AsthemanyHamletsonwhichthecurtainhadriseninmytimepassedinlongprocessionthroughmymemory，Iseemedtomyselfsomuchoftheirworld，andsolittleoftheworldthatarrogantlycallsitselftheactualone，thatIshouldhardlyhavebeensurprisedtofindmyselfoneofthelessconsideredpersonsofthedramawhowereseenbutnotheardinitscourse。
I。
Thetroubleinjudginganythingisthatifyouhavethematerialsforanintelligentcriticism，thecaseisalreadyprejudicedinyourhands。
Youdonotbringafreemindtoit，andallyoureffortstofreeyourmindareaspeciesofgymnasticsmoreorlessadmirable，butnotreallyeffectiveforthepurpose。Thebestwayistoownyourselfunfairatthestart，andthenyoucanhavesomehopeofdoingyourselfjustice，ifnotyoursubject。Inotherwords，ifyouwenttoseetheHamletofMme。
Bernhardtfranklyexpectingtobedisappointed，youwerelesslikelyintheendtobedisappointedinyourexpectations，andyoucouldnotblameherifyouwere。Tobeideallyfairtothatrepresentation，itwouldbebetternottohaveknownanyotherHamlet，and，aboveall，theHamletofShakespeare。
Fromthefirstitwasevidentthatshehadthreethingsoverwhelminglyagainsther——hersex，herrace，andherspeech。YouneverceasedtofeelforamomentthatitwasawomanwhowasdoingthatmelancholyDane，andthatthewomanwasaJewess，andtheJewessaFrenchJewess。ThesethreeremovesputagulfimpassablebetweenherutmostskillandtheimpassionedirresolutionofthatinscrutableNorthernnaturewhichisinnothingsomasculineasitsfemininereluctancesandhesitations，orsolittleFrenchasinthoseobscureemotionswhichtheEnglishpoetryexpressedwithmorethanGallicclearness，butwhichtheFrenchwordsalwaysfailedtoconvey。Thebattlewaslostfromthefirst，andallyoucouldfeelaboutitfortherestwasthatifitwasmagnificentitwasnotwar。
WhilethebattlewentonIwasthemoreanxioustobefair，becauseI
had，asitwere，pre—espousedthewinningside;andIwelcomed，intheinterestofcriticalimpartiality，anotherHamletwhichcametomind，throughreadilytraceableassociations。ThiswasaHamletalsoofFrenchextractionintheskillandschooloftheactor，butasmuchmoredeeplyderivedthantheHamletofMme。BernhardtasthelargeimaginationofCharlesFechtertranscendedinitsvirilerangetheeffectofhersubtlestwomanishintuition。HiswasthefirstblondHamletknowntoourstage，andherswasalsoblond，ifareddish—yellowwigmaystandforacomplexion;anditwasofthequalityofhisHamletinmasterlytechnique。
II。
TheHamletofFechter，whichroseghostlikeoutofthegulfofthepast，andcloudilypossessedthestagewheretheHamletofMme。Bernhardtwasfiguring，wascalledaromanticHamletthirtyyearsago;andsoitwasinbeingabreakfromtheclassicHamletsoftheAnglo—Americantheatre。
ItwasromanticasShakespearehimselfwasromantic，inaneldersenseoftheword，andnotromanticisticasDumaswasromanticistic。Itwas，therefore，themostrealisticHamleteveryetseen，becausethemostnaturallypoetic。Mme。Bernhardtrecalleditbytheperfectionofherschool;forFechter’spoeticnaturalnessdifferedfromtheconventionalityoftheacceptedHamletsinnothingsomuchasthesuperiorityofitsself—instruction。InMme。Bernhardt’sHamlet，asinhis，nothingwastrustedtochance，or\"inspiration。\"Goodorbad，whatonesawwaswhatwasmeanttobeseen。WhenFechterplayedEdmondDantesorClaudeMelnotte，heputrealityintothosepreposterousinventions，andinHamletevenhisalienaccenthelpedhimvitalizethepart;itmightbeheldtobenearertheElizabethanaccentthanours;andafterall，yousaidHamletwasaforeigner，andinyourhighcontentwithwhathegaveyoudidnotminditsbeinginabrokenvessel。Whenhechallengedtheghostwith\"Icalltheekeeng，father，rawl—Dane，\"youWouldhardlyhavehadtheerringutterancebettered。Itsufficedasitwas;andwhenhesaidtoRosencrantz，\"Willyouplehuponthispyip？\"
itwaswithsuchaprincelyauthorityandcomradelyentreatythatyoumadenonoteoftheslipsinthevowelsexcepttohavepleasureoftheirquaintnessafterwards。Forthemostpartyouwerenotawareofthesebetrayalsofhisspeech;andincertainhighthingsitwassoulinterpretedtosoulthroughthepoetryofShakespearesofinely，sodirectly，thattherewasscarcelyasenseofthehistrionicmeans。
Heputsuchdivinedespairintothewords，\"Exceptmylife，exceptmylife，exceptmylife！\"followingthemockerywithwhichhehadassuredPoloniustherewasnothinghewouldmorewillinglypartwithalthanhisleave，thattheheart—breakofthemhadlingeredwithmeforthirtyyears，andIhadbeenalertforthemwitheveryHamletsince。ButbeforeIknew，Mme。Bernhardthadutteredthemwithnoeffectwhatever。HerHamlet，indeed，cutmanyofthethingsthatwehavelearnedtothinkthepointsofHamlet，anditsotransformedothersbyitsinterpretationofthetranslator’sinterpretationofShakespearethattheypassedunrecognized。Soliloquiesaretheweakinventionoftheenemy，forthemostpart，butassuchthingsgothatsoliloquyofHamlet’s，\"Tobeornottobe，\"isatleastverynoblepoetry;andyetMme。Bernhardtwassounimpressiveinitthatyouscarcelynoticedtheactofitsdelivery。
PerhapsthishappenedbecausethesumptuousandsombremelancholyofShakespeare’sthoughtwastransmittedinphrasesthatrefusedititspropermystery。Buttherewasalwaysahardness，notalwaysfromthetranslation，uponthisfeminineHamlet。ItwaslikeathickshellwithnocreviceinitthroughwhichthetendernessofShakespeare’sHamletcouldshow，exceptfortheonemomentatOphelia’sgrave，wherehereproachesLaerteswiththosepatheticwords\"Whatisthereasonthatyouusemethus？
Ilovedyouever;butitisnomatter。\"
HereMme。Bernhardtbetrayedarealgrief，butasawomanwould，andnotaman。AtthecloseoftheGonzagoplay，whenHamlettriumphsinamadwhirl，herHamlethoppedupanddownlikeamischievouscrow，amischievousshe—crow。
TherewasnoreposeinherHamlet，thoughthereweremomentsofleadenlapsewhichsuggestedphysicalexhaustion;andtherewasnorangeinherelocutionexpressiveofthelargevibrationofthattormentedspirit。
Hervoicedroppedout，orjerkeditselfout，andinthecrisesofstrongemotionitwasthevoiceofascoldingorahystericalwoman。Attimeshermovements，whichshemusthavestudiedsohardtomaster，weredrollywomanish，especiallythoseofthewholeperson。Herquickenedpacewasawoman’snervouslittlerun，andnotaman’sswiftstride;andtogiveherselfduestature，itwasherfoibletowearawoman’shighheelstohershoes，andshecouldnothelptiltingonthem。
