之路)-第8章
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What the people who meet these artists occasionally at a private
concert or behind the scenes during the intense strain of a representation；
take too readily for monumental egoism and conceit； is； the greater part of
the time； merely the desire for a sustaining word； a longing for the
stimulant of praise。
All actors and singers are but big children； and must be humored and
petted like children when you wish them to do their best。 It is necessary
for them to feel in touch with their audiences； to be assured that they are
not falling below the high ideals formed for their work。
Some winters ago a performance at the opera nearly came to a
standstill because an all…conquering soprano was found crying in her
dressing…room。 After many weary moments of consolation and questioning；
it came out that she felt quite sure she no longer had any talent。 One of the
other singers had laughed at her voice； and in consequence there was
nothing left to live for。 A half…hour later； owing to judicious 〃treatment；〃
she was singing gloriously and bowing her thanks to thunders of applause。
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Rather than blame this divine discontent that has made man what he is
to…day； let us glorify and envy it； pitying the while the frail mortal vessels
it consumes with its flame。 No adulation can turn such natures from their
goal； and in the hour of triumph the slave is always at their side to whisper
the word of warning。 This discontent is the leaven that has raised the
whole loaf of dull humanity to better things and higher efforts； those
privileged to feel it are the suns that illuminate our system。 If on these
luminaries observers have discovered spots； it is well to remember that
these blemishes are but the defects of their qualities； and better far than the
total eclipse that shrouds so large a part of humanity in colorless
complacency。
It will never be known how many master…pieces have been lost to the
world because at the critical moment a friend has not been at hand with the
stimulant of sympathy and encouragement needed by an overworked；
straining artist who was beginning to lose confidence in himself； to soothe
his irritated nerves with the balm of praise； and take his poor aching head
on a friendly shoulder and let him sob out there all his doubt and
discouragement。
So let us not be niggardly or ungenerous in meting out to struggling
fellow…beings their share； and perchance a little more than their share of
approbation and applause； poor enough return； after all； for the pleasure
their labors have procured us。 What adequate compensation can we mete
out to an author for the hours of delight and self…forgetfulness his talent
has brought to us in moments of loneliness； illness； or grief？ What can pay
our debt to a painter who has fixed on canvas the face we love？
The little return that it is in our power to make for all the joy these
gifted fellow…beings bring into our lives is （closing our eyes to minor
imperfections） to warmly applaud them as they move upward； along their
stony path。
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CHAPTER 8 … Slouch
I SHOULD like to see； in every school…room of our growing country；
in every business office； at the railway stations； and on street corners； large
placards placed with 〃Do not slouch〃 printed thereon in distinct and
imposing characters。 If ever there was a tendency that needed nipping in
the bud （I fear the bud is fast becoming a full…blown flower）； it is this
discouraging national failing。
Each year when I return from my spring wanderings； among the
benighted and effete nations of the Old World； on whom the untravelled
American looks down from the height of his superiority； I am struck anew
by the contrast between the trim； well…groomed officials left behind on one
side of the ocean and the happy…go… lucky； slouching individuals I find on
the other。
As I ride up town this unpleasant impression deepens。 In the 〃little
Mother Isle〃 I have just left； bus…drivers have quite a coaching air； with hat
and coat of knowing form。 They sport flowers in their button…holes and
salute other bus…drivers； when they meet； with a twist of whip and elbow
refreshingly correct； showing that they take pride in their calling； and have
been at some pains to turn themselves out as smart in appearance as
finances would allow。
Here； on the contrary； the stage and cab drivers I meet seem to be
under a blight； and to have lost all interest in life。 They lounge on the box；
their legs straggling aimlessly； one hand holding the reins； the other
hanging dejectedly by the side。 Yet there is little doubt that these
heartbroken citizens are earning double what their London CONFRERES
gain。 The shadow of the national peculiarity is over them。
When I get to my rooms； the elevator boy is reclining in the lift； and
hardly raises his eye…lids as he languidly manoeuvres the rope。 I have seen
that boy now for months； but never when his boots and clothes were
brushed or when his cravat was not riding proudly above his collar。 On
occasions I have offered him pins； which he took wearily； doubtless
because it was less trouble than to refuse。 The next day； however； his
cravat again rode triumphant； mocking my efforts to keep it in its place。
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His hair； too； has been a cause of wonder to me。 How does he manage to
have it always so long and so unkempt？ More than once； when expecting
callers； I have bribed him to have it cut； but it seemed to grow in the night；
back to its poetic profusion。
In what does this noble disregard for appearances which characterizes
American men originate？ Our climate； as some suggest； or
discouragement at not all being millionaires？ It more likely comes from an
absence with us of the military training that abroad goes so far toward
licking young men into shape。
I shall never forget the surprise on the face of a French statesman to
whom I once expressed my sympathy for his country； laboring under the
burden of so vast a standing army。 He answered：
〃The financial burden is doubtless great； but you have others。 Witness
your pension expenditures。 With us the money drawn from the people is
used in such a way as to be of inestimable value to them。 We take the
young hobbledehoy farm…hand or mechanic； ignorant； mannerless；
uncleanly as he may be； and turn him out at the end of three years with his
regiment； self…respecting and well… mannered； with habits of cleanliness
and obedience； having acquired a bearing； and a love of order that will
cling to and serve him all his life。 We do not go so far；〃 he added； 〃as our
English neighbors in drilling men into superb manikins of 'form' and
carriage。 Our authorities do not consider it necessary。 But we reclaim
youths from the slovenliness of their native village or workshop and make
them tidy and mannerly citizens。〃
These remarks came to mind the other day as I watched a group of
New England youths lounging on the steps of the village store； or sitting in
rows on a neighboring fence； until I longed to try if even a judicial
arrangement of tacks； 'business…end up；' on these favorite seats would
infuse any energy into their movements。 I came to the conclusion that my
French acquaintance was right； for the only trim…looking men to be seen；
were either veterans of our war or youths belonging to the local militia。
And nowhere does one see finer specimens of humanity than West Point
and Annapolis turn out。
If any one doubts what kind of men slouching youths develop into； let
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him look when he travels； at the dejected appearance of the farmhouses
throughout our land。 Surely our rural populations are not so much poorer
than those of other countries。 Yet when one compares the dreary homes of
even our well…to…do farmers with the smiling； well…kept hamlets seen in
England or on the Continent； such would seem to be the case。
If ours were an old and bankrupt nation； this air of discouragement and
decay could not be greater。 Outside of the big cities one looks in vain for
some sign of American dash and enterprise in the appearance of our men
and their homes。
During a journey of over four thousand miles； made last spring as the
guest of a gentleman who knows our country thoroughly； I was impressed
most painfully with this abject air。 Never in all those days did we see a
fruit…tree trained on some sunny southern wall； a smiling flower…garden or
carefully clipped hedge。 My host told me that hardly the necessary
vegetables are grown； the inhabitants of the West and South preferring
canned food。 It is less trouble！
If you wish to form an idea of the extent to which slouch prevails in
our country； try to start a 〃village improvement society；〃 and experience；
as others have done； the apathy and ill…will of the inhabitants when you go
about among them and strive to summon some of their local pride to your
aid。
In the town near which I pass my summers； a large stone； fallen from a
passing dray； lay for days in the middle of the principal street； until I paid
some boys to remove it。 No one cared； and the dull…eyed inhabitants would
doubtless be looking at it still but for my impatience。
One would imagine the villagers were all on the point of
