March 1630

[Ymbert Montgomery]

The Social Whirlwind by Le Mole

I'm afraid it's rather a quiet month for your humble author.

Partly because Mademoiselle Ludenberg has insisted on covering the big party this month, what with it being all artistic.

Speaking of which, what is up with our dear little cloud of gloom? I swear I saw her smiling in the street yesterday. Admittedly, it looked more like a grimace but the sweet child is rather out of practice.

Captain Laurent had a quiet drink with his mistress in Hunters. And the very fact I am reporting this shows how frightfully unexciting this month was.

Oh, some amusement was had when Father Francois Robin had his big religious party. In attendance was Father Francois himself and Monsieur Marsaud. Truly the greatest social event Paris has ever seen.

And poor old Aurèle resigned from Hunters before they could expel him for bringing the club into disrepute.

And that really was it. No scandals. Lots of church services and studying. All work and no play, darlings. Do better in April.

[Rhi]

A Romantic Interlude

Comtess Yvonne De Villepin



What a month this has been! A positive whirlwind of romance has been in the air as spring begins! Ah, L’Amour! The relationship between dear M’elle Emmelina Boudon and her beau, Germaine de Miremont seems to be progressing wonderfully. The pair have been inseparable all month, for the third month in a row! Romance! I think I can distinctly hear the peals of wedding bells and truly hope I am not mishearing. They are so ideal together! Another couple who have proven virtually inseparable this month are dear Eloise LeBeau and Jean-Pierre Laurent, who have spent most of the month together! How wonderful! My colleague, the prickly M’elle Celeste Ludenburg has been seen swanning around Paris with a smile on her face, too. This most unusual incident may be related to the fact that she was sighted at Gervais Piquet’s party in the fourth week, in the company of the charming Aurèle Delecroix. Even a lady of darkness can find the light of love in modern Paris! It truly is the city of love! Also at this party were seen the beautiful and influential noblewoman Dame Emelin Belya and Raoul Jardin, seen flirting over goblets of wine. They later left the party together, clearly to get to know one another a little better in a quieter situation. Newcomer to the town, the beautiful M’elle Helen Bacque was also sighted at church with Jean-Paul Marsaud in the third week. Clearly her rather forward notice in the paper positing herself as suitable for any gentleman to escort has borne fruit! M. Marsaud has not been seen in the company of any other eligible ladies yet, preferring the company of bawdyhouse women. Could M’elle Bacque have tempted him from this den of vice? There has also been wonderful news for Baroness Genevieve DuPoint, as Gervais Adrien Piquet has managed to turn her head with a positive shower of lovely gifts. I am particularly taken with the pair of doves in a gilded cage. May their relationship last the ages! On a less wonderous note, there has been another rejection. The grumpy Mimi Grasbas has once again rejected the advances of Huillaume Lagarde de Bearne. This is the second month he has tried with her, and the second month he has failed. Perhaps next month he can make her purr? Renald de la Azur has, however, failed to even try. Nor has he been seen frequenting the bawdyhouse. Perhaps he prefers the company of gentlemen?

[Ymbert Montgomery]

Reports from the Front by General Georges Boulle (rtd.)

As the men of Paris settle into regimental life, naturally we have less regimental applications.

Monsieur Piquet is now Captain Piquet, having taken a break from buying new codpieces to sign up to defend his majesty as part of the Royal Foot Guards.

More surprisingly, Subaltern Hullaume, Ensign of the Cardinal's Guards is now Captain Hallaume of the Royal Foot Guards. That was worth spending your commission money on, was it? The Cardinal has reassured Captaain Hallaume that he bears him no ill will for his decision and as we all know the Cardinal is a man of his word.

As for Monsieur de Miremont... What possessed you boy? What possibly made you think that the way to respond to being turned down by the lower status regiments was to apply for the King's Musketeers and the Cardinal's Guards? Unsuprisingly, Monsieur de Miremont is, indeed, still a bloody Monseiur.

The front could have been better. Our fortifications were smashed by a surprise raiding party by the dastardly Spanish.

Private de Clèves (known to his regimental comrades as "the unknown soldier") sadly died in the initial clash. We shall all mourn him as he'd want to be mourned, with as little fuss as possible.

Subaltern Cheval was more fortunate, managing to survive the fighting. While he didn't particularly distinguish himself the heavy casualties led to him being giving a Captaincy, although sadly the lack of vacanies in his own regiment means he remains as Subaltern there.

Let's hope things look up next month and we can take the fight to the enemy.

