National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-05-07

Mr.. Veriphast.
The ArsrfeGn RegiSfer, (PAris,) for April IL,
has 9 very sensible and timely editorial concern.
ing "Nr. Veriphast," and It IL probable that 9
wide circulation Of this extract will do no harm.
To this vast pleasure ground, (Psrls,) where
every taste is studied and every want supplied,
come the brsin-Weary workers from our instItu.
tons Of learning OF trade in search Of rest the
brainless sqIanderer Of gold In search Of enjoy
ment, the artist seeking for perfection in his art
the student longing for new intellectual worlds
to conquer. The Circe, who possesses all charms
and who knows all spells, lures them to her en-
chanted castle, and bids them TO q magic banquet
MheTeSt each taste may nn S me dainty that It
which the soul is capable, down to the lowest
needs Of our perisha6le frame, fair Paris finds
means to satisfy all. Shall We carry the parallel
furtherH The fable tells us how the guests at
Cirees feasts we're changed to animals OF differ
ent kinds. Well for those who, at the table OF
nothing less noble than the winged Pegasus
soaring upward into the heaven Of diVinest art.
And woe to those who, beneath the influence of
the magic draught, only crouch and grovel In
true bestlal form amid the drained Wine-cups and
the Withered garlands.
For among our countrymen abroad, the saddest
and most scandalous Of spectacles is the dis
American. By his side even Shoddy becomes re-
spectacle and ignorance is pardonable. We can
forgive the noaredu richie, who rushes abroad to
air his Just won dollars. We have sympathy for
him who knows but little, and who comes to Ed
rePe to make that little more. Even folly and
stupidity have this excuse-they are Inevitable
and incurable. The resources Of modern science
have as yet discerned no method by which the
fool may be made wise man But responsibility
No special gift is required to enable any one TO
attend the laws Of common proprfety. And II
such Jaws are worth observing at home they are
ten times the better worth observing abroad At
home, man fathers hts own sins. Abroad his evil
dOrg casts stigma on the nation of which he is an
unworthy member. At home, his own good name
only suffers, while here the scandal casts a
shadow on the honored appellstion Of American
citizen.
The brainIess youth who stargers around
drinking shops and hotel bars is the mark for
sneerinK comment on the part of the intelligent
Partisan. When he shows himself at the race
csurse or in the theatre, side by side with Made
moiselle de Mabille, HIS actions are set down as
the usual style OF conduct on the part OF young
gentlemen Of the nationality to witch he uufor-
tunately belongs. In his reckless expenditure
and senseless dissipation, Mr.. VerfphaEt, from
the States, has eclipsed that time-honored type,
Sir John Bull. At least Sir John had due re.
gard for appearances. But Mr.. Veriphast pays
10 virtue not even the poor tribute Of hypocrisy.
His misdeecs are shouted from the housetops.
HIS revels are matter OF public comment. His
evil associates link arms with him in public
places. And when he departs, leaving behind
him only too often store Of unpaid bills, there Is
weeping at the Valentine and WailinE at the
American bar.
We wish that Mr.. Yerlphast, like his female
eSTPeer, Miss Rapid would stay at home. Not
for Miss Rapid. She, at least, while appearing
evil Is guiltless in the msjority of csses of any.
thing worse than folly. But the deeds Of Mr..
Eeriphast are truly evil and his ways unclean.
1t IS owing to him ana not to her If the word
American has lost it's place in the social scale
abroad. These adVenturesses of our nation,
creatures as distinguished for their brass as for
their beauty, are understood here to be eKcsp-
tional specimens Of American humanity. But
when Mr.. VeriphaSt drags the name of American
citizen through the mire Of proflgacy or the soil
Of social scandal, who shall persuade the intelll-
gent foreigner that he, too, is an exceptional
specimen? The best salons Of the American COL
ony are open 10 Mr.! Eerphast and Miss Rapid.
II we take them to our heart or hearts, socially
speaking, can we dlsclalm all knowledge or con-
donation Of their ofenses? We wish that they
would stay at home-AV ain wish, and one not
likely to be realized.