Inthescenewiththequeenaftertheplay，mostEnglishandAmericanHamletshaverequiredhertolookuponthecounterfeitpresentmentoftwobrothersinminiaturessomethingthesizeoftea—plates;butMme。
Bernhardt’spreferredfull—length，life—sizefamilyportraits。Thedeadking’seffigydidnotappearaflatteredlikenessinthescene—painter’sart，butitwasusefulindisclosinghisghostbygivingplacetoitinthewallattherightmoment。Sheachievedanoveltybythistreatmentoftheportraits，andsheachievedanoveltyinthetoneshetookwiththewretchedqueen。Hamletappearedtoscoldhermother，butthoughitcouldbesaidthathermotherdeservedascolding，wasitthepartofagooddaughtertogiveither？
Oneshould，ofcourse，sayagoodson，butlongbeforethisithadbecomeimpossibletothinkatallofMme。Bernhardt’sHamletasaman，ifiteverhadbeenpossible。Shehadtraversedtheboundswhichtraditionaswellasnaturehasset，andviolatedtheonlyconditionuponwhichanactressmaypersonateaman。Thisconditionisthatthereshallbealwaysahintofcomedyinthepart，thatthespectatorshallknowallthetimethattheactressisawoman，andthatsheshallconfessherselfsuchbeforetheplayisover;sheshallbefascinatingintheguiseofamanonlybecausesheissomuchmoreintenselyawomaninit。
Shakespearehadratherafancyforwomeninmen’sroles，which，aswomen’srolesinhistimewerealwaystakenbyprettyandcleverboys，couldbemorenaturallymanagedthenthannow。Butwhenitcametotheeclaircissement，andtheprettyboys，whohadbeenplayingthepartsofwomendisguisedasmen，hadtoownthemselveswomen，theeffectmusthavebeenconfusedifnotweakened。IfMme。Bernhardt，inthenecessityofdoingsomethingShakespearean，hadchosentodoRosalind，orViola，orPortia，shecouldhavedoneitwithallthemodernadvantagesofwomeninmen’sroles。Thesecharactersare，ofcourse，\"lightermotionsboundedinashallowerbrain\"thanthecreationsheaimedat;butshecouldatleasthavemademuchofthem，andshedoesnotmakemuchofHamlet。
III。
ThestrongestreasonagainstanywomanHamletisthatitdoesviolencetoanideal。Literatureisnotsorichingreatimaginarymasculinetypesthatwecanaffordtohavethemtransformedtowomen;andafterseeingMme。Bernhardt’sHamletnoonecanaltogetherliberatehimselffromthefancythatthePrinceofDenmarkwasagirlofuncertainage，withcrisesofmannishnessinwhichshedidnotseemquitealady。Hamletisinnothingmoreamanthaninthethingstowhichasamanhefoundhimselfunequal;forasawomanhewouldhavebeeneasilysuperiortothem。
IfwecouldsupposehimawomanasMme。Bernhardt，inspiteofherself，invitesustodo，wecouldonlysupposehimtohavesolvedhisperplexitieswiththedelightfulprecipitationofhisputativesex。
Asthenieceofawickeduncle，whointhatcasewouldhavehadtobeawickedaunt，weddedtoHamlet’sfatherharduponthemurderofhermother，shewouldhavemadeshortworkofhervengeance。Nofinescrupleswouldhavedelayedher;shewouldnothavehadamoment’squestionwhethershehadnotbetterkillherself;shewouldhaveoutwithherbarebodkinandendedthedoubtbyfirstpassingitthroughheraunt’sbreast。
Tobesure，therewouldthenhavebeennoplayof\"Hamlet，\"aswehaveit;butaHamletlikethatimagined，afranklyfeminineHamlet，Mme。
Bernhardtcouldhaverenderedwonderfully。ItisinattemptingamasculineHamletthatshetranscendstheimaginableandviolatesanideal。Itisnotthinkable。Afteryouhaveseenitdone，yousay，asMr。Clemensissaidtohavesaidofbicycling：\"Yes，Ihaveseenit，butit’simpossible。Itdoesn’tstandtoreason。\"
Art，likelaw，istheperfectionofreason，andwhateverisunreasonableintheworkofanartistisinartistic。BythetimeIhadreachedtheseboldconclusionsIwasreadytodeduceaprinciplefromthem，andtodeclarethatinatruecivilizationsuchathingasthatHamletwouldbeforbidden，asanoffenceagainstpublicmorals，aviolencetosomethingpreciousandsacred。
Intheabsenceofanypublicregulationthepreciousandsacredidealsintheartsmustbetrustedtotheseveralartists，whobringthemselvestojudgmentwhentheyviolatethem。AfterMme。BernhardtwasperverselywillingtoattemptthepartofHamlet，thequestionwhethershediditwellornotwasofslightconsequence。Shehadalreadymadeherfailureinwishingtoplaythepart。Herwishimpugnedhergreatnessasanartist;ofareallygreatactressitwouldhavebeenasunimaginableastheassumptionofasublimefemininerolebyareallygreatactor。Thereisanobscurelawinthismatterwhichitwouldbeinterestingtotrace，butforthepresentImustleavetheinquirywiththereader。Icannotemerelythatitseemssomehowmorepermissibleforwomeninimaginaryactionstofigureasmenthanformentofigureaswomen。Inthetheatrewehaveconjecturedhowandwhythismaybe，buttheprivilege，forlessobviousreasons，seemsyetmoreliberallygrantedinfiction。Awomanmaytellastoryinthecharacterofamanandnotgiveoffence，butamancannotwriteanovelinautobiographicalformfromthepersonalityofawomanwithoutimpartingthesenseofsomethingunwholesome。OnefeelsthistrueevenintheworkofsuchamasterasTolstoy，whoseKatiaisacaseinpoint。PerhapsawomanmayplayHamletwithalessshockingeffectthanamanmayplayDesdemona，butallthesameshemustnotplayHamletatall。Thatsublimeidealisthepropertyofthehumanimagination，andmaynotbeprofanedbyatalentenamouredoftheimpossible。Noharmcouldbedonebythebroadestburlesque，themostirreverenttravesty，forthesewouldstillleavetheidealuntouched。
Hamlet，afterallthehorse—play，wouldbeHamlet;butHamletplayedbyawoman，tosatisfyhercaprice，ortofeedherfamineforafresheffect，isHamletdisabled，foralongtime，atleast，initsvitalessence。
IfeltthatitwouldtakemanyreturnstotheHamletofShakespearetoeffacetheimpressionofMme。Bernhardt’sHamlet;andasIpreparedtoescapefrommyrowofstallsinthedarkeningtheatre，IexperiencedanobleshameforhavingseentheDanesodisnatured，touseMr。Lowell’sword。Ihadnotbeenobligedtocome;Ihadvoluntarilysharedinthewrongdone;bymypresenceIhadmademyselfanaccompliceinthewrong。
Itwashighground，butnottoohighforme，andIrecoveredameasureofself—respectinassumingit。
THEMIDNIGHTPLATOON
