New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-26
FDEC1TION From TRAVEL.

FDEC1TION FROM TRAVEL
Americans have a high reputation for being
we'll informed respecting the worlds affairs
This is largely perhaps the result Of practical
svstem of common-Sch0Ol education. by which
all classes are benefited; but travel has very
much TO do with it. There is no other race Of
men that travels as much as Americans 90
Business men are constantly crossing the con-
tinent and passing from one centre OF popula-
ton TO another. There is an unceaSing inter-
change of thought among commercial classes
that nromotes an increase of intelligence respect
inc their common country. Then there is an
exodus of thousands of pleaSurc-seekcrS every
winter to Southern health-reSortS Cuba, Mexico
and the West Indies; and hardly have these
wanderers returned before the summer move
ment of Americans to England and the Cohu-
nent has opened. The English arc indciatgaole
travellers. but they are outnumbered IN every
European country except their own by American
tourists. Each one of these tourists when he re-
turns imparts to his circle of acquaintance
store Of practical information and broadens me
scoDn of their daily thought Travel III TINS
way becomes an important auxiliary to general
education.
ii reading HdktS tH' iNli ii'''' 49,
and natures him. The most brilliant and ac-
curate book of travel ever written Will not con
vov fraction of the practical intelligence about
a foreign country which thoughtful ana op-
serving man can obtain by journey Wherelh
he sees many things and is thrown constantly
into contact with strangers and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Humboldt. Darwin and Bayard Taylor were
keen observers and the wlSc>t OF travellers; DuC
what man by shutting himself up IN his library
and reading their books and journals can gct
ANYTHING comparable IN value to the results OF
personal experience while jomncyinS IN foreign
countries? There is nothing that VIII 90 50
much to complete the education OF clther col
locian ~ a business man as an extended course
Of travel in MS own country and in foreign lands.
The colleges have made strenuous efforts 10
establish postgraduate studies and degrees The
best possible postgraduate course. either i'r
professional or business life is foreign travel.
II rounds ont the work Of The classroom ana me
library 1t impart> breadth 10 the experience
II tends TO make i!l-digc>jod knowledge com
plate and symmetrical.
\ wise traveller who hopes 10 derive the
largest benefit from n foreign Journey will loay"
his theories and prciudiccS behind him. and not
attempt TO adjust the new fac'S which ne may
accumulate to his prcconccycd notions. Every
nation has its institutions and CHARACTERISTICS
and the highest value of travel consists IN the
perception of their significance. livery race
has elements Of genius IN rs cvlHa'on' ana
there is Romcttin. IN its cNpcri"nc" when c"h
be made helpful TO nations differing from II IN
creed and breed. If an intelligent traveller de-
sireS not only to increase his stock OF facts but
also 10 learn their real meaning and be enabled
10 interpret il Alright. he must not be oncum-
hercd and embarrassed by his own social po-
litical and economic theories otherwise ne
cannot become a conduit for communicating the
freshest intelligence AMI the best influences ol
the country visited by him ~ his own. lie mus
take DR.. Johnson, advice and rid his mnd ol
can't and prejudice. Then he will Doe more
tolerant and a wiser critic Of men lnNttulohN
and alien forms Of civilization. He VIII make
allowance for race instincts and cycles oi 70
tardod political and social Development ana
realize that other Countries may nave different
systems and customs from those OF his own yet
he doing useful work in their own way for the
progrcSs of mankind 20 will he be inspired
with "A larger faith in human genius ana III inc
moral government OF the world.
Travel will inevitably render an American
who is not a bicot more tolerant IN MS JUdE
ncnts of other nations and races; but he VIII
return with a glow of patriotism cnkInd'ed IN
his face. Other countries have their adyan-
tagcs and points of interest. picturesque his
torc or social; but whcrc on the face OF tho
earth is there one like his own? This is the
question that finds uttcIancc rs he sights sandy
Hook. It is worth long course OF foreign
travel TO have this consciousness of the pre-
emincncc Of American civilization Is the final
result of impartial and mprcjudicc4 observation
| abroad