worldly ways and byways-第38章
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board; lodge; and feed him indefinitely; or make him honorary
member of all their clubs。 It is a constant source of pleasure to
me to watch this younger generation; so plainly do I see in them
the influence of their mothers … women I knew as girls; and who
were so far ahead of their brothers and husbands in refinement and
culture。 To have seen these girls marry and bring up their sons so
well has been a satisfaction and a compensation for many
disillusions。 Woman's influence will always remain the strongest
lever that can be brought to bear in raising the tone of a family;
it is impossible not to see about these young men a reflection of
what we found so charming in their mothers。 One despairs at times
of humanity; seeing vulgarity and snobbishness riding triumphantly
upward; but where the tone of the younger generation is as high as
I have lately found it; there is still much hope for the future。
CHAPTER 32 … An Ideal Hostess
THE saying that 〃One…half of the world ignores how the other half
lives〃 received for me an additional confirmation this last week;
when I had the good fortune to meet again an old friend; now for
some years retired from the stage; where she had by her charm and
beauty; as well as by her singing; held all the Parisian world at
her pretty feet。
Our meeting was followed on her part by an invitation to take
luncheon with her the next day; 〃to meet a few friends; and talk
over old times。〃 So half…past twelve (the invariable hour for the
〃second breakfast;〃 in France) the following day found me entering
a shady drawing…room; where a few people were sitting in the cool
half…light that strayed across from a canvas…covered balcony
furnished with plants and low chairs。 Beyond one caught a glimpse
of perhaps the gayest picture that the bright city of Paris offers;
… the sweep of the Boulevard as it turns to the Rue Royale; the
flower market; gay with a thousand colors in the summer sunshine;
while above all the color and movement; rose; cool and gray; the
splendid colonnade of the Madeleine。 The rattle of carriages; the
roll of the heavy omnibuses and the shrill cries from the street
below floated up; softened into a harmonious murmur that in no way
interfered with our conversation; and is sweeter than the finest
music to those who love their Paris。
Five or six rooms EN SUITE opening on the street; and as many more
on a large court; formed the apartment; where everything betrayed
the ARTISTE and the singer。 The walls; hung with silk or tapestry;
held a collection of original drawings and paintings; a fortune in
themselves; the dozen portraits of our hostess in favorite roles
were by men great in the art world; a couple of pianos covered with
well…worn music and numberless photographs signed with names that
would have made an autograph…fiend's mouth water。
After a gracious; cooing welcome; more whispered than spoken; I was
presented to the guests I did not know。 Before this ceremony was
well over; two maids in black; with white caps; opened a door into
the dining…room and announced luncheon。 As this is written on the
theme that 〃people know too little how their neighbors live;〃 I
give the MENU。 It may amuse my readers and serve; perhaps; as a
little object lesson to those at home who imagine that quantity and
not quality is of importance。
Our gracious hostess had earned a fortune in her profession (and I
am told that two CHEFS preside over her simple meals); so it was
not a spirit of economy which dictated this simplicity。 At first;
HORS D'OEUVRES were served; … all sorts of tempting little things;
… very thin slices of ham; spiced sausages; olives and caviar; and
eaten … not merely passed and refused。 Then came the one hot dish
of the meal。 〃One!〃 I think I hear my reader exclaim。 Yes; my
friend; but that one was a marvel in its way。 Chicken A
L'ESPAGNOLE; boiled; and buried in rice and tomatoes cooked whole …
a dish to be dreamed of and remembered in one's prayers and
thanksgivings! After at least two helpings each to this CHEF…
D'OEUVRE; cold larded fillet and a meat pate were served with the
salad。 Then a bit of cheese; a beaten cream of chocolate; fruit;
and bon…bons。 For a drink we had the white wine from which
champagne is made (by a chemical process and the addition of many
injurious ingredients); in other words; a pure BRUT champagne with
just a suggestion of sparkle at the bottom of your glass。 All the
party then migrated together into the smoking…room for cigarettes;
coffee; and a tiny glass of LIQUEUR。
These details have been given at length; not only because the meal
seemed to me; while I was eating it; to be worthy of whole columns
of print; but because one of the besetting sins of our dear land is
to serve a profusion of food no one wants and which the hostess
would never have dreamed of ordering had she been alone。
Nothing is more wearisome than to sit at table and see course after
course; good; bad; and indifferent; served; after you have eaten
what you want。 And nothing is more vulgar than to serve them; for
either a guest refuses a great deal of the food and appears
uncivil; or he must eat; and regret it afterwards。 If we ask
people to a meal; it should be to such as we eat; as a general
thing; ourselves; and such as they would have at home。 Otherwise
it becomes ostentation and vulgarity。 Why should one be expelled
to eat more than usual because a friend has been nice enough to ask
one to take one's dinner with him; instead of eating it alone? It
is the being among friends that tempts; not the food; the fact at
skilful waiters have been able to serve a dozen varieties of fish;
flesh; and fowl during the time you were at table has added little
to any one's pleasure。 On the contrary! Half the time one eats
from pure absence of mind; a number of most injurious mixtures and
so prepares an awful to…morrow and the foundation of many
complicated diseases。
I see Smith and Jones daily at the club; where we dine cheerfully
together on soup; a cut of the joint; a dessert; and drink a pint
of claret。 But if either Mrs。 Smith or Mrs。 Jones asks me to
dinner; we have eight courses and half as many wines; and Smith
will say quite gravely to me; 〃Try this '75 'Perrier Jouet';〃 as if
he were in the habit of drinking it daily。 It makes me smile; for
he would as soon think of ordering a bottle of that wine at the
club as he would think of ordering a flask of nectar。
But to return to our 〃mutton。〃 As we had none of us eaten too much
(and so become digesting machines); we were cheerful and sprightly。
A little music followed and an author repeated some of his poetry。
I noticed that during the hour before we broke up our hostess
contrived to have a little talk with each of her guests; which she
made quite personal; appearing for the moment as though the rest of
the world did not exist for her; than which there is no more subtle
flattery; and which is the act of a well…bred and appreciative
woman。 Guests cannot be treated EN MASSE any more than food; to
ask a man to your house is not enough。 He should be made to feel;
if you wish him to go away with a pleasant remembrance of the
entertainment; that his presence has in some way added to it and
been a personal pleasure to his host。
A good soul that all New York knew a few years ago; whose
entertainments were as though the street had been turned into a
SALON for the moment; used to go about among her guests saying;
〃There have been one hundred and seventy…five people here this
Thursday; ten more than last week;〃 with such a satisfied smile;
that you felt that she had little left to wish for; and found
yourself wondering just which number you represented in her mind。
When you entered she must have murmured a numeral to