The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-07
AMERICANS IN EUROPE.
Practical Suggestions to Those Who
Are GOfng-Scanty Comforts.


Practical Suggestions to Those Who
Are Gofng-scanty Comforts.
New York Tribune.
Inasmuch as the season is now approach
ing when the annual exodus from the new
to the old world commences to pour into
Europe an immense stream of American
citizens and American dollars, few words
on the subject of habitation ON the other
side OF the Atlantic may prove of timely
interest, especially TO those who are cross
ing the ocean for the first time. OF course
a considerable proportion of the tourists
will make their temporary homes in the
great hotels which owe a large degree of
their prosperity to American custom. But
there are also very large number of
visitors who, both on the score of economy
as well as comfort and privacy, will prefer
a more quiet home, either in the shape of
a boarding house or pension, or else in a
furnished house which they rent for a
term.
OF the pensions there is but little to say
that is good. With few of the comforts or
conveniences of hosiery of the second
or even the third class, they nevertheless
possess the same disadvantages as regards
the danger of meeting undesirable people
and making acquaintance that are ques-
tiOnable. Indeed this peril is intensified
in the case of the pension de famille,'
the very name Of which suggests TO the un-
initiated g. sort of home conducted on the
lines Of a family, and the inn ates of which
are supposed to be. if not on the same
terms of intimacy as blood relations, at any
rate in the enjoyment of an intercourse far
closer and more familiar than would be
likely to be the case at any full-fedged no.
tel. Aware Of this condition of affairs. the
pensions on the continent Of Europe, partic-
ulariy those that cater TO Americans, are
haunted by fortune hunters and adventu-
rers, who realize that they stand far bet
ter chance there than at a hotel OF Great
ing an impression and securing the heart
as well as the money OF impreSsionable
widowed ladies and young girls from the
United States visiting Europe for the first
time. Often the keepers of the pensions.
bility, aid and abet their matrimonial
projects. in return, OF course for the pay
ment of a handsome commission If the
match goes through, and few people, save
the victims and their parents have any idea
of the extent to which these wretched
pensions de famifle'' are responsible for
the misery, ruin and disgrace that nave
darkened American hearts and homes. OF
course there are some exceptions TO this
rule: some pensions the proprietors or
worthy. But there are none of them infal-
libe as regards the selection OF the inmates
OF their establishment, and its conditions,
no matter how well managed and carefully
supervised. involve a promiscuity tnat Is
always dangerous and sometimes fatal--a
promiscuity that can always De avoide ~ ic
taking up ones quarters IN bona noe motel
or else by leasing a fiat or mouse.
Flats are preferable, easy TO obtain ana
far more convenient. In fact. most people
on the continent live in flats. some of which
are Of the most gorgeous description. ana
il is only the very wealthy, the people
who can afford to keep up immense estab-
travagance of occupying entire houses.
Thus any family which is content with an
establishment of three or four servants
would naturally be satisfied with fiat
rather than with an entire house.
1t. is. difficult to speak with any degree
of decision concerning the prices OF these
flats, which at Paris and in other conti-
mental capitals, well as on the Riviera,
are always let furnished to American ten
ants. But the average price of furnish he'd
apartment of eight or nine rooms IN a
fashionable locality may be put roughly
at about 5000 a year. or part or year,
though naturally, in small provincial towns
and out-of- the-way resorts not half that
sum will be demanded. If $1,000 seems a
heavy price to pay, 1T must be borne In
mind that the owners, like the proprietors
Of the summer hotels in the United states.
expect to make money enough while the
season lasts to keep them in comfort and
luxury the remainder of the twelve months.
and hence little. il any, reduction on the
plea of a shorter lease need be expected
IN the rent Whether one takes the re- apart part
Is usually the same, and one practically
pays for the whole year.
It is impossible to caution people too
strongly against leasing apartments with
out having obtained previously, either
trustworthy lawyer recommended by him,
knowledge of the people with whom they
are dealing. For the pitfalls that beset the
unwary foreigner are numerous and
strange. In some cases after the American
has signed the lease and paid down the
first installment OF the rent he will find
that the person who leased the place mas
no title whatsoever thereto, and that he
himself can only maintain possession If
he pays over again for second time what
he has already given in advance. Or else
he may find that the house in which the
apartment Is situated enjoys an unviable
notoriety, and is even subject 20 police
supervision. Then. too. the most prepos-
ferrous claims are always put forward with
regard to the wear and tear of the furni-
ture and unless one happens TO have frst-
rate lawyer at ones back one may find
ones self at the conclusion of the lease
called upcni to pay an absolutely phenome-
nal amount, falling which the landlord can
prevent one departure. ana even cohsign
one to prison until bonds for the entire
sum have been deposited. In this connec-
ton it must be remembered that Ameri-
cans are considered fair game for every
landlord and landlady. In the eyes of the
European, especially in the sight of the
| people the continent. every citizen OF
aire. Such q thing as a poor American does
not exist, and hence even the most kind
hearted of the tribe-good hearts and gen
erous instincts are rare among them-fee
no conjunction in robbing an American.
The comforts of these flats are in no way
| on a par with those of the same price III
| New York and while the furniture and dee
| orations may De more elegant and in better
| taste yet the cOnVenienceS are distinctly
| inferior. Bathrooms are the exception, not
| the rule. and travelling bath should form
| part of the equipment of every visitor from
| the new world. There are but few houses
! where hot water is on tap. and in many OF
| the flats even the cold water has 10 be car
| ried up from the ground floor. Elevators
are likewise rare and steam heat Is un-
| known, the supply of warmth being entirely
| dependent on the open nrepaces.
Particular care must be taken with re-
| gard TO the altering of all water used for
| drinking purposes. With the exception OF
Vienna. there is scarcely city or town
! on the continent, or, for the matter of that
| i'm England, where the water is not polluted
| TO such a degree as to render II totally
| unfit for drinking purposes. People drinh
| so little water in Europe that no one pays
| much attention TO this branch OF sanitation
| ana no attempt was made by the author
| tiles to remedy the shocking condition OF
/ the quality of the water supplied TO Dub
| lin until the leading distillers or the me
| tropois officially complained that IL was
| too poisonous and polluted even 10 be USED
| for the manufacture of whisky. That. %
| 81 20 no