按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
30
… Page 31…
Worldly Ways and Byways
CHAPTER 7 … The Discontent of
Talent
THE complacency that buoys up self…sufficient souls； soothing them
with the illusion that they themselves； their towns； country； language； and
habits are above improvement； causing them to shudder； as at a sacrilege；
if any changes are suggested； is fortunately limited to a class of stay…at…
home nonentities。 In proportion as it is common among them； is it rare or
delightfully absent in any society of gifted or imaginative people。
Among our globe…trotting compatriots this defect is much less general
than in the older nations of the world； for the excellent reason； that the
moment a man travels or takes the trouble to know people of different
nationalities； his armor of complacency receives so severe a blow； that it is
shattered forever； the wanderer returning home wiser and much more
modest。 There seems to be something fatal to conceit in the air of great
centres； professionally or in general society a man so soon finds his level。
The 〃great world〃 may foster other faults； human nature is sure to
develop some in every walk of life。 Smug contentment； however；
disappears in its rarefied atmosphere； giving place to a craving for
improvement； a nervous alertness that keeps the mind from stagnating and
urges it on to do its best。
It is never the beautiful woman who sits down in smiling serenity
before her mirror。 She is tireless in her efforts to enhance her beauty and
set it off to the best advantage。 Her figure is never slender enough； nor her
carriage sufficiently erect to satisfy。 But the 〃frump〃 will let herself and all
her surroundings go to seed； not from humbleness of mind or an
overwhelming sense of her own unworthiness； but in pure complacent
conceit。
A criticism to which the highly gifted lay themselves open from those
who do not understand them； is their love of praise； the critics failing to
grasp the fact that this passion for measuring one's self with others； like
the gad…fly pursuing poor Io； never allows a moment's repose in the green
pastures of success； but goads them constantly up the rocky sides of
31
… Page 32…
Worldly Ways and Byways
endeavor。 It is not that they love flattery； but that they need approbation as
a counterpoise to the dark moments of self…abasement and as a sustaining
aid for higher flights。
Many years ago I was present at a final sitting which my master；
Carolus Duran； gave to one of my fair compatriots。 He knew that the lady
was leaving Paris on the morrow； and that in an hour； her husband and his
friends were coming to see and criticise the portrait … always a terrible
ordeal for an artist。
To any one familiar with this painter's moods； it was evident that the
result of the sitting was not entirely satisfactory。 The quick breathing； the
impatient tapping movement of the foot； the swift backward springs to
obtain a better view； so characteristic of him in moments of doubt； and
which had twenty years before earned him the name of LE DANSEUR
from his fellow…copyists at the Louvre； betrayed to even a casual observer
that his discouragement and discontent were at boiling point。
The sound of a bell and a murmur of voices announced the entrance of
the visitors into the vast studio。 After the formalities of introduction had
been accomplished the new…comers glanced at the portrait； but uttered
never a word。 From it they passed in a perfectly casual manner to an
inspection of the beautiful contents of the room； investigating the
tapestries； admiring the armor； and finally； after another glance at the
portrait； the husband remarked： 〃You have given my wife a jolly long neck；
haven't you？〃 and； turning to his friends； began laughing and chatting in
English。
If vitriol had been thrown on my poor master's quivering frame； the
effect could not have been more instantaneous； his ignorance of the
language spoken doubtless exaggerating his impression of being ridiculed。
Suddenly he turned very white； and before any of us had divined his
intention he had seized a Japanese sword lying by and cut a dozen gashes
across the canvas。 Then； dropping his weapon； he flung out of the room；
leaving his sitter and her friends in speechless consternation； to wonder
then and ever after in what way they had offended him。 In their opinions；
if a man had talent and understood his business； he should produce
portraits with the same ease that he would answer dinner invitations； and if
32
… Page 33…
Worldly Ways and Byways
they paid for； they were in no way bound also to praise； his work。 They
were entirely pleased with the result； but did not consider it necessary to
tell him so； no idea having crossed their minds that he might be in one of
those moods so frequent with artistic natures； when words of approbation
and praise are as necessary to them； as the air we breathe is to us； mortals
of a commoner clay。
Even in the theatrical and operatic professions； those hotbeds of
conceit； you will generally find among the 〃stars〃 abysmal depths of
discouragement and despair。 One great tenor； who has delighted New York
audiences during several winters past； invariably announces to his
intimates on arising that his 〃voice has gone；〃 and that； in consequence he
will 〃never sing again；〃 and has to be caressed and cajoled back into some
semblance of confidence before attempting a performance。 This same
artist； with an almost limitless repertoire and a reputation no new
successes could enhance； recently risked all to sing what he considered a
higher class of music； infinitely more fatiguing to his voice； because he
was impelled onward by the ideal that forces genius to constant
improvement and development of its powers。
What the people who meet these artists occasionally at a private
concert or b