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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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THE WAYS OF MEN
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 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
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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