Thatis，hereandthereinspotsabouttheworld，whereabarbarousignoranceandasortofmereanimalcivilisationprevail；butIdonotthinkthatelsewheretheJewneednowstandinanyfearofbeingrobbedandraided。Amongthehighcivilisationsheseemstobeverycomfortablysituatedindeed，andtohavemorethanhisproportionateshareoftheprosperitiesgoing。IthasthatlookinVienna。Isupposetheraceprejudicecannotberemoved；buthecanstandthat；itisnoparticularmatter。Byhismakeandwaysheissubstantiallyaforeignerwhereverhemaybe，andeventheangelsdislikeaforeigner。IamusingthisworldforeignerintheGermansense——stranger。Nearlyallofushaveanantipathytoastranger，evenofourownnationality。Wepilegrip-sacksinavacantseattokeephimfromgettingit；andadoggoesfurther，anddoesasasavagewould——challengeshimonthespot。TheGermandictionaryseemstomakenodistinctionbetweenastrangerandaforeigner；initsviewastrangerisaforeigner——asoundposition，Ithink。Youwillalwaysbebywaysandhabitsandpredilectionssubstantiallystrangers——foreigners——whereveryouare，andthatwillprobablykeeptheraceprejudiceagainstyoualive。
ButyouwerethefavouritesofHeavenoriginally，andyourmanifoldandunfairprosperitiesconvincemethatyouhavecrowdedbackintothatsnugplaceagain。Hereisanincidentthatissignificant。LastweekinViennaahailstormstrucktheprodigiousCentralCemeteryandmadewastefuldestructionthere。IntheChristianpartofit，accordingtotheofficialfigures，621window-paneswerebroken；morethan900
singing-birdswerekilled；fivegreattreesandmanysmallonesweretorntoshredsandtheshredsscatteredfarandwidebythewind；theornamentalplantsandotherdecorationsofthegraceswereruined，andmorethanahundredtomb-lanternsshattered；andittookthecemetery\'swholeforceof300labourersmorethanthreedaystoclearawaythestorm\'swreckage。Inthereportoccursthisremark——andinitsitalicsyoucanhearitgrititsChristianteeth：\'……lediglichdieisraelitischeAbtheilungdesFriedhofesvomHagelwetterganzlichverschontwordenwar。\'
NotahailstonehittheJewishreservation！Suchnepotismmakesmetired。
PointNo。6——\'WhathasbecomeoftheGoldenRule？\'
Itexists，itcontinuestosparkle，andiswelltakencareof。ItisExhibitAintheChurch\'sassets，andwepullitouteverySundayandgiveitanairing。Butyouarenotpermittedtotrytosmuggleitintothisdiscussion，whereitisirrelevantandwouldnotfeelathome。
Itisstrictlyreligiousfurniture，likeanacolyte，oracontribution-
plate，oranyofthosethings。Ithasneverintrudedintobusiness；andJewishpersecutionisnotareligiouspassion，itisabusinesspassion。
Toconclude——Ifthestatisticsareright，theJewsconstitutebutonepercentofthehumanrace。Itsuggestsanebulousdimpuffofstar-dustlostintheblazeoftheMilkyWay。ProperlytheJewoughthardlytobeheardof；butheisheardof，hasalwaysbeenheardof。Heisasprominentontheplanetasanyotherpeople，andhiscommercialimportanceisextravagantlyoutofproportiontothesmallnessofhisbulk。Hiscontributionstotheworld\'slistofgreatnamesinliterature，science，art，music，finance，medicine，andabstruselearningarealsoawayoutofproportiontotheweaknessofhisnumbers。Hehasmadeamarvellousfightinthisworld，inalltheages；andhasdoneitwithhishandstiedbehindhim。Hecouldbevainofhimself，andbeexcusedforit。TheEgyptian，theBabylonian，andthePersianrose，filledtheplanetwithsoundandsplendour，thenfadedtodream-stuffandpassedaway；theGreekandtheRomanfollowed，andmadeavastnoise，andtheyaregone；otherpeopleshavesprungupandheldtheirtorchhighforatime，butitburnedout，andtheysitintwilightnow，orhavevanished。TheJewsawthemall，beatthemall，andisnowwhathealwayswas，exhibitingnodecadence，noinfirmitiesofage，noweakeningofhisparts，noslowingofhisenergies，nodullingofhisalertandaggressivemind。AllthingsaremortaltotheJew；allotherforcespass，butheremains。Whatisthesecretofhisimmortality？
Postscript——THEJEWASSOLDIER
WhenIpublishedtheabovearticlein\'Harper\'sMonthly，\'Iwasignorant——liketherestoftheChristianworld——ofthefactthattheJewhadarecordasasoldier。Ihavesinceseentheofficialstatistics，andI
findthathefurnishedsoldiersandhighofficerstotheRevolution，theWarof1812，andtheMexicanWar。IntheCivilWarhewasrepresentedinthearmiesandnaviesofboththeNorthandtheSouthby10percentofhisnumericalstrength——thesamepercentagethatwasfurnishedbytheChristianpopulationsofthetwosections。Thislargefactmeansmorethanitseemstomean；foritmeansthattheJew\'spatriotismwasnotmerelylevelwiththeChristian\'s，butoverpassedit。WhentheChristianvolunteerarrivedincamphegotawelcomeandapplause，butasaruletheJewgotasnub。Hiscompanywasnotdesired，andhewasmadetofeelit。ThatheneverthelessconqueredhiswoundedprideandsacrificedboththatandhisbloodforhisflagraisestheaverageandqualityofhispatriotismabovetheChristian\'s。Hisrecordforcapacity，forfidelity，andforgallantsoldiershipinthefieldisasgoodasanyone\'s。ThisistrueoftheJewishprivatesoldiersandoftheJewishgeneralsalike。
Major-GeneralO。O。HowardspeaksofoneofhisJewishstaffofficersasbeing\'ofthebravestandbest；\'ofanother——killedatChancellorsville——
asbeing\'atruefriendandabraveofficer；\'hehighlypraisestwoofhisJewishbrigadier-generals；finally，heusesthesestrongwords：
\'IntrinsicallytherearenomorepatrioticmentobefoundinthecountrythanthosewhoclaimtobeofHebrewdescent，andwhoservedwithmeinparallelcommandsormoredirectlyundermyinstructions。\'
FourteenJewishConfederateandUnionfamiliescontributed，betweenthem，fifty-onesoldierstothewar。Amongthese，afatherandthreesons；andanother，afatherandfoursons。
IntheabovearticleIwasneitherabletoendorsenorrepelthecommonapproachthattheJewiswillingtofeeduponacountrybutnottofightforit，becauseIdidnotknowwhetheritwastrueorfalse。Isupposedittobetrue，butitisnotallowabletoendorsewanderingmaximsuponsupposition——exceptwhenoneistryingtomakeoutacase。ThatslurupontheJewcannotholdupitsheadinpresenceofthefiguresoftheWarDepartment。Ithasdoneitswork，anddoneitlongandfaithfully，andwithhighapproval：itoughttobepensionedoffnow，andretiredfromactiveservice。
[1]See\'StirringTimesinAustria，\'inthisvolume。
[2]Hereisanotherpieceofpicturesquehistory；anditremindsusthatshabbinessanddishonestyarenotthemonopolyofanyraceorcreed，butaremerelyhuman：
\'Congresshaspassedabilltopay$379。56toMosesPendergrass，ofLibertyville，Missouri。Thestoryofthereasonofthisliberalityispatheticallyinteresting，andshowsthesortofpicklethatanhonestmanmaygetintowhoundertakestodoanhonestjobofworkforUncleSam。
In1886MosesPendergrassputinabidforthecontracttocarrythemailontheroutefromKnobLicktoLibertyvilleandCoffman，thirtymilesaday，fromJuly1，1887，foroneyears。HegotthepostmasteratKnobLicktowritetheletterforhim，andwhileMosesintendedthathisbidshouldbe$400，hisscribecarelesslymadeit$4。Mosesgotthecontract，anddidnotfindoutaboutthemistakeuntiltheendofthefirstquarter，whenhegothisfirstpay。Whenhefoundatwhatratehewasworkinghewassorelycastdown，andopenedcommunicationwiththePostOfficeDepartment。Thedepartmentinformedhisthathemusteithercarryouthiscontractorthrowitup，andthatifhethrewituphisbondsmanwouldhavethepaytheGovernment$1，459。85damages。SoMosescarriedouthiscontract，walkedthirtymileseveryweek-dayforayear，andcarriedthemail，andreceivedforhislabour$4，or，tobeaccurate，$6。84；for，theroutebeingextendedafterhisbidwasaccepted，hispaywasproportionatelyincreased。Now，aftertenyears，abillwasfinallypassedtopaytoMosesthedifferencebetweenwhatheearnedinthatunluckyyearandwhathereceived。\'
