New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-23
TIE JUNE NIGR1TTON.

The June exodus TO Europe has been larger
than usual this year, the outgoing steamers
being crowded in steerage as we'll as in cabin.
Lack of work and the high price OF living
added to the low rates of passage this Spring,
have driven u large number of our foreign
population back to Germany and Ireland, Tor
a time at least. They usually return again, In
the face of all Encouragement. The cmgrant
who has brcathcd American air for year,
however ne may abuse it, is never contented
with any other.
The hard times, too, instead of diminishing
the annual migration of our well-tO-dO classes,
have promoted it. There are Americans who
have formed permanent commercial, artistic,
or social connections in Europe, and who main
tain steady current Of travel to and fro,
which increases every year. But the great
mass of American passengers on the steamers
are those who can hope to make but one visit
to Europe in their lives and make that for
the sake of the education it gives, or be-
cause it il as much a necessity among
would-be fashionable people to have seen
the Bridge of Signs or the Lion of st. Marks
as to wear dresses or trousers of an approved
cut. In tho last generation only men and
women already possessing culture, appreciated
or desired the lessons which they could learn
| from older civilizations than their own; but
now, the father of but moderate income makes
q hard effort to give Tom or Bob the benefit
of Summers sight after he has de-
lycrcd his commencement speech, and hosts OF
midde-aged, hard worked professional men,
merchants and their wives, come up from in
land towns and villages and set sail this month
on the voyage which they have set before them
since their youth as the goal and reward for
their labOrs.
The question as to whether they will bring
back anything in exchange for the money ex-
pended beyond few dresses, pictures, and
crude notions of art, does not seem to
trouble them. The real object of going abroad
ought to be rest and complete change of idea
for brains too long worked in any one direction
and to find ont for ourselves, as Americans,
our real position in the world. Both these IA
tional objects will be frustrated by the
method which in nine cases ont of ten Will
be adopted by the passengers Hooking to-day
on board the steamers. The usual course is to
rush with couriers and piles of baggage head
long from Paris to Rome and back again, at
rate and outlay which certainly afford no
soothing rest of brain to the elders who pay
the bills. AS for comparing our condition in
art, learning, commerce or ordinary matters of
life with that of any other nation-the average
American has no time for any observations of
the sort. He is wholly occupied with the
triumphant discovery that he has fuller
pocket than the general run of foreigners,
that the New-YOrk belle dresses better
than any Englishwoman and with less
regard to expense than any French
princess that his fellow countrymen outbd
dukes and princes in the matter of horsetlesh,
diamonds, and travelling comforts. He joins
the blatant crowd and HES through Europe
hnging about his money in honor of his coun
try-and to the amusement of well-bred for
eigners and delight of tradesmen. System
atized plans of swindling are now established
in Paris and London among hotel-keepers and
dealers of all sorts, the intended victims Of
which ARE only Americans. However, this har-
YES! will soon bc gathered. Jonathan is shrewd