The lowest circles of this world slightly merge into the higher sphere of the great demi-monde. This demi-monde is far more dangerous than appears on the surface because it is not in the least commonplace.  Its cynicism has a certain air of refinement and art.  If I did not leave many feathers there it must be because my beak had acquired a certain curve and my claws had grown.  Generally speaking of the life in Paris, a man who has passed through that mill feels rather exhausted, and what then of such as I, who leave only to go back again?  It is only later on in life we begin to understand that triumphs like these are somewhat like the victories of Pyrrhus.  My naturally strong constitution withstood this life, but my nerves are somewhat shattered.

Paris, though, possesses one superiority over other centres of civilization.  I do not know of any other city in the world where the elements of art, science, and all kinds of human ideas seem to float in the air to be assimilated by the human brain.  Almost unconsciously it imbibes not only the newest ideas in the sphere of intellect, but also loses some of its onesidedness, broadens out, becomes more civilized.  I say again, civilized, because in Italy, Germany, and Poland, I met with brains and powerful brains too, but who would not recognize any light but their own, so onesided and barbarian that for one who did not want to sacrifice his own opinions, intercourse from an intellectual point of view was simply impossible.

In France and still more in Paris, similar manifestations have no existence.  As a running stream smoothes and polishes the pebbles, rubbing them against each other, so the swift current of life rubs off the angles from the human mind.  It is obvious that under such influences my mind became that of a civilized being, that can make due allowance for other people’s opinions; I do not utter peacock cries when I hear of anything opposed to my views or something utterly new.  It may be that such leniency and tolerance of all opinions leads finally to indifferentism and weakens the active principle in the human mind, but I could not be different now.

A certain mental current got hold of me and carried me along.  If the social circles, salons, boudoirs, and clubs took up a considerable part of my time, they did not occupy it altogether.  I made many acquaintances in the literary and artistic world, and lived their life, or rather I live it still.  Prompted by innate curiosity I read very much, and as I have the faculty of assimilating what I read, I may say that I derived considerable benefit from it and am able to keep step with every intellectual movement of the time.