The\'Sun，\'whichtellstheabovestory，saysthatbillswereintroducedinthreeorfourCongressesforMoses\'relief，andthatcommitteesrepeatedlyinvestigatedhisclaim。
IttooksixCongresses，containingintheirpersonsthecompressedvirtuesof70，000，000ofpeople，andcautiouslyandcarefullygivingexpressiontothosevirtuesinthefearofGodandthenextelection，elevenyearstofindoutsomewaytocheatafellowChristianoutofabout$13onhishonestlyexecutedcontract，andoutofnearly$300duehimonitsenlargedterms。Andtheysucceeded。Duringthesametimetheypaidout$1，000，000，000inpensions——athirdofitunearnedandundeserved。Thisindicatesasplendidall-roundcompetencyintheft，foritstartswithfarthings，andworksitsindustriesallthewayuptoship-loads。ItmaybepossiblethattheJewscanbeatthis，butthemanthatbetsonitistakingchances。
[3]Thearticlewaswritteninthesummerof1898。
[4]InAustriatherenamingwasmerelydonebecausetheJewsinsomenewly-acquiredregionshadnosurnames，butweremostlynamedAbrahamandMoses，andthereforethetax-gatherercouldtellt\'otherfromwhich，andwaslikelytolosehisreasonoverthematter。TherenamingwasputintothehandsoftheWarDepartment，andacharmingmessthegracelessyounglieutenantsmadeofit。TothemaJewwasofnosortofconsequence，andtheylabelledtheraceinawaytomaketheangelsweep。Asanexample，takethesetwo：AbrahamBellyacheandSchmulGodbedamned——Culledfrom\'NamensStudien，\'byKarlEmilFransos。
FROMTHE\'LONDONTIMES\'OF1904
Correspondenceofthe\'LondonTimes\'
Chicago，April1，1904
Iresumebycable-telephonewhereIleftoffyesterday。Formanyhoursnow，thisvastcity——alongwiththerestoftheglobe，ofcourse——hastalkedofnothingbuttheextraordinaryepisodementionedinmylastreport。Inaccordancewithyourinstructions，Iwillnowtracetheromancefromitsbeginningsdowntotheculminationofyesterday——ortoday；callitwhichyoulike。Byanoddchance，Iwasapersonalactorinapartofthisdramamyself。TheopeningsceneplaysinVienna。
Date，oneo\'clockinthemorning，March31，1898。Ihadspenttheeveningatasocialentertainment。AboutmidnightIwentaway，incompanywiththemilitaryattachesoftheBritish，Italian，andAmericanembassies，tofinishwithalatesmoke。ThisfunctionhadbeenappointedtotakeplaceinthehouseofLieutenantHillyer，thethirdattachementionedintheabovelist。Whenwearrivedtherewefoundseveralvisitorsintheroom；youngSzczepanik；[1]Mr。K。，hisfinancialbacker；
Mr。W。，thelatter\'ssecretary；andLieutenantClayton，oftheUnitedStatesArmy。WarwasatthattimethreateningbetweenSpainandourcountry，andLieutenantClaytonhadbeensenttoEuropeonmilitarybusiness。IwaswellacquaintedwithyoungSzczepanikandhistwofriends，andIknewMr。Claytonslightly。IhadmethimatWestPointyearsbefore，whenhewasacadet。ItwaswhenGeneralMerrittwassuperintendent。Hehadthereputationofbeinganableofficer，andalsoofbeingquick-temperedandplain-spoken。
Thissmoking-partyhadbeengatheredtogetherpartlyforbusiness。Thisbusinesswastoconsidertheavailabilityofthetelelectroscopeformilitaryservice。Itsoundsoddlyenoughnow，butitisneverthelesstruethatatthattimetheinventionwasnottakenseriouslybyanyoneexceptitsinventor。Evenhisfinancialsupportregardeditmerelyasacuriousandinterestingtoy。Indeed，hewassoconvincedofthisthathehadactuallypostponeditsusebythegeneralworldtotheendofthedyingcenturybygrantingatwoyears\'exclusiveleaseofittoasyndicate，whoseintentwastoexploititattheParisWorld\'sFair。
Whenweenteredthesmoking-roomwefoundLieutenantClaytonandSzczepanikengagedinawarmtalkoverthetelelectroscopeintheGermantongue。Claytonwassaying：
\'Well，youknowmyopinionofit，anyway！\'andhebroughthisfistdownwithemphasisuponthetable。
\'AndIdonotvalueit，\'retortedtheyounginventor，withprovokingcalmnessoftoneandmanner。
ClaytonturnedtoMr。K。，andsaid：
\'Icannotseewhyyouarewastingmoneyonthistoy。Inmyopinion，thedaywillnevercomewhenitwilldoafarthing\'sworthofrealserviceforanyhumanbeing。\'
\'Thatmaybe；yes，thatmaybe；still，Ihaveputthemoneyinit，andamcontent。Ithink，myself，thatitisonlyatoy；butSzczepanikclaimsmoreforit，andIknowhimwellenoughtobelievethathecanseefatherthanIcan——eitherwithhistelelectroscopeorwithoutit。\'
ThesoftanswerdidnotcoolClaytondown；itseemedonlytoirritatehimthemore；andherepeatedandemphasisedhisconvictionthattheinventionwouldneverdoanymanafarthing\'sworthofrealservice。Heevenmadeita\'brass\'farthing，thistime。ThenhelaidanEnglishfarthingonthetable，andadded：
\'Takethat，Mr。K。，andputitaway；andifeverthetelelectroscopedoesanymananactualservice——mind，arealservice——pleasemailittomeasareminder，andIwilltakebackwhatIhavebeensaying。Willyou？\'
\'Iwill，\'andMr。K。putthecoininhispocket。
Mr。ClaytonnowturnedtowardSzczepanik，andbeganwithataunt——atauntwhichdidnotreachafinish；Szczepanikinterrupteditwithahardyretort，andfollowedthiswithablow。Therewasabriskfightforamomentortwo；thentheattachesseparatedthemen。
ThescenenowchangestoChicago。Time，theautumnof1901。AssoonasthePariscontractreleasedthetelelectroscope，itwasdeliveredtopublicuse，andwassoonconnectedwiththetelephonicsystemsofthewholeworld。Theimproved\'limitless-distance\'telephonewaspresentlyintroduced，andthedailydoingsoftheglobemadevisibletoeverybody，andaudiblydiscussible，too，bywitnessesseparatedbyanynumberofleagues。
By-and-bySzczepanikarrivedinChicago。Claytonnowcaptainwasservinginthatmilitarydepartmentatthetime。ThetwomenresumedtheViennesequarrelof1898。Onthreedifferentoccasionstheyquarrelled，andwereseparatedbywitnesses。Thencameanintervaloftwomonths，duringwhichtimeSzczepanikwasnotseenbyanyofhisfriends，anditwasatfirstsupposedthathehadgoneoffonasightseeingtourandwouldsoonbeheardfrom。Butno；nowordcamefromhim。ThenitwassupposedthathehadreturnedtoEurope。Still，timedriftedon，andhewasnotheardfrom。Nobodywastroubled，forhewaslikemostinventorsandotherkindsofpoets，andwentandcameinacapriciousway，andoftenwithoutnotice。
Nowcomesthetragedy。OnDecember29，inadarkandunusedcompartmentofthecellarunderCaptainClayton\'shouse，acorpsewasdiscoveredbyoneofClayton\'smaid-servants。FriendsofdeceasedidentifieditasSzczepanik\'s。Themanhaddiedbyviolence。Claytonwasarrested，indicted，andbroughttotrial，chargedwiththismurder。Theevidenceagainsthimwasperfectineverydetail，andabsolutelyunassailable。
Claytonadmittedthishimself。Hesaidthatareasonablemancouldnotexaminethistestimonywithadispassionatemindandnotbeconvincedbyit；yetthemanwouldbeinerror，nevertheless。Claytonsworethathedidnotcommitthemurder，andthathehadhadnothingtodowithit。
