CHAPTER IV.

THE ENGLISHMAN ABROAD. PECULIAR CALLS UPON A CONTINENTAL CHAPLAIN.

More frequently than at home, the calls upon a chaplain abroad are various and sometimes peculiar. This applies especially to Paris, which, being comparatively near home and easy of access, is largely patronized by holiday makers, and has besides a considerable resident British Colony. There are about 12,000 English (according to the last census) resident or travelling. I was sixteen-and-a-half years in Paris, during which period my experiences have been somewhat varied. It is proposed in this article to give some extracts from letters received at different times and requests made, which illustrate the fact that a chaplain abroad is often expected to know some things besides those connected with his calling.

A lady writes:

“I am an invalid now in F⸺, and desire to come to Paris, and would be obliged if you would take rooms for me. Would you please see that the mattress in my bedroom is made of hair, and not wool, as I cannot sleep on the latter.”

My wife kindly arranged for this good lady.

Another lady writes:

“Some time since I purchased some Panama Bonds, and am receiving no dividend. Would you please make enquiries about them and let me know if they are of any value, and if I can sell them.”

I obtained and sent her the information she required.

A gentleman writes:

“A relative of mine (giving the name) died in Paris about the year 18—, and was I think buried in Père-la-Chaise. Could you find out if this were so, and whereabouts the grave is.”

Those who know Père-la-Chaise and other cemeteries of Paris will realize what a difficult task was here given to the chaplain. The grave, however, was found.

A lady came to the Vestry one morning and asked to see me. She told me she was leaving Paris, and had a pet monkey which she did not wish to take with her, and would I find it a home. I was glad to be able to arrange this for her.

A clergyman writes:

“I hope to bring a party of twelve to fifteen artisans over to Paris.… We leave England on the evening of ⸺, and arrive in Paris on Saturday. I do not know Paris, and venture to write to you to ask if you will be so good as to secure rooms for us, as cheaply as you can, and if you will just tell us where to go.” This request was granted.

On passing to the pulpit one Sunday a paper was handed to me by one of the congregation. It was to ask me to say from the pulpit that the applicant desired a wife about 25 to 30 years of age—domesticated, etc. He added that he was prepared to take the one I recommended, and that he had means to support her. I need hardly say the notice was not given.

A lady writes:

“Kindly excuse my asking your help in a little matter. Can you kindly give me the names and addresses of anyone who would act as my agent and try to sell a little ‘scissors sharpener,’ which I have lately brought out. I have patented it in France, etc., etc.” I was sorry not to be able to find anyone who would undertake the commission.

A Colonial clergyman wrote:

“I make a great hobby of optics and lenses. I have a large collection of optical instruments, etc., of French make. Now I find there is a most unreasonable prejudice against French glasses. I believe this prejudice could be removed if I could get a few catalogues of reliable French firms. Could you get me some and send them out, etc.” I was glad to comply with this request.

There were various “scares” of a revolution during my sojourn in Paris, and one was frequently called upon to calm the fears of the timid. The following extract is an illustration.

A well-known gentleman wrote:

“A lady with whom we were dining last night is much alarmed, and has frightened my wife about an impending revolution arranged for May 1st in Paris. She said she had heard that a Royalist Prince was hidden in Paris prepared to seize the reins of Government backed by the aristocracy, and that arms, bombs, and munitions are available. She also said that she had it on good authority that at our Embassy the prospects of a row were considered serious. She asked me to take her and my wife out of Paris till the date should be passed.… I should like to know what is your opinion, and also whether you propose doing anything for your own family.” I gave him my opinion, and nothing happened, except that Paris was quieter than usual.

The following request was more difficult. A lady writes:

“Having seen in the London papers that Paris has a working scheme for the improved feeding of babies, I am anxious to learn more about it. As you so kindly offer to help visitors in various ways, I thought perhaps I might venture to ask you for the necessary information, etc., etc.”

The request evidently referred to the system of “couveuses” by which prematurely born children were saved, a system which has proved generally successful.

