ch wit cannot be repressed even under the most terrifying
conditions. So after the news of the superhuman effort made by that
national baby, Belgium, in detaining the huge German forces for many
days, there was a placard on one of the gates at the station, placed
there by some gay refugee, saying that a train de luxe would leave for
Berlin the next day.

It tickled the sensibilities of travelers very much, and it gave rise to
the sale of postcards by an enterprising soul. These cards gave one the
right, so they said, of a daily train to Berlin to visit the tomb of
Guillame. They were bought by the thousands as souvenirs of the war and
as one of the few things that caused a smile in this saddened city.

Another incident that amused the people was the remark of a young
soldier who had single-handed taken some German prisoners, and who, when
asked whether he had done it by the revolver or the bayonet, answered
that he had only held out a slice of bread and butter and the Germans
had followed him.

Amusement and irritation followed the order that all telephoning must be
done in French. The sensation produced depended on the temperament of
the person. Certainly queer things were said over the lines, and no one
could blame the "Allo girl" for laughing. The majority of Americans took
it in good part by saying that it was a French lesson for five cents.

Another accomplishment that has been furthered in Paris during the last
three weeks is bicycle riding. With the paucity of transportation some
means of getting over the magnificent distances of this city had to be
found. So people who could ride rented bicycles, and those who had not
learned began to take lessons. The girls who work, and those who go on
errands for the Croix Rouge, wear a most attractive costume of pale blue
or violet. It has a short divided skirt, a slim blouse with
blue-and-white striped collar; there is a small hat to match, and the
young cyclists whirling around on their missions of mercy are a pleasant
sight for very sad eyes.

*Paris in October*

[From The London Times, Oct. 21, 1914.]

PARIS, Oct. 19.

The more one studies the life of Paris at the present time, and
especially its patriotic and benevolent activities, the more is one
impressed by the unanimous determination of its inhabitants to face
whatever may befall and to make the best of things. It is difficult to
realize at first sight how completely, in the hour of trial, the
trad