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  • Walter E. Dandy Letter 01/01/1924

    The new year begins in Paris. It is a wonderful city - as you of course know. Some of the most beautiful spots in the world are here. The Louvre is the finest art gallery in the world, includes all the finest paintings, etc., many of which were added by Napoleon. Napoleon's tomb is a very impressive thing. It is in the center of a great building. The sarcophagus is situated in a deep pit, mounted on a high pedestal. The Notre Dame Cathedral is the most wonderful building I have ever seen. It was 200 years in building, is entirely of stone, being built before the age of iron and steel. The great windows are said to be the finest. The great boulevards radiate out in all directions. The Seine River divides the city in half. It is now overflowing from the recent heavy rains. The weather is rainy though two days have been nice.

    The patient I came to see will not need an operation. They are very queer people. His wife is A.D.'s daughter. I was there for dinner today and met lady - (you know) who was one of the D's, another married a Miss Gould, etc. But they are a conceited, useless bunch. They are living in an old royalty mansion several hundred years old. A palm tree carefully preserved is a monument over the remains of Maria Teresa, the queen who was beheaded. Such nuts. - they are always talking about the common people. If it weren't for the brother, a good friend of mine, I would soak them. Of course you want to know right off how much it will be ""don't you." They have been very nice to motor me all around Paris.

    I have learned one thing and that is that it takes money to travel in the right style. Abe Flexner hinted at my going to Chicago and said I would not want to go back into surgery again as in the past. I told him there was no interest for me in any positions he had. He still clings on. I don't say anything more. The first day here I called a young French surgeon I met in Baltimore. Had dinner with him and arranged to meet several doctors of the biggest reputations. They have been very good and eager to show me everything. The leading neurologist wants me to address the students in the University of Paris and they have asked me to operate. I have declined everything so far. Perhaps later I may on returning.

    Will remain here a few days and go to Amsterdam, Holland then over to London and then to Austria. Haven't heard a word from home as yet, of course. Am looking forward to letters at London. Am not going to buy any suits here or England. They won't fit them right. Am having a wonderful time and feeling fine. Every day brings new experiences and widens my horizon. Can't seem to learn any French but as there are so many English speaking people I get along satisfactorily. Haven't bothered about the loss of work as I expected I might. I hope you have escaped colds and are well.

    With love and kisses, Walter x x x x x x x x x x

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