THE
PF.TI :RITE. VOL .
"
X.
MARCH, 1887 .
No . 66.
OUR TRAMP ABROAD.
f is a strange thing," says Francis Bacon, " that in sea voyages, I where there is nothing to be seen but sky and sea, men should make diaries but in land travel, wherein so much is to be observed, for the most part they omit it . " If this were strange three hundred years ago, it is equally to be wondered at now . Doubtless we should all make a resolution to keep a record of all the interesting places we visit when we travel, and of any curious incidents that come under our notice . But communication between place and place is nowadays so easy, and we get over the ground so rapidly and see so much in a short time, as to make it almost impossible for ordinary mortals to chronicle their adventures. There is, however, a means of escape for any Peterites that feel it to be their duty, but are too lazy to " make diaries ; " namely, to try and write interesting letters to their relatives from the places they visit, and such letters may possibly be afterwards available for reference to assist them in writing those articles for the School Magazine which, of course, all Peterites—Old or New—intend to write. " Have you been on the Continent ? " is a question often put, and it is one that the majority of Englishmen have to answer in the negative. Various excuses are offered for not having ventured across the " silver streak ." One person says that travelling on the Continent is too expensive (though this is a fallacy, for with proper economy one can travel as cheaply in Switzerland as in England) ; another says he is afraid to go because he cannot speak the language, but this again need be no obstacle, as your mother tongue will get you through most difficulties . Another says he is " waiting for the Channel Tunnel ." Well, I have no retort to meet this objector, and must confess that I hope he may have to wait a very long time !