The times., 1898-07-06
SIGHTS IN OUR OWN LAND.
scenery Far Sprpassing That of the
Old World

QroIn the Snlcago Times Herald.
One good effect the war with Spain will
nave VIII be the encouragement of for
eign travel Those Americans who form
what is called the leisure class have. as
rule, good deal better knowledge of
Europe thap they have of their own coun-
try. When Summer comes, if they can
afford 10 take more extensive and ex-
pensive outing than the customary visit
to the seashore or country place, they
journey to Europe, More than 100000 per-
sons leave the United States each year
for foreign parts" The majority of
these may be foreigners who have come
here and after amassing a fortune of a
few hundred dollars, return to their own
country to spend the dollars they have
acquired. But among them are at least
100000 Americans, who make the garnd
tour of Great Britain and the European
continent. II is estimated that these
travellers spend 81 900 each, on an average,
during their journey abroad. This would
be total expenditure of s100, 900 eO9-an
annual drain of that much gold from the
United States TO Europe
But the economic effect or this drain. of
gold is not the phase here considered
That America should contribute to the
prosperity of European hotel and shop
keepers, who revile us while they accept
our dollars, seems 10 be thought matter
of course. The marvel is r-lat Americans
should visit Europe when, with the excep-
ton of art galleries and royal courts,
wonders of all sorts are to be seen in the
United States that are unvisited and ig-
nored, and about which most people know
little or nothing. 1t is 10 oe hoped that
these people, If timorous lest they should
incur risk by a transatlantic voyage will
devote their time and money to visiting
some of the wonderful things in America
The chief attraction in Europe seems 10
be the scenery. Those who have seen the
best that each continent has to offer in
this respect say that all Europe cannot
rival the United States in scenic wonders.
The Hudson does not suffer by compari-
son with the Rhine. The scenery of the
river is in parts, according to no less an
authority than the Encyclopedia Britain
MICA, of a character in some respects un-
paralleled, and at several points the views
nave an impressiveness and grandeur
rarely equaled." More enthusiastic is
George William Curtis, in whose opinion:
The Danube has in parts glimpses OF
such grandeur, the Elbe has sometimes
such delicately penciled effects, but no
European river IS so lordly in its bearing
None flows in such state 10 the sea
Then there is that greatest of rivers, the
Mississippi, a trip along which would be
as interesting as a journey along any Eu-
ropean river. II is the longest river in
the world, flowing from north TO south
through twenty degrees of latitude and
with its tributaries through thirty degrees
of longitude. Il drains with its branches
territory estimated at 1850, 600 square
miles-an extent OF territory twenty times
the size Of Great Britain and more than
half as large as all Europe. The river it
self is twenty times as long as the
Thames.
The lakes of Switzerland and those of
Scotland and Ireland give excuse for long
Journeys by American tourists. Yet they
are not to be compared with the magnif-
cent grandeur OF the great American
lakes-the unsalted seas that stretch from
the st. Lawrence 10 Dulutn. Together
they form the lagest continuous sheet of
fresh waters in the world. Their area
is greater than that of England, Scotland
and Wales combined.
For those who fancy small lakes bodies
of water rivaling Como or Killarney may
be found in the West. In the States Of
Michigan. Wisconsin and Minnesota are
more than 2,000 of these little gems, with
great variety of scenery surrounding
their encircling shores. Some Of them, as
Minnetonka, are famed as Summer re-
sorts. Others are in wild country, Wis
tied only by Indians and men in search Of
fish. They are paradises for the angler.
AS for mountains: While wo go 10 Eu-
rope to climb the Alps. princes and n0ble-
men from Europe invade America 10
climb the highest mountain in the world,
which is in Alaska. or 10 gain the sum-
nit of Pixies Peak. All through Colo
rado there is an embarrassment of riches
for the tourist in search of grand and
impressive scenery. Thousands OF OBJ
jects of interest present themselves at
every turn. The hundreds of peaks
among the Rockies reaching an altitude
of over 14000 feet should compensate for
the solitary grandeur of Mont Blanc.
while the ruins of the Cliff Dwellers tell
of a race older than that which built the
Niagara Falls have majesty that
never pals. Said Anthony Trono2e:
"Of all the sights on this earth of ours
which tourists travel TO see l am inclined
to give the palm to the falls OF Niagara.
l know of no ether one thing 50 beauti-
full, so glorious and so powerful"
Yosemite Valley IS another wonderful
piece Of scenery that fails TO receive due
attention from American tourists. wa
terfalls in the vicinity Of the Yosemite.
surprising in beauty many of the best
known and most visited in Europe, are
actually left unvisited by travellers in
Yosemite Valley" says josiah D. Whit
comb, because there are so many other
objects of interest TO be visited that It IS
impossible 10 find time for them all
Yellowstone Park is unique. 1t is sup
posed 10 have been, at a comparatively
recent geological period the scene of
great volcanic activity. There are fifty
great geysers that throw a column of wa
ter from 80 to 200 feet and from 5000
to 10000 springs. In this vast park. set
aside by Congress as a national pleasure
ground. is every variety of scenery for
those who desire 10 feast their eyes on
natures beauties.
But most magnificent of all. there is
one thing which all the world cannot
equal. the worlds greatest scenic Won
der-the Grand Canyon of the Colorado
River. Take 1000 Yosemtes and wet
them down with 600 Niagaras, and you
will have a faint conception of the Grand
Canyon of the Colorado says Ernest
Ingersoll An intricate system of can
yons, whose walls are miles in height
1t extends over 800 miles of territory
THE spectacle is so symmetrical and
so completely excludes the outside world
and its accustomed standards it is with
difficulty that one can acquire any : O.
tion of its immensely" says c. A Iig-
gins. "Were it half as deep and half as
broad. it would be no less bewildering.
so utterly does it battle human grasp
The entrance TO the Grand Canyon can
be reached by stage from Flagstaff, and
failure to take a trip there en- route &c
California means the missing of an op-
portunity TO see natures greatest Won
der.
Some apologist for the European trip