I
stopped at the Hotel Bedford,
and securing an interpreter, began
to make my arrangements. The
first difficulty in the way was the
government tax for exhibiting natural
curiosities, which was no less than
one-fourth of the gross receipts,
while theatres paid only eleven per
cent. This tax was appropriated
to the benefit of the city hospitals.
Now, I knew from my experience in
London, that my receipts would be
so large as to make twenty-five per
cent of them a far more serious tax
than I thought I ought to pay to the
French government, even for the
benefit of the admirable hospitals
of Paris. Accordingly, I went to
the license bureau and had an
interview with the chief. I told him I
was anxious to bring a "dwarf" to
Paris, but that the percentage to
be paid for a license was so large
as to deter me from bringing him;
but letting the usual rule go, what
should I give him in advance for a
two months' license?
"My dear sir," he answered, "you
had better not come at all; these
HYLAND
