New Britain herald., 1925-03-23
AT YOUR LIBRARY


 definite plans would make 1t so much easier to get on without chocolate sundaes and all the other pleasant non-essentials which stand in the way of really worth while vacation. Even if it can't possibly be this year.. 1t would be almost as good as getting away to dream a little about where one would go. It wouldn't be a conventional Cooks tour and 1t would be lcisurely. with delightful little exploratory trips into quaint places far from the usual tourist track.
 Wanderlust Books
 Such as are described in Shack letons Unvisited Places of Old Flu rope" The authors gay humorous account is almost as good as a trip and inspires one to begin ones own adventuring Immediately. Then there is a charming book about Roumania by E. O. Hoppe called "Gipsy Camp and Royal Palace" The writer sees everything through the eyes of an artist and brings back some of the picturesque beauty of a little known country in the form of beautiful photographs all through the delightfully."- written text.
 Or there is Bohemia as seen by Julius Street in his "East of Prague which is one of. the most sympathetic accounts of the new Czecho- -Sloyakian republic. Two Vagabonds in the Balkans by Cor don is an account of most uncon- ventional trip described with an eye for tragi-comic experiences and picturesque personages which makes it thoroughly entertaining reading. Mediterranean Cruise" by Roland Jenkins suggests the attractions one mustn't miss in Spain. Gibraltar, that fascinatingly indefinite region, the Riviera, and the ancient lands of Greece, Palestine and Egypt.
 One Is inspired to seek the un- usual in the opposite end of Europe by Robert Medill's little book about Sweden and Its People" This is a cross between an orthodox travel book and a guidebook and equally pleasant in either capacity. Then If ones regard for judgment of past travellers makes at least a glimpse Of London, Paris and Rome a neces- sity, there are any number of VOL umes to illumine the pathway. In fact by a judicious perusal of such informative and absorbing works as Clara Laughlin's 50 You're Co., ing to Paris" and L. V. Lucas "Wanderer in Venice" and compan- ion writings, one may display all the erudition of the much travelled without going into bankruptcy.
 Before You Sail
 But fl by dint of past thrift and future optimism you are planning to actually brave the terrors of the sea and the temptations of Euro pean shops you will find an euor- nous number of fascinating but technical details to attend to. Rolfe's "Satchel Guide to Europe" has been recently revised and is a sort of combination guidebook and per sonal adviser. There is information about what to wear, planning tours getting money changed, when to see what and all the rest. There is also the rather unusual addition of a suggested reading list. This includes books about the past and present Of each country and also about its art "Planning a Trip Abroad" by Ed ward Hungerford is also new and practical for the beginning travel Ter.
 Cathedrals and Art Galleries
 Can you imagine a European triT without days Of faithfully doing famous pictures?" It is a process which even the most avowedly un' artistic go through dutifully. It if quite amazing the difference that ( little cramming fin the leisure oi ones home will make in the genu ineness of ones appreciation. Fol instance going through Caffin' "How to Study Pictures" will give one an excellent notion Of the whole sweep of art as it has developed through the centuries. For some thing a little more advanced on' should consult Faurc's new His tory of Art" and Ncuhaus' "Appre citation of Art Lucas in his peren nially delightful role of guide is es pecially successful in his beauti fully illustrated Wander Amonl Pictures"
 To learn to look at buildings witt a more appreciative and discerninl eye one should read Hamlin's "En ioyment of Architecture" Gosthng' Lure of English Cathedrals" ant sberwill's "Stained Glass Tours il France" will help particularly il enjoying cathedrals. And books ol works of individual artists ar numerous and beautifully illus trated.
 Literary Landmarks
 If one is going abroad to worship at the shrine of a favorite autho there are any number of books | point the way. For instance there 1 the London of Dickens" the Kip ling Country" "Browning's Italy, "Bronte Moors and "Nillages" | mention just a few. And even there isn't whole book about
 person, there is sure~to be & refer ence in some writing about hi country. Or more satisfying yet, on can ascertain from the cncyclo pcdia the general range of his wan derings and make m entertatnin myths for oneself A talent sufi eiently developed in that direeiio