three men on the bummel(三个闲逛的人)-第46部分
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The German has so long been the soldier of Europe； that the military
instinct has entered into his blood。 The military virtues he possesses in
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abundance； but he also suffers from the drawbacks of the military training。
It was told me of a German servant； lately released from the barracks； that
he was instructed by his master to deliver a letter to a certain house； and to
wait there for the answer。 The hours passed by； and the man did not
return。 His master； anxious and surprised； followed。 He found the man
where he had been sent； the answer in his hand。 He was waiting for
further orders。 The story sounds exaggerated； but personally I can credit
it。
The curious thing is that the same man； who as an individual is as
helpless as a child； becomes； the moment he puts on the uniform； an
intelligent being； capable of responsibility and initiative。 The German
can rule others； and be ruled by others； but he cannot rule himself。 The
cure would appear to be to train every German for an officer； and then put
him under himself。 It is certain he would order himself about with
discretion and judgment； and see to it that he himself obeyed himself with
smartness and precision。
For the direction of German character into these channels； the schools；
of course； are chiefly responsible。 Their everlasting teaching is duty。 It
is a fine ideal for any people； but before buckling to it； one would wish to
have a clear understanding as to what this 〃duty〃 is。 The German idea of
it would appear to be： 〃blind obedience to everything in buttons。〃 It is
the antithesis of the Anglo…Saxon scheme； but as both the Anglo…Saxon
and the Teuton are prospering； there must be good in both methods。
Hitherto； the German has had the blessed fortune to be exceptionally well
governed； if this continue； it will go well with him。 When his troubles
will begin will be when by any chance something goes wrong with the
governing machine。 But maybe his method has the advantage of
producing a continuous supply of good governors； it would certainly seem
so。
As a trader； I am inclined to think the German will； unless his
temperament considerably change； remain always a long way behind his
Anglo…Saxon competitor； and this by reason of his virtues。 To him life is
something more important than a mere race for wealth。 A country that
closes its banks and post…offices for two hours in the middle of the day；
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while it goes home and enjoys a comfortable meal in the bosom of its
family； with； perhaps； forty winks by way of dessert； cannot hope； and
possibly has no wish； to compete with a people that takes its meals
standing； and sleeps with a telephone over its bed。 In Germany there is
not； at all events as yet； sufficient distinction between the classes to make
the struggle for position the life and death affair it is in England。 Beyond
the landed aristocracy； whose boundaries are impregnable； grade hardly
counts。 Frau Professor and Frau Candlestickmaker meet at the Weekly
Kaffee…Klatsch and exchange scandal on terms of mutual equality。 The
livery…stable keeper and the doctor hobnob together at their favourite beer
hall。 The wealthy master builder； when he prepares his roomy waggon
for an excursion into the country； invites his foreman and his tailor to join
him with their families。 Each brings his share of drink and provisions； and
returning home they sing in chorus the same songs。 So long as this state
of things endures； a man is not induced to sacrifice the best years of his
life to win a fortune for his dotage。 His tastes； and； more to the point still；
his wife's； remain inexpensive。 He likes to see his flat or villa furnished
with much red plush upholstery and a profusion of gilt and lacquer。 But
that is his idea； and maybe it is in no worse taste than is a mixture of
bastard Elizabethan with imitation Louis XV； the whole lit by electric light；
and smothered with photographs。 Possibly； he will have his outer walls
painted by the local artist： a sanguinary battle； a good deal interfered
with by the front door； taking place below； while Bismarck； as an angel；
flutters vaguely about the bedroom windows。 But for his Old Masters he
is quite content to go to the public galleries； and 〃the Celebrity at Home〃
not having as yet taken its place amongst the institutions of the Fatherland；
he is not impelled to waste his； money turning his house into an old
curiosity shop。
The German is a gourmand。 There are still English farmers who；
while telling you that farming spells starvation； enjoy their seven solid
meals a day。 Once a year there comes a week's feast throughout Russia；
during which many deaths occur from the over… eating of pancakes； but
this is a religious festival； and an exception。 Taking him all round； the
German as a trencherman stands pre…eminent among the nations of the
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earth。 He rises early； and while dressing tosses off a few cups of coffee；
together with half a dozen hot buttered rolls。 But it is not until ten
o'clock that he sits down to anything that can properly be called a meal。 At
one or half…past takes place his chief dinner。 Of this he makes a business；
sitting at it for a couple of hours。 At four o'clock he goes to the cafe； and
eats cakes and drinks chocolate。 The evening he devotes to eating
generallynot a set meal； or rarely； but a series of snacks；a bottle of beer
and a Belegete…semmel or two at seven； say； another bottle of beer and an
Aufschnitt at the theatre between the acts； a small bottle of white wine and
a Spiegeleier before going home； then a piece of cheese or sausage；
washed down by more beer； previous to turning in for the night。
But he is no gourmet。 French cooks and French prices are not the
rule at his restaurant。 His beer or his inexpensive native white wine he
prefers to the most costly clarets or champagnes。 And； indeed； it is well
for him he does； for one is inclined to think that every time a French
grower sells a bottle of wine to a German hotel… or shop…keeper； Sedan is
rankling in his mind。 It is a foolish revenge； seeing that it is not the
German who as a rule drinks it； the punishment falls upon some innocent
travelling Englishman。 Maybe； however； the French dealer remembers
also Waterloo； and feels that in any event he scores。
In Germany expensive entertainments are neither offered nor expected。
Everything throughout the Fatherland is homely and friendly。 The
German has no costly sports to pay for； no showy establishment to
maintain； no purse…proud circle to dress for。 His chief pleasure； a seat at
the opera or concert； can be had for a few marks； and his wife and
daughters walk there in home…made dresses； with shawls over their heads。
Indeed； throughout the country the absence of all ostentation is to English
eyes quite refreshing。 Private carriages are few and far between； and
even the droschke is made use of only when the quicker and cleaner
electric car is not available。
By such means the German retains his independence。 The
shopkeeper in Germany does not fawn upon his customers。 I
accompanied an English lady once on a shopping excursion in Munich。
She had been accustomed to shopping in London and New York； and she
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grumbled at everything the man showed her。 It was not that she was
really dissatisfied； this was her method。 She explained that she could get
most things cheaper and better elsewhere； not that she really thought she
could； merely she held it good for the shopkeeper to say this。 She told
him that his stock lacked tasteshe did not mean to be offensive； as I have
explained； it was her method；that there was no variety about it； that it
was not up to date； that it was commonplace； that it looked as if it would
not wear。 He did not argue with her； he did not contradict her。 He put
the things back into their respective boxes； replaced the boxes
