The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-01-15
fTBe Ssbish.

J, ana AFs VACATION; or, Summer in Europe BY Wal
e first canning Boston: Tcknor & Fields 1856 For
T.. ~ Taylor & Maury, Washington, d. c.
OF the most interesting facts in the con-
alton of the multitude of travels, in such
D, the most endless stream pouring forth from the
IT the, is that among the countless number, good.
Join and Indifferent, there is such an endless
Aety. No two persons, of any powers of OBJ
scteTation, can pass over the same road without
anding each one his attention arrested by some
o ing In degree peculiar for the impression it
ac'akes on his mind. Especially is this the case
ep reference to the different classes to which trav-
rilers belong. And here is, then, fund of infor-
snation so prepared, that when separately laid
aside, 1t will furnish vast store for reflection and
future reference. For instance, the LAWYER when
he visits Europe is naturally attracted To make
himself acquainted with those THINGS and per.
sons more Immediately connected with his pro-
1esslon, and from him we cen gather much as
to the Jurisprudence, the judges, LAWYERS, and
similar topics, that fall under his notice. So of
the divine, of the physician, the artist, the nat
ural philosopher, the artisan, the farmer, the
INVENTOR the statesman, the student, and any
one oeVoted TO particular pursuit. Some
OF the most pleasant as well as useful books Of
travel, IN our opinion, have been given to the
pubic by men of the medical profession. A
class OF subjects engage their attention, not 80
apt to enlist others who are abroad for seeing
the works OF art or for elegant leisure Ger
orally, too, they are observing men; their prac-
tice teaches them close attention; and noting.
from day to day, the influence operating on the
minds and bodies of their patients, they 90 out
as 1t were, In some degree, trained to look
around them, and see what many others would
wholly pass over or scarcely notice Inter.
spersed with their remarks, we find healthful
maxims and references to facts of Importance
for life practice. We do not mean that this
volume is merely professional in its bearing.
On the contrary, it is the work of scholar and
man of taste, a close observer of the opera
ton Of men and manners, of the Governments
and police of foreign countries; and thus forms
pleasant mixture of the useful and the ANU
sing the authors kindly nature speaks out in
little incidents and touches Of humor, while he
Ponders, too, seriously, the passing events, and
feels that there is meaning in much that is
transpiring around him. Talfourd, the learned
barrister and polished scholar, called his notes
Of travel Vacation Ramblcs," and possibly
our author here had him in his eye, in choosing
the title of his own book. But, be that as it
may, the 4" Physicians Vacation . is the supe-
rior work of the two, for its fuller information,
while 1t is equal at least, in point Of style. DR..
Charming had a reputation as scholar and a
writer before he went abroad, and this volume
is one which might have been anticipated as
the result of his observations. With all his
opinions, of course, all his readers will not
agree. The book, also, might admit of more
condensation, and parts of the information are
but of transient interest. But incidents trivial
IN themselves help US to form our ideas of men,
and many Of these, when brought together,
stamp an individuality on region or a nation
We are glad, therefore, to have them noted, to
be like strokes and touches OF the pencil, of va
rious colors, by which is brought out at last
the full portraiture or landscape 1t is a neatly
printed and inviting volume, which we can go
through by consecutive perusal, or dip into,
here and there, as best suits the taste. and de-
rive from it information and materials for re-
election.