Hehadoftenheardofit。Connoisseursofsuchmatters，youngnewspapermentryingtomakeliteratureoutoflifeandsmuggleitintoprintundertheguardofunwaryeditors，andyoungauthorseagertogetlifeintotheirliterature，hadrecommendedittohimasoneofthemostimpressivesightsofthecity;andhehadwillinglyagreedwiththemthatheoughttoseeit。Heimagineditverydramatic，andhewassurprisedtofinditinhisexperiencesolargelysubjective。Iftherewasanydramaatallitwaswhollyinhisownconsciousness。Butthethingwascertainlyimpressiveinitsway。
I。
Hethoughtitagreatpieceofluckthatheshouldcomeuponitbychance，andsolongafterhehadforgottenaboutitthathewassurprisedtorecognizeitforthespectaclehehadoftenpromisedhimselfthepleasureofseeing。
Pleasureistherightword;forpleasureofthepainfulsortthatallhedonistswilleasilyimaginewaswhatheexpectedtogetfromit;thoughuponthefaceofitthereseemsnoreasonwhyamanshoulddelighttoseehisfellow—menwaitinginthewinterstreetforthemidnightdoleofbreadwhichmustinsomecasesbetheironlymealfromthelastmidnighttothenextmidnight。Butthemerethoughtofitgavehimpleasure，andthesightofit，fromtheveryfirstinstant。Hewasproudofknowingjustwhatitwasatonce，withthesortofpridewhichonehasinknowinganearthquake，thoughonehasneverfeltonebefore。Hesawthedoublefileofmenstretchinguponestreet，andstretchingdowntheotherfromthecornerofthebakerywheretheloavesweretobegivenoutonthestrokeoftwelve，andhehuggedhimselfinaluxuriouscontentwithhisperspicacity。
Itwasallthemorecomfortabletodothisbecausehewasinacoup，warmlyshutagainstthesharp，wholesomeChristmas—weekweather，andwaswrappedtothechininalongfurovercoat，whichheworethatnightasadutytohisfamily，withaconscienceagainsttakingcoldandalarmingthemforhishealth。Henowpractisedanotherpieceofself—denial：heletthecabmandriverapidlypasttheinterestingspectacle，andcarryhimtothehousewherehewasgoingtofetchawaythechildfromtheChristmasparty。Hewishedtobeingoodtime，soastosavethechildfromanxietyabouthiscoming;buthepromisedhimselftostop，goingback，andgluthissensibilityinaleisurelystudyofthescene。Hegotthechild，withherarmsfullofthingsfromtheChristmas—tree，intothecoup，andthenhesaidtothecabman，respectfullyleaningasfaroverfromhisboxtolistenashisthickgreatcoatwouldlethim：\"Whenyougetuptherenearthatbakeryagain，driveslowly。Iwanttohavealookatthosemen。\"
\"Allright，sir，\"saidthedriverintelligently，andhefoundhiswhyskilfullyoutofthestreetamongthehighbanksoftheseasonableChristmas—weeksnow，whichthestreet—cleanershadheapeduptheretilltheycouldgetroundtoitwiththeircarts。
WhentheywereinBroadwayagainitseemedlonelierandsilenterthanitwasafewminutesbefore。Exceptfortheirowncoup，thecable—cars，withtheirflamingforeheads，andthemechanicalclangoroftheirgongsatthecorners，seemedtohaveitaltogethertothemselves。Atall，lumberingUnitedStatesmailvanrolledby，andimpressedmyfriendinthecoupwithacheapandagreeablesenseofmysteryrelativetothelettersitwascarryingtotheirvarieddestinationattheGrandCentralStation。Helistenedwithhalfaneartothechild’saccountofthefunshehadattheparty，andhewatchedwithbotheyesforthesightofthemenwaitingatthebakeryforthecharityofthemidnightloaves。
Heplayedwithafearthattheymightallhavevanished，andwithanapprehensionthatthecabmanmightforgetandwhirlhimrapidlybytheplacewherehehadleftthem。Butthedriverremembered，andcheckedhishorsesingoodtime;andtherewerethemenstill，butinevengreaternumberthanbefore，stretchingfartherupBroadwayandfartheroutalongthesidestreet。Theystoodslouchedindimandsolemnphalanxunderthenightsky，soseasonably，clearandfrostilyatwinklewithChristmas—weekstars;twobytwotheystood，slouchedclosetogether，perhapsfortheirmutualwarmth，perhapsinanunconsciousefforttogetnearthedoorwheretheloavesweretobegivenout，intimetoshareinthembeforetheywereallgone。
II。
Myfriend’sheartbeatwithgladanticipation。Hewasreallytoseethisimportant，thisrepresentativethingtothegreatestpossibleadvantage。
Herapidlyexplainedtohiscompanionthatthegiverofthemidnightloavesgotridofwhatwasleftofhisdailybreadinthatway：thenextdayitcouldnotbesold，andhepreferredtogiveitawaytothosewhoneededit，ratherthantrytofindhisaccountinitotherwise。Sheunderstood，andhetriedtothinkthatsometimescoffeewasgivenwiththebread，buthecouldnotmakesureofthis，thoughhewouldhavelikedverymuchtohaveitdone;itwouldhavebeenmuchmoredramatic。
Afterwardshelearnedthatitwasdone，andhewasproudofhavingfanciedit。
HedecidedthatwhenhecamealongsideoftheBroadwayfilehewouldgetout，andgotothesidedoorofthebakeryandwatchthemenreceivingthebread。Perhapshewouldfindcouragetospeaktothem，andaskthemaboutthemselves。Atthetimeitdidnotstrikehimthatitwouldbeindecent。
Agreatmanythingsaboutthemwereopentoreasonableconjecture。Itwasnotprobablethattheywereanyofthemtherefortheirhealth，asthesayingis。Theywerealltherebecausetheywerehungry，orelsetheywerethereinbehalfofsomeoneelsewhowashungry。Butitwasalwayspossiblethatsomeofthemwereimpostors，andhewonderedifanytestwasappliedtothemthatwouldprovethemdeservingorundeserving。
Ifonewerepoor，oneoughttobedeserving;ifonewererich，itdidnotsomuchmatter。
Itseemedtohimverylikelythatifheaskedthesemenquestionstheywouldtellhimlies。Afantasticassociationoftheirdoublefilesandthoseofthegalley—slaveswhomDonQuixotereleased，withthetongueyGinesdePassamonteattheirhead，cameintohismind。Hesmiled，andthenhethoughthowthesemenwerereallyasortofslavesandconvicts——slavestowantandself—convictedofpoverty。Allatoncehefanciedthemactuallymanacledtheretogether，twobytwo，acoffleofcaptivestakeninsomecruelforay，anddriventoamarketwherenomanwantedtobuy。Hethoughthowoldtheirslaverywas;andhewonderedifitwouldeverbeabolished，asotherslaverieshadbeen。Wouldtheworldeveroutliveit？WouldsomeNew—Year’sdaycomewhensomePresidentwouldproclaim，amidsomedirestruggle，thattheirslaverywastobenomore？
Thatwouldbefine。
III。
Henoticedhowstillthemostofthemwere。Afewofthemsteppedalittleoutoftheline，andstampedtoshakeoffthecold;butalltherestremainedmotionless，shrinkingintothemselves，andclosertogether。
Theymighthavebeentheirowndismalghosts，theyweresostill，withnomoreneedofdefencefromthecoldthanthedeadhave。
