Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1900-08-09
A LETTER TO HIS FATHER,
John 0sklson Writes OF His
Visit in Europe.

correctly, | have not written TO
you since left Naples, about a
month ago, and am beginning to
think l would do we'll to send
word that / am still alive and
healthy. | left Naples on June
18th and went to Rome, where /
stayed five days. There l It the
con of the man who is now editor
of the Post and who has been
studying in Italy for about two
years. He was very nice lc me
there and went about with me to
see everything. Rome, you know,
is the head of the Catholic church,
the residence of the Pope, and has
the biggest church in the world
ST. Peters. About 1900 years ago
the Romans were the most impor-
tant and richest people in the
world. Al that time they built
splendid palaces and temples and
theatres which have since been
torn down ahd fallen to ruins, and
people go to Rome principally to
see these ruins and the galleries Of
pictures and statues that are filled
with ancient works. II is as in.
teresting as anything l know of
and worth a longer visit than |
made.
From Rome l went up to Flor
ence, further north in Italy. This
is a city whore great things were
done about 400 and 500 years ago
great palaces built, pictures
painted and great political center
named. 1t is not politically inn
portant now, but the other things
palaces and pictures.
And the country around the city is
beautiful. | stayed there three
weeks, enjoying myself greatly,
and then come on to Venice.
Verice is on the eastern coast of
Italy, built on a number of little
islands in the Adriatic sea. 600
years ago it was a big power,
reaching far east into Turkey and
North Africa. It's big palaces date
from that time, the greatest being
the one occupied by the Doges,
or ruling Dukes, Of Venice. You
know that nearly all of the streets
Of Venice are canals and have to
be gone over in boats. A little
way out there are sea baths where
| have gone most every day since
| came here six days ago. This
is also place where great pictures
were painted and great statues
made. The churches here-there
are 100-are beautiful structures
and have good pictures in them.
Young Clark, the son of the ed.
itor, came up from Rome soon af-
ter did and is with me now here.
He and plan TO 60 from here in
three days up into the Alps, where
the mountains cross the Tyrol.
We will spend some days climb
ing mountains and then he is go
ing on to Germany. | will go to
swttzerland instead and spend a
week or so in the mountains.
Then | will go across France to
Paris, stay there a week or more,
go to England, staying a week or
so in London, to Oxford and Cam.
bridge, and then perhaps to Scot.
land before l sail for New York.
Mr.. Coolidge, the man l came
over with, left me at Naples and
went to Sicily. He is trapping
rats and mice over here and can't
go to the interesting places. He
came up to Florence a few days
before lett, and l expect to find
him in Paris when / get there. We
will then go to England together
and probably back to New York
On the same ship.
| am learning a good deal of
Italian and could speak the Ian.
yuage pretty we'll il 1 stayed here a
week or two longer. | expect to
'e able to get along pretty we'll in
France with the French l know.
The whole trip has been very
satisfactory, not expensive, and / |
lave lived we'll. l am in fine
lealth, and when l return to New |
FORK will be thoroughly rested.
will write you later, when I have
ot further on my way. fyou
nd Dick will write, l will get the
etter addressed TO ms at IL Rue
Paris, France, Care of the
Imerican Express 90. Yours af.
sclionately. JoHN OsKIsoN.
a.. r.,.