A well-known gentleman wrote:
“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.