54 Results in the "Non-Fiction" category


    • Chapter 36 – American Society in Italy Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 36 – American Society in Italy explores the myth and eventual unraveling of a unified American social circle in Italy, particularly in cultural hubs like Rome and Florence. Once imagined as a thriving expatriate community, it is instead revealed as fragmented, fluid, and more aspirational than substantial. The author recalls a distant past—roughly forty to fifty years earlier—when Rome harbored a quiet colony of American creatives and intellectuals, people who sought inspiration in the ruins…
    • Chapter 35 – Living on your Friends Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 35 – Living on Your Friends begins by examining the timeless concept of enjoying a luxurious life without actually possessing the wealth to fund it. Drawing inspiration from Vanity Fair, it reflects on how, even in modern society, there are those who thrive through the generosity of others, skillfully positioning themselves in the lives of the wealthy. These individuals may not own a single estate or fortune of their own, yet their days are filled with opulence, thanks to well-connected…
    • Chapter 34 – A Question and an Answer Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 34 - A Question and an Answer opens with the author considering a letter that stands out from his usual correspondence—a sincere inquiry asking what is truly required for someone to succeed socially. The note doesn’t come from a sycophant or a critic, but from someone genuinely curious, prompting the author to reflect deeply. He acknowledges the puzzling paradox that in many circles, those with obvious talent or intellect often remain unrecognized, while others, seemingly ordinary, ascend with…
    • Chapter 33 – The Spirit of History Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 33 - The Spirit of History presents not just the chronicle of events, but the embodiment of a man whose life became one with his country’s past. Jules Michelet, driven by a profound calling, gave himself to the task of animating the silent echoes of French history. He did not simply record events—he felt them. To him, dusty records were not remnants of forgotten days but voices waiting to be heard again. With each turn of a page, he believed he was uncovering the living breath of a nation. His…
    • Chapter 33 – The Introducer Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 33 - The Introducer focuses on the overly eager character who insists on connecting people regardless of interest, relevance, or social setting. These Introducers often see themselves as indispensable facilitators of friendship, acting from what they believe is a place of generosity or sociability. Yet their actions frequently result in awkward silences, forced smiles, and discomfort for the people they are so keen to bring together. The author points out that what may begin as an innocent desire…
    • Chapter 32 – An Ideal Hostess Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 32 - An Ideal Hostess opens with a quiet observation of social contrast, as the narrator recounts a refined luncheon hosted by a retired stage performer in Paris. Her home, nestled just off the Rue Royale, commands a view of the Madeleine, exuding both the elegance of its location and the personality of its owner. Every detail in her apartment, from the velvet-trimmed furnishings to the soft lighting, speaks not of wealth, but of cultivated taste and a life once lived under the spotlight now…
    • Chapter 32 – A Nation in a Hurry Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 32 - A Nation in a Hurry begins with a telling comparison between American life and that of Europe. Returning home after time abroad, one is immediately struck by the heightened tempo of daily life in the United States. From the bustling activity on the docks to the way people rush their meals, the national obsession with speed is unmistakable. It permeates everything—how business is done, how people talk, even how they relax. The story about steamboat captains placing someone on the safety valve…
    • Chapter 31 – The Modern Aspasia Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 31 - The Modern Aspasia opens with a portrayal of Paris as a city unlike any other in Europe. It is not simply a collection of landmarks, but a force that draws people in, seduces them, and reshapes their desires. Unlike Bruges or Ghent, which offer stillness and depth, Paris pulses with a kind of magnetism that attracts both the thoughtful and the frivolous alike. Every street corner seems to whisper a new invitation—one to history, to beauty, or to indulgence. It’s a city of paradoxes, where…
    • Chapter 31 – Men’s Manners Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 31 – Men’s Manners begins with a reflection on how societal expectations for male conduct have transformed over time. The author opens with a sense of detachment from the current trends among younger men, yet he acknowledges that, in some respects, manners have actually improved. What was once associated with stiff formality has become more approachable, yet the author notes that younger men today still manage to convey respect and attentiveness in their own way. This evolution does not…
      Culture • view
    • Chapter 30 – The Faubourg of St. Germain Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 30 – The Faubourg of St. Germain begins with a portrayal of Paris’s most guarded social enclave—a bastion of aristocracy that, much like the ancient Chinese elite, regards outsiders as unworthy of inclusion. The Faubourg of St. Germain, synonymous with old nobility and unyielding tradition, remains a stronghold where lineage trumps wealth and historical legacy overshadows personal achievement. Despite significant political shifts and even imperial efforts by Napoleon III and his consort…
    Note