View of the Temple of Bellona, Rome

The other day, I pulled off another smart trick... I had set up a firm with a capital of ten million francs to exploit top boots in cardboard ... I had placed only eight shares worth a petty 1200 francs... I called together my eight shareholders and held forth in something like the following manner: "Ah! Good-day ye strolling gentlemen, how handsome you are, how fine you seem!" I promised them more cheese than bread, I gave them a 50% dividend, I warmed them up a bit and let them simmer... The following day they couldn't get hold of my shares fast enough, I placed all of them and at the next meeting I said: "The last time I did the books I made a mistake. I forgot to take into account the price of the cardboard and its fabrication. You must return the dividend I gave you, I'm going to hold it back... I put down nothing and kept back the r

A fixed-price dinner. Here's a restaurant owner who does things the big way..... for our 32 sous, he provided us with a stomach ache that will cost twenty francs per person to cure!

Stockholders' assembly. Gentlemen, the monarchist newspaper which I had the honor of founding with the help of your capital and my abilities surpassed my wildest expectations and hopes… it lived two months, devoured only three hundred thousand francs, and in order to have it reappear all we need is a small payment from your side… Bertrand, see the gentlemen to the cashier.

The Giant Wheel

What one calls the seducations of Paris. Tickets, Sir?.... this evening you'll hear Madame Dorus-Grasse and Monsieur Bariolhé... excellent seats in the orchestra.... just twelve francs... cheaper than at the theatre's ticket counter.

The Pyramid of Caius Cestius

The Passport. The foreigner who visits China is subject to an indispensable formality. He receives a scrap of paper on which he writes the age he wishes to reveal, the profession that he is said to perform and the place that he wishes to give as his birthplace. All this is followed by a description which is so indistinct that it applies to everybody. After which, by means of two Francs, the Chinese Government is deemed to guarantee him aid and assistance for one year

The Baths of Caracalla