第 18 节
作者:开了      更新:2021-02-19 01:06      字数:9322
  often wonder what has become of those vast IN…FOLIOS; and if any
  one ever opens them now and admires as we did the glowing colored
  plates in which the old ornithologist took such pride。  There is
  something infinitely sad in the idea of a collection of books
  slowly gathered together at the price of privations and sacrifices;
  cherished; fondled; lovingly read; and then at the owner's death;
  coldly sent away to stand for ever unopened on the shelves of some
  public library。  It is like neglecting poor dumb children!
  An event that made a profound impression on my childish imagination
  occurred while my father; who was never tired of improving our
  little domain; was cutting a pathway down the steep side of the
  slope to the river。  A great slab; dislodged by a workman's pick;
  fell disclosing the grave of an Indian chief。  In a low archway or
  shallow cave sat the skeleton of the chieftain; his bows and arrows
  arranged around him on the ground; mingled with fragments of an
  elaborate costume; of which little remained but the bead…work。
  That it was the tomb of a man great among his people was evident
  from the care with which the grave had been prepared and then
  hidden; proving how; hundreds of years before our civilization;
  another race had chosen this noble cliff and stately river
  landscape as the fitting framework for a great warrior's tomb。
  This discovery made no little stir in the scientific world of that
  day。  Hundreds came to see it; and as photography had not then come
  into the world; many drawings were made and casts taken; and
  finally the whole thing was removed to the rooms of the Historical
  Society。  From that day the lonely little path held an awful charm
  for us。  Our childish readings of Cooper had developed in us that
  love of the Indian and his wild life; so characteristic of boyhood
  thirty years ago。  On still summer afternoons; the place had a
  primeval calm that froze the young blood in our veins。  Although we
  prided ourselves on our quality as 〃braves;〃 and secretly pined to
  be led on the war…path; we were shy of walking in that vicinity in
  daylight; and no power on earth; not even the offer of the tomahawk
  or snow…shoes for which our souls longed; would have taken us there
  at night。
  A place connected in my memory with a tragic association was across
  the river on the last southern slope of the Palisades。  Here we
  stood breathless while my father told the brief story of the duel
  between Burr and Hamilton; and showed us the rock stained by the
  younger man's life…blood。  In those days there was a simple iron
  railing around the spot where Hamilton had expired; but of later
  years I have been unable to find any trace of the place。  The tide
  of immigration has brought so deep a deposit of 〃saloons〃 and
  suburban 〃balls〃 that the very face of the land is changed; old
  lovers of that shore know it no more。  Never were the environs of a
  city so wantonly and recklessly degraded。  Municipalities have vied
  with millionaires in soiling and debasing the exquisite shores of
  our river; that; thirty years ago; were unrivalled the world over。
  The glamour of the past still lies for me upon this landscape in
  spite of its many defacements。  The river whispers of boyish
  boating parties; and the woods recall a thousand childish hopes and
  fears; resolute departures to join the pirates; or the red men in
  their strongholds … journeys boldly carried out until twilight
  cooled our courage and the supper…hour proved a stronger temptation
  than war and carnage。
  When I sat down this summer evening to write a few lines about
  happy days on the banks of the Hudson; I hardly realized how sweet
  those memories were to me。  The rewriting of the old names has
  evoked from their long sleep so many loved faces。  Arms seem
  reaching out to me from the past。  The house is very still tonight。
  I seem to be nearer my loved dead than to the living。  The bells of
  my lost 〃Is〃 are ringing clear in the silence。
  CHAPTER 17 … Royalty At Play
  FEW more amusing sights are to be seen in these days; than that of
  crowned heads running away from their dull old courts and
  functions; roughing it in hotels and villas; gambling; yachting and
  playing at being rich nobodies。  With much intelligence they have
  all chosen the same Republican playground; where visits cannot
  possibly be twisted into meaning any new 〃combination〃 or political