Heobservednowthatnotoneamongthemhadafurovercoaton;andatasecondglancehesawthattherewasnotanovercoatofanykindamongthem。Hemadehisreflectionthatifanyofthemwereimpostors，andnottruemen，withrealhunger，andiftheywerealivetofeelthatstiff，wholesome，Christmas—weekcold，theywerejustlypunishedfortheirdeceit。
Hewasinterestedbythecelerity，thesimultaneityofhisimpressions，hisreflections。Itoccurredtohimthathisabnormalalertnessmustbesomethinglikethatofadrowningperson，orapersoninmortalperil，andbeingperfectlysafeandwell，hewasobscurelyflatteredbythefact。
Totesthisconditionfurtherhetooknoteofthefinemassofthegreatdry—goodsstoreonthehithercorner，blockingitselfoutoftheblue—
blacknight，andoftheGothicbeautyofthechurchbeyond，sonearthatthecoffleofcaptivesmighthaveissuedfromitssculpturedportal，aftervainprayer。
Fragmentsofconjecture，ofspeculation，driftedthroughhismind。Howearlydidthesefilesbegintoformthemselvesforthemidnightdoleofbread？Asearlyasten，asnineo’clock？Ifso，didthefactarguehabitualdestitution，ormerelyhabitualleisure？Didtheslavesinthecofflemakeacquaintance，orremainstrangerstooneanother，thoughtheywerecloselyneighborednightafternightbytheirmisery？Perhapstheyjokedawaythewearyhoursofwaiting;theymusthavetheirjokes。Whichofthemwereold—comers，andwhichnovices？Didtheyeverquarreloverquestionsofprecedence？Hadtheysomecomity，someetiquette，whichamanforcedtoleavehisplacecouldappealto，andsogetitback？Couldonesaytohisnext—handman，\"Willyoupleasekeepmyplace？\"andwouldthismansaytoaninterloper，\"Excuseme，thisplaceisengaged\"？Howwasitwiththem，whenthecoffleworkedslowlyorswiftlypastthedoorwherethebreadandcoffeeweregivenout，andwordpassedtotherearthatthesupplywasexhausted？Thismustsometimeshappen，andwhatdidtheydothen？
IV。
Myfrienddidnotquiteliketothink。Vague，reproachfulthoughtsforalltheremoteandimmediateluxuryofhislifepassedthroughhismind。
Ifhereformedthatandgavethesavingtohungerandcold？Butwhatwastheuse？Therewassomuchhunger，somuchcold，thatitcouldnotgoround。
Thecabmanwasobeyinghisorderstoofaithfully。HewasnotonlywalkingbytheBroadwaycoffle，hewascreepingby。Hisactioncaughtthenoticeoftheslaves，andasthecoupspassedthemtheyallturnedandfacedit，likesoldiersunderreviewmakingreadytosaluteasuperior。Theywereperfectlysilent，perfectlyrespectful，buttheireyesseemedtopiercethecoupethroughandthrough。
Myfriendwassuddenlyawareofacertainqualityofrepresentivity;hestoodtothesemenforalltheeaseandsafetythattheycouldnever，neverhopetoknow。HewasSociety：SocietythatwastobepreservedbecauseitembodiesCivilization。HewonderediftheyhatedhiminhiscapacityofBetterClasses。Henolongerthoughtofgettingoutandwatchingtheirbehaviorastheytooktheirbreadandcoffee。Hewouldhavelikedtoexcusethatthought，andprotestthathewasashamedofit;
thathewastheirfriend，andwishedthemwell——aswellasmightbewithoutthesacrificeofhisownadvantagesorsuperfluities，whichhecouldhavepersuadedthemwouldbeperfectlyuseless。Heputhishandonthatofhiscompaniontremblingonhisarmwithsympathy，oratleastwithintelligence。
\"Youmustn’tmind。Whatweareandwhatwedoisallright。It’swhattheyareandwhattheysufferthat’sallwrong。\"
V。
\"Doesthatviewofthesituationstillsatisfyyou？\"Iasked，whenhehadtoldmeofthissingularexperience;Ilikedhisapparentlynotcoloringitatall。
\"Idon’tknow，\"heanswered。\"Itseemstobetheonlywayout。\"
\"Well，it’saneasyway，\"Iadmitted，\"andit’sanideathatoughttogratifythemidnightplatoon。\"
THEBEACHATROCKAWAY
IconfessthatIcannothearpeoplerejoiceintheirsummersojournasbeyondthereachofexcursionistswithoutacertainrebellion;andyetI
havetoconfessalsothatafterspendingaSundayafternoonoflateJuly，fourorfiveyearsago，withtheexcursionistsatoneofthebeachesnearNewYork，Iwasrathergladthatmyownsummersojournwasnotwithinreachofthem。Iknowverywellthattheexcursionistsmustgosomewhere，andasamanandabrotherIamwillingtheyshouldgoanywhere，butasafriendofquietandseclusionIshouldbesorrytohavethemcomemuchwhereIam。ItisnotbecauseIwoulddenythemashareofanypleasureIenjoy，butbecausetheyaresomanyandIamsofewthatIthinktheywouldgetallthepleasureandInone。Ihopethereaderwillseehowthisattitudedistinguishesmefromtheselfishpeoplewhoinhumanlyexultintheirremotenessfromexcursionists。
I。
ItwasatRockawayBeachthatIsawthesefellow—beingswhosemeremultitudewastoomuchforme。Theywereotherwisewhollywithoutoffencetowardsme，andsofarasInoted，towardseachother;theywere，infact，themostentirelypeaceablemultitudeIeversawinanycountry，andtheveryquietest。
Therewerethousands，mountingwelluptowardstensofthousands，ofthem，ineveryvarietyofageandsex;yetIheardnovoiceliftedabovetheconversationallevel，exceptthatofsomeinfantignorantofitsprivilegesinadayatthesea—side，orsomeshowmancryingtheattractionsofthespectacleinhischarge。IusedtothinktheAmericancrowdsratherboisterousandunruly，andmanyyearsago，whenIlivedinItaly，Icelebratedthegreateramiabilityandself—controloftheItaliancrowds。Butwehavecertainlychangedallthatwithinageneration，andifwhatIsawtheotherdaywasatypicalNewYorkcrowd，thenthepopularjoyofourpoorerclassesisnolongertheterroritoncewastothepeacefulobserver。Thetoughwasnotvisiblypresent，northetoughness，eitherofthepurenativeEastSidestockoroftheCelticextraction;yettherewerelargenumbersofAmericanswithratherfewerrecognizableIrishamongthemasses，whoweremainlyGermans，Russians，Poles，andtheJewsoftheseseveralnationalities。
Therewaseatinganddrinkingwithoutlimit，oneveryhandandineverykind，attheboothsaboundinginfriedseafood，andatthetablesunderallthewide—spreadingverandasofthehotelsandrestaurants;yetIsawnotonedrunkenman，andofcoursenotanydrunkenwomen。NoonethatI
sawwasevenaffectedbydrink，andnoonewasguiltyofanyrudeorunseemlybehavior。Thecrowdwas，inshort，amonumenttothedemocraticidealoflifeinthatveryimportantexpressionoflife，personalconduct，Ihavenotanynotionwhoorwhatthepeoplewere，orhowvirtuousorvicioustheyprivatelymightbe;butIamsurethatnosocietyassemblagecouldbeofagoodlieroutside;andtobeofagoodlyoutsideisallthatthemerespectatorhasarighttoaskofanycrowd。
