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pervades the atmosphere。 He walks about the tiny place hailing his
acquaintances with some gay epigram； receiving strangers with easy
familiarity or chilling disdain； as the humor takes him； then in a moment；
with a rapid change of expression； pouring out the ringing lines of one of
his ballads … always the story of the poor and humble； for he has identified
himself with the outcast and the disinherited。 His volumes DANS LA RUE
and SUR LA ROUTE have had an enormous popularity； their contents
being known and sung all over France。
In 1892 Bruant was received as a member of the society of GENS DE
LETTRES。 It may be of interest to recall a part of the speech made by
Francois Coppee on the occasion： 〃It is with the greatest pleasure that I
present to my confreres my good friend； the ballad…writer； Aristide Bruant。
I value highly the author of DANS LA RUE。 When I close his volume of
sad and caustic verses it is with the consoling thought that even vice and
crime have their conscience： that if there is suffering there is a possible
redemption。 He has sought his inspiration in the gutter； it is true； but he
has seen there a reflection of the stars。〃
In the Avenue Trudaine； not far from the other CABARETS； the 〃Ane
Rouge〃 was next opened； in a quiet corner of the immense suburb； its
shady…little garden； on which the rooms open； making it a favorite
meeting…place during the warm months。 Of a summer evening no more
congenial spot can be found in all Paris。 The quaint chambers have been
covered with mural paintings or charcoal caricatures of the poets
themselves； or of familiar faces among the clients and patrons of the place。
One of the many talents that clustered around this quiet little garden
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THE WAYS OF MEN
was the brilliant Paul Verlaine； the most Bohemian of all inhabitants of
modern Prague； whose death has left a void； difficult to fill。 Fame and
honors came too late。 He died in destitution； if not absolutely of hunger；
to…day his admirers are erecting a bronze bust of him in the Garden of the
Luxembourg； with money that would have gone far toward making his life
happy。
In the old hotel of the Lesdiguieres family； rue de la Tour d'Auvergne；
the 〃Carillon〃 opened its doors in 1893； and quickly conquered a place in
the public favor； the inimitable fun and spirits of Tiercy drawing crowds to
the place。
The famous 〃Treteau de Tabarin；〃 which today holds undisputed
precedence over all the CABARETS of Paris； was among the last to
appear。 It was founded by the brilliant Fursy and a group of his friends。
Here no pains have been spared to form a setting worthy of the poets and
their public。
Many years ago； in the days of the good king Louis XIII。； a strolling
poet…actor； Tabarin； erected his little canvas… covered stage before the
statue of Henry IV。； on the Pont… Neuf； and drew the court and the town by
his fun and pathos。 The founders of the latest and most complete of
Parisian CABARETS have reconstructed； as far as possible； this historic
scene。 On the wall of the room where the performances are given； is
painted a view of old Paris； the Seine and its bridges； the towers of Notre
Dame in the distance； and the statue of Louis XIII。's warlike father in the
foreground。 In front of this painting stands a staging of rough planks；
reproducing the little theatre of Tabarin。 Here； every evening； the authors
and poets play in their own pieces； recite their verses； and tell their stories。
Not long ago a young musician； who has already given an opera to the
world； sang an entire one…act operetta of his composition； changing his
voice for the different parts； imitating choruses by clever effects on the
piano。
Montmartre is now sprinkled with attractive CABARETS； the taste of
the public for such informal entertainments having grown each year； with
reason； for the careless grace of the surroundings； the absence of any
useless restraint or obligation as to hour or duration； has a charm for
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THE WAYS OF MEN
thousands whom a long concert or the inevitable five acts at the Francais
could not tempt。 It would be difficult to overrate the influence such an
atmosphere； breathed in youth； must have on the taste and character。 The
absence of a sordid spirit； the curse of our material day and generation； the
contact with intellects trained to incase their thoughts in serried verse or
crisp and lucid prose； cannot but form the hearer's mind into a higher and
better mould。 It is both a satisfaction and a hope for the future to know that
these influences are being felt all over the capital and throughout the
length and breadth of France。 There are at this moment in Paris alone three
or four hundred poets； ballad writers； and RACONTEURS who recite their
works in public。
It must be hard for the untravelled Anglo…Saxon to grasp the idea that a
poet can； without loss of prestige； recite his lines in a public CAFE before
a mixed audience。 If such doubting souls could； however； be present at one
of these NOCTES AMBROSIANAE； they would acknowledge that the
Latin temperament can throw a grace and child…like abandon around an act
that would cause an Englishman or an American to appear supremely
ridiculous。 One's taste and sense of fitness are never shocked。 It seems the
most natural thing in the world to be sitting with your glass of beer before
you； while some rising poet； whose name ten years later may figure among
the 〃Immortal Forty；〃 tells to you his loves and his ambition； or brings
tears into your eyes with a description of some humble hero or martyr。
From the days of Homer poetry has been the instructor of nations。 In
the Orient to…day the poet story…teller holds his audience spellbound for
hours； teaching the people their history and supplying their minds with
food for thought； raising them above the dull level of the brutes by the
charm of his verse and the elevation of his ideas。 The power of poetry is
the same now as three thousa