The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-02-21

came the same story. One man said that
two-thirds of the passengers on his train
from London were Americans. Another
added that 400 more were booked for to-
morrow, and while he was yet speaking
came another and said that when he left
Paris at least 1900 Americans were there
waiting to get berths. From Rome,
Vienna, Berlin AMI all the quiet resorts of
Europe they were pouring into Paris;
from Paris they were crowtling every train
to London, and there Lows exchange and
similar resorts were kept in state of siege
by crowds of the anxious. All the avail
able space in the Northwestern hotel was
piled high with the trunks of returning
Americans, and at the nearest bankers a
long line of men were waiting their turns
to get English money changed for Ameri-
can.
The word went about, 1 know not how
truly that "all the steamers fit to travel
ln' were sold out down to Oct. 1; that the
line from Glasgow around the north of
Ireland and via the St. Lawrence to Mon
treal, was also sold out, and that it was
not at all easy to get a slow passage from
Havre or Southampton. This appears to
have been the greatest year ever known
for American tourists, though fewer than
common remained in Paris, and it is esti-
mated that Americans have, since April,
paid out $50, 100000 in the foreign tour.
At first view this seems incredible, but
even in a dull year $4,000 Americans go
abroad, and on an average leave 81 900 each
in the Old World. This year the number
is said to exceed $4,000, and Americans in
Europe were never so generous or so reck-
less. Silks, diamonds and bijouterie, old
curios, new carvings and little mementoes
are coming home by the ton, as it were
Some of the incidents of this traffic were
quite amusing. As trun.s were over
hauled, unpacked and repacked there was
much talk of the American customs laws
having been changed, and the old rule al
lowing goods ''suited to the owners posi-
ton in life" abrogated. Much was said
aboat Mckinley and the administration
bill, and real panic was created by the
confident announcement of one gentleman
that $500 was now the limit for any one
person.
''But suppose it's your own stuff-made
for you-and not for sale?"
''That cuts no figure" said Mr.. Know
itall. mo matter if you take the stuff
from America you've got to pay on it,
when you go back, $50 per cent. on all fine
goodsT'
There was second overhauling, with
considerable exchange of stuff, to be re-
exchanged in New York. One gentleman
was taking home very fine lady's shawl,
and wanted a lady friend;;" lady had a
really superb smoking suit and cigar
stand and wanted a gentleman friend"
and so the exchange was easy. The few
with big trunks and limited wardrobes
were much sought after. An Australian
gentleman furnished considera BILE amuse-
ment, as the wags succeeded in making
him believe that he would have to paw 100
per cent. on all his belongings when he en-
tered at New York, and so per cent. export
duty when he went out at San Francisco.
There is nothing too bad for uninstructed
foreigners to believe of the United States
tariff.
At p. m. of perfectly lovely day the
mammoth City of New York steamed out,
and glad cheer rang from all parts of the
ship as we felt that we were off for our ma
tive land. was delighted to find six pas
sengers who had gone over with me on the
City of Chester, but the contrast was Won
derful That steamer had but $50 cabin
passengers of both classes, and one coul6
have whole stateroom to himself On
the City of New York every available inch
of space was occupied, and in the deepest
state rooms single gentlemen were crowded
like sardines in a box. But the weather
was all that could be wished, and even the
most delicate scarcely felt a quaIm of sea-
sickness.
Early next morning we were at Queens
AM ha OF hoI TO-
hours for the mails the passengers landed.
and rambled and rode all over the quaint
and beautiful city. Here, too, we added
extensively to our stock of curiosities-
canes of blackthDrn and bog oak, green
knit caps and Irish chair cushions, pipes
and cigar stands of bog oak, and odd me-
mentoes of famous places. The Irish jaunt-
ing car carried us swiftly over the neigh
boring hills and along the smooth, hard
roads by the suburban residences of the
gentry, while ragged boys ran at even pace
to beg under pretense of Singing for
a penny" and equally ragged girls offered
bouquets and curios for sale.
AT Up. m. we again resumed our west
ward course, and at noon next day were 464
miles from Queenstown. Then the betting
became lively, and our subsequent twenty
four hours runs were 1856, 1885, 494 and 474
miles Ghe last day there was fog on the
''Banks"), leaving but 1888 miles to Sandy
Hook. Five days, % hours and minutes
from Queenstown brought rs within the
limits of New York hatbor without
an accident, and with all ON board in health
and Jollity.
Early in the forenoon we we're at Pier 43,
North river. Then came four hours of
sweating, swearing to untariffed luggage
and proving our truth to the officials, and
soon after noon l was sneezing my way
through the dry and dirty streets of New
York to the quiet home on Madison street,
Brooklyn, glad to see the old town again.
But since l have got rested and thought it
over recall hundred more incidents in
my foreign tour which should be mention
ed; and perhaps j. II. BEADLE.