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were sitting with a lady； he would shake hands with her and begin a
conversation； ignoring your existence； although you may have been
his guest at dinner the night before； or he yours。 This was also a
tenet of his creed borrowed from trans…Atlantic cousins； who； by
the bye； during the time I speak of； found America； and especially
our Eastern states； a happy hunting…ground； … all the clubs；
country houses； and society generally opening their doors to the
〃sesame〃 of English nationality。 It took our innocent youths a
good ten years to discover that there was no reciprocity in the
arrangement； it was only in the next epoch （the list of the three
referred to） that our men recovered their self…respect； and assumed
towards foreigners in general the attitude of polite indifference
which is their manner to us when abroad。 Nothing could have been
more provincial and narrow than the ideas of our 〃smart〃 men at
that time。 They congregated in little cliques； huddling together
in public； and cracking personal old jokes； but were speechless
with MAUVAISE HONTE if thrown among foreigners or into other
circles of society。 All this is not to be wondered at considering
the amount of their general education and reading。 One charming
little custom then greatly in vogue among our JEUNESSE DOREE was to
remain at a ball； after the other guests had retired； tipsy； and
then break anything that came to hand。 It was so amusing to throw
china； glass； or valuable plants； out of the windows； to strip to
the waist and box or bait the tired waiters。
I look at the boys growing up around me with sincere admiration；
they are so superior to their predecessors in breeding； in
civility； in deference to older people； and in a thousand other
little ways that mark high…bred men。 The stray Englishman； of no
particular standing at home no longer finds our men eager to
entertain him； to put their best 〃hunter〃 at his disposition； to
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