File:Erica (Thorp) de Berry to Thorp family, 15 December 1918 (00eebcbe-7067-4ad3-b623-7a47fa1f72b4).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1006/004.006.002-006#045

Paris!!
Dec 15, 1918
Dearest Family,
Do you think I’ve forgotten you entirely or died of the grippe or something? Neither but simply an effasia of writing which I can’t seem to shake.
But here I am in Paris again – and everything is possible -- for as in July, miracles are coming my way. [crossed out: again]
As you may have guessed, I arranged my Xmas shopping tour-leave to take in Wilson Day -- and it’s been that and a hundred birthday celebrations of unforgettable [crossed out: variety] wonderfulness. First I saw Willard for two theatre evenings and a birthday dinner – (oysters, lobster & champagne at “Henri’s!”) Napoleon[s?] Forest[?] seen together at last -- walks by the river, shopping and teas; then the next day, James out of a clear sky, suddenly become one of the President’s bodyguard, in particular charge of his house – grounds
[Written up the left side of this first page, across the top and on the right side:]
than 10 days. We are going to have such a wonderful Xmas – trees & plays & sabots and roast goose!
A heartful of love & thanks for the Armistice letters, the Letter of Credit and Mamma’s[?] lovely birthday book which is so fine.
Your bewilderedly exultant, Bun
[page 2] which meant for me, a personally conducted tour of inspection of everything Mrs.[?] W’s boudoir, the President’s study, etc. etc[sic] while J. hurried up -- scrub-women and gave a 100 orders to flying telephone men, guards & gendarmes.
Can you imagine anything more delightfully [crossed out: incredible] incongruous!! -- Just to see J. in the flesh again after a year & a half, first seen in uniform and in such surroundings! Afterwards We walked up to the Bois in the moonlight – or rather lamplight, for that seems so dazzling to our inexperienced eyes that one feels as if there must be supplementary illumination – and sat on a bench along the avenue to discuss war & -- Peace from the beginning, in the light of our newer experiences --then home at crackers-and-milk time under the great Arc, more majestic than ever now in its superb scorn of the chained, mute beast crouching in an iron ring at its feet, and the inquisitive stare of the myriad Champs Elysees lights penetrating it a 4-years’ obscurity –
Next appeared Kenneth on the scene, so fine and captainly –
[page 3] straighter & broader and taller, with months of machine-gun fighting behind him. We have had walks and meals and this afternoon a glorious Symphony concert.
Rusty called up, unable to stop off even, rushing thro’ Paris somewhere, and at[?] my birthday lunch at the Sauveiors[?] yesterday, was [??] stunning to look at, and decorated with his Distinguished Service Medal. You’ll see him probably, almost as soon as you get this, for he’s on his way home!
Did you ever hear of any luck to equal mine. -- If only I could see Calvert. He was here last week it appears. The sun shines on us all these days for never was such weather known[?].
From a top floor balcony on the Champs Elysees, not far from the Etoile, I saw Wilson drive down the avenue, between the two blue lines & porters[?] at each curb, and a dense mob of shrieking flag – waving souls behind. Every window, tree & roof-top was jammed, the German guns lining the sidewalks [crossed out: beingacting] serving as especially fine vantage points – And Wilson beamed [page 4] as happily and heartily as any could desire. Think of his first view of Paris – an American flag flying from the Eiffel Tower, flags of all the nations in beautiful mingling of colors garlanding every gray stone front, a French populace genuinely enthusiastic, and his own men everywhere to salute and cheer cheer [crossed out: welcome] – and think, too of what a birthday for me!!
So it’s been every day, new friends appearing, new excitements, crowds & lights, and color! I’ve just come from the Etoile – a blaze of fairy lamps above which soar two American eagles in red, white & blue electrical glory on a torch-lit Crillon façade. All the big stores have burst forth into “Vive Wilson!” light-signs, American flags and garlands. You can’t imagine what a contrast it is to the Paris of air-raids! A surging mob crowds the boulevards at every hour of the day and night, and the store–windows are a perfect riot of jewels & gorgeous materials. Never were seen such dresses and furs and precious stones. Prices soar higher every day, and rooms are simply not to be had. I’m sleeping in a bath-room & lucky to have that.
It’s all a bewildering, gorgeous dream – and Lacaune and silent forests seem ages away. But I couldn’t live on at this pitch for more [This continues on the first page’s left side. The letter also ends in this addition to the first page.]

• Keywords: long archives; henry w. longfellow family papers (long 27930); erica (thorp) de berry; document; correspondence; holidays; christmas; places; europe; france; paris; subject; social life; travel; Erica Thorp deBerry Papers (1006/004.006); (LONG-SeriesName); Outgoing (1006/004.006.002); (LONG-SubseriesName); 1918 (1006/004.006.002-006); (LONG-FileUnitName)