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！
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 compatri