" HEADS " IN PARIS 



enormous in the way of upkeep, payment to artists, 

 orchestras and staff. It is interesting to imagine 

 how many people would be at a place like Bexhill 

 or Eastbourne if there were the same attractions as 

 there are, say, at Boulogne, Dieppe, Biarritz and 

 kindred places. I do not think any Government will 

 ever wish to bring about a change in France. In 

 Belgium it has been one continual fight, and the 

 difficulty Ostend has laboured under is that so many 

 visitors have gone there only to find the rooms shut 

 temporarily. It meant, if it had lasted, the death of 

 property holders in the Belgian town ; however, some 

 of the difficulties have been got over. Spa and other 

 places have been great sufferers by the process of law. 



For a long time in Paris — I am talking of fourteen 

 or fifteen years ago — ^there was an influx of American 

 " heads " into the city, whose operations were chiefly 

 on the race-track. For the most part they were an 

 open-hearted, cheerful and well-dressed crowd. I had 

 heard of one or two of them, but had never met any 

 prior to this. Really it was difficult to tell who was 

 who, and which was the sharp and which the flat. 

 There were so many at one time that it was really 

 extraordinary how they could make their living, yet 

 they did, until the whole game became too hot. I will 

 give an instance of not knowing the difference to 

 begin with. A man about thirty came to me one day 

 saying : " Do you think this No. 6 has any chance, sir ? 

 You'll excuse me asking you, but I don't speak French, 

 and as I'm an American, and you are on the Herald, 

 that must be my apology for speaking to you." 



Looking at the card I saw that No. 6 was a notorious 

 horse who had nearly broken the hearts of his owner 

 and trainer through never attempting to get over 

 more than two fences. He would refuse, and no amount 



165 



