THE BOHEMIAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1992, 14 April 1885, Page 4

THE BOHEMIAN.

Thk modem Bohemian, though he mny tnanifc.it undisguised contempt toi the conventionalisms of life, outiage the eternal Ji^ncs.s of things in his actions, squander Ins resources with the bame reckless ltnpiovidcnce, is still theofft-piing of another age, more enlightened, more progressive, readier to recognise his merits, and eager to welcome him fiom the squalid wretchedness of a garret into fame. Should he, however, like Falsfaflf, consent to purge himself and become a gentleman, as characteiistic of him as ever will be his love of independence — this he never can resign. When petted as a successful playwtight, journalist, aitist, orator or debater, he will still yearn for the freedom of his old life — the old instinct will out, and we may find him occasionally revisiting his foimer haunts, and extending a helping hand to his mote luckless companions who have failed to us- 1 . Apprenticed eirly to adveisit}, he can well appiecute the sen itude of otheis. Ale\amlic Dumab, the elder, whom his sonsowittily calls the "pm p>w(irtti>\" wm& geneums to impiovidmcc, and reck less in his ditcnmuiiition as to whom and wheie he give. Gustavo DoitS nevei tnrned a deaf ear to the poor story of n struggling artist Gambetta, in the noontide of his glory, never foigot those he had aroused by his thundeiing eloquence in the small hours of the morning at the Cafe Veron ; they were with him at the Palais Bourbon ; with him w hen he died ; and he himself, when regaling on the sumptuous dishes of Tiompette, would sometimes linger on the days gone by when lie caressed his own beefsteak on the dying embers in his small garret in the Hue (lea Kooles, dreaming visions? he little thought to realise. In leligious thought the Bohemian natuially tends towaids Epicureanism; his foimer shiftless life lias inclined him to seek ease and enjoyment with trail quihty of iiund. Whether, however, he can ever really cut himself adrift fiom the associations of his foimei life is doubtful. He m.ty eventually many and settle down and become a respectable nicmbei of society, and doubtleps such is often his fate. The absolute contrast of Ins new Me may reduce it to toletatimi, and he thus aveita the pernicious effects of a middle conrse. But beneath the outer husks of his prosperity and sobriety will always be the substance of his old self, still impulsive, still good-natured, ready to fly in the teeth of prejudice and pro- i puety to render assistance in distress, ever at heart forming one of that strange class who endeavour to commute for their failings by greater love to mankind, more tender affections and fiim feelings than often men of more regular lives or meie journalists, po^e-M.