Item 04: Walter Bruce Rainsford diary, 3 January 1917-31 December 1917 - Page 100

[Page 100]

in pre-war days. Everything in the capital is pretty dear and the cost of living high as can only be expected. Paris notwithstanding more than three years of war, is still the centre of art, science and literature although its schools and universities are now but poorly attended.

I did a fair amount of train travelling while on leave and was always comfortable. I did not travel 1st class on account of the large English element (officers) occupying the compartments and I did not go third because it would have been beastly uncomfortable. Therefore I travelled second where I was quite alright and always in a French atmosphere.

The French give their troops ten days clear leave every 4 months and there were crowds of pormissionnaires everywhere, from the fronts in France and Belgium