Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1918-03-13

HOIHe, Uut IIle 4oUQ - NSiS o4h - >'
War bread is served at every meal.
/ have heard some Of the fellows say
they would carry leaf home when
they go. Not so with mel want to
forget it. It really isn't so bad, but
it's the regularity that makes one
tired of it.
The "Y' at which / live occupies a
large building, formerly hotel much
patronized by German tourists, which
means another rendezvous taken from
the boches.
Have been to Paris and when there
had the privilege of attending song
service at the Cathedral Notre Dame,
which was specially arranged in cele-
brat!on of the entry of the British
troops into Jerusalem. 1t was wonder
full. The music itself was inspiring,
while the marvellous interior of the
cathedral added to it a dignity to be
felt, but not described.
There are many things about this
great city that l would like to write,
but it would fill book, and Pm no
author therefore cannot write the
book. 1t is rather depressing, though,
to be in what was once the "gay
city" and see the lights go out at
half-past nine O'Clock, after which time
the place is as gloomy as a country
village, but perhaps not quite as slow.
But the real Paris of former days
does not exist, yet senlblances Of its
life are still here.
Have seen the River Seine on a
moonlight night, and wondered at
it's beauty as it flowed on like sheet
Of silver as it separates the old "Is-
land city" from the new Paris Of the
present day.
In the quaint Latin quarter is found
much to interest Americans, for it
has always been the stopping place
Of their great artists as we'll as tenn
porary home of many students. Only
fragmentary evidence of its for
mer prestige remains, however, ana
one finds few who are here to study
anything but the "war game and
they don't chang out" in the Latin
quarter.
Wherever we go we find our boys
the same jolly fellows they always
were-enthusiastic, eager and opti-
mistic. The French, too, have the
same sense Of humor as our own, but
they are naturally somewhat depress-
ed and perhaps not so optimistic. The
British are pessimistic concerning the
duration of the war, but not o. the
result.
Orr soldiers are, of course, the Dip
l0mats Of the future, for the best of
every nation is represented right here
on French soil, fighting the same bat
ties for the same cause. Right now
there is being sown the seed of friend
ship between individuals. which will
not be forgotten when this "unpleas-
antness" is over and which will do
much to- strengthen our alliance in
the c,uture. | was present one evening
not long ago at a gathering in which
were found French, English, Belgians,
Irish, Scotch, Canadians, Australians.
.Algerians and Americans. This OPP
portunity to minglc together will help
us understand each other Already
the Sammy" is beginning to like
the "Tommy," and the "Canucks" are
like our brothers, while the "Po!lus"
are almost affectionate. While the
real effect Of this cannot be meas.
ured, it may be permissible to pro.
phcsy that it will result in stronger
alliance, after the war, Of the ma
;ions now battling for the freedom
ana democracy of the world.
As stated before, letter writing 5
made difficult Cor US here because " !,
feel that every one written is TO 4
certain extent disappointment, bc-
cause it must lack the very items
that would be the most interesting
to those at home.
And now, uuar friends, I feel that
| haze said enough for this time, 2 I'd
I should like the daE to soon crlreI
when | shall be back with you, for ]
miss associations with you and tie,
little informal affairs such as VIZ
have enjoyed together would be Il
real treat now. In fact, | miss O
Alexandria, and sometimes when
think Of the old Gazette | think ;
the most interesting publication iii
existence, for it gives the news OF
my old home town
Although | should ike to be back
in that interesting "old burg" yet ]
wouldn't be out of this game, at this