s society, in which regularity of form
did not conceal petrifaction of heart, induced Chopin to think that the
CONVENANCES and courtesies of manner, in place of being only a uniform
mask, repressing the character of each individual under the symmetry of
the same lines, rather serve to contain the passions without stifling
them, coloring only that bald crudity of tone which is so injurious to
their beauty, elevating that materialism which debases them, robbing
them of that license which vulgarizes them, lowering that vehemence
which vitiates them, pruning that exuberance which exhausts them,
teaching the "lovers of the ideal" to unite the virtues which have
sprung from a knowledge of evil, with those "which cause its very
existence to be forgotten in speaking to those they love." As these
visions of his youth deepened in the long perspective of memories, they
gained in grace, in charm, in delight, in his eyes, fascinating him to
such an extent that no reality could destroy their secret power over
his imagination, rendering his repugnance more and more unconquerable
to that license of allurement, that brutal tyranny of caprice, that
eagerness to drink the cup of fantasy to the very dregs, that stormy
pursuit of all the changes and incongruities of life, which rule in the
strange mode of life known as LA BOHEME.

More than once in the history of art and literature, a poet has arisen,
embodying in himself the poetic sense of a whole nation, an entire
epoch, representing the types which his contemporaries pursue and strive
to realize, in an absolute manner in his works: such a poet was Chopin
for his country and for the epoch in which he was born. The poetic
sentiments the most widely spread, yet the most intimate and inherent of
his nation, were embodied and united in his imagination, and represented
by his brilliant genius. Poland has given birth to many bards, some of
whom rank among the first poets of the world.

Its writers are now making strenuous efforts to display in the strongest
light, the most glorious and interesting facts of its history, the most
peculiar and picturesque phases of its manners and customs. Chopin,
differing from them in having formed no premeditated design, surpasses
them all in originality. He did not determine upon, he did not seek such
a result; he created no ideal a priori. Without having predetermined to
transport himself into the past, he constantly remembered the glories
of his country, h