1936 On the Continent

clinging to origins, ancestors and cultures that are so different, but that is not an official truth, of course, because officially, as in all countries, the nation is a united whole, in whose veins the blood runs pure and whose thoughts and aims are uniform. It’s too good to be true, I fear, and if it were true, I expect it would be rather monotonous.”
    “But this diversity is, perhaps, the greatest charm of your people, and certainly a great part of its strength.
    “The mingling of so many races cannot but produce a people throbbing with life and energy and a thousand different dreams.”
    “That is a charming explanation, Muriel, and I am grateful that you should have given it, but you must not imagine that these things distress me. If I draw your attention to them, it is because I wish to be honest with you and even show you the skeletons in our cupboards. I’m not paid by tourist offices to recite stereotyped praise before our very institution, to say that everything is magnificent, superb, marvellous, incomparable, unique, and to add that our intelligence and our wisdom matches,if not surpasses, the most remarkable things you may have seen in our country. I wish you to see things as they really are. That is why I unburdened my heart.
    “For having seen all the beauties of my country, with you at my side, dear Muriel—and that was perhaps their greatest beauty—for having recalled the past of my people, for having been in close contact with it again from one end of the country to the other, I feel more exacting towards it. For are we not really favoured by the Gods? Our land is brimful of the marvellous gifts of the past, blest by nature with beauty and diversity. That is why I would wish to see it true to itself and beautiful as its plains and hills.
    “You ask too much, my dear. Remember that what remains to bear witness of the past is its beauty and greatness, that which has stood the test of Time. To-day, as of yore, there are great riches of the heart and spirit here: I’ve been able to prove that often enough during my short stay. But these things are swamped in the tedium of every day, and only the centuries to come will recapture the treasures of our generation. And, doubtless, those that come after us will be silent with wonder and admiration before them.”
    “I hope you are right, Muriel. It is very sweet of you to prophesy such pleasant things, and I suppose posterity will prove your wisdom. But, honestly, you’ve enjoyed this voyage?”
    “More than I can say, Pierre, my only regret is that I must return so soon. How could I take back anything but a pleasant memory of those marvellous things we have seen. I suppose most foreigners say that.”
A Story
    “Many do, but none so charmingly. That reminds me of a story which I am sure will amuse you. One day, more than ten years ago, an English journalist came over to Ostend. He’d come over for the week-end. He had only a small suitcase with him containing a dinner jacket and a toothbrush. Well, to this day, he has remained in Ostend. This may seem a very artless and improbable story, but it is true. The journalist I’m thinking of can be seen every evening at the bar of the Imperial.He’s nicknamed ‘the Captain’ and if ever you should go there, you can’t fail to see him. He always wears a dinner jacket with a red carnation in his button-hole, and he’s always smiling. When you see him, give him my kindest regards. You will oblige us.”
    “I shan’t forget.”
    “And Muriel, you will come back?”
    “Certainly, Pierre.”
    “Promise, Muriel. Please come again, you and yours. It’s too late now, and all of a sudden I seem to remember lots of things I haven’t shown you. There are so many things I wanted to say to you, Muriel, and that I have not said.”
    “I too. Perhaps … that will be for the next time. Good-bye.”
    “Good-bye, Muriel. I don’t want to let you go.”
    “What a child you are, Pierre. Don’t look so unhappy.”
    “Never mind.… Good-bye.… I say, Muriel, don’t forget.”
    “What?”
    “It only takes three hours to cross the Channel.”
    “I’ll remember that, Pierre.”

FRANCE
by
A. COESTLER
L. COROSI and others
    TABLE OF CONTENTS

PARIS
    T HERE is one thing about the great capitals of Europe that has so far escaped the geographers, namely, that some of them are
masculine
and others
feminine
.
    London, Berlin and Moscow are masculine cities. Paris, like Vienna, is pronouncedly