The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-04-23

maps or their own books. He does not
whistle in the corridors. bang his room
door in the hotel on returning late to
bed, and he IS unfailingly punctual for
meals, trains. and any rendezvous
when travelling in a party. He is not
looking, in short. with a serious single
mindedness, exclusively for the indul-
gence of his own whims.
1t is the species of self-indulgence
that wrecks many a travellers comfort.
Bear well in mind that you make a
mistake to think only Of yourself, your
likes and your dislikes- When en- voy-
age do not fail into the error of snob-
bishness. Proud reserve and naughty
exclusiveness may inspire awe in your
fellow travellers, but it never engen-
ders either respect or admiration, nor
a willingness to oblige you
I can always wax eloquent on this
point because I regret to say that there
are so many tourists, of both sexes,
who live in distressing ignorance of
the beautiful art of exercising afriend-
" condescension Of manner when
domineering way with hotel servants,
steamship stewards, and railway en-
plcyes, and an icy stare for the un-
known who dares intrude with a word
or a smile upon their splendid isola-
ton.
These are the men and women who
give a tip with grudgtng and are Ia
mentally unaware that their reputa-
road is rendered dOubly hard to travel
because of their own readiness to ad-
minister snubs and their failure to
give thanks for services rendered. Now
the really fine art of travel is shown
by the Individual who is unfaiHngly
ready to say please and thank you
and whose presence and expression
breathe an air of gracious amiability-
1 know to my sorrow the travelling
companion who gave the chambermaid
her
window cord was broken, who wran-
gled with the hotel porter over the
tardy appearance of her trunks. and
had warm words with the cab driver
as to the amount of his fare. She
was a clever woman, but an abOmina-
Bile traveller, and our way through Eu-
rope was streWn with thOrns because
she considered it beneath her dignity
to be amiably patient with those whose
business it was to serve US
She 1t was who snubbed severely
and effectually the gentle old man in
a workingman's blouse who volun-
teered some information concerning
famous chateau in France which we
were visiting in the capacity of tour
lists. He looked amused at her
naughty Acknowledgements OF the favor
and turned away. Later we learned
that he was one of the most famous
architects in France, director of the
restoration of the chateau, and it was
in his power to show US much of the
a glimpse, but from which the gen
eral public was barred
Ny companion had thought him
common workingman and haughtily
met his respectful civility with the
chilling glance that had sufficed to
make her progress through Europe
anything but one Of triumph.
An unmistakable earmark of the in
experienced, wrong minded, and ego
tistical tourist is his loud and disgust
ed surprise that he does not find
everywhere at his disposal the com
forts and conveniences he is accus-
toned to enjoy at home
He is selhshly willing to destroy
every ones pleasure in a days or
summers outing because the hotel
coffee was none of the strongest be-
cause there was no porcelain lined
bath tub in which he could take his
matutinaI dip, because somebody over
charged him for something, or the sea
air injured the varnish on his boots,
or his paper backed novel was stolen.
He is the traveller with a grievance
and too obtuse or self centered to real
lie that his grumblings hardly inter-
est or amuse his fellow passengers.
and that because of this disagreeable
habit and lack of adaptable he is
laughed at and avoided.
Now, I regret to set it down in staring
black and white that the average Amer
lean, when travelling abroad, does not dis
play an agreeable manner. He does not
hesitate IN a foreign country to indulge
the life and -luxuries in other lands with
what he knows and enjoys in America,
and invariably to the disparagement of
the strange customs and comforts
Now this is at once stupid and i'll bred.
for more than half the charm and bene-
fits of travel lie in seeing and experience
ing that which Is unlike our domestic
ways and scenes and to show unfaii-
ing consideration for the feelings of 9th
ers is to invite a reciprOCaClOn IN your
own behalf The American who is kind
" and polite, eager to charm and tacle
in tact, travels abroad IN non-crltlcai
spirit.
He eats German and Swiss, English and
Italy or recommendation of the superior
charms of the hot breads and coffee and
ice cream of which his cook at home
makes a specially: he bows to everybody
at the pension table d hote, because that
Is the civil custom of the country in which
the restaurant waiter and thank you to
the dry goods clerk, and is voted an
agreeable man and an expert traveller
-. 1890, $3.50