Henry James: Daisy Miller

1. One of the hotels at Vevey, however, is famous, even classical, being distinguished from many of its upstart neighbours by an air both of luxury and of maturity. In this region, in the month of June, American travellers are extremely numerious; it may be said, indeed, that Vevet assumes at this period some of the characteristics of an American watering-place. There are sights and sounds which evoke a vision, an echo, of Newport and Saratoga. There is a flitting hither

and thither of “stylish” young girls, a rustling

of muslin flounces, a rattle of dance-music in

the morning hours, a sound of high-pitched

voices at all times. You receive an impression

of these things at the excellence inn of the

Trois Couronnes, and are transplanted in fancy to the

Ocean Hotel or to Congress Hall. But at the Trois

Couronnes,it must be added, there are other features

that are much at variance with these suggestions: neat German waiters, who look like secretaries of legation; Russian princesses sitting in the garden; little Polish boys walking about, held by the hand, with their governors; a view of the snowy crest of the Castle of Chilon.

• Leaving Miss Miller’s side, he hastened to obey her summons. Mrs. Walker was flushed; she wore an excited air. “It really too dreadful,” she said, “That girl must not do this sort of thing. She must not walk here with you two men. Fifty people have noticed you. ----Page 90

James’ s Letter to Some Students of the Deerfield Summer School

• Oh, do something from your point of view; an ounce of example is worth a ton of generalities; do something with the great art and the great form; do something with life. You each have an impression coloured by your individual conditions; make that into a picture framed by your own personal wisdom, your glimpse of the American world.---I have only two words for the matter remotely approaching to rule or doctrine; one is life and the other freedom.