The Swan and Two Other Stories (Ferenc Molnár, translated by Suzuki Zentaro, Kinseido Publishing)

JOURNEY TO CHINA 1: THE DISEMBARKATION. Each traveller who lands at a port in China is immediately conducted, like a wrong-doer, between two rows of inquisitive people to the passport office: hardly has he touched the soil of the Celestial Empire, than he becomes the prey of luggage-porters, hotel-boys, interpreters, messengers and other highwaymen authorised by the Chinese police

Ancient History 3: Achilles in his tent. In tears, remembering the charms of Briseis / The hero enjoys his dismal sadness. / And in vain, Patrocles, polishing his weapons / Tries to awaken his burning courage. (Secret translation by President P.) This precious bas-relief was discovered in the ruins of the ancient Boule rouge [Red Ball] (Montmartre suburb) by our indefatigable traveller, Mr. Charles Texier. According to Mr. Ingres, only Phidias could have been its maker

(Left) The little village on the far mountainside was already out of sight, and spring was coming around again. The grape trees were like large ailing snakes creeping under the coping stones of the wall. A brown light moved about in the tepid air. The void created by the selfsame every day is likely to chop down even the young trees that were left behind. In this everyday life, a thicket of trees protrudes like a boulder. (Right) The village I lived in has never been thought of as so small. The sun showed itself. The tall poplar forest looks like a beach being blown about by the wind. I grow dizzy just watching that seamless succession. If I can manage to get drunk on this succession of unchanging days, I can also grow to feel like I have taken down an elephant or snake. He differentiated things in this way, like a fluttering butterfly

TODAY'S PHILANTHROPISTS 9: “Yesterday, in the rue St. Honoré, a respectable old man fell, struck by an attack of apoplexy, it would have been the end of him had not the celebrated Doctor Cabassol, who was by chance at his window at No. 107, hastened to fly to his aid: thanks to intelligent and prodigious help together with the most touching solicitude the sick man was promptly restored to life. Our celebrated Doctor Cabassol topping his generous behaviour wanted to receive as payment for his care only the thanks of a family which will eternally bless his name. Honour to Doctor Cabassol!” －Look here, it's you who's the respectable old man in question, yesterday you failed to fall when coming to see me, you could have injured yourself and then I could have saved you... I contrived it all a little more dramatically for the newspaper... it won't do you any harm and it'll do me a lot of good!