I referred her to the public exhibitions of these “incubators,” which were being held in the Boulevards at that time.

Another request was as follows:

“I am in a difficulty. Can you tell me where there are any Poultry Farms in France. Also could you find out for me if the Editor of ⸺ got six francs 25 c. which I sent him through the postman.… Can you tell me would it be possible for me to get a post in connection with poultry farming in France, or in a gentleman’s family.… I am domesticated, and can make good jams, marmalade, and cakes. What papers (French) do you advise me to advertise in. I know nothing of French customs and hardly anything of the language.”

These are extracts from a long and rather rambling letter, which I was unable to answer to the writer’s satisfaction.

The following letter relates to the subject of marriage, and is one of many I received on the same question:

“Dear Sir,—I have been asked by a French lady … whether an Earl or Duke, or any titled man may legally marry under the simple family name. For instance, if a Duke of Z⸺, wishing to conceal his identity, could marry as Mr. X⸺, or whatever his family name might be. Also could he elope with a young lady and marry her in some out of the way village at once, or must they both reside there for a certain length of time, and have the Banns called three times. This is a lot of rubbish to bother you with, but if you will be good enough to give me this information it would certainly oblige my friend.”

To this I replied giving both the French and English regulations as to marriage, and I heard no more of the case. I am sorry to say that during my chaplaincy there were several sad cases of desertion after mixed marriages (French and English); but these will be more easily dealt with under “The difficulties of English people abroad.”

The calls of anxious parents to meet girls coming abroad to situations, and to look after them, and requests to find French families where young men and maidens could be placed for education in the language, and enquiries as to schools, pensions, and hotels, were a pleasant though constant part of every day’s work. A list of reliable abodes was kept, and one had the satisfaction of being able to be of real service in this way to hundreds of one’s fellow countrymen, who without good advice too often get into difficulties.

One rather frequent call upon the services of the chaplain, in the earlier part of my work in Paris, is happily no longer necessary. We frequently got urgent letters and telegrams from India to look after people who had been bitten by snakes, dogs, a jackal, etc., and were hastening to France to put themselves under the Pasteur treatment; and with some the experiences were very painful, as they arrived too late for the cure to be successful.

Now happily our Government has provided a similar institution in India, so that those who need it can be immediately attended to. This splendid institution in Paris is, however, well worth the attention of visitors.

There were occasionally English people in Paris suffering from mental disease—not sufficiently insane to be placed under control, but yet ill enough to cause considerable trouble.

Upon one occasion a man came to me and gave me a sealed packet, telling me it contained a most important document, and it was not to be opened unless I heard of his death.

His manner made me think it might be of real importance, and he did not strike me as insane. Some years after I heard of his death, and opened the packet, and found it contained only torn pieces of paper with no writing upon them.

One poor lady who lived in Paris during the whole of my stay there, frequently wrote me letters—literally yards long—some of them must have taken her many hours to write. Yet on many points she was sane enough, and was engaged for years in teaching English to the French, both privately and in classes.

I had not been long in Paris before I was asked through the secretary of the “Société de Steeplechase” to join a syndicate for the purpose of adjudicating upon any question that might arise connected with the riders. I was supposed to represent the English jockeys, being the only Englishman on the board. I accepted the position, as it was represented that I might often be of some service to my fellow countrymen, although I knew nothing of the race-course. I regularly received, up to the date of my departure from Paris, tickets for the reserved enclosure. Sometimes friends visiting me appeared shocked at seeing these in my study, until I explained the reason. A copy of the card, which may be interesting, appears on the next page.

The syndicate met very rarely, and I never had any serious case upon which to pass judgment.

A peculiar call was made upon me one day. I was passing the Arc de Triomphe when a gusty wind removed several hats. In front of me was a nursemaid wheeling a perambulator. The wind took her hat, and all her hair, which fell at my feet. It was an embarrassing moment, but I fulfilled my duty, and handed it all to the blushing maiden.