Asyourreaderswillremember，hewascondemnedtodeath。Hehadnumerousandpowerfulfriends，andtheyworkedhardtosavehim，fornoneofthemdoubtedthetruthofhisassertion。IdidwhatlittleIcouldtohelp，forIhadlongsincebecomeaclosefriendofhis，andthoughtI
knewthatitwasnotinhischaractertoinveigleanenemyintoacornerandassassinatehim。During1902and1903hewasseveraltimesreprievedbythegovernor；hewasreprievedoncemoreinthebeginningofthepresentyear，andtheexecutiondaypostponedtoMarch31。
Thegovernor\'ssituationhasbeenembarrassing，fromthedayofthecondemnation，becauseofthefactthatClayton\'swifeisthegovernor\'sniece。Themarriagetookplacein1899，whenClaytonwasthirty-fourandthegirltwenty-three，andhasbeenahappyone。Thereisonechild，alittlegirlthreeyearsold。Pityforthepoormotherandchildkeptthemouthsofgrumblersclosedatfirst；butthiscouldnotlastforever——
forinAmericapoliticshasahandineverything——andby-and-bythegovernor\'spoliticalopponentsbegantocallattentiontohisdelayinallowingthelawtotakeitscourse。Thesehintshavegrownmoreandmorefrequentoflate，andmoreandmorepronounced。Asanaturalresult，hisownpartgrewnervous。ItsleadersbegantovisitSpringfieldandholdlongprivateconferenceswithhim。Hewasnowbetweentwofires。Ontheonehand，hisniecewasimploringhimtopardonherhusband；ontheotherweretheleaders，insistingthathestandtohisplaindutyaschiefmagistrateoftheState，andplacenofurtherbartoClayton\'sexecution。Dutywoninthestruggle，andtheGovernorgavehiswordthathewouldnotagainrespitethecondemnedman。
Thiswastwoweeksago。Mrs。Claytonnowsaid：
\'Nowthatyouhavegivenyourword，mylasthopeisgone，forIknowyouwillnevergobackfromit。ButyouhavedonethebestyoucouldforJohn，andIhavenoreproachesforyou。Youlovehim，andyouloveme，andweknowthatifyoucouldhonourablesavehim，youwoulddoit。I
willgotohimnow，andbewhathelpIcantohim，andgetwhatcomfortI
mayoutofthefewdaysthatarelefttousbeforethenightcomeswhichwillhavenoendformeinlife。Youwillbewithmethatday？Youwillnotletmebearitalone？\'
\'Iwilltakeyoutohimmyself，poorchild，andIwillbenearyoutothelast。\'
Bythegovernor\'scommand，Claytonwasnowallowedeveryindulgencehemightaskforwhichcouldinteresthismindandsoftenthehardshipsofhisimprisonment。Hiswifeandchildspentthedayswithhim；Iwashiscompanionbynight。Hewasremovedfromthenarrowcellwhichhehadoccupiedduringsuchadrearystretchoftime，andgiventhechiefwarden\'sroomyandcomfortablequarters。Hismindwasalwaysbusywiththecatastropheofhislife，andwiththeslaughteredinventor，andhenowtookthefancythathewouldliketohavethetelelectroscopeanddiverthismindwithit。Hehadhiswish。Theconnectionwasmadewiththeinternationaltelephone-station，anddaybyday，andnightbynight，hecalleduponecorneroftheglobeafteranother，andlookeduponitslife，andstudieditsstrangesights，andspokewithitspeople，andrealisedthatbygraceofthismarvellousinstrumenthewasalmostasfreeasthebirdsoftheair，althoughaprisonerunderlocksandbars。
Heseldomspoke，andIneverinterruptedhimwhenhewasabsorbedinthisamusement。Isatinhisparlourandread，andsmoked，andthenightswereveryquietandreposefullysociable，andIfoundthempleasant。NowandthenIwouldherhimsay\'GivemeYedo；\'next，\'GivemeHong-Kong；\'
next，\'GivemeMelbourne。\'AndIsmokedon，andreadincomfort，whilehewanderedabouttheremoteunderworld，wherethesunwasshininginthesky，andthepeoplewereattheirdailywork。Sometimesthetalkthatcamefromthosefarregionsthroughthemicrophoneattachmentinterestedme，andIlistened。
Yesterday——Ikeepcallingityesterday，whichisquitenatural，forcertainreasons——theinstrumentremainedunused，andthatalsowasnatural，foritwastheeveoftheexecutionday。Itwasspentintearsandlamentationsandfarewells。Thegovernorandthewifeandchildremaineduntilaquarter-pastelevenatnight，andthescenesIwitnessedwerepitifultosee。Theexecutionwastotakeplaceatfourinthemorning。Alittleafterelevenasoundofhammeringbrokeoutuponthestillnight，andtherewasaglareoflight，andthechildcriedout，\'Whatisthat，papa？\'andrantothewindowbeforeshecouldbestoppedandclappedhersmallhandsandsaid，\'Oh，comeandsee，mamma——suchaprettythingtheyaremaking！\'Themotherknew——andfainted。Itwasthegallows！
Shewascarriedawaytoherlodging，poorwoman，andClaytonandIwerealone——alone，andthinking，brooding，dreaming。Wemighthavebeenstatues，wesatsomotionlessandstill。Itwasawildnight，forwinterwascomeagainforamoment，afterthehabitofthisregionintheearlyspring。Theskywasstarlessandblack，andastrongwindwasblowingfromthelake。Thesilenceintheroomwassodeepthatalloutsidesoundsseemedexaggeratedbycontrastwithit。Thesesoundswerefittingones：theyharmonisedwiththesituationandtheconditions：theboomandthunderofsuddenstorm-gustsamongtheroofsandchimneys，thenthedyingdownintomoaningsandwailingsabouttheeavesandangles；nowandthenagnashingandlashingrushofsleetalongthewindow-panes；andalwaysthemuffledanduncannyhammeringofthegallows-buildersinthecourt-yard。Afteranageofthis，anothersound——faroff，andcomingsmotheredandfaintthroughtheriotofthetempest——abelltollingtwelve！Anotherage，anditwastolledagain。By-and-by，again。A
drearylongintervalafterthis，thenthespectralsoundfloatedtousoncemore——one，twothree；andthistimewecaughtourbreath；sixtyminutesoflifeleft！
Claytonrose，andstoodbythewindow，andlookedupintotheblacksky，andlistenedtothethrashingsleetandthepipingwind；thenhesaid：
\'Thatadyingman\'slastofearthshouldbe——this！\'Afteralittlehesaid：\'Imustseethesunagain——thesun！\'andthenextmomenthewasfeverishlycalling：\'China！GivemeChina——Peking！\'
Iwasstrangelystirred，andsaidtomyself：\'Tothinkthatitisamerehumanbeingwhodoesthisunimaginablemiracle——turnswinterintosummer，nightintoday，stormintocalm，givesthefreedomofthegreatglobetoaprisonerinhiscell，andthesuninhisnakedsplendourtoamandyinginEgyptiandarkness。\'
Iwaslistening。
\'Whatlight！whatbrilliancy！whatradiance！……ThisisPeking？\'
\'Yes。\'
\'Thetime？\'
\'Mid-afternoon。\'
\'Whatisthegreatcrowdfor，andinsuchgorgeouscostumes？Whatmassesandmassesofrichcolourandbarbaricmagnificence！Andhowtheyflashandglowandburninthefloodingsunlight！Whatistheoccasionofitall？\'
\'Thecoronationofournewemperor——theCzar。\'
\'ButIthoughtthatthatwastotakeplaceyesterday。\'
\'Thisisyesterday——toyou。\'
\'Certainlyitis。Butmymindisconfused，thesedays：therearereasonsforit……Isthisthebeginningoftheprocession？\'
\'Oh，no；itbegantomoveanhourago。\'
\'Istheremuchmoreofitstilltocome？\'
\'Twohoursofit。Whydoyousigh？\'
\'BecauseIshouldliketoseeitall。\'
\'Andwhycan\'tyou？\'
\'Ihavetogo——presently。\'
\'Youhaveanengagement？\'
Afterapause，softly：\'Yes。\'Afteranotherpause：\'Whoaretheseinthesplendidpavilion？\'
\'Theimperialfamily，andvisitingroyaltiesfromhereandthereandyonderintheearth。\'
\'Andwhoarethoseintheadjoiningpavilionstotherightandleft？\'
\'Ambassadorsandtheirfamiliesandsuitestotheright；unofficialforeignerstotheleft。\'
\'Ifyouwillbesogood，I——\'
