The President
pertinently added that no evidence as to the quality of food
supplied in the restaurant had been taken. If bad, it might
unquestionably reflect injuriously on the Head of the State; if
good, on the other hand, in view of the admitted relationship of
the proprietress of the restaurant to him, it could only redound
to M. Thiers' credit. This opens up interesting possibilities. If
relationship to a prominent politician may be utilised for
business purposes, we may yet see in English watering-places the
facades of houses blazoned with huge inscriptions: "This Private
Hotel is kept by a fourth cousin of Lord Rose--," whilst facing
it, gold lettering proudly proclaims that "The Proprietress of
this Establishment is a distant relative of Mr. Ar--Bal--"; or,
to impart variety, at the next turning the public might perhaps be
informed in gleaming capitals that "The Cashier in this Hotel is
connected by marriage with Mr. As---." The idea really offers an
unlimited field for private enterprise.
The political situation in France was very strained at the
beginning of 1874.
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