Their Majesties as I Knew Them: Personal Reminiscences of the Kings and Queens of EuropePaoli, Xavier
History
Their Majesties as I Knew Them: Personal Reminiscences of the Kings and Queens of Europe
Paoli, Xavier
Europe -- Kings and rulers
"You would not like a little Paris woman to be prevented from enjoying
the sight of the sea which you have doubtless often admired.
"You are very fond of travelling; you will understand my curiosity.
"Will Your Majesty deign to accept the expression of my most
respectful and distinguished sentiments?
"MME. A. A."
A worthy woman sent this rich note:
"_To His Majesty, the King of Persia_,--
"My name is the Widow Bressoy, aged 82. I have lost my husband and
two of my daughters; I am unable to walk and I owe a quarter's rent.
My grandmother washed for His Majesty King Louis-Philippe of France;
H. R. H. the Duc d' Aumale used to help me with my rent; show your
kind heart and do as he did. Should you come to the church of Ste.
Elisabeth du Temple on Sunday next, I should be very glad to see you.
"I am
"Your Majesty's most respectful servant,
"WIDOW BRESSOY."
The following original proposal came from a well-known business-house:
"_Sir_,--
"After the Monza crime and the attempt of which you were the object
yesterday and in view of the solemnities during which you might be too
much exposed to danger, I consider it my duty to bring to your notice
certain particulars which might be of the greatest use to you and
those about your person.
"I refer to secret waistcoats of my own manufacture which I am able to
offer to you and which are absolutely warranted.
"The waistcoat which I am offering is proof against a revolver-bullet
and, of course, against a sword or dagger.
"As an absolute guarantee, I can assure you as follows by experiment:
the fabric consists of a very close and solidly-riveted coat of steel
mail; the shape of the links has been specially studied so as to allow
of great suppleness, while preserving the greatest solidity.
"It resists the 12 _mm._ bullet of the regulation revolver, 1874
pattern.
"I have specimens at which bullets were fired at a distance of 4
yards; they give an exact idea of the resisting power.
"The coat of mail is lined with silk or satin, which gives the
appearance of an ordinary garment and does not for a moment suggest
its special object.
"The waistcoat covers and protects the back, the chest, the stomach
and is continued down the abdomen.
"I must add that the waistcoat is very easy to wear and in no way
inconvenient, on condition that I am supplied with the necessary
measurements or, better still, with an ordinary day-waistcoat of the
wearer's, fitted to his size.
"Hoping in the circumstances to be of some use to you, I beg Your
Majesty to accept the expression of my most profound respect.
"R. G."
Let us pass to the children. Less unreasonable than their parents,
they content themselves with asking for postage-stamps, bicycles or
autographs.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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