Boom！Thatdistantbellagain，tollingthehalf-hourfaintlythroughthetempestofwindandsleet。Thedooropened，andthegovernorandthemotherandchildentered——thewomaninwidow\'sweeds！Shefelluponherhusband\'sbreastinapassionofsobs，andI——Icouldnotstay；Icouldnotbearit。Iwentintothebedchamber，andclosedthedoor。Isattherewaiting——waiting——waiting，andlisteningtotherattlingsashesandtheblusteringofthestorm。Afterwhatseemedalong，longtime，I
heardarustleandmovementintheparlour，andknewthattheclergymanandthesheriffandtheguardwerecome。Therewassomelow-voicedtalking；thenahush；thenaprayer，withasoundofsobbing；presently，footfalls——thedepartureforthegallows；thenthechild\'shappyvoice：
\'Don\'tcrynow，mamma，whenwe\'vegotpapaagain，andtakinghimhome。\'
Thedoorclosed；theyweregone。Iwasashamed：Iwastheonlyfriendofthedyingmanthathadnospirit，nocourage。Isteppedintotheroom，andsaidIwouldbeamanandwouldfollow。Butwearemadeaswearemade，andwecannothelpit。Ididnotgo。
Ifidgetedabouttheroomnervously，andpresentlywenttothewindowandsoftlyraisedit——drawnbythatdreadfascinationwhichtheterribleandtheawfulexert——andlookeddownuponthecourt-yard。BythegarishlightoftheelectriclampsIsawthelittlegroupofprivilegedwitnesses，thewifecryingonheruncle\'sbreast，thecondemnedmanstandingonthescaffoldwiththehalteraroundhisneck，hisarmsstrappedtohisbody，theblackcaponhishead，thesheriffathissidewithhishandonthedrop，theclergymaninfrontofhimwithbareheadandhisbookinhishand。
\'Iamtheresurrectionandthelife——\'
Iturnedaway。Icouldnotlisten；Icouldnotlook。Ididnotknowwhithertogoorwhattodo。Mechanicallyandwithoutknowingit，Iputmyeyetothatstrangeinstrument，andtherewasPekingandtheCzar\'sprocession！ThenextmomentIwasleaningoutofthewindow，gasping，suffocating，tryingtospeak，butdumbfromtheveryimminenceofthenecessityofspeaking。Thepreachercouldspeak，butI，whohadsuchneedofwords——\'AndmayGodhavemercyuponyoursoul。Amen。\'
Thesheriffdrewdowntheblackcap，andlaidhishanduponthelever。I
gotmyvoice。
\'Stop，forGod\'ssake！Themanisinnocent。ComehereandseeSzczepanikfacetoface！\'
Hardlythreeminuteslaterthegovernorhadmyplaceatthewindow，andwassaying：
\'Strikeoffhisbondsandsethimfree！\'
Threeminuteslaterallwereintheparlouragain。Thereaderwillimaginethescene；Ihavenoneedtodescribeit。Itwasasortofmadorgyofjoy。
AmessengercarriedwordtoSzczepanikinthepavilion，andonecouldseethedistressedamazementinhisfaceashelistenedtothetale。Thenhecametohisendoftheline，andtalkedwithClaytonandthegovernorandtheothers；andthewifepouredouthrgratitudeuponhimforsavingherhusband\'slife，andinherdeepthankfulnessshekissedhimattwelvethousandmiles\'range。
Thetelelectroscopesoftheworldwereputtoservicenow，andformanyhoursthekindsandqueensofmanyrealmswithhereandthereareportertalkedwithSzczepanik，andpraisedhim；andthefewscientificsocietieswhichhadnotalreadymadehimanhonorarymemberconferredthatgraceuponhim。
Howhadhecometodisappearfromamongus？Itwaseasilyexplained。
HEhadnotgrownusedtobeingaworld-famousperson，andhadbeenforcedtobreakawayfromthelionisingthatwasrobbinghimofallprivacyandrepose。Sohegrewabeard，putoncolouredglasses，disguisedhimselfalittleinotherways，thentookafictitiousname，andwentofftowanderabouttheearthinpeace。
SuchisthetaleofthedramawhichbeganwithaninconsequentialquarrelinViennainthespringof1898，andcamenearendingasatragedyinthespringof1904。
II
Correspondenceofthe\'LondonTimes\'
Chicago，April5，1904
To-day，byaclipperoftheElectricLine，andthelatter\'sElectricRailwayconnections，arrivedanenvelopefromVienna，forCaptainClayton，containinganEnglishfarthing。Thereceiverofitwasagooddealmoved。HecalledupVienna，andstoodfacetofacewithMr。K。，andsaid：
\'Idonotneedtosayanything：youcanseeitallinmyface。Mywifehasthefarthing。Donotbeafraid——shewillnotthrowitaway。\'
III
Correspondenceofthe\'LondonTimes\'
Chicago，April23，1904
NowthattheafterdevelopmentsoftheClaytoncasehaveruntheircourseandreachedafinish，Iwillsumthemup。Clayton\'sromanticescapefromashamefuldeathsteppedallthisregioninanenchantmentofwonderandjoy——duringtheproverbialninedays。Thenthesoberingprocessfollowed，andmenbegantotakethought，andtosay：\'Butamanwaskilled，andClaytonkilledhim。\'Othersreplied：\'Thatistrue：wehavebeenoverlookingthatimportantdetail；wehavebeenledawaybyexcitement。\'
ThetellingsoonbecamegeneralthatClaytonoughttobetriedagain。
Measuresweretakenaccordingly，andtheproperrepresentationsconveyedtoWashington；forinAmericaunderthenewparagraphaddedtotheConstitutionin1889，secondtrialsarenotStateaffairs，butnational，andmustbetriedbythemostaugustbodyintheland——theSupremeCourtoftheUnitedStates。ThejusticeswerethereforesummonedtositinChicago。Thesessionwashelddaybeforeyesterday，andwasopenedwiththeusualimpressiveformalities，theninejudgesappearingintheirblackrobes，andthenewchiefjusticeLemaitrepresiding。Inopeningthecasethechiefjusticesaid：
\'Itismyopinionthatthismatterisquitesimple。TheprisoneratthebarwaschargedwithmurderingthemanSzczepanik；hewastriedformurderingthemanSzczepanik；hewasfairlytriedandjustlycondemnedandsentencedtodeathformurderingthemanSzczepanik。ItturnsoutthatthemanSzczepanikwasnotmurderedatall。BythedecisionoftheFrenchcourtsintheDreyfusmatter，itisestablishedbeyondcavilorquestionthatthedecisionsofcourtsandpermanentandcannotberevised。Weareobligedtorespectandadoptthisprecedent。Itisuponprecedentsthattheenduringedificeofjurisprudenceisreared。TheprisoneratthebarhasbeenfairlyandrighteouslycondemnedtodeathforthemurderofthemanSzczepanik，and，inmyopinion，thereisbutonecoursetopursueinthematter：hemustbehanged。\'
Mr。JusticeCrawfordsaid：
\'But，yourExcellency，hewaspardonedonthescaffoldforthat。\'
\'Thepardonisnotvalid，andcannotstand，becausehewaspardonedforkillingSzczepanik，amanwhomhehadnotkilled。Amancannotbepardonedforacrimewhichhehasnotcommitted；itwouldbeanabsurdity。\'
\'But，yourExcellency，hedidkillaman。\'
\'Thatisanextraneousdetail；wehavenothingtodowithit。Thecourtcannottakeupthiscrimeuntiltheprisonerhasexpiatedtheotherone。\'
Mr。JusticeHallecksaid：
\'Ifweorderhisexecution，yourExcellency，weshallbringaboutamiscarriageofjustice，forthegovernorwillpardonhimagain。\'
\'Hewillnothavethepower。Hecannotpardonamanforacrimewhichhehasnotcommitted。AsIobservedbefore，itwouldbeanabsurdity。\'
Afteraconsultation，Mr。JusticeWadsworthsaid：
\'Severalofushavearrivedattheconclusion，yourExcellency，thatitwouldbeanerrortohangtheprisonerforkillingSzczepanik，insteadofforkillingtheotherman，sinceitisproventhathedidnotkillSzczepanik。\'
\'Onthecontrary，itisproventhathedidkillSzczepanik。BytheFrenchprecedent，itisplainthatwemustabidebythefindingofthecourt。\'
\'ButSzczepanikisstillalive。\'
\'SoisDreyfus。\'