Ifancied，however，thatgreatnumbersofthiscrowd，oratleastalltheAmericansinit，wereLong—Islandersfromtheinlandfarmsandvillageswithineasydistanceofthebeach。Theyhadprobablythehereditaryhabitofcomingtoit，foritwasafavoriteresortinthetimeoftheirfathersandgrandfathers，whohad——\"manyanhourwhiledawayListeningtothebreakers’roarThatwashedthebeachatRockaway。\"
Buttheclothingstoreandthepaperpatternhaveequalizedthecheaperdressofthepeoplesothatyoucannolongerknowcitizenandcountrymanapartbytheirclothes，stilllesscitizenessandcountrywoman;andIcanonlyconjecturethattheforeign—lookingfolkIsawwerefromNewYorkandBrooklyn。Theycamebyboat，andcameandwentbythecontinuallyarrivinganddepartingtrains，andlastbutnotleastbybicycles，bothsexes。Afewcameinthepubliccarriagesandomnibusesoftheneighborhood，butbyfarthevasternumberwhomneithertheboatsnorthetrainshadbroughthadtheirownvehicles，theall—pervadingbicycles，whichnooneseemedsopoorasnottobeabletokeep。Thebicyclersstormedintothefranticvillageofthebeachthewholeafternoon，intheproportionofonewomantofivemen，andmostofthesemusthaveriddendownontheirwheelsfromthegreatcities。Boysranaboutintheroadwaywithbunchesofbrasses，tocheckthewheels，andputthemforsafekeepinginwhathadoncebeenthestable—yardsofthehotels;therestaurantshadracksforthem，whereyoucouldseetheminsolidmasses，sidebyside，forahundredfeet，andnoshopwaswithoutitsdoor—siderack，whichthewheelmanmightslidehiswheelintowhenhestoppedforasoda，acigar，orasandwich。Allalongtheroadthegaybicyclerandbicyclessswarmeduponthepiazzasoftheinns，munching，lunching，whiletheirwheelsformedafantasticdecorationfortheunderpinningofthehouseandanovelbalusteringforthesteps。
II。
Theamusementsprovidedforthesethrongsofpeoplewerenotdifferentfromthoseprovidedforthrongsofpeopleeverywhere，whomustbeofmuchthesamemindandtastetheworldover。IhadfinemomentswhenImovedinanillusionoftheMidwayPlaisance;againIwasattheFetedeNeuilly，withallofParisbuttheaccentaboutme;yetagainthecountyagriculturalfairsofmyyouthspreadtheirspectraljoysbeforeme。Atnoneoftheseplaces，however，wasthereasoundingseaoramountainouschute，andImadehastetoexperiencethevarietytheseafforded，beginningwiththechute，sincetheseawasalwaysthere，andthechutemightbeclosedforthedayifIwaitedtoviewitlast。Imeantonlytoenjoythepleasureofothersinit，andIconfinedmyownparticipationtotheascentoftheheightfromwhichtheboatplungesdownthewaterysteepintotheoblongpoolbelow。WhenIboughtmyticketforthecarthatcarriedpassengersup，theygavemealsoapasteboardmedal，certifyingforme，\"Youhaveshotthechute，\"andIresolvedtokeepthisandshowittodoubtingfriendsasaproofofmydaring;butitisacuriousevidenceofmyunfitnessforsuchdeceptionsthatIafterwardscouldnotfindthemedal。SoIwillfranklyownthatformeitwasquiteenoughtoseeothersshootthechute，andthatIcametamelydownmyselfinthecar。Thereisaverycharmingviewfromthetop，oftheseawithitsships，andallthemadgayetyoftheshore，butofcoursemymainobjectwastoexultinthewildabsurdityofthosewhoshotthechute。
Therewasalwaysaladyamongthepeopleintheclumsyflat—boatthatflewdownthelongtrack，andshetriedusuallytobeaprettygirl，whoclutchedherfriendsandloversandshriekedaloudinherflight;butsometimesitwasasobermotherofafamily，withherbroodabouther，whowasprobablymeditating，alltheway，theinculpationoftheirfatherforanyharmthatcameofit。Apparentlynoharmcameofitinanycase。
Theboatstruckthewaterwiththeimpetusgainedfromahalf—
perpendicularslideofahundredfeet，boundedhighintotheair，struckagainandagain，andsoflouncedawkwardlyacrossthepondtothefarthershore，wherethepassengersdebarkedandwentawaytocommunewiththeirviscera，andtogettheirbreathastheycould。Ididnotaskanyofthemwhattheiremotionsorsensationswere，but，sofarasIcouldconjecture，theexperienceofshootingthechutemustcomprisetheraretransportofafallfromaten—storybuildingandthedelightofatempestuouspassageoftheAtlantic，powerfullycondensed。
ThemeresightwassoathleticthatittookawayanyappetiteImighthavehadtowitnessthefeatsofstrengthperformedbyMadameLaNoireatthenearestboothonmycomingout，thoughmadameherselfwasatthedoor—totestify，inherownlivingpicture，howmuchmuscularforcemaybemaskedinvastmassesofadipose。Shehadaweary，boredlook，andwasnotwithoutherpathos，poorsoul，asfewofthosearewhoamusethepublic;butIcouldnotfindherquitejustifiableasaSundayentertainment。Oneforgot，however，whatdayitwas，andforthetimeI
didnotpretendtobesomuchbetterthanmyneighborsthatIwouldnotcompromiseuponavisitto，ananimalshowalittlefartheron。Itwasaprettyfaircollectionofbeaststhathadoncebeenwild，perhaps，andinthecageofthelionstherewasaslight，sad—looking，long—hairedyoungman，excitingthemtomadnessbyblowsofawhipandpistol—shotswhomI
wasextremelygladtohavegetawaywithoutbeingtorninpieces，oratleastbittenintwo。AlittlelaterIsawhimatthedoorofthetent，verybreathless，dishevelled，andastohisdressnotofthespotlessnessonecouldwish。Butperhapsspotlessnessisnotcompatiblewiththeintimacyoflionsandlionesses。Hehadhadhislittletriumph;onespectatorofhisfeathaddeclaredthatyouwouldnotseeanythinglikethatatConeyIsland;andsoiledanddustyashewasinhiscottontights，hewaspreferabletothelivingpictureofayoungladywhomhereplacedasanattractionoftheshow。Itwasprofessedlyamoralshow;
themanagerexhortedusaswecameouttosaywhetheritwasgoodornot;
andinthebox—officesatakindandmotherlyfacedmatronwhowouldhaveapparentlyabhorredtolookuponalivingpictureatanydistance，muchlesshaveitatherelbow。
Uponthewhole，thereseemedamelancholymistakeinitall;thepeopletowhomtheshowmenmadetheirappealwereallsomuchbetter，evidently，thantheshowmensupposed;theshowmenthemselvesappearedharmlessenough，andonecouldnotsaythattherewaspersonallyanyharminthelivingpicture;rathershelookedlistlessanddull，butastothefacerespectableenough。