[Rhi]

An Ecumenical Matter



Bishop Henry Defour



March was another fine month in God’s city. Father Robin held a gathering in his club, the Frog and Peach, with a focus on Godly matters. It was, unfortunately, sparsely attended. Only Jean-Paul Marsaud attended. It always seems the other priests of this fair city fail to see the importance of sharing knowledge and theories and giving praise. They did not attend.



Fathers Robin and Lachapelle both had active month however. At Father Robin’s service in the second week, Jean-Pierre Laurent and his lady Eloise LeBeau were present, while Father Lachapelle noticed that his own church attendance was down from his usual. Nobody of note, aside from Germaine de Miremont and Emmelina Boudon attended that week.



In the third week, Father Robin gave a sermon to a church attended by nobody of note, while Father Lachapelle conducted a sermon on the importance of faith to a packed congregation. His service was attended by Renald de la Azur, Jean-Pierre Laurent attended, accompanied by Eloise LeBeau, and Germaine de Miremont went with Emmelina Boudon, and Jean-Paul Marsaud attended with Helen Baque. Also present, and praised during the sermon, was Gervais Adrien Piquet, who was not actually present.



Father Matthieu Arnaud also conducted services.



As such, it has been a Godly month, may April follow in its piety. God bless you, dear reader

[Ymbert Montgomery]

Medical Professional Wanted

The Lady's Slipper is looking for a medical professional to work as it's staff doctor.

While formal qualification isn't necessary, we do need someone with experience, especially as regards the more social diseases.

Personal qualities required are a love of the company of the fairer sex and absolute discretion.

Generous pay rates and benefit package, including free access to the Club's facilities and free membership if desired.

To apply for further details apply to George Porget at the Lady's Slipper.

Please note this appointment is not suitable for full time military men or members of the clergy.

[Rhi]

La Gallerie Veritie



Celeste Ludenburg



I have never had cause to discover the price of a glass of wine before this party. I learned that night and was not pleased that I had to. Perhaps in future, carousing costs at social events should go back to being paid by the host, as is fashionable and expected.

The event in question, an artistic salon held at the residence of the host, Gervais Adrien Piquet, was an otherwise excellent event, designed to bring artistic talents to light and bring new artistes into the bosom of Paris. Naturally, yours truly was invited, and in curiosity, attended. The residence was tastefully decorated, with some tasteful niches with curtains and low tables in well-lit areas which served to enhance the displays offered by guests. Included was a freeze of muses painted in black in the classical vase style, and the serving staff were dressed as tasteful and elegant muses. These surroundings were almost as pleasing as the time a salon was held in the cemetery last summer. In all, the décor and atmosphere were exquisite.



In attendance were Renard de la Azur, Raoul Jardin and Dame Emlyn, Gervais Adrien Piquet, Aurèle Delecroix, Father Dieudonné, Father Francois, Germaine de Miremont and Emmelina, and my own luminous self.



De La Azur did a painting that was a dark look at the aftermath of victory. It was pleasing to the eye, although his decision to shy away from using enough carmine for the blood is worth note. Cochineal beetles exist to die for paint, and it does them a disservice to shy away from this!



Father Dieudonné Lachapelle did a quick painting of the Virgin Mary. This was moderately pleasing to the eye, however it did appear rushed. Had he spent longer on it, it could have been a spectacular tribute to the great lady.



Father Francis Robin did a not very good sketch of his church. I found myself wondering if perhaps it were displayed upside down.



Aurèle Delecroix's poetry was a triumphant success. This work, funded by Raoul Jardin, is well worth attention and is sure to become a classic and a bestseller! This was part of why I chose to spend so much time with him, and will likely be spending time in his company in the future.



In addition to the galleria display, there was a lady's singing contest, although the only entrants were Dame Emelin Belya and Emmelina Boudon. Dame Emelin Belya won, as she sang a beautiful operatic aria, while M'elle Boudin chose a significantly less prestigious song from the music-halls.


There was also a male singing contest judged by the ladies. They all unanimously agreed that Aurèle was the best singer. He is a man of much artistic talent.



I leave you, dear reader, with one of his poems; one of the jewels of his anthology:





Roland Awaits



Roland awaits! The Spaniards slain

By the pride of Champagne;

Good men of France, to horse!

Scorn the death and divorce

Your fear; victory preordain'd



By the wind in your horse's mane--

Sabres aloft! Men, your ears strain

To hear the horns cry for campaign;

Roland awaits!



The glory of France never wane,

So long as true Frenchmen remain

Who will ride out in force;

And her edicts enforce.

Dragoons, mount your steeds for campaign:

Roland awaits!