IntheenditwasfoundimpossibletoignoreorgetaroundtheFrenchprecedent。Therecouldbebutoneresult：Claytonwasdeliveredoverfortheexecution。Itmadeanimmenseexcitement；theStateroseasonemanandclamoredforClayton\'spardonandretrial。Thegovernorissuedthepardon，buttheSupremeCourtwasindutyboundtoannulit，anddidso，andpoorClaytonwashangedyesterday。Thecityisdrapedinblack，and，indeed，thelikemaybesaidoftheState。AllAmericaisvocalwithscornof\'Frenchjustice，\'andofthemalignantlittlesoldierswhoinventeditandinflicteditupontheotherChristianlands。
[1]PronouncedapproximatelyShepannik。
ABOUTPLAY-ACTING
I
Ihaveaprojecttosuggest。ButfirstIwillwriteachapterofintroduction。
Ihavejustbeenwitnessingaremarkableplay，hereattheBurgTheatreinVienna。Idonotknowofanyplaythatmuchresemblesit。Infact，itissuchadeparturefromthecommonlawsofthedramathatthename\'play\'doesn\'tseemtofititquitesnugly。However，whateverelseitmaybe，itisinanycaseagreatandstatelymetaphysicalpoem，anddeeplyfascinating。\'Deeplyfascinating\'istherightterm：fortheaudiencesatfourhoursandfiveminuteswithoutthricebreakingintoapplause，exceptatthecloseofeachact；satraptandsilent——
fascinated。Thispieceis\'TheMasterofPalmyra。\'Itistwentyyearsold；yetIdoubtifyouhaveeverheardofit。ItisbyWilbrandt，andishismasterpieceandtheworkwhichistomakehisnamepermanentinGermanliterature。IthasneverbeenplayedanywhereexceptinBerlinandinthegreatBurgTheatreinVienna。Yetwheneveritisputonthestageitpacksthehouse，andthefreelistissuspended。Iknowpeoplewhohaveseemittentimes；theyknowthemostofitbyheart；theydonottireofit；andtheysaytheyshallstillbequitewillingtogoandsitunderitsspellwhenevertheygettheopportunity。
Thereisadashofmetempsychosisinit——anditisthestrengthofthepiece。Theplaygavemethesenseofthepassageofadimlyconnectedprocessionofdream-pictures。ThesceneofitisPalmyrainRomantimes。
Itcoversawidestretchoftime——Idon\'tknowhowmanyyears——andinthecourseofitthechiefactressisreincarnatedseveraltimes：fourtimessheisamoreorlessyoungwoman，andoncesheisalad。InthefirstactsheisZoe——aChristiangirlwhohaswanderedacrossthedesertfromDamascustotrytoChristianisetheZeus-worshippingpagansofPalmyra。
Inthischaractersheiswhollyspiritual，areligiousenthusiast，adevoteewhocovetsmartyrdom——andgetsit。
AftermanyyearssheappearsinthesecondactasPhoebe，agracefulandbeautifulyounglight-o\'-lovefromRome，whosesoulisallfortheshowsandluxuriesanddelightsofthislife——adaintyandcapriciousfeather-
head，acreatureofshowerandsunshine，aspoiledchild，butacharmingone。Inthethirdact，afteranintervalofmanyyears，shereappearsasPersida，motherofadaughterwhoisinthefreshbloomofyouth。Sheisnowasortofcombinationofhertwoearlierselves：inreligiousloyaltyandsubjectionsheisZoe：intrivialityofcharacterandshallownessofjudgement——togetherwithatouchofvanityindress——sheisPhoebe。
AfteralapseofyearssheappearsinthefourthactasNymphas，abeautifulboy，inwhosecharacterthepreviousincarnationsareengaginglymixed。
AndafteranotherstretchofyearsallthesehereditiesarejoinedintheZenobiaofthefifthact——apersonofgravity，dignity，sweetness，withaheartfilledwithcompassionforallwhosuffer，andahandprompttoputintopracticalformtheheart\'sbenignantimpulses。
Thereareanumberofcuriousandinterestingfeaturesinthispiece。
Forinstance，itshero，Appelles，young，handsome，vigorous，inthefirstact，remainssoallthroughthelongflightofyearscoveredbythefiveacts。Othermen，younginthefirsact，aretouchedwithgrayinthesecond，areoldandrackedwithinfirmitiesinthethird；inthefourth，allbutonearegonetotheirlonghome，andthisoneisablindandhelplesshulkofninetyorahundredyears。Itindicatesthatthestretchoftimecoveredbythepieceisseventyyearsormore。Thesceneryundergoesdecay，too——thedecayofageassistedandperfectedbyaconflagration。Thefinenewtemplesandpalacesofthesecondactareby-and-byawreckofcrumbledwallsandprostratecolumns，mouldy，grass-
grown，anddesolate；buttheirformerselvesarestillrecognisableintheirruins。Theageingmenandtheageingscenerytogetherconveyaprofoundillusionofthatlonglapseoftime：theymakeyouliveityourself！Youleavethetheatrewiththeweightofacenturyuponyou。
Anotherstrongeffect：Death，inperson，walksaboutthestageineveryact。SofarasIcouldmakeout，hewassupposablynotvisibletoanyexceptingtwopersons——theonehecameforandAppelles。Heusedvariouscostumes：buttherewasalwaysmoreblackaboutthemthananyothertint；
andsotheywerealwayssombre。Alsotheywerealwaysdeeplyimpressiveand，indeed，awe-inspiring。Thefacewasnotsubjectedtochanges，butremainedthesamefirstandlast——aghastlywhite。Tomehewasalwayswelcome，heseemedsoreal——theactualDeath，notaplay-actingartificiality。Hewasofasolemnandstatelycarriage；andhehadadeepvoice，anduseditwithanobledignity。Wherevertherewasaturmoilofmerry-makingorfightingorfeastingorchaffingorquarreling，oragildedpageant，orothermanifestationofourtrivialandfleetinglife，intoitdriftedthatblackfigurewiththecorpse-
face，andlookeditsfatefullookandpassedon；leavingitsvictimshudderingandsmitten。Andalwaysitscomingmadethefussyhumanpackseeminfinitelypitifulandshabby，andhardlyworththeattentionofeithersavingordamning。
InthebeginningofthefirstacttheyounggirlZoeappearsbysomegreatrocksinthedesert，andsitsdownexhausted，torest。Presentlyarriveapaupercouplestrickenwithageandinfirmities；andtheybegintomumbleandpraytotheSpiritofLife，whoissaidtoinhabitthatspot。TheSpiritofLifeappears；alsoDeath——uninvited。Theyaresupposablyinvisible。Death，tall，black-robed，corpse-faced，standsmotionlessandwaits。TheagedcouplepraytotheSpiritofLifeforameanstopropuptheirexistenceandcontinueit。Theirprayerfails。
TheSpiritofLifeprophesiesZoe\'smartyrdom；itwilltakeplacebeforenight。SoonAppellesarrives，youngandvigorousandfullofenthusiasm：
hehasledahostagainstthePersiansandwonthebattle；heisthepetoffortune，rich，honoured，believed，\'MasterofPalmyra\'。Hehasheardthatwhoeverstretcheshimselfoutononeofthoserocksthereandasksforadeathlesslifecanhavehiswish。Helaughsatthetradition，butwantstomakethetrialanyway。TheinvisibleSpiritofLifewarnshim！
\'Lifewithoutendcanberegretwithoutend。\'Buthepersists：lethimkeephisyouth，hisstrength，andhismentalfacultiesunimpaired，andhewilltakealltherisks。Hehashisdesire。
Fromthistimeforth，actafteract，thetroublesandsorrowsandmisfortunesandhumiliationsoflifebeatuponhimwithoutpityorrespite；buthewillnotgiveup，hewillnotconfesshismistake。
WheneverhemeetsDeathhestillfuriouslydefieshim——butDeathpatientlywaits。He，thehealerofsorrows，isman\'sbestfriend：therecognitionofthiswillcome。Astheyearsdragon，andon，andon，thefriendsoftheMaster\'syouthgrowold；andonebyonetheytottertothegrave：hegoesonwithhisproudfight，andwillnotyield。Atlengthheiswhollyaloneintheworld；allhisfriendsaredead；lastofall，hisdarlingofdarlings，hisson，theladNymphas，whodiesinhisarms。Hisprideisbrokennow；andhewouldwelcomeDeath，ifDeathwouldcome，ifDeathwouldhearhisprayersandgivehimpeace。Theclosingactisfineandpathetic。AppellesmeetsZenobia，thehelperofallwhosuffer，andtellsherhisstory，whichmovesherpity。Bycommonreportsheisendowedwithmorethanearthlypowers；andsincehecannothavetheboonofdeath，heappealstohertodrownhismemoryinforgetfulnessofhisgriefs——forgetfulness\'whichisdeath\'sequivalent\'。Shesaysroughlytranslated，inanexaltationofcompassion：
