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〃Browning〃 class in this city； doubting the sincerity of her companions；
asked permission to read them a poem of the master's which she found
beyond her comprehension。 When the reading was over the opinion of her
friends was unanimous。 〃Nothing could be simpler！ The lines were
lucidity itself！ Such close reasoning etc。〃 But dismay fell upon them when
the naughty lady announced； with a peal of laughter； that she had been
reading alternate lines from opposite pages。 She no longer disturbs the
harmony of that circle！
Bearing this tale in mind； I once asked a musician what proportion of
the audience at a 〃Ring〃 performance he thought would know if alternate
scenes were given from two of Wagner's operas； unless the scenery
enlightened them。 His estimate was that perhaps fifty per cent might find
out the fraud。 He put the number of people who could give an intelligent
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account of those plots at about thirty per hundred。
The popularity of music； he added； is largely due to the fact that it
saves people the trouble of thinking。 Pleasant sounds soothe the nerves；
and； if prolonged long enough in a darkened room will； like the Eastern
tom…toms； lull the senses into a mild form of trance。 This must be what the
gentleman meant who said he wished he could sleep as well in a 〃Wagner〃
car as he did at one of his operas！
Being a tailless old fox； I look with ever…increasing suspicion on the
too…luxuriant caudal appendages of my neighbors； and think with
amusement of the multitudes who during the last ten years have sacrificed
themselves upon the altar of grand opera … simple； kindly souls； with little
or no taste for classical music； who have sat in the dark （mentally and
physically）； applauding what they didn't understand； and listening to vague
German mythology set to sounds that appear to us outsiders like music
sunk into a verbose dotage。 I am convinced the greater number would
have preferred a jolly performance of MME。 ANGOT or the CLOCHES
DE CORNEVILLE； cut in two by a good ballet。
It is； however； so easy to be mistaken on subjects of this kind that
generalizing is dangerous。 Many great authorities have liked tuneless
music。 One of the most telling arguments in its favor was recently
advanced by a foreigner。 The Chinese ambassador told us last winter in a
club at Washington that Wagner's was the only European music that he
appreciated and enjoyed。 〃You see；〃 he added； 〃music is a much older art
with us than in Europe； and has naturally reached a far greater perfection。
The German school has made a long step in advance； and I can now
foresee a day not far distant when； under its influence； your music will
closely resemble our own。〃
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CHAPTER 16 … The Poetic
CABARETS of Paris
THOSE who have not lived in France can form little idea of the
important place the CAFE occupies in the life of an average Frenchman；
clubs as we know them or as they exist in England being rare； and when
found being； with few exceptions； but gambling…houses in disguise。 As a
Frenchman rarely asks an acquaintance； or even a friend； to his apartment；
the CAFE has become the common ground where all meet； for business or
pleasure。 Not in Paris only； but all over France； in every garrison town；
provincial city； or tiny village； the CAFE is the chief attraction； the centre
of thought； the focus toward which all the rays of masculine existence
converge。
For the student； newly arrived from the provinces； to whose modest
purse the theatres and other places of amusement are practically closed；
the CAFE is a supreme resource。 His mind is moulded； his ideas and
opinions formed； more by what he hears and sees there than by any other
influence。 A restaurant is of little importance。 One may eat anywhere。 But
the choice of his CAFE will often give the bent to a young man's career；
and indicate his exact shade of politics and his opinions on literature；
music； or art。 In Paris； to know a man at all is to know where you can find
him at the hour of the APERITIF … what Baudelaire called
L'HEURE SAINTE DE L'ABSINTHE。
When young men form a society among themselves； a CAFE is
chosen as their meeting…place。 Thousands of establishments exist only by
such patronage； as； for example； the Cafe de la Regence； Place du Theatre
Francais； which is frequented entirely by men who play chess。
Business men transact their affairs as much over their coffee as in their
offices。 The reading man finds at his CAFE the daily and weekly papers； a
writer is sure of the undisturbed possession of pen； ink； and paper。 Henri
Murger； the author； when asked once why he continued to patronize a
certain establishment notorious for the inferior quality of its beer；
answered； 〃Yes； the beer is poor； but they keep such good INK！〃
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The use of a CAFE does not imply any great expenditure； a
CONSUMMATION costing but little。 With it is acquired the right to use
the establishment for an indefinite number of hours； the client being
warmed； lighted； and served。 From five to seven； and again after dinner；
the HABITUES stroll in； grouping themselves about the small tables； each
new…comer joining a congenial circle； ordering his drink； and settling
himself for a long sitting。 The last editorial； the newest picture； or the fall
of a ministry is discussed with a vehemence and an interest unknown to
Anglo…Saxon natures。 Suddenly； in the excitement of the discussion； some
one will rise in his place and begin speaking。 If you happen to drop in at
that moment； the lady at the desk will welcome you with； 〃You are just in
time！ Monsieur So…and…So is speaking； the evening promises to be
interesting。〃 She is charmed； her establishment will shine with a reflected
light； an