New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-18
SENATOR EDMUNDS ON SUMNER TRAVELLING

SEN-ATOR EDMUN ON SUMMER TRAVELIAG
Senator Edmunds is represented as advising every
tourist to " buy q guide-book and then avoid the
beaten paths which the gulde-bOok recommends.
He explains that "they lead inevitably to where
fashion has gone. and If you want real rest and
recreation you must not go there" 1t is seldom
prudent to cross ances with the Senator. as many
man, in he great forum where he has long been
prominent figure, has found out to his cost Never
theess we cannot allow this piece OF advice OF his
TO 30 unchalleDged. There good deal to be SAID
in favor Of beaten paths. TbeyTould not be beaten
if they were not unusually attractive. The paths
that lead to Long Branch, Saratoga, Newport. the
White Mountains, Mount Desert, the Thousand
Islands, and dozen other fayorite summer resorts
that might be named, are well-beaten. simply be-
cause each one of the points named has its own
peculiar and powerful charm. II the beaten p tbs
are TO be avoided. why not the well-worn books
But the well-worn books are Shakespeare. Emerson,
Byron. Lamb and the other favorltes. Some Dis
seuters once presented themselves before ccle-
brated English statesman and besonght his favor
for their church. He replied, with some
yehemence, that he would do nothing for
them, explaining: Il am for the Established
Church not because care blank for it, but because
IL Is the Established Church Get your blank church
established and ri be for it," That man believed
in the beaten path because it was the beaten path
And. on the whole, his position is logical as that
of tho person who is prejudced against the beaten
path SIMPLY because ia beaten. Letthe beaten path
have fair play and not be bullied out OF Its well
earned reputation. Aud let the fresh paths look to
IL. II they turn ont 10 be ways Of peasantness If
those who tread them lind that they renew theiI
strength like the eagle they too sure to become
beaten themselves some day. Shall the clean pot
which possesses the potentiality Of backness pre-
sumo TO call the old kettle biackf
And then again Mr. Senator, IN regard to fashion.
II Is IN vain that you argue against the beaten
paths, because thay lead TO fashion," Ine fashion
of this world indeed passeth away, but many per-
sons find 1t charming in the passing. Hundreds of
Questionable men and women take their vacation
at some noted resort largely for the pur-
poss OF seeing tho STYLE" as they ex-
press it, 1t is their only large opportunity
during the year OF INDUCING themselves in thi $
way, and il is but far to as5um, that they obtain
rest and recreation looking ut the style" the
fashion" Of which for the time they seem to be n
part And let no man. no, not even United
states Senator, in tho plenitude of his per-
suasive powers, imagine that he can run d
snccsssful tilt against fashion. The term
stands for much that will always make an
irresistible appeal to the majority. especially when
the majority is taking its vacation, and therefore
is in a mood to be amused and TO set its affections
on elegant trihes.
Emerson advised young people to read the books
they liked 10 read close parody OF that advice
is about all that can judiciously be commended to
the attention of those about to take outing. Go
where You like to 90 Provided always that the place
"a healthy. tho plumbing good, aud that the guests
are under bonds not TO discuss politics