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in good time； returned by them to the national assemblies。
As this is not a political article the simple indication of these
two causes will suffice； without entering into the question of
their reasonableness or of their justice。 The social bearing of
such a condition is here the only side of the question under
discussion； it is difficult to over…rate the influence that a man's
family exert over his decisions。
Political ambition is exceedingly rare among our women of position；
when the American husband is bitten with it； the wife submits to；
rather than abets； his inclinations。 In most cases our women are
not cosmopolitan enough to enjoy being transplanted far away from
their friends and relations； even to fill positions of importance
and honor。 A New York woman of great frankness and intelligence；
who found herself recently in a Western city under these
circumstances； said； in answer to a flattering remark that 〃the
ladies of the place expected her to become their social leader；〃 〃I
don't see anything to lead；〃 thus very plainly expressing her
opinion of the situation。 It is hardly fair to expect a woman
accustomed to the life of New York or the foreign capitals； to look
forward with enthusiasm to a term of years passed in Albany； or in
Washington。
In France very much the same state of affairs has been reached by
quite a different route。 The aristocracy detest the present
government； and it is not considered 〃good form〃 by them to sit in
the Chamber of Deputies or to accept any but diplomatic positions。
They condescend to fill the latter because that entails living away
from their own country； as they feel more at ease in foreign courts
than at the Republican receptions of the Elysee。
There is a deplorable tendency among our self…styled aristocracy to
look upon their circle as a class apart。 They separate themselves
more each year from the life of the country； and affect to smile at
any of their number who honestly wish to be of service to the
nation。 They； like the French aristocracy； are perfectly willing；
even anxious； to fill agreeable diplomatic posts at first…class
foreign capitals； and are naively astonished when their offers of
service are not accepted with gratitude by the authorities in
Washington。 But let a husband propose to his better half some
humble position in the machinery of our government； and see what
the lady's answer will be。
The opinion prevails among a large class of our wealthy and
cultivated people； that to go into public life is to descend to
duties beneath them。 They judge the men who occupy such positions
with insulting severity； classing them in their minds as corrupt
and self…seeking； than which nothing can be more childish or more
imbecile。 Any observer who has lived in the different grades of
society will quickly renounce the puerile idea that sporting or
intellectual pursuits are alone worthy of a gentleman's attention。
This very political life； which appears unworthy of their attention
to so many men； is； in reality； the great field where the nations
of the world fight out their differences； where the seed is sown
that will ripen later into vast crops of truth and justice。 It is
（if rightly regarded and honestly followed） the battle…ground where
man's highest qualities are put to their noblest use … that of
working for the happiness of others。
CHAPTER 14 … The Small Summer Hotel
WE certainly are the most eccentric race on the surface of the
globe and ought to be a delight to the soul of an explorer； so full
is our civilization of contradictions； unexplained habits and
curious customs。 It is quite unnecessary for the inquisitive
gentlemen who pass their time prying into other people's affairs
and then returning home to write books about their discoveries； to
risk their lives and digestions in long journeys into Central
Africa or to the frozen zones； while so much good material lies
ready to their hands in our own land。 The habits of the 〃natives〃
in New England alone might occupy an active mind indefinitely；
offering as interesting problems as any to be solved by penetrating
Central Asia or visiting the man…eating tribes of Australia。
Perhaps one of our scientific celebrities； before undertaking his
next long voyage； will find time to make observations at home and
collect sufficient data to answer some questions that have long
puzzled my unscientific brain。 He would be doing good work。 Fame
and honors await the man who can explain why； for instance； sane
Americans of the better class； with money enough to choose their
surroundings； should pass so much of their time in hotels and
boarding houses。 There must be a reason for the vogue of these
retreats … every action has a cause； however remote。 I shall await
with the deepest interest a paper on this subject from one of our
great explorers； untoward circumstances having some time ago forced
me to pass a few days in a popular establishment of this class。
During my visit I amused myself by observing the inmates and trying
to discover why they had come there。 So far as I could find out；
the greater part of them belonged to our well…to…do class； and when
at home doubtless lived in luxurious houses and were waited on by
trained servants。 In the small summer hotel where I met them； they
were living in dreary little ten by twelve foot rooms； containing
only the absolute necessities of existence； a wash…stand； a bureau；
two chairs and a bed。 And such a bed！ One mattress about four
inches thick over squeaking slats； cotton sheets； so nicely
calculated to the size of the bed that the slightest move on the
part of the sleeper would detach them from their moorings and undo
the housemaid's work； two limp； discouraged pillows that had
evidently been 〃banting；〃 and a few towels a foot long with a
surface like sand…paper； completed the fittings of the room。 Baths
were unknown； and hot water was a luxury distributed sparingly by a
capricious handmaiden。 It is only fair to add that everything in
the room was perfectly clean； as was the coarse table linen in the
dining room。
The meals were in harmony with the rooms and furniture； consisting
only of the strict necessities； cooked with a Spartan disregard for
such sybarite foibles as seasoning or dressing。 I believe there
was a substantial meal somewhere in the early morning hours； but I
never succeeded in getting down in time to inspect it。 By
successful bribery； I induced one of the village belles； who served
at table； to bring a cup of coffee to my room。 The first morning
it appeared already poured out in the cup； with sugar and cold milk
added at her discretion。 At one o'clock a dinner was served；
consisting of soup （occasionally）； one meat dish and attendant
vegetables； a meagre dessert； and nothing else。 At half…past