Seventeen Years in Paris: A Chaplain's StoryNoyes, H. E. (Henry Edward)
Religion
Seventeen Years in Paris: A Chaplain's Story
Noyes, H. E. (Henry Edward)
Church of England -- France -- Paris; English Church (Paris, France)
“A lady with whom we were dining last night is much alarmed,
and has frightened my wife about an impending revolution
arranged for May 1st in Paris. She said she had heard that
a Royalist Prince was hidden in Paris prepared to seize the
reins of Government backed by the aristocracy, and that arms,
bombs, and munitions are available. She also said that she had
it on good authority that at our Embassy the prospects of a
row were considered serious. She asked me to take her and my
wife out of Paris till the date should be passed.… I should
like to know what is your opinion, and also whether you propose
doing anything for your own family.” I gave him my opinion, and
nothing happened, except that Paris was quieter than usual.
The following request was more difficult. A lady writes:
“Having seen in the London papers that Paris has a working
scheme for the improved feeding of babies, I am anxious to
learn more about it. As you so kindly offer to help visitors in
various ways, I thought perhaps I might venture to ask you for
the necessary information, etc., etc.”
The request evidently referred to the system of “couveuses” by which
prematurely born children were saved, a system which has proved generally
successful.
I referred her to the public exhibitions of these “incubators,” which
were being held in the Boulevards at that time.
Another request was as follows:
“I am in a difficulty. Can you tell me where there are any
Poultry Farms in France. Also could you find out for me if the
Editor of ⸺ got six francs 25 c. which I sent him through the
postman.… Can you tell me would it be possible for me to get
a post in connection with poultry farming in France, or in a
gentleman’s family.… I am domesticated, and can make good jams,
marmalade, and cakes. What papers (French) do you advise me
to advertise in. I know nothing of French customs and hardly
anything of the language.”
These are extracts from a long and rather rambling letter, which I was
unable to answer to the writer’s satisfaction.
The following letter relates to the subject of marriage, and is one of
many I received on the same question:
“Dear Sir,—I have been asked by a French lady … whether an
Earl or Duke, or any titled man may legally marry under the
simple family name. For instance, if a Duke of Z⸺, wishing to
conceal his identity, could marry as Mr. X⸺, or whatever his
family name might be. Also could he elope with a young lady
and marry her in some out of the way village at once, or must
they both reside there for a certain length of time, and have
the Banns called three times. This is a lot of rubbish to
bother you with, but if you will be good enough to give me this
information it would certainly oblige my friend.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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