The daily gazette., 1879-12-15
Waser-Drtsslcsssg abroad.


From Letter TO the London Times.
There is only one rule which can be
relied on to insure safety, and, difficult
a. compliance with 1t may at first sight
appear, 1t is certainly not so in practice,
having been invariably followed by my
self in all parts of Europe, during the
long autumns I have been in the habit
of spending abroad, now for many
years. 1t is simply this-never drink q
single drop of the cold water ordinarily
supplied as drink In any place or In any
circum stancas whatever.
1t Is quite true that pure water may
be obtained In some cities, as in Rome,
Vienna, Marseilles, and other places !;
still 1t is impossible to assert that any
specimen served at table is free from ad-
mixture with water from an impure
source.
What, then, Ii the traveller to drink,
where hot tea and coffee are not admis-
sible2 In all large towns and cities in
Europe, on popular routes, wholesome
table mineral water can be obtained land
it should, If possible, be the product OF
the country itself. In France nothing is
better or more easily procur able than
st. Galmier in all parts of Germany,
Settlers is to be had on reasonable terms;
in Austria, Bohemia, and Hungary.
Gieshubel is cheap and accessible, and
is excellent.
In Russia, Settlers may be had in the
chief cities, and excellent tea abundant
ly everywhere, at every roadside station
In Italy, at all large and good hotels
| either q French or German water NAV
be found it lie, however, desirable, al.
though rarely necessary, to make an ear.
ly inquiry for it, to insure its appearance
at mealtime, and to show that its fresh
ness and quality are not matters of in
difference. A few years ago found thi'
quite necessary, but the demand ha.
greatly increased of late, and now there
is rarely any difficulty in obtaining {
good supply. The price is, of course
higher than north of the Alps, owing tt
the cost of transport-viz., from 2f. t.
3f. per bottle, price, by the way. otter
paid for wretched wine, and far less thai
that constantly given for "claret" b.
travellers who thOughtlessly demand il
all places thsir accustomed wine, insteat
of consuming better and much cheape
rin du pays, wherever they may be.
Further, it is often forgotten that tn
"siphon," so common abroad, is by n,
means necessarily preferable to ordinar,
water. Made, as 1t Is, at almost an
pharmacy, the bottles are filled at tn
nearest source, and there is no guarante
that the water is not impure. On th
other hand, the great sodawater maker
in this country select their water at il
reproachable sources. Their product
may be regarded as pure and wholesome
was very glad to meet with Englis
sodawater the other day in Constantine
pie at franc the bottle.
Lastly, no addition of wine or spirit
to contaminated water counteracts I'll
poison in the slightest degree, all popl
lar theories to the CONTRARY notwitl
standing.
But the traveller may find himself
small towns, or in remote places off Il
common route, where mineral water
ont of the question. Here no must ii
drinking II and the best way of doir
this, as l have found in small Italia
towns and IN almost all parts of Spain,
to order tea, of which the traveller ma
with advantage carry a small canister (,
use In very outlandish spots, If he Ii
tends to visit such. The pracsical WI
: of doing this 10 arrange with the maj
ager 60 supply cold tea In a wine bott
for dinner, and at midday dejeuner If d.
]. sired, at franc head. Stipulate that
should be very weak, that the water mu
i boil, and therefore see 1t made occasio
ally at yonr breakfast table if you pleas
have never found any landlord wi
was not delighted with my proposs
since nothing pays him better, especial
If he has my canister to use from, whit
have then invariably found treat'
with the greatest care and respect.
cold tea Is disliKed, the object may
attained on the same terms in relation
toast and water, or barley water, or vii
an infusion of lemon; although Il
making Of tea is probably more like
than the others to insure boiling waite
from the universally recognized need
high temperature to make 1t.