Chapter IX: Act I: , Scene 3, Line 13

Is it worth while, before coming, to read about the places one intends to visit?

It is more than worth while! It is necessary! That which one will comprehensively absorb during any journey depends largely upon what one has read. This is especially true of foreign travel.

The books I have named in my letters will be of assistance to you.[A]

* * * * *

And now you ask me to sum up my foreign experiences. Your request reminds me of the schoolmaster who gave out as the subject of a prize composition, "The World and Its Inhabitants."

In all seriousness, this has been the most delightful and at the same time the most miserable year of my life. _Comprenez-vous?_

They said the stars shone with a softer gleam;
It seemed not so to me!
In vain a scene of beauty beamed around—
My thoughts were o'er the sea.

LONGFELLOW, _Outre Mer_,
Chapter on _Pilgrim's Salutation_.

I am not unmindful of all the opportunities I have had to see God's beautiful world, and I think little has escaped me that has been in my line of vision.

Of all countries, I like England best—yes, England! dear, green, blossoming England; of all cities, Paris and Florence; of all churches, St. Mark's in Venice; of picturesque places, Killarney's lakes and the Lake of Lucerne; of awesome grandeur in nature, the Giant's Causeway and on the heights of Switzerland; of man's work in art and architecture combined, Fontainebleau, Versailles, the Bargello in Florence and Raphael's Stanza and Loggie in the Vatican; of collected art in sculpture, that found in Rome; of collected art in painting, that found in the galleries of Florence; of the sublime in nature, the sunsets on the Mediterranean, moonlight on the Arno, the Alpine glow on the Rigi, and sunrise over the Acropolis; of all peoples, the upper class of Irish and English. And the happiest moments spent among this array were those when reading my letters from home.

I have been treated with charming cordiality everywhere and have met clever, cultured people, both foreign and American. I have seen—and heard—a few Americans, the sort whose bragging brings the blood to the face, but I am happy to tell you they have been few.

I should advise any one to come here with the intention of enjoying and not of criticising. If things are desired as they are in America, stay there.

One comes to a foreign country to see things as they are, and, most of all, to see things which we have not.

The science of comprehensive observation should be taught in every school, for few know how to observe understandingly.

Culture comes high, at the easiest, and in no way can one absorb so much or so well as by observation while traveling.

GIBRALTAR:

Soon after the last letter was posted, a note and a cable were handed me by the purser.

The cable was from Ruth announcing her marriage and removal to Porto Rico. The letter, from Mrs. F. telling of her husband's complete recovery and that his business interests were taking them to Japan, where they would make for themselves a home. Her hurried notes to me have borne only her initials. This letter she signed, for the first time, with her Christian name—the same as my own. The spelling is identical. Odd, is it not?

FOOTNOTE:

[A] See index of authors and books.

INDEX OF PLACES

WITH NAME OF HOTEL OR PENSION

I rather would entreat thy company
To see the wonders of the world abroad.

SHAKSPERE, _Two Gentlemen of Verona_,
Act I, Scene 1, Line 5.

Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.

SHAKSPERE, _As You Like It_,