George J. Maguolo letter to Folks - March 23, 1919
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#75 Bellevue – Paris March 23, 1919 - Dear Folks – You cannot know how happy I am in my present situation. gloomy as some of the past letters must of been due to the miserable conditions – the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction so that now I should not think of coming home! Herbert & I are extremely fortunate in being chosen to go to this school. You are hearing of many school activities over here involving thousands of men but there is a trifling hundred or two at Paris – and I am one of them. Can you imagine a more ideal location for an Arch. school? Where the great artists & architects are opening their doors to us! And every day we have an illustrated lecture in painting, sculpture
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[page 2] History, Architecture etc. And twice a week make excursions to the various Chateaus –museums, collections – etc. in special auto trucks and last but not least – receive all our drawing materials for nothing and billet in a swell hotel! It is really too good to be true. If the American people have done a kind act certainly it is this one – to recivilize their armies. three months in this school will be worth a year in school back home. I am also aware of the fact that we are now but a small % of the Arch. graduates in this A.E.F. So I am a lucky guy. Warren the Ach. of N.Y. and Hellman the artist are our directors - but we have French artists for criticism. The student body consists of an excellent class.
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[page 3] of men – a unique representation of all the army divisions ranks – universities - and big arch. firms. Really it seems like old days at Washington [University] with Ray & I rooming together again! We haven’t the cherib twin beds – but comfortable hospital cots. Nor do we look out on Forsythe road but the City of Paris itself! then the problem work which we have already started is a revival in itself. to wander out into the gardens – museums which thinking up a project is an indescribable pleasure. I should like to write often with the many happy incidents but we are kept so busy and there is so much to see that little time remains. I am writing but few letters these days any how. the only thing that would remind one that he is in the army now is the clothes he wears.
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[page 4] and the bugle which summons the classes. In between Monday morning and Saturday noon we spend a full day and all evening at earenst work. Saturday afternoon I usually spend in the museums. two Saturdays ago – in the Louvre - last saturday in the Cathedral of the Saire Coeur. (Here I met Monsieur Fretin – a chum of mine in the French Army last March) [Saturday] eve I have supper with my Maraine and her son in their swell apartment. In the eve we go to a theatre (and the Opera is now running) Last week we went to a big vaudeville theater the program of which is inclosed). And she has some wonderful guest rooms in which Ray & I may stay over Saturday night. I cannot say too much for Mme Deladiue.
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[page 5] there is a wonderful opportunity of buying books and reference photos at a reduced rate and Sending them home free of duty. I shall write later in regards to your sending me some money to do this. (I have yet to be paid ex. $7 casual pay this month. that means that since June 1918 until now I have received but $7! If it were not for my Mariane’s motherly attention I don’t know what I should do.) And then I believe that there will be some chance to see Italy later because it is rumored that there will be a 3 mo. extension after June. One or our men has already received his discharge over here and is visiting his folks in Italy. Of this I must apeal later.
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[page 6] What I wish to impress upon you is – that I am in a remarkable position to still be in the Army. that undoubtedly I am now doing the finest thing possible. And that for once at least, I am reaping the benefits of an American Charity pressed in the correct direction. Many thanks (and I speak for all) to the kind donators to the Ed. funds which make this thing possible! What a bliss to rise from the muds of France to the [ms illegible:1 wd] of her finest art works! Mare must be due to sail soon – no mail for the last 3 weeks (number your letters.) Very Sincerely [Corporal] George Maguolo Bellevue Pavilion Bellevue (Siene et Oise) A.P.O. 702. (over)
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P.S. My former roommate Smith from Carnage tech. tells a good one of Arch. Hurnbustel, their patron. the students of the school were giving a masquarade ball the swell affair of the year. All the girls and boys were fitted out in the swellest costumes available. Prof. Hurnbustel finally comes (late as usual) in a dress suit with skike tail. Not being allowed on the floor in full dress and enraged because he had no costume he rushes to the middle of the dance floor takes off his pants before the whole crowd and dances the remainder of the eve in. B.V.D’s [George Maguolo]
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2. Aimee Pres. Dud. te aime tu aimes Il aime Nous aimons vous aimez Ils aiment P.S. In my trip here I was unfortunate in having someone exchange packs with me in which trade I mentioned losing Nell’s comfort kit. I later discovered that a Skike dress helmit - a dutch belt - and some other junk went also. If mare has already sent have a spike dress helmit lets forget the rest of the junk – if not I’ll try and send you another. In a way I was glad to loose the junk for its tiresome to drag around. Lets know about the helmit [sketch of a helmet] did Mare send one? [George Maguolo] How are the packages coming?
Details
| Title | George J. Maguolo letter to Folks - March 23, 1919 |
| Creator | Maguolo, George J. |
| Source | Maguolo, George J. Letter to Folks. 23 March 1919. George J. Maguolo Papers, 1917-1945. A0969. Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, Missouri. |
| Description | George J. Maguolo wrote a letter to his parents March 23, 1919 while in France. Maguolo was in the 29th Engineers Company A and served in France until 1919. In this letter Maguolo explained that he was in an architecture school near Paris and described the subjects and classes he was taking. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918; World War, 1914-1918--Study and Teaching |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Site Accession Number | A0969 |
| Contributing Institution | Missouri History Museum |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond those allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the Missouri History Museum: 314-746-4510 |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. Contact the Missouri History Museum's Permissions Office at 314-746-4511 to obtain written consent. |
| Date Original | March 23, 1919 |
| Language | English |