\'Cometome！
Kneel；andmaythepowerbegrantedmeTocoolthefiresofthispoortorturedbrain，Andbringitpeaceandhealing。\'
Hekneels。Fromherhand，whichshelaysuponhishead，amysteriousinfluencestealsthroughhim；andhesinksintoadreamytranquility。
\'Oh，ifIcouldbutsodriftThroughthissofttwilightintothenightofpeace，Nevertowakeagain！
Raisinghishand，asifinbenediction。
Omotherearth，farewell！
Graciousthouweretome。Farewell！
Appellesgoestorest。\'
Deathappearsbehindhimandenclosestheupliftedhandinhis。Appellesshudders，wearilyandslowlyturns，andrecogniseshislife-longadversary。Hesmilesandputsallhisgratitudeintoonesimpleandtouchingsentence，\'Ichdankedir，\'anddies。
Nothing，Ithink，couldbemoremoving，morebeautiful，thanthisclose。
Thispieceisjustonelong，soulful，sardoniclaughathumanlife。Itstitlemightproperlybe\'IsLifeaFailure？\'andleavethefiveactstoplaywiththeanswer。Iamnotatallsurethattheauthormeanttolaughatlife。Ionlynoticethathehasdoneit。Withoutputtingintowordsanyungraciousordiscourteousthingsaboutlife，theepisodesinthepieceseemtobesayingallthetime，inarticulately：\'Notewhatasillypoorthinghumanlifeis；howchildishitsambitions，howridiculousitspomps，howtrivialitsdignities，howcheapitsheroisms，howcapriciousitscourse，howbriefitsflight，howstingyinhappinesses，howopulentinmiseries，howfewitsprides，howmultitudinousitshumiliations，howcomicitstragedies，howtragicitscomedies，howwearisomeandmonotonousitsrepetitionofitsstupidhistorythroughtheages，withnevertheintroductionofanewdetail；
howhardithastried，fromtheCreationdown，toplayitselfuponitspossessorasaboonandhasneverproveditscaseinasingleinstance！\'
Takenoteofsomeofthedetailsofthepiece。Eachofthefiveactscontainsanindependenttragedyofitsown。Ineachactsomeone\'sedificeofhope，orofambition，orofhappiness，goesdowninruins。
EvenAppelles\'perennialyouthisonlyalongtragedy，andhislifeafailure。Therearetwomartyrdomsinthepiece；andtheyarecuriouslyandsarcasticallycontrasted。InthefirstactthepaganspersecuteZoe，theChristiangirl，andapaganmobslaughtersher。Inthefourthactthosesamepagans——nowveryoldandzealous——arebecomeChristians，andtheypersecutethepagans；amobofthemslaughtersthepaganyouth，Nymphas，whoisstandingupfortheoldgodsofhisfathers。Noremarkismadeaboutthispicturesquefailureofcivilisation；butthereitstands，asanunwordedsuggestionthatcivilisation，evenwhenChristianised，wasnotablewhollytosubduethenaturalmaninthatoldday——justasinourdaythespectacleofashipwreckedFrenchcrewclubbingwomenandchildrenwhotriedtoclimbintothelifeboatssuggeststhatcivilisationhasnotsucceededinentirelyobliteratingthenaturalmanevenyet。Commonsailorsayearago，inParis，atafire，thearistocracyofthesamenationclubbedgirlsandwomenoutofthewaytosavethemselves。Civilisationtestedattopandbottomboth，yousee。
Andinstillanotherpanicoffrightwehavethissametoughcivilisationsavingitshonourbycondemninganinnocentmantomultiformdeath，andhuggingandwhitewashingtheguiltyone。
InthesecondactagrandRomanofficialisnotabovetryingtoblastAppelles\'reputationbyfalselycharginghimwithmisappropriatingpublicmoneys。Appelles，whoistooproudtoendureeventhesuspicionofirregularity，stripshimselftonakedpovertytosquaretheunfairaccount，andhistroublesbegin：theblightwhichistocontinueandspreadstrikeshislife；forthefrivolous，prettycreaturewhomhebroughtfromRomehasnotasteforpovertyandagreestoelopewithamorecompetentcandidate。HerpresenceinthehousehaspreviouslybroughtdowntheprideandbrokentheheartofAppelles\'pooroldmother；
andherlifeisafailure。Deathcomesforher，butiswillingtotradeherfortheRomangirl；sothebargainisstruckwithAppelles，andthemotherissparedforthepresent。
Noone\'slifeescapestheblight。Timoleus，thegaysatiristofthefirsttwoacts，whoscoffedatthepioushypocrisiesandmoney-grubbingwaysofthegreatRomanlords，isgrownoldandfatandblear-eyedandrackedwithdiseaseinthethird，haslosthisstatelypurities，andwateredtheacidofhiswit。Hislifehassuffereddefeat。UnthinkinglyheswearsbyZeus——fromancienthabit——andthenquakeswithfright；forafellow-communicantispassingby。Reproachedbyapaganfriendofhisyouthforhisapostasy，heconfessesthatprinciple，whenunsupportedbyanassentingstomach，hastoclimbdown。Onemusthavebread；and\'thebreadisChristiannow。\'Thenthepooroldwreck，oncesoproudofhisironrectitude，hobblesaway，coughingandbarking。
InthatsameactAppellesgivehissweetyoungChristiandaughterandherfineyoungpaganloverhisconsentandblessing，andmakesthemutterlyhappy——forfiveminutes。Thenthepriestandthemobcome，totearthemapartandputthegirlinanunnery；formarriagebetweenthesectsisforbidden。Appelles\'wifecoulddissolvetherule；andshewantstodoit；butunderpriestlypressureshewavers；then，fearingthatinprovidinghappinessforherchildshewouldbecommittingasindangeroustoherown，shegoesovertotheopposition，andthrowsthecastingvoteforthenunnery。Theblighthasfallenupontheyoungcouple，andtheirlifeisafailure。
Inthefourthact，Longinus，whomadesuchaprosperousandenviablestartinthefirstact，isleftaloneinthedesert，sick，blind，helpless，incrediblyold，todie：notafriendleftintheworld——anotherruinedlife。Andinthatact，also，Appelles\'worshippedboy，Nymphas，donetodeathbythemob，breathesouthislastsighinhisfather\'sarms——onemorefailure。Inthefifthact，Appelleshimselfdies，andisgladtodoit；hewhosoignorantlyrejoiced，onlyfouractsbefore，overthesplendidpresentofanearthlyimmortality——theveryworstfailureofthelot！
II
NowIapproachmyproject。HereisthetheatrelistforSaturday，May7，1898，cutfromtheadvertisingcolumnsofaNewYorkpaper：
[graphichere]
NowIarriveatmyproject，andmakemysuggestion。Fromthelookofthislightsomefeast，Iconcludethatwhatyouneedisatonic。Sendfor\'TheMasterofPalmyra。\'Youaretryingtomakeyourselfbelievethatlifeisacomedy，thatitssolebusinessisfun，thatthereisnothingseriousinit。Youareignoringtheskeletoninyourcloset。Sendfor\'TheMasterofPalmyra。\'Youareneglectingavaluablesideofyourlife；presentlyitwillbeatrophied。Youareeatingtoomuchmentalsugar；youwillbringonBright\'sdiseaseoftheintellect。Youneedatonic；youneeditverymuch。Sendfor\'TheMasterofPalmyra。\'Youwillnotneedtotranslateit；itsstoryisasplainasaprocessionofpictures。
Ihavemademysuggestion。NowIwishtoputanannextoit。Andthatisthis：Itisrightandwholesometohavethoselightcomediesandentertainingshows；andIshouldn\'twishtoseethemdiminished。Butnoneofusisalwaysinthecomedyspirit；wehaveourgravermoods；theycometousall；thelightestofuscannotescapethem。Thesemoodshavetheirappetites——healthyandlegitimateappetites——andthereoughttobesomewayofsatisfyingthem。ItseemstomethatNewYorkoughttohaveonetheatredevotedtotragedy。Withherthreemillionsofpopulation，andseventyoutsidemillionstodrawupon，shecanaffordit，shecansupportit。Americadevotesmoretime，labour，moneyandattentiontodistributingliteraryandmusicalcultureamongthegeneralpublicthandoesanyothernation，perhaps；yethereyoufindherneglectingwhatispossiblythemosteffectiveofallthebreedersandnursesanddisseminatorsofhighliterarytasteandloftyemotion——thetragicstage。
