PROS AND CONS OF FOREIGN TRAVEL.

(BY A HESITATING TRIPPIST.)

Antwerp.—­Lots of Rubens, but the Harwich route is objectionable in “dusty” weather.

Boulogne.—­Great attraction this year—­Ex-Queen of NAPLES installed—­but the port, at low tide, requires all the perfumes of Araby, and more.

[Illustration]

Cologne.—­Cathedral finished, but local scent is accurately expressed by “Oh!”

Dieppe.—­Casino cheery, but the passage from Newhaven to French coast at times too terrible for words.

Etretat.—­Amusing society, but the sanitary arrangements are rather shady.

Florence.—­The Capital of Art, but at its worst in the dog days.

Geneva.—­Within reach of Mont Blanc, but hotels indifferent, even when under “Royal Patronage.”

Heidelberg.—­Magnificent view from the Castle, but too many Cooks spoil the prospect.

Interlaken.—­Jungfrau splendid, but not free from ’ARRIES and ’ARRIETTS.

Jerusalem.—­Interesting associations, but travelling on mule-back is a trial to born pedestrians.

Kissingen.—­Out of the beaten track, but query rather too much so.

Lucerne.—­Lovely; but comfort takes a back seat if the Schweitzerhoff is full.

Madrid.—­Plenty of pictures, but cholera in the neighbourhood.

Naples.—­Famous Bay never off, but scarcely the place to face an epidemic.

Ouchy.—­Beau Rivage beyond all praise, but environs uninteresting.

Paris.—­Always pleasant—­save in August.

Quebec.—­Possibly attractive to the wildly adventurous, but scarcely worthy of a jaunt across the Atlantic.

Rome.—­The City of the Popes and the Caesars, but not to be thought of before the early winter.

St. Malo.—­Quaint old Breton port, but journey from Southampton frequently dangerous, and always disagreeable.

Turin.—­Typical Italian town; but why go here when other places are equally accessible?

Utrecht.—­Suggestive of cheap velvet, but suggestive of nothing else.

Vevey.—­Pleasantly situated, but triste to the last degree.

Wiesbaden.—­Kept its popularity, in spite of its loss of roulette and trente et quarante; but Baden-Baden is preferable.

X les Bains.—­Beautiful scenery, but population chiefly invalids.

Zurich.—­Might do worse than go there; but, on the other hand, why not stay at home?

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[Illustration:  AN OBJECT OF COMPASSION.

PITY AN UNFORTUNATE MAN, DETAINED IN LONDON BY UNINTERESTING
CIRCUMSTANCES OVER WHICH HE HAS NO CONTROL, WHOSE FAMILY ARE ALL OUT
OF TOWN, WHOSE ESTABLISHMENT IS REPRESENTED BY A CARETAKER, AND WHOSE
CLUB IS CLOSED FOR ALTERATIONS AND REPAIRS.]