Argenta,
One of the things I miss most about France is wine. As you may
recall, my father was in the trade, and so before embarking on a career in
government I was privileged to visit all the major vinyards in the country
as well as many important minor ones. The subtlety and delicacy of the
blend of flavors in a fine Merlot is always entrancing. Alas, the climate
and soil of my adopted home is unable to support a good grape, and shipping
is so irregular it's almost impossible to maintain a good cellar.
There are, however, compensations. Cigars! You may recall that I
discovered this particular pleasure while still commanding the RFG,
although I believe you never shared my enthusiasm. Little did I dream that
the variety and subtlety of a good cigar can be almost as enjoyable as a
fine brandy. I've sent along a few boxes of some of my favorite varieties;
I hope they will be a hit at the little soiree you're throwing in my honor.
I've also sent along some rum. Rum as a drink lacks a good deal
of the subtlety of wine; it overpowers rather than seduces. It's fermented
from sugar cane rather than grapes, and then distilled as is brandy, but is
a good deal stronger than any brandy I've run across. Its rather blunt
flavors are frequently augmented by spices and suffused oils as well. I
didn't know how much you would need, so I've sent along casks of about a
dozen of the most popular types, as well as a case of bottles. I advise
you to be careful of the bottles marked 'CLI'; they are quite potent.
I see that de Mylcandonai has finally been reminded of who is
really in charge, and that the Minister of State enforces the law but is
not the law. Father-in-law knows best. A good measure of the quality of a
Minister of State is how often he must be reprimanded by His Majesty; I'm
proud to say that I've never made a decision so unwise that HRM had to
reverse it. In fact, I can't recall another case where this has been
so. I suppose this tells us that de Mylcandonai must be the worst Minister
of State since the traitor de Sapeur.
His taste for slander has not abated either, I see. I don't need
to assure you that both villa and plantation are in fine shape, and my
staff still serves me more loyally than Tournage's staff serves him. Of
course, if they were to carry out his orders, this island would be a ruin
within months. While I can ignore his barbs, knowing their source, it
angers me that he would attempt to besmirch the reputation of a good and
virtuous lady. A man who has such difficulty keeping a wife should
definitely not throw stones. His continues assaults on Jenny's character
mark him as a complete cad unworthy of being called a gentleman. He is
indeed fortunate that I'm not in France, or I would demand satisfaction,
using the weapons I exercised against Lioncourt, which I believe you
characterized as giant ugly hunks of metal.
I wish you well, and enjoy the rum and cigars. Jenny sends her love.
Jean
--
Doesn't the fact that there are *exactly* 50 states seem a little suspicious?
George W. Harris [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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