The Content Reader

We continue with Janet Flanner's articles on Paris life in 1928. Jacques Hennessy (1829-1928) "Jacques Hennessy, chief of the family noted for its fine champagne with its constellation of three stars, has disappeared from his vast circle of friends. For eighty-nine years he inhabited Paris as a bachelor and bon viveur . He died as he lived, in the best of health. His heart, which he boasted had never failed to accelerate when in the presence of a pretty woman, finally refused to continue its gallant function. Possessed of rents from Cognac (Charente) which afforded him seven hundred thousand francs a month for pocket money alone, he spent his time and fortune generously rewarding those who had been the favourites of his prime, and men and women who had once been younger than he grew antique on the largesse of this sprightly octogenarian who died looking younger than they. Hennessy never took any exercise, despised sports, never walked if the effort took him away from ca...