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inquired the meaning of the mystic 〃416〃 upon it。 This would have
been a 〃facer〃 to any but a true son of Uncle Sam。 Nothing
daunted； however； our 〃General〃 replied 〃That； Sir； is the number
of pitched battles I have won。〃
I have my doubts as to the absolute veracity of this tale。 But
that the son of one of our generals； appeared not long ago at a
public reception abroad； wearing his father's medals and
decorations； is said to be true。 Decorations on the Continent are
official badges of distinction conferred and recognized by the
different governments。 An American who wears； out of his own
country； an army or college badge which has no official existence；
properly speaking； being recognized by no government； but which is
made intentionally to look as much as possible like the 〃Legion
d'Honneur；〃 is deliberately imposing on the ignorance of
foreigners； and is but little less of a pretentious idiot than the
owners of the trunk check and the borrowed decorations。
There seems no end to the ways a little ambitious game can be
played。 One device much in favor is for the wife to attach her own
family name to that of her husband by means of a hyphen。 By this
arrangement she does not entirely lose her individuality； as a
result we have a splendid assortment of hybrid names； such as Van
Cortland…Smith and Beekman…Brown。 Be they never so incongruous
these double…barrelled cognomens serve their purpose and raise
ambitious mortals above the level of other Smiths and Browns。
Finding that this arrangement works well in their own case； it is
passed on to the next generation。 There are no more Toms and Bills
in these aspiring days。 The little boys are all Cadwalladers or
Carrolls。 Their school…fellows； however； work sad havoc with these
high…sounding titles and quickly abbreviate them into humble 〃Cad〃
or 〃Rol。〃
It is surprising to notice what a number of middle…aged gentlemen
have blossomed out of late with decorations in their button…holes
according to the foreign fashion。 On inquiry I have discovered
that these ornaments designate members of the G。A。R。； the Loyal
Legion； or some local Post； for the rosettes differ in form and
color。 When these gentlemen travel abroad； to reduce their waists
or improve their minds； the effects on the hotel waiters and cabmen
must be immense。 They will be charged three times the ordinary
tariff instead of only the double which is the stranger's usual
fate at the hands of simple…minded foreigners。 The satisfaction
must be cheap； however； at that price。
Even our wise men and sages do not seem to have escaped the
contagion。 One sees professors and clergymen （who ought to set a
better example） trailing half a dozen letters after their names；
initials which to the initiated doubtless mean something； but which
are also intended to fill the souls of the ignorant with envy。 I
can recall but one case of a foreign decoration being refused by a
compatriot。 He was a genius and we all know that geniuses are
crazy。 This gentleman had done something particularly gratifying
to an Eastern potentate； who in return offered him one of his
second…best orders。 It was at once refused。 When urged on him a
second time our countryman lost his temper and answered； 〃If you
want to give it to somebody； present it to my valet。 He is most
anxious to be decorated。〃 And it was done！
It does not require a deeply meditative mind to discover the
motives of ambitious struggles。 The first and strongest illusion
of the human mind is to believe that we are different from our
fellows； and our natural impulse is to try and impress this belief
upon others。
Pride of birth is but one of the manifestations of the universal
weakness … invariably taking stronger and stronger hold of the
people； who from the modest dimension of their income； or other
untoward circumstances； can find no outward and visible form with
which to dazzle the world。 You will find that a desire to shine is
the secret of most of the tips and presents that are given while
travelling or visiting； for they can hardly be attributed to pure
spontaneous generosity。
How many people does one meet who talk of their poor and
unsuccessful relatives while omitting to mention rich and powerful
connections？ We are told that far from blaming such a tendency we
are to admire it。 That it is proper pride to put one's best foot
forward and keep an offending member well out of sight； that the
man who wears a rosette in the button…hole of his coat and has half
the alphabet galloping after his name； is an honor to his family。
Far be it from me to deride this weakness in others； for in my
heart I am persuaded that if I lived in China； nothing would please
me more than to have my cap adorned with a coral button； while if
fate had cast my life in the pleasant places of central Africa； a
ring in my nose would doubtless have filled my soul with joy。 The
fact that I share this weakness does not； however； prevent my
laughing at such folly in others。
CHAPTER 24 … Changing Paris
PARIS is beginning to show signs of the coming 〃Exhibition of
1900；〃 and is in many ways going through a curious stage of
transformation； socially as well as materially。 The PALAIS DE
L'INDUSTRIE； familiar to all visitors here； as the home of the
SALONS； the Horse Shows； and a thousand gay FETES and merry…
makings； is being torn down to make way for the new avenue leading；
with the bridge Alexander III。； from the Champs Elysees to the
Esplanade des Invalides。 This thoroughfare with the gilded dome of
Napoleon's tomb to close its perspective is intended to be the
feature of the coming 〃show。〃
Curious irony of things in this world！ The PALAIS DE L'INDUSTRIE
was intended to be the one permanent building of the exhibition of
1854。 An old 〃Journal〃 I often read tells how the writer saw the
long line of gilded coaches （borrowed from Versailles for the
occasion）； eight horses apiece； led by footmen … horses and men
blazing in embroidered trappings … leave the Tuileries and proceed
at a walk to the great gateway of the now disappearing palace。
Victoria and Albert who were on an official visit to the Emperor
were the first to alight； then Eugenie in the radiance of her
perfect beauty stepped from the coach （sad omen！） that fifty years
before had taken Josephine in tears to Malmaison。
It may interest some ladies to know how an Empress was dressed on
that spring morning forty…four years ago。 She wore rose…colored
silk with an over…dress （I think that is what it is called） of
black lace flounces； immense hoops； and a black CHANTILLY lace
shawl。 Her hair； a brilliant golden auburn； was dressed low on the
temples； covering the ears； and hung down her back in a gold net
almost to her waist； at the extreme back of her head was placed a
blac