New-York tribune., 1910-07-24
AUTO OUTING IN FRANCE
Tourist Advises Country Roads
for Real Interest.
LESS HARMED BY TRAFFIC
Adventure of the officer Who
Couldn't Make His Car Stop
for Luncheon.

Among the fortunates who are able 70
escape the grind Of business in the summer
are the actors. Many of them spend their
playtime in Europe Walter Hale is tour
ing In an automobile. and the following
letter. written to friend in New York.
gives a delightful picture of the pleasures
of Continental touring. He says:
The motorfst who starts from Havre.
which has become the great port Of entry
for American automobiles, will probably
follow Route Rationale No. a. which
takes him to Rouen by way OF Pointess-
But IL he cares for country lanes and by
ways. and IL watching the kilometre stones
whiz by is not his sole ambition. he will do
better to take the river road through eau
debec and Duclair. These country roads
in France are as good as the main high
ways. sometimes better. because they see
much less traffic. and they give one
somehow a more intimate acquaintance
with the towns and villages and with the
people one meets en- route
Bearing this in mind. we left the Route
Rationale when we reached the tram line
at the village of st. Roman. and. swinging
the nose of the Studebaker TO the right,
pointed her toward Lillebonne. We had
seen the car out of the crate at Havre and
photographed our touring party in front OF
the American Express Company's Office.
and as we swung UP the long hill after
leaving Harfeur we took some comfort in
the thought that we had no schedule to
follow but could travel fast-or as slow
as we liked
I'VE were looking for roadside expert
ences, and were rewarded promptly. This
chaU bo Ia
ence with the Retired British Officer He
was standing in the middle OF the road.
gazing ruefully at a little two-cylinder
American runabout OF the vintage Of 1900
We pulled up and asked him IL could
help him He had bought the American
car in England with the intention Of tour
ing in France.
He explained that he knew nothing
about motor cars, but the dealer in Lon
don told him the engine was so simple that
all he had to do was to crank the car and
away he'd go. But the beastly thing
wouldn't go. He had to get the entire
garage force out in Havre 10 push him
along the street until the motor and the
gears agreed to work in harmony And
now he was stalled in the country, with nc
one to give him a push,
He looked at the car. II looked like
dingy tugboat under the shadow of one of
the private yachts in the basin at Havre-
Jump in We said, and together We
showed the little runabout along the road
He promptly got under way, swervins from
one side to the other as though to prove
the drivers inexperience- We passed him
and went to Caudebec for dejeuner. We
were sitting in the balcony Of the Hotel de
Ia Marine when. half an hour later, he
rIa villa oh
lodging from under his mud guards and a
couple of dogs yapping IN the rear
He cleaned when he saw US. Now he
said, I can stop and have something 10
eat, for 1 know you'll shove me away
again We waited until he had finished TO
push the car along the road. and helped
him out again at Duclair. A long hill fol-
lowed, where the road leaves the Seine Val.
ley and Climbs up into a pine forest Here
We left him far behind. our car shooting up
and around the curves all the way to tbs
top on third speed. But We paused before
we began the descent. TO admire the won
derfuI view of the spires and towers OF
Rouen, with the river winding through the
valley below.
After passing the gates of the city we
stopped in a square with a statue In the
centre to inquire the way TO the hotel II
took some minutes to get the information,
in the mean time our British officer was
whirling round and round the statue. Round
and round he went a crowd gathering at
safe distance TO watch the performance
What's the matter?' we inquired he
Passed. Why don't you stop?'
Can't he shouted I'm afraid If do
she'll never go again. When you're ready
I'll tag along behind!'