The Detroit times., 1909-02-09
HALF THE LETTERS
LOST IN TRANSIT
IN FRANCE
MARQUIS DE cAsTELLANE cYNl-
cALlY SAYS THIS is REALLY A
GREAT eLEsslNG-sAvEs TRou-
BLEs OF REPLIES.

minister OF the postal and telegraph
system OF France, is a benefactor 10
the people OF France BY his incapa.
city and mismanagement he has al
ranged 1t so that only half the letters
that are thrown into the mail boxes
ever reach destination.
Al 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
and comfort you can obtain from the
fact that has been officially stated az
session OF the chamber--that most
OF our letters are lost IN transit.
In the future We are supposed 10
receive only the communications that
are agreeable TO us: all or 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 10 avoid, the In
structions from our military authori
ties. announcement dinners with our
family. all these become the easiest
thiaEs in the world 10 avoid.
W 4 nave not ltCtlNtu sOhA
We reply TO the incorrigible borrower
OF money. 10 the importunate mistress,
or our country cousin or 10 the com
mandanL of the recruits who orders
our service-and all OF these will be
obliged To believe us.
Owing 20 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-
sponsbility and only do things that
We like 10 do in this life. We Will
not be forced 10 answer letter un-
less il is agreeable. In truth. | tell
you. We are discovering in France
little paradise where all is happiness.
Mr. Simyan is decidedly great
man or. il he has not attained great
ness already. he is on the way 10 il.
Whenever the health OF King Ed
ward VII occupies the minds OF those
about him one asks this question:
What viii happen in Europe il the
King OF England should de-
am sure the reply will 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 ii. and William ii. will
then be free OF the powerful influence
that has made him respect the peace
of nations. Then will disappear that
atmosphere OF peace which has en-
veloped 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 himse To COM
nit some supremacy imprudent act
which Will render war inevitable. And
as the new English monarch will not
be OF those who like his father. re-
spect France and consider her as in
TO the balance of power in
Europe. he will let things go and as
sent without action and by washing
his hands of the affair in the terrible
catastrophe OF war between Ger
many and France
The lovers OF peace, through princi-
pie or for the sake OF humanity, hope
that long life may yet be accorded
to 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 1t upon myself 10
indicate TO my readers the mode OF
the costume of grief in France.
Well. | remark that the period OF
is becoming less anu less
In olden times II was the custom.
and II is yet In vogue In certain prov
inCes. 10 wear mourning indefinitely
after a bereavement II used TO be
fact In France that II you belonged TO
a family that was In any way numer-
Gus you were never out OF black,
Now we have fallen TO the opposite
excess. We seek 10 lessen our grief,
or al least the outward show OF 1t. In
the beginning OF a great bereavement
II was formerly obligatory for women
TO wear great black shawl now II
Is not worn AZ all. but is replaced by
a cloak which falls in folds around the
figure
English crepe is one OF the expen.
sive refinemcnts OF deep mourning
And while II is the sign OF grief. 10
what great abuse. is IL put Wells. bon
nets. trimmings Of dresses: indeed.
We put il in every place. Some young
women. IL is true, substitute grena-
dine for the English crepe because IL
Is much more thick and they think
more becoming But the puritans in
style will seem very much shocked.
especially if the ends OF the wells are
draped and fastened 10 the hat In the
manner OF the Spaniards or OF the
Americans, so that the ends will fall
very wide and short.
Wells made in this fashion are hem.
stitched unless large hem il made
in the material. In all cases all OF
the wells OF tulle are bound in crepe
mere or less wide. Less durable than
the others. the wells OF mousseline de
sole are always employed for short
periods Of mourning
For the little children Il Is usual to
dress them entirely In white. and Tor
the husbands OF our women they are
inclined. | must confess. not TO change
anything In their style OF dress. but
content themselves by wearing band
of crepe on the arm.
CORTEI YOIT WOIU n