This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1894. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... A WALTZ OF CHOPIN "Stephen--I shall be bold I warrant you. Have you a stool there to be melancholy upon?"-- Every Man in his Humour. CHAPTER I It is, I think, delightful to avoid every now and then the epidemic of compulsory joviality which is invariably prevalent at the Christmas season, to occasionally abstain from commemorating, as is our wont, the visit of the Dayspring from on high by an excessive indulgence in the gross appetites of the flesh; and, at a season like the one in question, when conviviality becomes aggressive and a burden, to retire and refresh one's soul in a bath of solitude; for I believe, with the great Italian pessimist: " Di modo che la solitudine fa quasi l'ufficio della gioventu; o certo ringiovanisce l'animo, ravvalora e rimette in opera l'immaginazione, e rinova nell'uomo esperimentalo i beneficii di quella prima inesperienza che tu sospiri." -3 One evening not many years ago I found myself in Paris, about ten days before Christmas Day, alone, and so completely had I abandoned myself to the melancholy thoughts which were partly, I hope, inspired by the solemn lessons of the season, and partly occasioned by the host of sad memories which must inevitably assail one who revisits alone scenes hallowed by the spirit of the days that are no more, that I had listened to the strange suggestion of the sempiternal Ernest (who doubtless read my familiar face as a book), and so found myself dining quite alone in that celebrated chamber of the Cafe Anglais known as " le Grand Seize." Alone, said I? Nay, not alone. The room was crowded with the phantoms of gay, graceful, witty revellers who had come back across the Stygian River, forgetting the terrible secrets they had had revealed to them, leaving the realms of desolation to troop ...