Toleavethatpowerfulagencyoutistohaultheculture-wagonwithacrippledteam。Nowadays，whenamoodcomeswhichonlyShakespearecansettomusic，whatmustwedo？ReadShakespeareourselves！Isn\'titpitiful？Itisplayinganorgansoloonajew\'s-harp。Wecan\'tread。
NonebuttheBoothscandoit。
ThirtyyearsagoEdwinBoothplayed\'Hamlet\'ahundrednightsinNewYork。Withthreetimesthepopulation，howoftenis\'Hamlet\'playednowinayear？IfBoothwerebacknowinhisprime，howoftencouldheplayitinNewYork？Somewillsaytwenty-fivenights。Iwillsaythreehundred，andsayitwithconfidence。Thetragediansaredead；butI
thinkthatthetasteandintelligencewhichmadetheirmarketarenot。
WhathascomeoverusEnglish-speakingpeople？Duringthefirsthalfofthiscenturytragediesandgreattragedianswereascommonwithusasfarceandcomedy；anditwasthesameinEngland。Nowwehavenotatragedian，Ibelieve，andLondon，withherfiftyshowsandtheatres，hasbutthree，Ithink。Itisanastonishingthing，whenyoucometoconsiderit。Viennaremainsupontheancientbasis：therehasbeennochange。Shestickstotheformerproportions：anumberofrollickingcomedies，admirablyplayed，everynight；andalsoeverynightattheBurgTheatre——thatwonderoftheworldforgraceandbeautyandrichnessandsplendourandcostliness——amajesticdramaofdepthandseriousness，orastandardoldtragedy。Itisonlywithinthelastdozenyearsthatmenhavelearnedtodomiraclesonthestageinthewayofgrandandenchantingsceniceffects；anditisatsuchatimeasthisthatwehavereducedourscenerymainlytodifferentbreedsofparloursandvaryingaspectsoffurnitureandrugs。IthinkwemusthaveaBurginNewYork，andBurgscenery，andagreatcompanyliketheBurgcompany。Then，withatragedy-toniconceortwiceamonth，weshallenjoythecomediesallthebetter。Comedykeepstheheartsweet；butweallknowthatthereiswholesomerefreshmentforbothmindandheartinanoccasionalclimbamongthesolemnpompsoftheintellectualsnow-summitsbuiltbyShakespeareandthoseothers。DoIseemtobepreaching？Itisoutofmylife：Ionlydoitbecausetherestoftheclergyseemtobeonvacation。
TRAVELLINGWITHAREFORMER
LastspringIwentouttoChicagotoseetheFair，andalthoughIdidnotseeitmytripwasnotwhollylost——therewerecompensations。InNewYorkIwasintroducedtoaMajorintheregulararmywhosaidhewasgoingtotheFair，andweagreedtogotogether。IhadtogotoBostonfirst，butthatdidnotinterfere；hesaidhewouldgoalongandputinthetime。Hewasahandsomemanandbuiltlikeagladiator。Buthiswaysweregentle，andhisspeechwassoftandpersuasive。Hewascompanionable，butexceedinglyreposeful。Yes，andwhollydestituteofthesenseofhumour。Hewasfullofinterestineverythingthatwentonaroundhim，buthisserenitywasindestructible；nothingdisturbedhim，nothingexcitedhim。
ButbeforethedaywasdoneIfoundthatdeepdowninhimsomewherehehadapassion，quietashewas——apassionforreformingpettypublicabuses。Hestoodforcitizenship——itwashishobby。Hisideawasthateverycitizenoftherepublicoughttoconsiderhimselfanunofficialpoliceman，andkeepunsalariedwatchandwardoverthelawsandtheirexecution。Hethoughtthattheonlyeffectivewayofpreservingandprotectingpublicrightswasforeachcitizentodohisshareinpreventingorpunishingsuchinfringementsofthemascameunderhispersonalnotice。
Itwasagoodscheme，butIthoughtitwouldkeepabodyintroubleallthetime；itseemedtomethatonewouldbealwaystryingtogetoffendinglittleofficialsdischarged，andperhapsgettinglaughedatforallreward。Buthesaidno，Ihadthewrongidea：thattherewasnooccasiontogetanybodydischarged；thatinfactyoumustn\'tgetanybodydischarged；thatthatwoulditselfbeafailure；no，onemustreformtheman——reformhimandmakehimusefulwherehewas。
\'Mustonereporttheoffenderandthenbeghissuperiornottodischargehim，butreprimandhimandkeephim？\'
\'No，thatisnottheidea；youdon\'treporthimatall，forthenyouriskhisbreadandbutter。Youcanactasifyouaregoingtoreporthim——
whennothingelsewillanswer。Butthat\'sanextremecase。Thatisasortofforce，andforceisbad。Diplomacyistheeffectivething。Nowifamanhastact——ifamanwillexercisediplomacy——\'
Fortwominuteswehadbeenstandingatatelegraphwicket，andduringallthistimetheMajorhadbeentryingtogettheattentionofoneoftheyoungoperators，buttheywereallbusyskylarking。TheMajorspokenow，andaskedoneofthemtotakehistelegram。Hegotforreply：
\'Ireckonyoucanwaitaminute，can\'tyou？\'Andtheskylarkingwenton。
TheMajorsaidyes，hewasnotinahurry。Thenhewroteanothertelegram：
\'PresidentWesternUnionTel。Co。：
\'Comeanddinewithmethisevening。Icantellyouhowbusinessisconductedinoneofyourbranches。\'
Presentlytheyoungfellowwhohadspokensopertlyalittlebeforereachedoutandtookthetelegram，andwhenhereadithelostcolourandbegantoapologiseandexplain。Hesaidhewouldlosehisplaceifthisdeadlytelegramwassent，andhemightnevergetanother。Ifhecouldbeletoffthistimehewouldgivenocauseofcomplaintagain。Thecompromisewasaccepted。
Aswewalkedaway，theMajorsaid：
\'Now，yousee，thatwasdiplomacy——andyouseehowitworked。Itwouldn\'tdoanygoodtobluster，thewaypeoplearealwaysdoing。Thatboycanalwaysgiveyouasgoodasyousend，andyou\'llcomeoutdefeatedandashamedofyourselfprettynearlyalways。Butyouseehestandsnochanceagainstdiplomacy。Gentlewordsanddiplomacy——thosearethetoolstoworkwith。\'
\'Yes，Isee：buteverybodywouldn\'thavehadyouropportunity。Itisn\'teverybodythatisonthosefamiliartermswiththePresidentoftheWesternUnion。\'
\'Oh，youmisunderstand。Idon\'tknowthePresident——Ionlyusehimdiplomatically。Itisforhisgoodandforthepublicgood。There\'snoharminit。\'
Isaidwithhesitationanddiffidence：
\'Butisiteverrightornobletotellalie？\'
Hetooknonoteofthedelicateself-righteousnessofthequestion，butansweredwithundisturbedgravityandsimplicity：
\'Yes，sometimes。Liestoldtoinjureapersonandliestoldtoprofityourselfarenotjustifiable，butliestoldtohelpanotherperson，andliestoldinthepublicinterest——oh，well，thatisquiteanothermatter。
Anybodyknowsthat。Butnevermindaboutthemethods：youseetheresult。Thatyouthisgoingtobeusefulnow，andwell-behaved。Hehadagoodface。Hewasworthsaving。Why，hewasworthsavingonhismother\'saccountifnothisown。Ofcourse，hehasamother——sisters，too。Damnthesepeoplewhoarealwaysforgettingthat！Doyouknow，I\'veneverfoughtaduelinmylife——neveronce——andyethavebeenchallenged，likeotherpeople。Icouldalwaysseetheotherman\'sunoffendingwomenfolksorhislittlechildrenstandingbetweenhimandme。Theyhadn\'tdoneanything——Icouldn\'tbreaktheirhearts，youknow。\'
Hecorrectedagoodmanylittleabusesinthecourseoftheday，andalwayswithoutfriction——alwayswithafineanddainty\'diplomacy\'whichleftnostingbehind；andhegotsuchhappinessandsuchcontentmentoutoftheseperformancesthatIwasobligedtoenvyhimhistrade——andperhapswouldhaveadopteditifIcouldhavemanagedthenecessarydeflectionsfromfactasconfidentlywithmymouthasIbelieveIcouldwithapen，behindtheshelterofprint，afteralittlepractice。
