Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1869-06-16
What it Costs to Live Abroad.

From the New York Commercial Advertiser.
We see 1t stated in an exchange that the
hero of Fort Sumter has gone abroad. in
order to keep his expenses within the in
come provided for him by our Government.
We are tempted to remark that the public
has no business to surmise that such mo-
tlVes have led to his eXpatriation, that it is
shame that our ''Republican simplicity
allows us to pinch our heroes in the mat
ter OF support. 1t Is within our personal
knowledge that another gallant man, who
proved himself savior of the Union at an
Important crisis in the late war, is trying
to make both ends meet by residing in
Germany, because his salary as an officer
does not permit staying at home. Inas-
much as we cannot expect justice to be
meted out to ourpublic servants, nor prices
to come down fOrtheir special accommoda-
ton, it may be worth while for them and
many others, to study the facts bearing
upon the method of outW itting old ''Hard
Times, whose roar is driving our generals
and commodOres from the country.
The cost of living in European cities mas
rapidly advanced within o few wears, In
the South, where the multitude fiocks dur
ing the winters, it is cheaper than in the
North. Florence, which used to be one of
the cheapest resorts, has become almost as
expensive as New York, good board being
scarce at less than eight francs day, l. e.,
about 50 in currency. Yet exceptional op-
portunltles may be found, as in every city,
where one can be comfortable ut less ex-
pense. The writer hired weIl-fnrnished
parlor and bedroom, centrally located in
a quiet, pleasant street, for 65 francs a
month, and found good table board in the
neighborhood for three francs day. In
Rome one can live, ''artist fashion, still
cheaper, but then one must leave sFYankee
notions at home. Naples is expensive for
foreigners who have not very sharp eve
teeth to Gus the constantly multiplying
webs of italian spiders, for the cunning Of
Neapolitan landlords is proverbial. There
are health resorts like Mentone, Nice, Cam
nes, where one can spend more than at
home, without any effort whatever
But just north of the Alps is the real
haven for ships that cannot pay out long
anchor cable. In Switzerland one nav
spend the year round in the midst of de-
/ hghtful scenery, sit at well-served tables.
/ sleep in healess beds, and enjoy the ad
yantages of good schools for children, at an
I expense of SIX francs q day. The cooking
! is proverbial for excellence; and during the
summer one can live a whole life of ordin-
any enjoyment in weeks rambling-2ot
| tourists cnmblng-1n the less difficult
paths of the country. There are winter
harbors, too, in Helvetia; at Montreux,
/ Clarens and other places, where the winds
are tied and the cold is not severe.
In German cities prices are moderate
except in Berlin, and in some other towns
where the foreign population has caused 4
rise. One can board at private hotel ii
/ Dresden for so or so Understanding
! Il 4 hall I IL II
On the other hand, pleasant home can be
| secured in medium sized house for about
half that price. In Paris one can live as
one pleases, and pay accordingly, in amore
literal sense, than anywhere else in the
world. London is very expensive. TIC
sum up, the average ordinary cost of living
in Europe is somewhat less than it is here,
but much greater cheapness of many arti
cles-clothing, books, and miscellaneous
eXtras-renders it tempting paradise K
owners OF emaciated pocket-booIs