The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-20
IN HOTEL HOBBIES
nncIs isrnm Enrn,..

| Tom Jones, son of former President
 of the City Council Harry Jones. has
 returned from Europe, having accom-
 panied his mother on a three months trip abroad. Mrs. Jones stopped in
 New York for a brief visit before re-
 turning to Birmingham and Tom is
 lunchipg every day with his father
 at the Southern club where he talks
 interestingly of his travels to those
 who gather at big round table in the club cafe. Very few men of ma
 ture years who go away sight seeing get so much benefit or pleasure from their journeyings as young Jones, who is just grown. There is scarcely any
 one so stupid, perhaps. as not to get something out of a trip to Europe;
 even those dulf aH poorly educated people who lack the facility for telling
 intelligently what they saw. Young Jones is an exceptionally bright youth. He was well educated for seeing Eu- rope understandingly, and added to his store of knowledge acquired at school he has most manly and agreeable ad- dress, and an eagerness to learn that makes his observations well worth while. His descriptions of scenery and color which comes from taste and cul- ture, and his accounts of the modes and habits of various peoples show keen in- sight. When asked what struck him most forcibly in Europe, Jones said it was the facility with which the Alps bound Swiss got about
 T was particularly impressed said the young traveller. with the apparent ease with which the transportation companies handled the enormous pas senger traffic between 1nterlaken and Lucerne. Tourist travel has increased rapidly of recent years but I am told that even 1 3 or 2olyears ago Switzerland was noted for its excellent railroad service. Today the transportation lines in Switzerland, both steam and electric, are models-in some features ahead of anything in other sections of Europe. perhaps.
 T was delighted with Germany" con- tinued MT. Jones. lin all the German cities one finds correct English fluently spoken. All classes seem to speak our language. As everyone knows, Eng fish is taught in the schools, and judg- ing from results the method of teach ing must be thorough. The Germans are friendly and agreeable in every way. I especially enjoyed a day spent in Cologne. The great cathedral came fully up to my expectations. It il- illustrates the perfection of Gothic archi- lecture. and one could study its various parts or stand off some distance and gaze upon the stately pile as at pie ture and never grow tired.
 I spent a week in London and the only disappointment had there was being barred a sight of the interior of Westminster abbey. It was after the coronation and the abbey was closed for general clean up and straight ening up. The people of London are notably friendly to strangers. Every Englishman from whom l sought fn- formation was not only pleasant in inn parting it. but nine times in ten he would make some helpful suggestion. thought Edinburgh about the most beautiful city l ever saw; but the truth is Europe is full of such beautiful things that one is somewhat confused in trying to decide whether this or that is the more beautiful. was glad to get back home. l had an idea be- fore taking the trip that America was the greatest country in the world, and while some the European countries are ahead of us in education, especially along linguistic and technologica1 lines, ours Is by far the best country to, live in"