Awaylatethatnightwewerecomingup-towninahorse-carwhenthreeboisterousroughsgotaboard，andbegantoflinghilariousobscenitiesandprofanitiesrightandleftamongthetimidpassengers，someofwhomwerewomenandchildren。Nobodyresistedorretorted；theconductortriedsoothingwordsandmoralsuasion，butthetoughsonlycalledhimnamesandlaughedathim。VerysoonIsawthattheMajorrealisedthatthiswasamatterwhichwasinhisline；evidentlyhewasturningoverhisstockofdiplomacyinhismindandgettingready。Ifeltthatthefirstdiplomaticremarkhemadeinthisplacewouldbringdownalandslideofridiculeuponhim，andmaybesomethingworse；butbeforeI
couldwhispertohimandcheckhimhehadbegun，anditwastoolate。Hesaid，inalevelanddispassionatetone：
\'Conductor，youmustputtheseswineout。Iwillhelpyou。\'
Iwasnotlookingforthat。Inaflashthethreeroughsplungedathim。
Butnoneofthemarrived。Hedeliveredthreesuchblowsasonecouldnotexpecttoencounteroutsidetheprize-ring，andneitherofthemenhadlifeenoughleftinhimtogetupfromwherehefell。TheMajordraggedthemoutandthrewthemoffthecar，andwegotunderwayagain。
Iwasastonished：astonishedtoseealambactso；astonishedatthestrengthdisplayed，andthecleanandcomprehensiveresult；astonishedatthebriskandbusiness-likestyleofthewholething。Thesituationhadahumoroussidetoit，consideringhowmuchIhadbeenhearingaboutmildpersuasionandgentlediplomacyalldayfromthispile-driver，andI
wouldhavelikedtocallhisattentiontothatfeatureanddosomesarcasmsaboutit；butwhenIlookedathimIsawthatitwouldbeofnouse——hisplacidandcontentedfacehadnorayofhumourinit；hewouldnothaveunderstood。Whenweleftthecar，Isaid：
\'Thatwasagoodstrokeofdiplomacy——threegoodstrokesofdiplomacy，infact。\'
\'That？Thatwasn\'tdiplomacy。Youarequiteinthewrong。Diplomacyisawhollydifferentthing。Onecannotapplyittothatsort；theywouldnotunderstandit。No，thatwasnotdiplomacy；itwasforce。\'
\'Nowthatyoumentionit，I——yes，Ithinkperhapsyouareright。\'
\'Right？OfcourseIamright。Itwasjustforce。\'
\'Ithink，myself，ithadtheoutsideaspectofit。Doyouoftenhavetoreformpeopleinthatway？\'
\'Farfromit。Ithardlyeverhappens。Notoftenerthanonceinhalfayear，attheoutside。\'
\'Thosemenwillgetwell？\'
\'Getwell？Why，certainlytheywill。Theyarenotinanydanger。I
knowhowtohitandwheretohit。YounoticedthatIdidnothitthemunderthejaw。Thatwouldhavekilledthem。\'
Ibelievedthat。Iremarked——ratherwittily，asIthought——thathehadbeenalamballday，butnowhadallofasuddendevelopedintoaram——
battering-ram；butwithdulcetfranknessandsimplicityhesaidno，abattering-ramwasquiteadifferentthing，andnotinusenow。Thiswasmaddening，andIcamenearburstingoutandsayinghehadnomoreappreciationofwitthanajackass——infact，Ihaditrightonmytongue，butdidnotsayit，knowingtherewasnohurryandIcouldsayitjustaswellsomeothertimeoverthetelephone。
WestartedtoBostonthenextafternoon。Thesmokingcompartmentintheparlour-carwasfull，andhewentintotheregularsmoker。Acrosstheaisleinthefrontseatsatameek，farmer-lookingoldmanwithasicklypallorinhisface，andhewasholdingthedooropenwithhisfoottogettheair。Presentlyabigbrakemancamerushingthrough，andwhenhegottothedoorhestopped，gavethefarmeranuglyscowl，thenwrenchedthedoortowithsuchenergyastoalmostsnatchtheoldman\'sbootoff。
Thenonheplungedabouthisbusiness。Severalpassengerslaughed，andtheoldgentlemanlookedpatheticallyshamedandgrieved。
Afteralittletheconductorpassedalong，andtheMajorstoppedhimandaskedhimaquestioninhishabituallycourteousway：
\'Conductor，wheredoesonereportthemisconductofabrakeman？Doesonereporttoyou？\'
\'YoucanreporthimatNewHavenifyouwantto。Whathashebeendoing？\'
TheMajortoldthestory。Theconductorseemedamused。Hesaid，withjustatouchofsarcasminhisblandtones：
\'AsIunderstandyou，thebrakemandidn\'tsayanything？\'
\'No，hedidn\'tsayanything。\'
\'Buthescowled，yousay？\'
\'Yes。\'
\'Andsnatchedthedoorlooseinaroughway？\'
\'Yes。\'
\'That\'sthewholebusiness，isit？\'
\'Yes，thatisthewholeofit。\'
Theconductorsmiledpleasantly，andsaid：
\'Well，ifyouwanttoreporthim，allright，butIdon\'tquitemakeoutwhatit\'sgoingtoamountto。You\'llsay——asIunderstandyou——thatthebrakemaninsultedthisoldgentleman。They\'llaskyouwhathesaid。
You\'llsayhedidn\'tsayanythingatall。Ireckonthey\'llsay，Howareyougoingtomakeoutaninsultwhenyouacknowledgeyourselfthathedidn\'tsayaword？\'
Therewasamurmurofapplauseattheconductor\'scompactreasoning，anditgavehimpleasure——youcouldseeitinhisface。ButtheMajorwasnotdisturbed。Hesaid：
\'There——nowyouhavetoucheduponacryingdefectinthecomplaintsystem。Therailwayofficials——asthepublicthinkandasyoualsoseemtothink——arenotawarethatthereareanyinsultsexceptspokenones。
Sonobodygoestoheadquartersandreportsinsultsofmanner，insultsofgesture，look，andsoforth；andyetthesearesometimeshardertobearthananywords。Theyarebitterhardtobearbecausethereisnothingtangibletotakeholdof；andtheinsultercanalwayssay，ifcalledbeforetherailwayofficials，thatheneverdreamedofintendinganyoffence。Itseemstomethattheofficialsoughttospeciallyandurgentlyrequestthepublictoreportunwordedaffrontsandincivilities。\'
Theconductorlaughed，andsaid：
\'Well，thatwouldbetrimmingitprettyfine，sure！\'
\'Butnottoofine，Ithink。IwillreportthismatteratNewHaven，andIhaveanideathatI\'llbethankedforit。\'
Theconductor\'sfacelostsomethingofitscomplacency；infact，itsettledtoaquitesobercastastheownerofitmovedaway。Isaid：
\'Youarenotreallygoingtobotherwiththattrifle，areyou？\'
\'Itisn\'tatrifle。Suchthingsoughtalwaystobereported。Itisapublicdutyandnocitizenhasarighttoshirkit。ButIsha\'n\'t\'havetoreportthiscase。\'
\'Why？\'
\'Itwon\'tbenecessary。Diplomacywilldothebusiness。You\'llsee。\'
Presentlytheconductorcameonhisroundsagain，andwhenhereachedtheMajorheleanedoverandsaid：
\'That\'sallright。Youneedn\'treporthim。He\'sresponsibletome，andifhedoesitagainI\'llgivehimatalkingto。\'
TheMajor\'sresponsewascordial：
\'NowthatiswhatIlike！Youmustn\'tthinkthatIwasmovedbyanyvengefulspirit，forthatwasn\'tthecase。Itwasduty——justasenseofduty，thatwasall。Mybrother-in-lawisoneofthedirectorsoftheroad，andwhenhelearnsthatyouaregoingtoreasonwithyourbrakemantheverynexttimehebrutallyinsultsanunoffendingoldmanitwillpleasehim，youmaybesureofthat。\'
Theconductordidnotlookasjoyousasonemighthavethoughthewould，butonthecontrarylookedsicklyanduncomfortable。Hestoodaroundalittle；thensaid：
\'Ithinksomethingoughttobedonetohimnow。I\'lldischargehim。\'
\'Dischargehim！Whatgoodwouldthatdo？Don\'tyouthinkitwouldbebetterwisdomtoteachhimbetterwaysandkeephim？\'
\'Well，there\'ssomethinginthat。Whatwouldyousuggest？\'
\'Heinsultedtheoldgentlemaninpresenceofallthesepeople。Howwoulditdotohavehimcomeandapologiseintheirpresence？\'
\'I\'llhavehimhererightoff。AndIwanttosaythis：Ifpeoplewoulddoasyou\'vedone，andreportsuchthingstomeinsteadofkeepingmumandgoingoffandblackguardingtheroad，you\'dseeadifferentstateofthingsprettysoon。I\'mmuchobligedtoyou。\'