Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-22
hEllEF WORK IN FRANCE
pencrIhed In Lettsrs to Mira. Edwarr Whiting Johnson soIdisrs Aided Tauol14, Amnasd.

Described In Letters to Mira. Edward
 Whiting Johnson Soldiers Aided,
 Tsustlt, Amazed.
 Mrs. Edward V. Johnson of Norwich Town is in receipt of most interesting France. telling of conditions as they now exist in that locality. One letter i'm particular is from one of two English @irla, sisters. who have spent many years in France. She writes: spring and got her diploma for the Red Cross union des Femmes de France, nurses at the hospital which the femnes dc France fHomcn Of France3 have started and furnished in what was the old convent of the Francis cans. t Ls quite one of the best and most up to date hospitals here, and very large, 250 beds. There is lovely old cloister, 600 metres long. and a Gunny old garden where # 10 very nice for the wounded to sit or lounge So fan we are having an ideal winter. ez- trnordlnarily warm and sunny such gloriously fine days. beautiful sunsets and warm, starlight nightsi
 It is only a pity there are not more strangers here to enjoy it and admit that Pau can be 50 delightful Already the market and big anemones; and to- day got the first catl<ins. a big spray Of them.
 Sees Gruesous slssts. My sisters hospital work is chiefly In the operation part and she has to see to everything being sterilized and ready for the surgeons. She sees some terested that she forgets to feel sick One of the best surgeons in France is mobilized here and comes and does the big 'ops" at the Franciscans'. Teaches Racket Work. My war work is much number, but very interestingI teach basket work of different kinds to the wounded; three afternoons a week at their club one afternoon at Isabellass hospital and ] one afternoon at the Red Gross hos pital, on the borderland, to the men in bed, who cannot come to the club They are so keen and clever at 1t and
 make very pretty. strong and useful baskets. In rafiia-
 1 The club is a splendid institution In big shop in that new house at the l top of Rue Sewiez- There are billiard tables. and every sort of games, 2 i piano, every kind of literature and magazines, writing tables. etc, on the 1 first floor, and on the next a long worl l table, where any who are industriousl5 minded can work, and we teach them ! all soorts of things-repousse. copper knitting, bead work, modelling, and basket work, besides several malxt their beloved rugs from ends of Ger man abuses. They find a ready sals | for anything they care to sell, ant that gives them a nice little sum oi pocket money. Besides, they dearl, enjoy meeting the wounded from othel hospitals. We give them delicious ho
 coffee and plain cake and they are al
 happy as schoolboys.
 I A Gift Pie.
 I On Friday there was a huge bral I pie. and quite nice presents for ever. I one of them--about 1S0. (This lettel l was dated Jan. 9th, and is narratint ! some of the simple Christmas and New l Year festivities for the wounded sol
 diers.1 You should have seen the grim of delight, especially from the Marc cains (soldiers from Morocco) an'
 egaD.
 Altogether, there is a much nor cheerful and hopeful spirit than at thi time last year. A great many me1 l have been home for a weeks leave an, l they are most encouraging. Also, the, for their open air life and the extr' good food.
 Even the German prisoners get fat ter and rosier every time we see an,
 of them--whfch grieves us very much considering how badly our poor boy are faring in Germany
 Torp has got an orchestra together chiefly middle-aged Belgians, but the, give quite good concerts twice a weef which are very well attended. Tn shops were quite gay for Christina
 and New Year, and the new Frencl
 toys and dolls are great improve
 ment on the made in Germany" w
 none of us ever want to see then l againl
 Work for Blind Soldiers.
 France is a wonderful country, tn | way she is repairing the ravages Q l war and increasing her conmerc4 I even before she has got the invader out Of course, the toys and smal articles of commerce are a grand thin for setting wounded and disabled sol T diers> to work on. There Is already great fabrtque of every sort of brus I and broom started here and chief
 manned by blind soldiers. 1 think " are losing no opportunity or any tim
 in setting French commerce going, s as to have no excuse for German i'm
 portations when the war is ended. Your son, Mir. Frank Edward John son, would be so kind to the Marocaf
 and Algerian wounded, and woul
 know how to talk to them. if he wer
 herei
 Il Yours sincerely,
 EMMELINE HATTERSBE I The letter also contains the ne- French patriotic creed. the wonderful inspiring sentiments by Henri Lave dan, of the French academy, beginnin