The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-12
MIR. HowELLs,s TRIP ABROAD.
He Gives Some OF His Impressions in
an Entertaining Chat.


New York Tribune
William Dean Howells, who has just re-
turned from sojourn in Europe, was seen
yesterday by Tribune reporter at the
Westminster Hotel, Sixteenth street and
with him, and he will make his home in
New York the coming winter, living in the
same apartment at the Westminster that
he occupied last winter.
I'VE were undecided" said Mr.. Howells
when We sailed from New York last July
whether to spend the whole year abroad or
not, but in the end we concluded to come
back, and here we are. My trip, on the
whole, was most delightful one. 1 went
first to Carlsbad where a month was taken
up with the charming life there. 1 was
seeking strength and health. and while
can say just now what the results We're,
feel that before the winter is past / shall
know that l was benefited. Hygiene plays
an important part in the cures effected
there 1t is largely outdoor life and exer-
else that benefit one. Most of the eating Is
done out of DOORS l used to enjoy the
opera there. They had a good company
and the performances were all interesting
Everybody goes to the opera. It's a way
of amusing ones SELF and the price is very
reasonable and within the reach of nearly
all.
Leaving Carlsbad I Travelled all through
Germany, and was greatly interested in
that great military empire. The people of
southern Germany are charming, and the
scenery all through the country is delight
ful But must confess that the summer
climate of Germany is terrible / think 1
could stand the most sever American win
ter better than l could a German summer,
with its never-ending rain and disagree
ableneSS. Then, again, there is something
oppressive in the military atmosphere of
personal restraint which pervades Ger
many, and it was relief for me to get into
a freer country Holland.
Here we remained three weeks. think
all Americans feel at home in Holland. The
people are more like Americans in their
ways of doing. Then, of course, when we
reached Paris the comforts of republic
aoI f1o
guage is different, there is a freedom and
lack of restraint and a naturalness on all
sides that is most satisfying to a thorough
going American. Paris is beautiful CITY,
New York used 70 be until these big high
buildings spoiled its beauty. In Paris there
is sky limit, beyond which no buildings
are permitted to riSes Elevators are largely
used in Paris, especially in private and
apartment houses. A great many of these
are automatic. You get in at the second
6oor and press button, designating the
floor desired. Then, when you alight you
push a button, and the elevator returns be-
low; This saves the expense of an at
When asked if he had met any foreign
authors Mr.. Howells remarked that he had
CHANGED to meet Henry James. AS for
Paris newspapers he said he had been
made to understand that few of them Were
on paying basis. He observed that every
body in Paris, from the highest to the low
est, read the papers The cabman on his
box, waiting for a fare, read his paper just
% tIS SdoilSb VI new 1Ork were seen TO
do. Mr.. Howells said that during the sum-
mer he had completed novel for the Har-
pers, which would come out next year in
one of their periodicals. He would soon be-
gin another novel for this same firm, the
materials for which he had gathered during
his recent trip. The scenes of the novel
would be laid abroad, but the Characters
would be Americans. He had long since
given up the idea of portraying in a novel
iioreign characters. He felt that few Amer
name of the novel he had just completed
he was not permitted to give it, as the pub
hshers might object In speaking of his
that he. preferred the morning hours for
his work. This had been his habit for a
time in going out. Mr.. Howells said that
having his material we'll in hand, he found
he could accomplish everything desired
right here in New York. Where he lived
the neighborhood is a quiet one