The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11 00:00:00

[From Punch.
LATEST FROM PARIS.

[Letter from PETER GOODBOY, ESQ., Paris, to Mrs.
GOODBOY, South Kensington.]
The Exposition, Paris, May 4, 1878.

MY OWN DEAREST LITTLE WOMAN,—I am sure,
were you here, you would agree with me that I was
quite right when I decided that I would come alone
to this miserable place, just to look round, and see if
I thought you would like it. At the time, you may
remember, you imagined I was selfish—in fact, you
said as much. Ah ! if you could only look into my
heart! However, I will speak no more of the past,
but confine myself to the present—which, I need not
say, is very dreary without you.
promised to report upon Paris. I do. Paris, in
a word, is unbearable. The place is crowded with
foreigners, and all "the best people" ( I know how you
respect the aristocracy) are absent. It is not con-
sidered the thing to stay in the place during the
Exhibition. Surely this is an excellent reason (were
there no other) for your staying away. lam sure
Mrs. Plantagenet Brown would not think of coming,
and I should not like my dear wife to be less par-
ticular than Mrs. Plantagenet Brown.

The prices are enormous. I date this letter from the
Exhibition itself, as I have not yet decided upon a
hotel. lam staying for the moment at a very uncom-
fortable hotel garni, near the Grand Opera, but spend
a great deal of -my time in hunting for something
cheaper. You had better address your letters for the
present, therefore, Poste Restante. Living, too, is
very dear. They have raised the prices at all the
Maisons Duval five sous! Think of that! In con-
sequence, I am forced to look for a dinner elsewhere.
As there are none but foreigners in Paris, there are
absolutely no fashions. I have tried to find the
addresses of the dressmaker and bonnetmaker you gave
me, but have not yet succeeded in discovering them.
Perhaps they may have gone away in consequence of
the Exhibition. As, if 1 remember aright, you said
one of them lived in the Rue de la Paix, I have no
doubt that this is the case, I have not yet been to
the Bon March. but a friend tells me that they are
only selling English goods of two seasons ago at that
noted magazin. You wanted me to pick up some
frocks for the children there—perhaps I might get you
a bonnet instead, if you thought it worth while. Shall
I go beyond twelve francs fifty?
There is nothing worth seeing at the theatres, and
the Bois is quite deserted. In fact, the place is in-
tolerably triste. You should pity me—particularly in
my enforced condition of bachelor loneliness and dis-
comfort.
I rather fancy that I said I should be back by Mon-
day ; but, as I want to study some curious agricultural
inventions in the Exhibition, I think I shall stay
another week just to look at them. It will be a very
great sacrifice. It would be so different if you were
with me, or even if the place were only a little more
amusing. As it is, I cannot help congratulating my-
self, as a kind and loving husband, that lam alone, to
bear the infliction. Kiss the children for me, and
believe me, Your own darling old hubbie.
PETER.

Telegram from PETER GoopitoY, Paris, to CHARLES
SINGLETON, Illegatherium Club, London.

En garcon for another week. Come over. Splendid
fun. Have taken a couple of fauteuils at all the best
theatres for the next six days. Dine regularly A
Vefour's. Have taken room for you next mine at the
Grand. Expect you to-morrow.