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and supplied their employees with a livery （I beg the free and
independent voter's pardon； a uniform！）； with but little effect。
The inherent tendency is too strong for the corporations。 The
conductors still shuffle along in their spotted garments； the cap
on the back of the head； and their legs anywhere； while they chew
gum in defiance of the whole Board of Directors。
Go down to Washington； after a visit to the Houses of Parliament or
the Chamber of Deputies； and observe the contrast between the
bearing of our Senators and Representatives and the air of their
CONFRERES abroad。 Our law…makers seem trying to avoid every
appearance of 〃smartness。〃 Indeed； I am told； so great is the
prejudice in the United States against a well…turned…out man that a
candidate would seriously compromise his chances of election who
appeared before his constituents in other than the accustomed
shabby frock…coat； unbuttoned and floating； a pot hat； no gloves；
as much doubtfully white shirt…front as possible； and a wisp of
black silk for a tie； and if he can exhibit also a chin…whisker；
his chances of election are materially increased。
Nothing offends an eye accustomed to our native LAISSER ALLER so
much as a well…brushed hat and shining boots。 When abroad； it is
easy to spot a compatriot as soon and as far as you can see one； by
his graceless gait； a cross between a lounge and a shuffle。 In
reading…； or dining…room； he is the only man whose spine does not
seem equal to its work； so he flops and straggles until； for the
honor of your land； you long to shake him and set him squarely on
his legs。
No amount of reasoning can convince me that outward slovenliness is
not a sign of inward and moral supineness。 A neglected exterior
generally means a lax moral code。 The man who considers it too
much trouble to sit erect can hardly have given much time to his
tub or his toilet。 Having neglected his clothes； he will neglect
his manners； and between morals and manners we know the tie is
intimate。
In the Orient a new reign is often inaugurated by the construction
of a mosque。 Vast expense is incurred to make it as splendid as
possible。 But； once completed； it is never touched again。 Others
are built by succeeding sovereigns； but neither thought nor
treasure is ever expended on the old ones。 When they can no longer
be used； they are abandoned； and fall into decay。 The same system
seems to prevail among our private owners and corporations。
Streets are paved； lamp…posts erected； store…fronts carefully
adorned； but from the hour the workman puts his finishing touch
upon them they are abandoned to the hand of fate。 The mud may cake
up knee…deep； wind and weather work their own sweet will； it is no
one's business to interfere。
When abroad one of my amusements has been of an early morning to
watch Paris making its toilet。 The streets are taking a bath；
liveried attendants are blacking the boots of the lamp…posts and
newspaper…KIOSQUES； the shop…fronts are being shaved and having
their hair curled； cafe's and restaurants are putting on clean
shirts and tying their cravats smartly before their many mirrors。
By the time the world is up and about； the whole city； smiling
freshly from its matutinal tub； is ready to greet it gayly。
It is this attention to detail that gives to Continental cities
their air of cheerfulness and thrift； and the utter lack of it that
impresses foreigners so painfully on arriving at our shores。
It has been the fashion to laugh at the dude and his high collar；
at the darky in his master's cast…off clothes； aping style and
fashion。 Better the dude； better the colored dandy； better even
the Bowery 〃tough〃 with his affected carriage； for they at least
are reaching blindly out after something better than their
surroundings； striving after an ideal； and are in just so much the
superiors of the foolish souls who mock them … better； even
misguided efforts； than the ignoble stagnant quagmire of slouch
into which we seem to be slowly descending。
CHAPTER 9 … Social Suggestion
THE question of how far we are unconsciously influenced by people
and surroundings； in our likes and dislikes； our opinions； and even
in our pleasures and intimate tastes； is a delicate and interesting
one； for the line between success and failure in the world； as on
the stage or in most of the professions； is so narrow and depends
so often on what humor one's 〃public〃 happen to be in at a
particular moment； that the subject is worthy of consideration。
Has it never happened to you； for instance； to dine with friends
and go afterwards in a jolly humor to the play which proved so
delightful that you insist on taking your family immediately to see
it； when to your astonishment you discover that it is neither
clever nor amusing； on the contrary rather dull。 Your family look
at you in amazement and wonder what you had seen to admire in such
an asinine performance。 There was a case of suggestion！ You had
been influenced by your friends and had shared their opinions。 The
same thing occurs on a higher scale when one is raised out of one's
self by association with gifted and original people； a communion
with more cultivated natures which causes you to discover and
appreciate a thousand hidden beauties in literature； art or music
that left to yourself； you would have failed to notice。 Under
these circumstances you will often be astonished at the point and
piquancy of your own conversation。 This is but too true of a
number of subjects。
We fondly believe our opinions and convictions to be original； and
with innocent conceit； imagine that we have formed them for
ourselves。 The illusion of being unlike other people is a common
vanity。 Beware of the man who asserts such a claim。 He is sure to
be a bore and will serve up to you； as his own； a muddle of ideas
and opinions which he has absorbed like a sponge from his
surroundings。
No place is more propitious for studying this curious phenomenon；
than behind the scenes of a theatre； the last few nights before a
first performance。 The whole company is keyed up to a point of
mutual admiration that they are far from feeling generally。 〃The
piece is charming and sure to be a success。〃 The author and the
interpreters of his thoughts are in complete communion。 The first
night comes。 The piece is a failure！ Drop into the greenroom then
and you will find an astonishing change has taken place。 The Star
will take you into a corner and assert that； she 〃always knew the
thing could not go； it was too imbecile； with such a company； it
was folly to expect anything else。〃 The author will abuse the Star
and the management。 The whole troupe is frankly disconcerted； like
people aroused out of a hypnotic sleep； wondering what they had
seen in the play to admire。