31/7/19                                                                                                                D.B.Bearman

Friends War Victims Rel. Centre

A.P.P.

S.5.

B.E.F.France

Dear Pere,

   Just received your letter of the 28th, thanks. You do not now make it clear that you have received all the PCP(perhaps pictures?) I have enclosed-12 in two letters (6 each) 2 in a recent one. I am rather anxious to know whether it is quite safe to enclose a number of P.C.R (?) in this way. Your last letter before this (of the 24th) acknowledged our two cards enclosed in an envelope.

  Those shirts would indeed be very serviceable as those grey shirts are really no use for me after shrinking. You could use the A.P.O. post by taking them up to “Ethelburga House”, Bishopsgate E.C. But don’t buy new things unless plenty big enough. I need a collar at least 16 (41 in French measure), or more if woollen and shrinkable at all, and the collar of the shirt to match. Thanks for the “B.B”’s which came in the letter all right.

     Our house here at the Rue de Sevres (85) is just on half an hour’s walk from the office, and quarter of an hour’s cycle ride. I cycle morning & evening usually, but for dinner in the midday I manage to get a joy ride to &fro in a mission motor car of which the driver, Paul Cope, is one of our number here. Last Saturday afternoon before my swim three of us had a ride with him all across south Paris. He was nominally running us to the Britannique, but affected some mission business en route, which took us I don’t know where. The rules of traffic are very funny here. If you knock any pedestrian down you can sue him for being in your way. Thus anyone you knock over, or run into, immediately runs away in case you take their name & address. Riding is very reckless, but the people get out of the way remarkably smart, & accidents are mostly between vehicles.

   I am steadily getting the sum of the work at the office. It is remarkable how extensive the work of the mission is. Its no small affair. But it is already beginning to close down, & they expect to wind it all up by March 1920.

    My French boy friend is away for a fortnight, but I expect him back this week-end.

    Last night Mr. Farrar & myself went & took seats (2 fr. each) in front of the Tuileries string band. It is charming sitting there in the twilight among the trees listening to open air music, including a vocal suite from some opera- usually two male & two female singers. The Opera- “Les Dragons de_? _?” I had never heard of, but it was charmingly delicate & melodious. It was light. But was so charmingly light – so seriously light- as to be ideally French. Both of us enjoyed ourselves better probably than at any other musical entertainment, - & Mr. Farrar is a musician & has had no small experience. The touch & blend of everything was exquisite.

The French no doubt have their weaknesses, but it is a real treat & recreation to enter into, & yield oneself to, their really loveable charms.

    Have the others received my two- card letters posted some ten days ago I wonder. I seem to be neglecting so many people so far as long letters go. But anyhow I have received next to none – one from S?  I think & one from Edith.

   Well good-bye for present. I try to write you something twice a week, however short & scribbled. How is Elsie? Love to Mere & you all.    Don.