| Description | Letter from Amelia Nyasa Laws, Metz, to her relatives, regarding a busy week, difficulties in finding accommodation, the old quarter has vermin because it is near the river and canal, most leases however are short, apartments are advertised at the Mairie, their belongings are as far as the customs in Paris so they must decide what to do with them, a small unfurnished apartment would be ideal, she has offered to send Mrs. Fleming's belongings to Dowell's in Edinburgh, and Aunt Amy's trunk, Uncle's clothes and her parents' possessions could all go together, renting is simple as the landlords meet all the taxes once rent is paid, electricity and water are very cheap, gas is also low, meeting with Dr. Lentz and his own poor start in the town, he thinks they should remain if they can live quietly for a little till she builds up a clientele, Mme. Brunel advised her to pray over the matter of an apartment, comments on missionaries and the Church's attitude to them, she has agreed to help out musically in the church, it is a three manual German organ and electrically driven, Mme. Brunel directs the music but knows nothing about it, method of dealing with such a situation, remarks on Mme. Hoffit, the wife of the pastor at Montigny where the botanical garden is, who is used by her selfish husband as secretary and housekeeper and not allowed to practise her English, she is friends with Aunt, her husband 'would be blown off the face of the earth by such as breezy Mme. Rauscher, who with perfect ease and charm told her Colonel husband that he might command at the barracks, but not at home, mon petit!', visit to the military cemetery at Chambieres, Metz was a hospital centre for the Germans wounded at Verdun, statistics in the cemetery, French treatment of German dead. |