Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-04-18
MISSISSIPPI AND TENNESSEE R. R.
Arrives. Leaves.
From an American Girl Abroad

From an American Girl Abroad
In former times Americans lifted
themselves out for Europe as though
going to a desert island Wider intelli-
eence and experience have opened their
eyes and reformed their Judgment sun
a word upon this subject will not be I'M
welcome, / am sure, to girls, especially,
who contemplate a trip over the ocean.
In the first place, your steamer outht
Is a distinct affair. You are allowed to
take any baggage you wish for into your
state room; bat, If wise, you will not nil
the narrow space, nor cucumber yourself
with ANYTHING larger than a ladys hat
box. which may offer tolerable seat to
the stewardess. or visitors of coincidence,
in case sea sickness confines you to
your berth or sofa. Even preferable to
This is a fat, English portmanteau,
which can be slipped under the lower
berth. II you sail for Liverpool you can
leave this at your hotel there in charge
of the head waiter till you return, aud
thus avoid the expense and care OF use
less baggage. -,
Its contents your own good sense will
in a measure suggest. Let me AIDA
dousle gown or wooden wrapper, In
which YOU may sleep, hannels (even
though you cross the ocean in summerl
merino stockings, warm gloves or nit
tens. as pretty hood as you please, only
he sure that it covers the back of your
head. since you will ignore all cunning
craft of hair dressing, for few days at
least, and even after you are well enough
10 appear at the table, perhaps Bear
in mind that the Northern Atlantic is a
cold place, and horribly open to the
wind at all seasons of the year; that you
will live on the deck when not in your
berth or at your meals, and that the deck
of an ocean steamer partakes of the ma
ture of a whirlwind Fur is by no means
out of place, and skirts should be sufi-
GENTLY heavy TO defy the gales, which
convert everything into a sail. Take as
many wraps as you choose-and then
Won will wish you had one more. A
large shawl, or, better, carriage-robe, is
indispensable, as you will very likely be
rolled up like cocoon much OF the time
A low sea-chsir, or common camp-chair,
is useful to older people, but most any
girl will prefer a seat upon the deck IT.
self; there are comfortable crannies into
which no chair can be wedged.
By all means avoid elaborate fasten-
ings 10 garments. A multiplicity Of
unmanageable hooks and eyes is
untold torment at sea; and let these gar
ments be few but warm. You will APP
preciate the wisdom of this suggestion
when you have accomplished the hercu-
lean task of making your first state
room toilet.
If you are really going abroad for a
season of travel, take almost nothing.
You will never know what you need until
the necessity arises If you anticipate,
YOU misjudge. Your American outfit
will render you an oddity in Eng
land. But do not change there, or you
will be still more singular in Paris. 1t
is as well to start with but one dress be-
sides the one you wear on the steamer
ANYTHING you chance to have; a black
alnaca or halfworn black silk, is very
serviceabIe. When you reach Paris
circumstances and the season will gov
ern your purchases; and this same dress
will be almost necessity for constant
railway Journeys, rainy-day sightseeing
and muleIluluB III oMllIcAAdhu. n nv
tie care and brushing, fresh linen, and q
pretty French tie, will make it present
able, if not more, at any hotel dinner
table
A warm shawl or wrap Of some kiuC
YOU will need for evenings, even though
YOU travel in summer, for visiting th'
cathedrals, which are chill as tomb
aud for weeks together among the noun
taius, you will never throw it aside
But &c you can but take but one, don
provide yourself with waterproof
They are TOO undeniably ugly, and no
sufficiently warm for constant wear. l
it rains slightly, the umbrella, which yo
will buy from force of necessity and eS
ample in England, will protect you;
in torrents, you will ride. Indeed, yo
will always ride, time is so precious, cal
hire so cheap and distances so great il
most foreign cities.
Lastly, let me beg OF you to provid
yourself with an abundant supply of pc
thence and good nature. Without thes
no outfit is complete Try to laugh a
annoyances. Smile at least; and do nc
anticipate difficulties. Above all, enjo
yourself, and then everybody you NEE
will enjoy you.