The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-02-08
HALF THE LETTERS
LOST IN TRANSIT
IN FRANCE
MARQUIS DE CASTEllANE CYNl-
CAlLY SAYS THIS is REALLY A
GREAT sLEssING-SAvES TRoU-
sLES OF REPLIES.

PARIS. Feb Monsieur Simyan,
system OF France, is benetactor TO
the people OF France BY his incapa-
city and mismanagement ne has al
ranged it so that only half the letters
that are thrown into the mail boxes
ever reach destination.
At first glance this may look intol
cradle, and an abuse and tyranny that
the French people should resent. but
that view can only be taken by per
son who has not studied the subject
Think OF the numerous advantages
ana comfort you can obtain from the
fact that has been officially stated at
4 session OF the chamberlain most
of our letters are lost in transit.
In the future We are supposed TO
receive only the communications that
are agreeable TO us; all OF the others
can reasonably be supposed TO be
lost during their postal journey. The
dunning letters Of our creditors, un-
wanted invitations. the requests for
meetings We desire TO avoid. the in
structions from our military authori
tbs. inconvenient dinners with our
family, all these become the easiest
things in the world 10 avoid.
We have not received your letter.
We reply TO the incorrigible borrower
OF money, TO the importunate mistress,
or our country cousin or 10 The com
mandant of the recruits who orders
our service-and all of these will be
obliged TO believe us.
Owing to this excellent man, Mr..
Simyan. we will find life relieved OF
all that was annoying even TO the
most fastidious. Owing 10 him we
will be like our letters-free Of all re-
spoasibility and only do things that
We like TO do in this life. We will
not be forced to answer letter un-
less 1t is agreeable. In truth. | tell
you. We tare discovering In France a
little paradise where all is happiness.
Mr.. Simyan is decidedly "a great
man or. II he has not attained great
ness already, ne is on the way to il.
Whenever the health OF King Ed
ward VII. occupies the minds OF those
about him one asks this question:
What will happen in Europe If the
King Of England should die"
| am sure the reply viii come
Nothing will happen at all The
Prince OF Wales Will take the place OF
his father and everything will be
we'll"
Undeceive yourselves, my readers,
Everything will not be well. The day
Edward VII dies there will still re
main William H. and William H. will
then be free Of the powerful influence
that mas made him respect the peace
of nations. Then will disappear that
atmosphere OF peace which Is en-
yeloped Europe for the last ten years
Delivered from the guiding hand
and influence Of his English uncle, the
German nephew will be more tempted
and drawn in spite of himself to com.
NIT some supremely imprudent act
which will render war inevitable And
as the new English monarch will not
be of those who like his father. re-
speci France and consider her as in
dispensable to the balance OF power in
Europe. ne will let things go and as.
sist without action and by WASHING
his hands of the affair In me terrible
catastrophe OF war between Ger
many and France.
The lovers OF peace. through princi.
pie or for TN sake OF humanity. hope
that long life may YET be accorded
10 Edward VII. The peace OF the
world may be the price we will have
To pay for his loss.
In the time OF catastrophe such
as this Of Italy. when half OF the world
is mourning. take II upon myself to
Indicate To my readers the mode OF
the costume OF grief in France.
Well, ] remark that the period Of
mourning il becoming less ana less
In olden times Il was the custom.
and IL Is Yet in vogue I'm certain prov.
inces. 10 wear mourning Indefinitely
after "A bereavement. IL used To be a
fact In France that IL you belonged 10