Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-20
CITY AND COUNTRY MILE.
New Orleans Man Thinks Former the
More Quickly Covered.

From the New Orleans Times Democrat
81 have observed a curious thing about
distances" said a thoughtful citizen, land
I have heard many persons comment on the
same thing; but I have never seen any sat
isfactory explanation of 1t. In fact, I sup
pose nearly every person who has had an
opportunity to contrast conditions as they
exist In cities with the more open conditions
in rural sections has observed the same
thing. At any rate. most men are inclined
to regard the city mile as somewhat short
or than the country mile. OF course, there
are many things which will suggest them
selves In explanation Of this matter, II we
think about 1t seriously, and yet they are
not at all satisfactory when we weigh the
problem analytically. Suppose we walk the
distance. Along the line of the city mile
We find many things which will crowd into
the mind. pictures along the way. pretty
trade displays in show windows handsome
buildings. men and women busting hither
and thither and thousand and one other
things which produce a series of psychology
ical effects which deaden to some extent
the idea of distance, and consequently the
city mile is seemingly shortened. On the
other hand the country mile, to the aver
age person who has no taste for the ar
tistic, and who can see no beauty in the
ruggednesS of fence corners and in the
tracements of the hedges, is simply long
and barren stretch. But thus far I am
thrashing over old straw.
This Is the common view Of the matter
and no doubt these psychological processes
play an important part in determining the
impressions received with reference to dis
tances under the different conditions as
sumed. But here is the particular thing I
would like to call attention to-: The city
mile will be made in much less time than
the country mile. AS a rule, man will
walk mile in the city in thirds of the
time 1t will take him to wall q mile in the
country. Ordinarily 1t would seem that the
shoe would be on the other foot. There Is
so much more to arrest his attention, to
stop him and consume his time. In the
country the way is clear and there is moth
ing for man to do but hustle for his des-
tination.
''Of course, the walking Is better in the
city because of good sidewalks and the lift
of the feet IS not 50 heavy. But the main
reason for the shorter time required in my
opinion, is found in the stimulus which the
city pedestrian receives from the excite
ment around him. Everybody is going at
breakneck speed. Everybody is hustling.
There is noise and hustle. and in spite Of
the fact that his attention Is arrested, and
In spite Of being bumped and jostled about
by men and women going in opposite dlrec-
lions. in spite of delays at crossings caused
the pedestrian is worked up to a quicker
movement. Excitement is the thing that
deadens the idea Of distance and makes 1t
seem so much shorter In the city that in
the country. and excitement Is the thing
which causes a man to walk a mile In the
city in just two-thirds of the time required
to walk the same distance in the country
paved street for walking purposes has but
little to do with IT -