Mexico weekly ledger., 1919-03-20

high hill overlooking the Garonne
River with a beautiful view I'D and
down the river. A high bluff protects
1t on the river side and on the other
side the moat, although dry is still
there. The entrance is guarded by
the servants quarters and a building
formerly used for a prison and execu-
ton room, according to the concierge.
The house is full of beautiful and
quaint old furniture, hundreds Cd
years old with any number of won
derful tapestries, old paintings and
one Of those magnificent glass chan
deliers. By a unique arrangement
this, when lighted, reflects from five
large mirrors arranged around the
grand salon. In addition to the old
European furniture and fittings the
present owner has a fine collection of
Japanese things. Being quite veal
thy and a representative of the French
government in Japan he was able t
gather a number of beautiful and IT,
teresting articles.
AS far as my French would permit
l learned that the chateau was orig
lnally the seat of the Duchy d. Aquit-
aine. 1t was built early in the elev-
enth century when one of the English
kings, Henry II, father of Richard,
Occur de Lion, married Flea.
nor, Duchess d,Aquitaine it be.
came an English royal castle.
Sometime in the fourteenth century
Edward (the fourth l believe) better
known as the Black Prince came Ut
the Garonne with his army and made
his home in the castle. nj order to
make it safe he put up several can.
non, two of which still remain, and
built an underground passage leading
from the chateau to a small village
Carbon Blanc, about two miles away
The passage has been closed at both
ends nov but the entrances a be
seen. While living here Edwards
wife gave birth to a son who later be.
came Richard II of England. The cas-.
tie remained in English hands unit
about 1874, when the Duchy of Acq,
aitane was re%captured by the French
The weather here at present is very
uncertain. Today it is clear and very
cold, tomorrow it may warm up and
rain Of again it may warm up without
raining. Taken all round like a tree
it is nothing to brag N.
I have heard nothing about my leave
but / believe / will get it some day
l had a letter from my Scotch friend
who / met at Camp Doniphan and he
is now out of the army and expects tc
entertain me at his home. Owing Il
| this l am more anxious than ever Il
| get to England, although it is much
| colder there than here. Your speak.
| ing of Miss Nell and the cold reminds
me it would never do for her to live
| in France where fuel is SC dear many
| families, some of them rather we'll
TODD, think of having no fire except
for cooking. Heat is v included
when renting a oom over here and
| most Frenchmen are in their rooms
only to sleep. They spend the rest
| of the time at work or in the cafes.
1 am sorry to relate that my Christ
mas box has failed to arrive but sup
pose some mail clerk is enjoying the
money enclosed and ! guess the pic
| lures found their way to the salvage
dump. / wrote to the Central Post
| Office but have received no reply.
That accounts for my failure to ack-
nowledge receipt of the gifts. Please
make this explanation to all and thank
them Just the same. II you win send
me 3 list Of the persons ! viii write