The Tourist in Europe

1963, April 30.

Gift of
Hon. John G. Paifrey.
Class of 1815.8

ENTERED, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1838, by GEO. P. PUTNAM, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New-York.

J. F. TROW, Printer, 36 Ann-street.

PREFACE.

THIS little volume, while it may not, perhaps, be altogether unattractive to the general reader, is intended to be practically useful to Americans visiting Europe; and especially those who are planning a tour with reference to economy, either in time or money.

In the Notes for the Way,' brief suggestions are given respecting the principal routes, the places and things most worthy of notice, and the best detailed descriptions thereof. The aim is to present a 'bird's-eye view' of what is before one in the European tour; showing how much may be done and seen in a limited time, and at what expense; and this last consideration is sometimes worth mentioning, however 'calculating' and unromantic it may seem to the young and fair, who are looking forward with buoyant hopes and bright imaginings, to the long-dreamed of attractions of the 'Old World.' Yet our 'calculations' will not, we hope, prevent their dreams from being realized; on the contrary, we think the needful cost will be found even less than is usually anticipated: and 'to those who are accustomed to consider the beauties of the Sea Cybele and Imperial Rome as things of poetical hue, not food for common eyes and minds, we would say, with more than most travellers' veracity, that with scarcely a greater sum than is often wasted in unsatisfactory pleasures, they may glide in a gondola on the moonlit waves of the Adriatic, to gaze at the splendor of St. Mark; or tread the classic soils of the lava-crushed cities of Vesuvius; or lastly, though not least in the pride of man's history, they may glow with mingled rapture and awe beneath Buonarotti's dome in the mightiest of existing temples.'

A little English work, called the 'Continental Traveller,' as the basis of this' Outline,' has been incorporated with notes made during recent personal observation at the places mentioned.

The volume also comprises some brief 'Memoranda' from

unstudied letters to familiar friends, during a visit to Europe in 1836.*

Without presuming to intrude a homily on manners, I may be pardoned, perhaps, for one or two hints to my young countrymen, touching their general deportment abroad, viz.

If you would win confidence and respect in good society, especially in England, preserve your republican simplicily of character-be straight-forward and unassuming in your manner, and honest, free, and at the same time unobtrusive in the expression of your opinions. If you wish to make yourself ridiculous, the best course is to cringe to rank and wealth; affect mysterious importance and reserve; and slander, either in words or practice, your own country and her institutions. Do not deem these hints intrusive; they are certainly well-meant. I have seen many instances, and read of more, in which prejudice and disgust have been excited against the whole American people, by this sort of conduct on the part of their representatives. Such consequential airs, if they ever do introduce you to high life, will only, sooner or later, bring you into contempt.

An American, who conducts himself as a patriotic and gentlemanly American should do, has no reason to be ashamed of his name or nation. He belongs to Nature's nobility—and to a country unequalled in extent, beauty, and natural advantages, by any on earth: and he may, with reason, be proud of it. On the other hand, avoid the too frequent practice of continually referring to it by invidious comparisons, or lofty boasts. "A word to the wise."

I would also suggest that the voyager should take with him some work on the statistics and resources of the United States; for there is yet a surprising want of correct information on these points, among even the intelligent and literary abroad. The 'American Almanac' contains much valuable and interesting matter of this kind in a portable form.