Iwouldnotgivetheimpressionthatmostoftheamusementswerenotineveryrespectdecorous。Asameansofpleasure，themerry—go—round，bothhorizontalwithhorsesandverticalwithswingingcradles，prevailed，andwasnonetheworseforbeingcalledbytheFrenchnameofcarrousel，forourpeopleaniglicizetheword，andsqueezethelastdropofGallicwickednessfromitbypronouncingitcarousal。Ateveryotherstepthereweremachinesforweighingyouandascertainingyourheight;therewerephotographers’booths，andX—rayapparatusforshowingyoutheinsideofyourwatch;andinoneopententIsawagentleman（withhisbacktothepublic）havinghisfortunereadinthelinesofhishandbyanEgyptianseeress。Ofcoursetherewaseverywheresoda，andplacesofthesofterdrinksabounded。
III。
Ithinkyoucouldonlygetaharddrinkbyorderingsomethingtoeatandsittingdowntoyourwineorbeeratatable。AgainIsaythatIsawnoeffectsofdrinkinthecrowd，andinoneofthegreatrestaurantsbuiltoutovertheseaonpiers，wheretherewasperpetualdancingtothebrayingofabrass—band，thecotillonhadnofireimpartedtoitsfiguresbythefumesofthebar。Infactitwasaveryrigidsobrietythatreignedhere，governingthecommonbehaviorbymeansoftheplacardswhichhungfromtheroofovertheheadsofthedancers，andrepeatedlyannouncedthatgentlemenwerenotallowedtodancetogether，ortocarryumbrellasorcaneswhiledancing，whileallwereentreatednottospitonthefloor。
Thedancerslookedhappyandharmless，ifnotverywiseorsplendid;theyseemedpeopleofthesamesimpleneighborhoods，villagelovers，youngwivesandhusbands，andpartiesoffriendswhohadcometogetherfortheday’spleasure。Aslightmother，muchweigheddownbyaheavybaby，passed，raptinaninnocentenvyofthem，andIthinksheandthechild’sfathermeanttojointhemassoonastheycouldfindaplacewheretolayit。Almostanyplacewoulddo;atanothergreatrestaurantIsawtwochairsfacedtogether，andababysleepingonthemasquietlyamidthecomingandgoingoflagersandfrankfurtersasifinitscradleathome。
Lagersandfrankfurtersweremuchinevidenceeverywhere，especiallyfrankfurters，whichseemedtohavewholeboothsdevotedtobroilingthem。
Theydisputedthisdignitywithsoft—shellcrabs，andsectionsofeels，piledattractivelyonlargeplatters，orsizzlingtoanimpassionedbrownindeepskilletsoffat。TheoldacridsmelloffryingbroughtbackmanyholidaysofItalytome，andIwasagainattimesontheRivaatVenice，andintheMercatoVecchioatFlorence。ButtheContinentalSundaycannotbefelttohavequitereplacedtheoldAmericanSabbathyet;thePuritanleavenworksstill，andthoughsomanyofourownpeopleconsentwillinglytothetransformation，IfancytheyalwaysenjoythemselvesonSundaywithacertainconsciousnessofwrong—doing。
IV。
Ihavealreadysaidthatthespectatorquitelostsenseofwhatdayitwas。Nothingcouldbemoresecularthanallthesightsandsounds。ItwastheFourthofJuly，lessthefire—crackersandthedrunkenness，anditwasthehighdayoftheweek。Butifitwasverywicked，andImustrecognizethatthescenewouldbeshockingtomostofmyreaders，Ifeelboundtosaythatthepeoplethemselvesdidnotlookwicked。Theylookedharmless;theyevenlookedgood，themostofthem。Iamsorrytosaytheywerenotverygood—looking。Thewomenwereprettyenough，andthemenwerehandsomeenough;perhapstheaveragewashigherinrespectofbeautythantheaverageisanywhereelse;IwaslatelyfromNewEngland，wherethepeopleweredistinctlymorehard—favored;butamongallthosethousandsatRockawayIfoundnostrikingtypes。Itmaybethataswegrowolderandoursatisfactionwithourownlookswanes，webecomemorefastidiousastothelooksofothers。Atanyrate，thereseemstobemuchlessbeautyintheworldthantherewasthirtyorfortyyearsago。
Ontheotherhand，thedressesseemindefinitelyprettier，astheyshouldbeincompensation。Whenwewereallsohandsomewecouldwellaffordtowearhoopsorpeg—toptrousers，butnowitisdifferent，andthepoorthingsmustekeouttheirpersonalungainlinesswithallthedevicesofthemodisteandthetailor。Idonotmeanthattherewasanydistinctioninthedressofthecrowd，butIsawnothingpositivelyuglyorgrotesquelyoutoftaste。Thecostumeswereasgoodasthecustoms，andIhavealreadycelebratedthemannersofthiscrowd。IbelieveImustexceptthecostumesofthebicyclesses，whowereunfailinglydumpyineffectwhendismounted，andwhowereallthemorelamentablefortotteringabout，intheirshortskirts，uponthetipsoftheirnarrowlittle，sharp—pointed，sillyhigh—heeledshoes。HowsevereIam！
Butthosehighheelsseemedtotakeallhonestyfromtheirdaringinthewholesomeexerciseofthewheel，andtokeeptheminthetraditionofcheapcoquetrystill，andimbecillydependent。
V。
IhavealmostforgottenintheinterestofthehumanspectaclethatthereisaseasomewhereaboutatRockawayBeach，anditisthisthatthepeoplehavecomefor。Imightwellforgetthatmodestsea，itissobuiltoutofsightbytherestaurantsandbath—housesandswitch—backsandshopsthatborderit，andbythehotelsandsaloonsandshowsflaringalongtheroadthatdividesthevillage，andtheplankedstreetsthatintersectthis。Butifyouwalksouthwardonanyofthestreets，youpresentlyfindtheplanksfounderinginsand，whichdriftsfarupoverthem，andthenyoufindyourselfinfullsightoftheoceanandtheoceanbathing。Swarmsandheapsofpeopleinalllollingandlyingandwallowingshapesstrewthebeach，andthewaterisfullofsloppingandshoutingandshriekinghumancreatures，clingingwithbarewhitearmstothelife—linesthatrunfromtheshoretothebuoys;beyondthesethelifeguardstayshimselfinhisboatwithoutspreadoars，androcksontheincomingsurf。
Allthatyoucansayofitisthatitisqueer。Itisnotpicturesque，orpoetic，ordramatic;itisqueer。Anenfiladingglancegivesthisimpressionandnoother;ifyougotothebalconyofthenearestmarinerestaurantforaflankingeye—shot，itisstillqueer，withtheaddedeffect，inallthosearmsupstretchedtothelife—lines，offrogs’legsinvertedinadownwardplunge。
OnthesandbeforethisspectacleItalkedwithaphilosopherofhumbleconditionwhobackeduponmeandknockedmyumbrellaoutofmyhand。
Thismadeusbegeachother’spardon;hesaidthathedidnotknowIwasthere，andIsaiditdidnotmatter。Thenwebothlookedatthebathing，andhesaid：
\"Idon’tlikethat。\"
\"Why，\"Iasked，\"doyouseeanyharminit？\"
\"No。ButIdon’tlikethelooksofit。Itain’tnice。It’squeer。\"
