From The Times December 8, 1921
To the Editor of The Times, Sir, For one long resident in France, Mrs Fischer Williams’s letter “Parcels to Paris” recalls memories of “old, unhappy, far-off things and battles long ago”. One remembers in the dim past how one used to ask friends and relatives to send by what one imagined to be the sympathetic medium of the parcel post articles which diligent search had failed to discover in Paris. One was quite prepared to pay the duty and even to go oneself to the dusty purlieus of the local post office or else to send a servant — provided always that the duty was not too expensive, and that the journey did not necessitate the loss of at least half a day. But we who live here have grown wiser through experience, and have advised such of our maiden aunts and brothers as may be disposed to send us presents from England never, ever to entrust them to the post. We endorse every article in Mrs Williams’s indictment. One friend wore a certain pair of trousers on his journey from London to Paris. A trifling adjustment was needed so, when next in London he took them to the tailor, misguidedly asking to have them posted. Though the trousers had unmistakably been worn, he had to pay 75 francs [£3] before he could regain possession. I myself bought a cheap pair of bathing shoes in England. They were left behind by mistake. My kind hostess posted them on to me, and I was mulcted of the sum of 12 francs. Another instance is my military medals. By some mischance the package was sealed, and unless I attended in person to reclaim them they would have been confiscated and sold for the benefit of the State. It was merely the fact that one of the ribbons was identical with that which adorned the douanier’s bosom that enabled me after four hours’ waiting to carry my property away. Instances of this kind are a nuisance which particularly irritates the casual traveller, for the resident has long abandoned the unequal struggle. If only the French authorities would use a little more sympathy and imagination in regard to the obviously private possessions of obviously private people a few at least of these irritating pinpricks which are among the worst enemies of the Entente would be avoided. Yours &c, your own correspondent, Paris.