  move; thus assuring themselves the freedom from care or
  responsibility; that seems to be the aim of their existence。
  Alongside of well…to…do Royalties in good paying situations; are
  those out of a job; who are looking about for a 〃place。〃  One
  cannot take an afternoon's ramble anywhere between Cannes and
  Mentone without meeting a half…dozen of these magnates。
  The other day; in one short walk; I ran across three Empresses; two
  Queens; and an Heir…apparent; and then fled to my hotel; fearing to
  be unfitted for America; if I went on 〃keeping such company。〃  They
  are knowing enough; these wandering great ones; and after trying
  many places have hit on this charming coast as offering more than
  any other for their comfort and enjoyment。  The vogue of these
  sunny shores dates from their annexation to France; … a price
  Victor Emmanuel reluctantly paid for French help in his war with
  Austria。  Napoleon III。's demand for Savoy and this littoral; was
  first made known to Victor Emmanuel at a state ball at Genoa。
  Savoy was his birthplace and his home!  The King broke into a wild
  temper; cursing the French Emperor and making insulting allusions
  to his parentage; saying he had not one drop of Bonaparte blood in
  his veins。  The King's frightened courtiers tried to stop this
  outburst; showing him the French Ambassador at his elbow。  With a
  superhuman effort Victor Emmanuel controlled himself; and turning
  to the Ambassador; said:
  〃I fear my tongue ran away with me!〃  With a smile and a bow the
  great French diplomatist remarked:
  〃SIRE; I am so deaf I have not heard a word your Majesty has been
  saying!〃
  The fashion of coming to the Riviera for health or for amusement;
  dates from the sixties; when the Empress of Russia passed a winter
  at Nice; as a last attempt to prolong the existence of the dying
  Tsarewitsch; her son。  There also the next season the Duke of
  Edinburgh wooed and won her daughter (then the greatest heiress in
  Europe) for his bride。  The world moves fast and a journey it
  required a matter of life and death to decide on; then; is gayly
  undertaken now; that a prince may race a yacht; or a princess try
  her luck at the gambling tables。  When one reflects that the 〃royal
  caste;〃 in Europe alone; numbers some eight hundred people; and
  that the East is beginning to send out its more enterprising
  crowned heads to get a taste of the fun; that beyond drawing their
  salaries; these good people have absolutely nothing to do; except
  to amuse themselves; it is no wonder that this happy land is
  crowded with royal pleasure…seekers。
  After a try at Florence and Aix; 〃the Queen〃 has been faithful to
  Cimiez; a charming site back of Nice。  That gay city is always EN
  FETE the day she arrives; as her carriages pass surrounded by
  French cavalry; one can catch a glimpse of her big face; and dowdy
  little figure; which nevertheless she can make so dignified when
  occasion requires。  The stay here is; indeed; a holiday for this
  record…breaking sovereign; who potters about her private grounds of
  a morning in a donkey…chair; sunning herself and watching her
  Battenberg grandchildren at play。  In the afternoon; she drives a
  couple of hours … in an open carriage … one outrider in black
  livery alone distinguishing her turnout from the others。
  The Prince of Wales makes his headquarters at Cannes where he has
  poor luck in sailing the Brittania; for which he consoles himself
  with jolly dinners at Monte Carlo。  You can see him almost any
  evening in the RESTAURANT DE PARIS; surrounded by his own
  particular set; … the Duchess of Devonshire (who started a
  penniless German officer's daughter; and became twice a duchess);
  Lady de Grey and Lady Wolverton; both showing near six feet of
  slender English beauty; at their side; and lovelier than either;
  the Countess of Essex。  The husbands of these 〃Merry Wives〃 are
  absent; but do not seem to be missed; as the ladies sit smoking and
  laughing over their coffee; the party only breaking up towards
  eleven o'clock to try its luck at TRENTE ET QUARANTE; until a
  〃special〃 takes them back to Cannes。
  He is getting sadly old and fat; is England's heir; the likeness to
  his mamma becoming more marked each year。  His voice; too; is oddly
  like hers; deep and guttural; more adapted to the paternal German
  (which all this family speak when alone) than to his native
  English。  Hair; he has