the ways of men(人们的手段)-第39章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
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
169
… Page 170…
THE WAYS OF MEN
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
170
… Page 171…
THE WAYS OF MEN
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
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
171
… Page 172…
THE WAYS OF MEN
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。
172
… Page 173…
THE WAYS OF MEN
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…
173
… Page 174…
THE WAYS OF MEN
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 curio
