The age-herald., 1901-10-20
Seeking Knowledge Abroad

Emerson in his essay on Culture speaks in a most disparaging way of European travel and condemns the prac- tice In most emphatic terms. But these sentiments in the light of the present time must not be construed to mean too literally what the words would seem to imply. At that time when America was a very young nation there was strong prejudice current against all things foreign, and such American writ CTS as were leaders of thought at that time sought to discourage the inclina- ton to seek repose and culture in the old world. They did not hesitate to re- sort even to irony and sarcasm in their endeavors to stimulate American senti- ment in a cultivation of pride for our own institutions. But that was a long time ago and sentiments have changed materially since that time. America has become a more mature nation and her people in the possession of means, now devote more time to personal culture, and they do not hesitate to go In search of all the information the old world holds out to them.
 Grant Allen, one of the best known of latter day writers and essayists, held very different opinion about European travel to that apparently held by Elm erson. He says in his European Tour that Allowing that America Is the best country in which to be born, I still main- tain that Europe is the best country in w hich to get a years education. l do not mean a year spent at college. l do not even mean a year of strenuous and conscientious sightseeing, undertaken solely with an eye to edifcation. l mean year of travel. enjoyment observa- ton. a year of free use of lungs and r11 beautiful country and beautiful cities. The best learning of all is the learning we acquire without ever knowing 1t. Just as 1t is better exercise to play base ball, cricket, foot ball, lawn tennis. to row. to ride, to swim, to climb mountains, than to drill in prison yard or to walk up and down a measured mile in Central Park, so Is it better education to visit the Louvre, Notre-Dame. Venice, Flor ence, Rome, than to grub up Greek roots with a dictionary and grammar. Gain first living interest In the languages, the literatures. the history of Europe by delightful tours through the lands that produced them. One year In the great university we call Europe will teach one more than three at Yale or Columbia"
 That this view held by Grant Allen is | also held by very large class of Amer jeans Is evidenced by the fact that such an enormous number of Americans go abroad each year; granting that cer- tain amount of them go for amusement and diversion purely, there still remains | considerable proportion who turn to foreign travel for wider knowledge and experiences.
 The stress of present-day life demands a greater degree of culture and informa- ton than ever before in our history; and those who are denied a collegiate educa- ton turn to travel for the desired broad ening, and if you would gain a living interest, as Grant Allen says. in the lan- guages and the people who have made history there Is nothing like living awhile with them and trying to make your way with very limited vocabulary.
 It reminds me of two friends in Ger many who had occasion to call in Ger man doctor and who could not speak one word of German. Of course the doc tor arrived promptly enough. but the trouble vas to make him understand The invalid was suffering too much to even try to explain to him and so the friend in the capacity of nurse sum- moned all her American ingenuity and l made most frantic endeavors to explain But American gestures and American words were worse than useless and the