Itwasindeedlikeoneofthoseuncomfortabledreamswhereyouarenotdressedsufficientlyforcompany，orperhapsatall，andyetaremakingaverypublicappearance。Thispromiscuousbathingwasnotmuchinexcessoftheconventionthatgovernsthesea—bathingofthepolitestpeople;itcouldnotbe;anditwasmarkedbynogravemisconduct。Hereandthereagentlemanwasteachingaladytoswim，withhisarmsroundher;hereandthereawildnereidwassplashinganother;ayoungJewpursuedaflightofnaiadswithasectionofdeadeelinhishand。Butotherwiseallwasadampanddrearydecorum。Ichallengedmyphilosopherinvainforaspecificcauseofhisdislikeofthescene。
Mostofthepeopleonthesandwereinbathing—dress，buttherewereamultitudeofotherswhohadapparentlycomeforthesea—airandnotthesea—bathing。Amothersatwithasickchildonherknees;babieswerecradledinthesandasleep，andpeoplewalkedcarefullyroundandoverthem。Therewereeverywhereagreatmanypoormothersandchildren，whoseemedgettingthemostofthegoodthatwasgoing。
VI。
Butuponthewhole，thoughIdroveawayfromthebeachcelebratingthegoodtemperandthegoodorderofthescenetoanapplausivedriver，I
havesincethoughtofitasrathermelancholy。Itwasinfactnowiserorlivelierthanasocietyfunctioninthemeansofenjoymentitafforded。Thebestthingaboutitwasthatitlefttheguestsverymuchtotheirowndevices。Theestablishedpleasureswereclumsyandtiresome—looking;butonecouldeschewthem。Themoreofthemoneeschewed，themerrierperhaps;forIdoubtiftheraceisformedformuchpleasure;andevenaday’srestismorethanmostpeoplecanbear。Theyendureitinpassing，buttheygethomewearyandcross，evenafteratwenty—milerunonthewheel。Theroad，by—the—by，wasfullofhomewardwheelsbythistime，singleanddoubleandtandem，andmydriverprofessedthattheirmultitudegreatlyincreasedthedifficultiesofhisprofession。
SAWDUSTINTHEARENA
ItwasintheoldRomanarenaofbeautifulVeronathatthecircuseventsIwishtospeakoftookplace;infact，Ihadthehonorandprofitofseeingtwocircusesthere。Or，strictlyspeaking，itwasoneentirecircusthatIsaw，andtheuniquespecialityofanother，thedyinggloryofacircusonitslastlegs，thetriumphalfallofacircussuperbinadversity。
I。
TheentirecircuswasaltogetherItalian，withtheexceptionoftheclowns，who，tothecreditofournation，arealwaysAmericans，oradvertisedassuch，inItaly。ItschiefandalmostabsorbingeventwasareproductionofthetournamentwhichhadthenlatelybeenheldatRomeincelebrationofPrinceTommaso’scomingofage，andforacopyofacopyitwasreallyfine。Ithadfitnessinthearena，whichmusthavewitnessedmanysuchmediaevalshowsintheirtime，andIamsensiblestillofthepleasureitseffectsofcolorgaveme。Therewasonebeautifulwoman，aredblondeinagreenvelvetgown，whomighthaveridden，asshewas，outofacanvasofTitian’s，ifhehadeverpaintedequestrianpictures，andwhoatanyratewasanexcellentCarpaccio。
Then，the’ClownsAmericani’wereveryamusing，fromaplatformdevotedsolelytothem，anditwasasourceofprideifnotofjoywithmetothinkthatwewerealmosttheonlypeoplepresentwhounderstoodtheirjokes。Inthevastovalofthearena，however，thecircusringlookedverylittle，nothalfsolarge，say，astherimofalady’shatinfrontofyouattheplay;andonthegradinesoftheancientamphitheatrewewereallsuchagreatwayoffthatagoodfield—glasswouldhavebeenneededtodistinguishthefeaturesoftheactors。Icouldnotmakeout，therefore，whetherthe’ClownsAmericani’hadthenationalexpressionornot，butoneofthem，Iamsorrytosay，spoketheUnitedStateslanguagewithacockneyaccent。IsuspectthathewasanEnglishmanwhohadpassedhimselfoffupontheItalianmanagementasatrueYankee，andwhohadformedhimselfuponourschoolofclowning，justassomeoftherecentEnglishhumoristshavepatternedaftercertainfamouswitsofours。IdonotknowthatIwouldhaveexposedthisimpostor，evenifoccasionhadoffered，for，afterall，hisfraudwasatributetoourownprimacyinclowning，andtheVeronesewerenonetheworseforhiserringaspirates。
Theaudiencewasformethebestpartofthespectacle，astheaudiencealwaysisinItaly，andIindulgedmyfancyinsomecheapexcursionsconcerningtheplaceandpeople。Ireflectedthatitwasthesameraceessentiallyasthatwhichusedtowatchthegladiatorialshowsinthatarenawhenitwasnew，andthatverypossiblytherewereamongthesespectatorspersonsofthesamebloodasthoseVeronesepatricianswhohadlefttheirnamescarvedonthefrontofthegradinesinplaces，toclaimthisorthatseatfortheirown。Infact，therewassolittledifference，probably，intheirqualities，fromthattimetothis，thatI
felttheprocessofthegenerationstobeasortofimpertinence;andifNaturehadbeenpresent，Imightverywellhaveaskedherwhy，whenshehadoncearrivedatagivenexpressionofhumanity，shemustgoonrepeatingitindefinitely？Howwereallthosesimilarsoulstoknowthemselvesapartintheircommoneternity？Merelytohavebeendifferentlycircumstancedintimedidnotseemenough;andIthinkNaturewouldhavebeenpuzzledtoanswerme。Butperhapsnot;shemayhavehadherreasons，asthatyoucannothavetoomuchofagoodthing，andthatwhenthetypewassofineinmostrespectsastheItalianyoucouldnotdobetterthangoonrepeatingimpressionsfromit。
CertainlyImyselfcouldhavewishednovariationfromitintheyoungofficerof’bersaglieri’，whohadcomedownfromantiquitytothetopmostgradineofthearenaoveragainstme，andstoodtheredefinedagainstthecleareveningsky，onehandonhiship，andtheotherathisside，whilehisthincockerelplumesstreamedinthelightwind。Ihavesincewonderedifheknewhowbeautifulhewas，andIamsurethat，ifhedidnot，allthewomentheredid，andthatwasdoubtlessenoughfortheyoungofficerof’bersaglieri’。
II。
IthinkthathewaspreliminarytothesoleeventofthatpartialcircusIhavementioned。ThiseventwasonethatIhaveoftenwitnessedelsewhere，butneverinsuchnobleandworthykeeping。Thetopoftheouterarenawallmustitselfbefiftyfeethigh，andthepoleinthecentreofitsovalseemedtorisefiftyfeethigheryet。Atitsbaseanimmensenetwasstretched，andamaninaPrinceAlbertcoatandaderbyhatwasfiguringabout，anxiouslydirectingtheworkmenwhowerefixingtheguy—ropes，andtestingeveryparticularofthepreparationwithhisownhands。Whilethiswenton，ayounggirlranoutintothearena，and，afterabowtothespectators，quicklymountedtothetopofthepole，whereshepresentlystoodinstatuesquebeautythattookalleyesevenfromthelovelinessoftheofficerof’bersaglieri’。TherethemaninthePrinceAlbertcoatandthederbyhatsteppedbackfromthenetandlookedupather。
