the ways of men-第23章
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om the varied twilight hues to purple night； until the moon； rising； lights anew the picture。 During all these variations of color little groups continue to come and go； acting out the story of a poem； which the poet delivers from the surrounding obscurity as only an author can render his own lines。
One of the pillars of this attractive centre was Jules Jouy； who made a large place for himself in the hearts of his contemporaries … a true poet； whom neither privations nor the difficult beginnings of an unknown writer could turn from his vocation。 His songs are alternately tender； gay； and bitingly sarcastic。 Some of his better…known ballads were written for and marvellously interpreted by Yvette Guilbert。 The difficult critics； Sarcey and Jules Lemaitre； have sounded his praise again and again。
A CABARET of another kind which enjoyed much celebrity； more on account of the personality of the poet who founded it than from any originality or picturesqueness in its intallation； was the 〃Mirliton；〃 opened by Aristide Bruant in the little rooms that had sheltered the original 〃Chat Noir。〃
To give an account of the 〃Mirliton〃 is to tell the story of Bruant； the most popular ballad…writer in France to…day。 This original and eccentric poet is as well…known to a Parisian as the boulevards or the Arc de Triomphe。 His costume of shabby black velvet； Brittany waistcoat； red shirt； top…boots； and enormous hat is a familiar feature in the caricatures and prints of the day。 His little CABARET remains closed during the day； opening its doors toward evening。 The personality of the ballad…writer 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 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 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 thousand years ago。 Modern skeptical Paris； that scoffs at all creeds and chafes impatiently under any rule； will sit to…day docile and complaisant； charmed by the melody of a poet's voice； its passions lulled or quickened； like Alexander's of old； at the will of a modern Timotheus。
Chapter 17 … Etiquette At Home and Abroad
READING that a sentinel had been punished the other day at St。 Petersburg for having omitted to present arms； as her Imperial Highness； the Grand Duchess Olga； was leaving the winter palace … in her nurse's arms … I smiled at what appeared to be needless punctilio； then； as is my habit
