the ways of men(人们的手段)-第38章
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In addition to this； dozens of sumptuous establishments have sprung
up where the pleasure of eating is supplemented by allurements to the eye
and ear。 Fine orchestras play nightly； the air is laden with the perfume of
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flowers； a scenic perspective of palm garden and marble corridor flatters
the senses。 The temptation； to a man wearied by a day of business or sport；
to abandon the idea of going to a theatre； and linger instead over his cigar
amid these attractive surroundings； is almost irresistible。
If； however； tempted by some success； he hurries his guests away from
their meal； they are in no condition to appreciate a serious performance。
The pressure has been too high all day for the overworked man and his
ENERVEE wife to desire any but the lightest tomfoolery in an
entertainment。 People engaged in the lethargic process of digestion are not
good critics of either elevated poetry or delicate interpretation； and in
consequence crave amusement rather than a mental stimulant。
Managers were quick to perceive that their productions were no longer
taken seriously； and that it was a waste of time and money to offer high…
class entertainments to audiences whom any nonsense would attract。
When a play like THE SWELL MISS FITZWELL will pack a New York
house for months； and then float a company on the high tide of success
across the continent； it would be folly to produce anything better。 New
York influences the taste of the country； it is in New York really that the
standard has been lowered。
In answer to these remarks； the question will doubtless be raised； 〃Are
not the influences which it is asserted are killing the drama in America at
work in England or on the Continent； where people also dine late and
well？〃
Yes； and no！ People abroad dine as well； undoubtedly； as elaborately？
Certainly not！ With the exception of the English （and even among them
dinner…giving has never become so universal as with us）； no other people
entertain for the pleasure of hospitality。 On the Continent； a dinner…party is
always an 〃axe…grinding〃 function。 A family who asked people to dine
without having a distinct end in view for such an outlay would be looked
upon by their friends and relatives as little short of lunatics。 Diplomatists
are allowed certain sums by their governments for entertaining； and are
formally dined in return by their guests。 A great French lady who is asked
to dine out twice a week considers herself fortunate； a New York woman
of equal position hardly dines at home from December 1 to April 15；
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unless she is receiving friends at her own table。
Parisian ladies rarely go to restaurants。 In London there are not more
than three or four places where ladies can be taken to dine； while in this
city there are hundreds； our people have caught the habit of dining away
from home； a custom singularly in keeping with the American
temperament； for； although it costs more； it is less trouble！
The reason why foreigners do not entertain at dinner is because they
have found other and more satisfactory ways of spending their money。
This leaves people abroad with a number of evenings on their hands；
unoccupied hours that are generally passed at the theatre。 Only the other
day a diplomatist said to me； 〃I am surprised to see how small a place the
theatre occupies in your thoughts and conversation。 With us it is the pivot
around which life revolves。〃
From one cause or another； not only the wealthy； but the thoughtful
and cultivated among us； go less each year to the theatre。 The abstinence
of this class is the most significant； for well…read； refined； fastidious
citizens are the pride of a community； and their influence for good is far…
reaching。 Of this elite New York has more than its share； but you will not
meet them at the play； unless Duse or Jefferson； Bernhardt or Coquelin is
performing。 The best only tempts such minds。 It was by the
encouragement of this class that Booth was enabled to give HAMLET one
hundred consecutive evenings； and Fechter was induced to linger here and
build a theatre。
In comparison with the verdicts of such people； the opinions of
fashionable sets are of little importance。 The latter long ago gave up going
to the play in New York； except during two short seasons； one in the
autumn； 〃before things get going；〃 and again in the spring； after the season
is over； before they flit abroad or to the country。 During these periods
〃smart〃 people generally attend in bands called 〃theatre parties；〃 an
infliction unknown outside of this country； an arrangement above all
others calculated to bring the stage into contempt； as such parties seldom
arrive before the middle of the second act； take ten minutes to get seated；
and then chat gayly among themselves for the rest of the evening。
The theatre； having ceased to form an integral part of our social life；
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has come to be the pastime of people with nothing better to do； … the
floating population of our hotels； the shop…girl and her young man
enjoying an evening out。 The plays produced by the gentlemen who； I am
told； control the stage in this country for the moment； are adapted to the
requirements of an audience that； having no particular standard from
which to judge the literary merits of a play； the training； accent； or talent
of the actors； are perfectly contented so long as they are amused。 To get a
laugh； at any price； has become the ambition of most actors and the dream
of managers。
A young actress in a company that played an American translation of
MME。 SANS GENE all over this continent asked me recently what I
thought of their performance。 I said I thought it 〃a burlesque of the
original！〃 〃If you thought it a burlesque here in town；〃 she answered； 〃it's
well you didn't see us on the road。 There was no monkey trick we would
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