Shecalleddown，inEnglishthatsoundedlikesomedelocalized，denaturalizedspeech，itwassostrangethenandthere，\"Isitallright？\"
Heshoutedbackinthesamealienatedtongue，\"Yes;keeptotheleft，\"
andshedivedstraightdownwardinthelongplunge，till，justbeforeshereachedthenet，sheturnedaquicksomersaultintoitselasticmesh。
Itwasallsoexquisitelygracefulthatoneforgothowwickedlydangerousitwas;butIthinkthatthebriefEnglishcolloquywasthegreatwonderoftheeventforme，andIdoubtifIcouldeverhavebeenperfectlyhappyagain，ifchancehadnotamiablysufferedmetosatisfymycuriosityconcerningthespeakers。Afeweveningsafterthat，Iwasatthatcopyofacopyofatournament，and，afewgradinesbelowme，IsawthemanofthePrinceAlbertcoatandthederbyhat。IhadalreadymadeupmymindthathewasanAmerican，forIsupposedthatanEnglishmanwouldratherperishthanwearsuchacoatwithsuchahat，andasIhadwishedallmylifetospeaktoacircus—man，Iwentdownandboldlyaccostedhim。\"AreyouabrotherYankee？\"Iasked，andhelaughed，andconfessedthathewasanEnglishman，buthesaidhewasgladtomeetanyonewhospokeEnglish，andhemadeaplaceformebyhisside。Hewasverywillingtotellhowhehappenedtobethere，andheexplainedthathewasthemanagerofacircus，whichhadbeenplayingtoverygoodbusinessallwinterinSpain。InanevilhourhedecidedtocometoItaly，buthefoundthepricessoruinouslylowthathewasforcedtodisbandhiscompany。Thisdivinggirlwasallthatremainedtohimofitsmanyattractions，andhewastryingtomakealivingforbothinacountrywheretheadmissiontoacircuswassixofourcents，withfiftyforareservedseat。ButhewasabouttogiveitupandcometoAmerica，wherehesaidBarnumhadofferedhimanengagement。Ihopehefounditprofitable，andislongsinceanAmericancitizen，withasgoodrightasanyofustowearaPrinceAlbertcoatwithaderbyhat。
III。
ThereusedtobeverygoodcircusesinVenice，wheremanyVenetianshadtheonlyopportunityoftheirlivestoseeahorse。Thehorseswerethegreatattractionforthem，and，perhapsinconcessiontotheirhabitualdestitutioninthisrespect，theridingwasprovidentiallyverygood。Itwassogoodthatitdidnotboreme，ascircus—ridingmostlydoes，especiallythatofthesilk—cladjockeywhostandsinhishighboots，onhisback—baredhorse，andendsbywavinganAmericanflagintriumphathavingbeensotiresome。
Iamatalosstoknowwhytheymakesuchanadoabouttheladywhojumpsthroughpaperhoops，whichhavefirsthadholespokedinthemtorenderhertransiteasy，orwhyitshouldbethoughtsuchameritinhertohopoverasuccessionofbannerswhicharesweptunderherfeetinamannertominifyherexertionalmosttonothing，butIobserveitissoatallcircuses。AtmyfirstVenetiancircus，whichwasonabroadexpanseoftheRivadegliSchiavoni，therewasagirlwhoflungherselftothegroundandbacktoherhorseagain，holdingbyhismanewithonehand，quitelikethegoddessoutofthebath—gownatmyvillagecircustheotherday;andapparentlytherearemorecircusesintheworldthancircusevents。Itmustbeashardtothinkupanythingnewinthatkindasinromanticisticfiction，whichcircus—actingotherwiselargelyresembles。
AtacircuswhichplayedallonewinterinFlorenceIsawforthefirsttime—outsideofpolitesociety——theclownineveningdress，whonowseemsessentialtoallcircusesofmetropolitanpretensions，andwhomImissedsogladlyatmyvillagecircus。Heisnearlyasfutileastheladyclown，whoisoneofthesaddestandstrangestdevelopmentsofNewWomanhood。
Oftheclownswhodonotspeak，IbelieveIlikemosttheclownwhocatchesasuccessionofpeak—crownedsofthatsonhishead，whenthrownacrosstheringbyanaccomplice。Thisisaveryprettysightalways，andattheHippodromeinParisIoncesawagiftedcreaturetakehisstandhighuponthebenchesamongtheaudienceandcatchthesehatsonhisheadfromaflightofahundredfeetthroughtheair。Thismademeproudofhumannature，whichisoftensohumiliating;andaltogetherIdonotthinkthatafterarealcountrycircustherearemanybetterthingsinlifethantheHippodrome。Ithadastate，adignity，asmoothness，apolish，whichIshouldnotknowwheretomatch，andwhenthesuperbcoachdroveintotheringtoconveytheladyperformerstothesceneoftheirevents，therewasamajestyintheeffectwhichIdoubtifcourtshavethepowertorival。Still，itshouldberememberedthatIhaveneverbeenatcourt，andspeakfromaknowledgeoftheHippodromeonly。
ATADIMEMUSEUM
\"Isee，\"saidmyfriend，\"thatyouhavebeenwritingagooddealaboutthetheatreduringthepastwinter。Youhavebeenattackingitshighhatsanditshighprices，anditslowmorals;andIsupposethatyouthinkyouhavedonegood，aspeoplecallit。\"
I。
Thisseemedlikeachallengeofsomesort，andIpreparedmyselftotakeitupwarily。IsaidIshouldbeverysorrytodogood，aspeoplecalledit;becausesuchalineofactionnearlyalwaysendedinspiritualprideforthedoerandgeneraldemoralizationforthedoee。Still，Isaid，alawhadlatelybeenpassedinOhiogivingamanwhofoundhimselfbehindahighhatatthetheatreaclaimfordamagesagainstthemanager;andifthepassageofthislawcouldbetracedeversofaintlyandindirectlytomyteachings，IshouldnotaltogethergrieveforthegoodIhaddone。
IaddedthatifalltheStatesshouldpasssuchalaw，andotherlawsfixingalowpriceforacertainnumberofseatsatthetheatres，orobligingthemanagerstogiveonefreeperformanceeverymonth，asthelawdoesinParis，andshouldthenforbidindecentandimmoralplays——
\"Iseewhatyoumean，\"saidmyfriend，alittleimpatiently。\"Youmeansumptuarylegislation。ButIhavenotcometotalktoyouuponthatsubject，forthenyouwouldprobablywanttodoallthetalkingyourself。
Iwanttoaskyouifyouhavevisitedanyofthecheaperamusementsofthismetropolis，orknowanythingofthereallycleverandcharmingthingsonemayseethereforaverylittlemoney。\"
\"Tencents，forinstance？\"
\"Yes。\"
IansweredthatIwouldneverowntohavingcomeaslowdownasthat;andIexpressedahardyandsomewhatinconsistentdoubtofthequalityoftheamusementthatcouldbehadforthatmoney。Iquestionedifanythingintellectualcouldbehadforit。
\"Whatdoyousaytotheten—centmagazines？\"myfriendretorted。\"Anddoyoupretendthatthetwo—dollardramaisintellectual？\"
Ihadtoconfessthatitgenerallywasnot，andthatthiswaspartofmygriefwithit。