Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-13
water.Drinking Abroad.

There is only one rule which can be relied on
TO insure safety, and, difficult as compliance
not so In practice, having been invariably fol-
lowed by myself In all parts. of Europe during
the long autumns have been in the habit OF
spending abroad, now for many years 1t is
simply this-never to drink single drop of the
cold water ordinarily supplied as drink in any
place orr any circumstances whatever.
It Is quite true that pure water may be OBJ
tanned in some cities as in Rome, Vienna, Mar
sellles and other places; still 1T is impossible to
assert that any specimen served at table Is free
from admiXture with water from an impure
source.
What, then, is the traveller to drink, where
hot tea and coffee are not admissible? In all
large towns and cities in Europe, on popular
routes, wholesome table mineral water can be
obtained and it should, If possible, be the pro-
duct OF tie country ITSELF In France nothing
IS better or more easily procurable than st.
be had on reasonable terms; in Austria, Bohe-
mia, and Hungary, GieShiibel is cheap and &C
cessible, and is excellent. In Russia, Seters
may be had in the chief Cities and excellent tea
abundantly everywhere, at every roadside sta
ton. In Italy lat all large and good hotels either
French or German water may be found; 1t is
however desirable, although rarely necessary,
to make an early inquiry Tor it. to insure its
appearance at mealttme, and to show that its
freshness and quality are not matters OF indif-
ference. A few years ago found this quite ne
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 to
bottle, price, BY the way, often paid for
wretched wine, and far less than that con-
stantly given for ''claret" by travellers who
thoughtlessiy demand In all places their ac-
customed wine, instead Of consuming a better
and much cheaper rim du pays, wherever they
may be.
Further, ii is often forgotten that the ssip-
hon," so common abroad is by no means ne
cessarily preferable to ordinary water. Made,
as 1t Is, at almost any pharmacy. the bottles
are filled at the nearest source, and there is no
guarantee taat the water Is not impure, On
the other hand the great saltwater makers in
this country select their water at irreproach-
able sources. Their products may be regarded
as pure and wholesome. l was very glad to
meet with English soda water the other day in
Constantinople at franc the bottle.
Lastly, no addition OF wine or spirits to con-
tamlnated water counteractS the poison in the
slightest degree. all popular theories TO the con-
trary Notwithstanding.
But the traveller may find himself in small
towns, or in remote places Off the common
route, where mineral water is out of the
question. Here he must insure the boiling of
his water before drinking 1t; and the best way
OF doing this, as have found in small italian
towns and In almost all parts Of Spain, is to
order tea, OF which the traveller may with adj
vantage carry small canister for use in very
0utlandiSh spots, il he intends to visit such.
The practical way Of doing this Is to arrange
bottle for dinner, and at midday dee,.ner If de-
sired, at a franc head Stipulate that it
should be very weak, that the water must boil,
and therefore see 1t made occasionally at your
breakfast table. If you please, l have never
found any landlord who was not delighted with
my proposal since nothing pays him better, es-
pec1ally II he has my canister to use from
which 1 have then Invariably found treated
with the greatest care and respect. If cold tea
is diSliked, the object may be attained on the
same terms in relation to toast and water or
barley water, or with an infusion Of lemon; al
though the making Of tea is probably more
likely than the Others to insure boiling water
from the universally recognized need OF high
temperature to make it.-(Lette,' to the London