The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1897-09-23
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An American wishing to travel
through Spain today might feel that
TO insure it's being a pleasure excur-
sion he must provide himself with an
armed escort and dynamite gun for
calming the excitable populace; but
two years ago all the equipments need
ed for most enjoyable trip in that
region of romance was a little knowl-
edge of French, few words of Span
lsh or a good understanding of the
sign language, love for the beautiful
and supply of English sovereigns;
adding, if feasible, strong constitu-
ton to stand the wear and tear Of Span
ish railways and keen sense of hui
NOR to lubricate the frictions of travel.
Spring is the best time to visit the
country, for by the latter part of May
much of the luxuriant vegetation is
parched by the tropical sun and some
OF the southern hotels are closed. 1t
was southern Spai-: that we especially
wished to see; we longed to eat it's or
anges, to go into ecstasies over it's
Moorish architecture, to admire it's
beautiful girls-even to flee from it's
Jeggars, for surely, we thought, mendi-
2ants with hidalgo manners must be
more pleasing than everyday tramps
But they were not!
So in April our steamer approached
Gibraltar in the midst of a glorious
sunset. There was an early dinner
and the stewards were eXasperated by
| nearly everyone's leaving the tables
between courses and rushing up on
deck to see the view. We withstood the
temptation until the lengthy banquet
was almost over, then we rushed also
and saw the coasts of Africa and Spain
on either hand, misty and purple, with
masses OF rose pink cloud floating
above, while from the stern a gorgeous
sky was brilliantly reflected in the
sea. Getting very enthusiastic and hot.
we went down again to cool off with
ice cream, and l remember that this
portion of the dessert also felt
the heat somewhat, and, being in the
form of pensive greyhound gracefully
reclining upon a napkin, showed it's
feelings by dripping snowy tears from
the tip of an abnormally long, slender
nose.
Soon a lighthouse with revolving
| light appeared on the African coast
and CLEANS began twinkling from Glib
| raltar; the stars grew intensely bright
and the scene aboard became animated.
Passengers who had been chrysalises
in steamer rugs or gone about the
desks in nondescript attire for the past
| ten days now emerged as butterflies,
| the gay bonnets and golf cloaks being
| donned for an hours sightseeing in
Gibraltar. The steamer anchored half
| a mile out and noisy little launch
! took us ashore.
| By day the resemblance between this
king of rocks and the king of beasts
| is not very striking, but as we drew
near in the dusk the lions figure be-
came more clear until against the gray
ish sky there was perfectly outlined an
immense silhouette of his leonine mai
esty, decked with royal gems, for light
| sparkled far up the magnificent hight
Piloted by the hotel-runner, we pass
| ed custom officials and stalwart Brit
| ish soldiers-Our first view of Tommy
Atkins-through great rocky gateways
and presently into streets that seemed
too picturesque to be true. We mean
dered along, trying to look four ways
at once, timidly clinging to every stray
section of sidewalk to be found Though
the inhabitants were promenading the
middle of the street) and giving SYM
pathy to lamenting fellow-passengers
who had not planned for stay in this
fascinating place, but must tear them
selves away after an hours glimpse.
Soon we we're leaning from front win
dow, almost believing ourselves in a
theater box, and greatly admiring the