A physician's vacation, or, A summer in Europe / By Walter Channing.

  • Walter Channing
Date:
1856
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A physician's vacation, or, A summer in Europe / By Walter Channing. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    at home as abroad. The lady was altogether pleasing. She had a handsome face, which, to me, is often more agreeable than mere beauty, as handsomeness has more to do with expression than with features. The expression in this ex- ample made the attraction. She was often busy with Murray, and was an excellent guide, and prompter to her companions. She did not look into Murray to learn what she was to see, but what she saw, and if there was occasion, consulted. I abhor guide books. They give you some- body's impressions, but disburb your own. The farther north I went, — the further from the common tramp, — the less I consulted these works, for when I did, the more frequently was I annoyed by what seemed to me mere im- pertinences. The lady sketched, and with much skill, and I have no doubt was guilty of journalizing. At least she made notes by the way. Something was said about Paris, and I made a question about hotels, and lodgings. Mr. named the Brighton, and described and recom- mended exactly the rooms which I afterwards occupied. But, said he, you will be charged a round sum for them, and you must not be in a hurry to engage them. But the advice is useless. Men cannot make a bargain, and always pay the asking price. The only way to travel is with a lady. She understands the whole matter. She, of course, knows languages. Well, we stop at a hotel. Madam says, ' Sit still.' I obey. She lights; goes in; asks for rooms; goes up stairs; is showed rooms ; the price ? So many francs a day. ' No, that will never do. Did not Mrs. ■ stop here a short time ago ? ' ' Yes.' ' A very pleasant lady. By the way, how is the little boy of yours who was so ill, and so much interested my friend ?' ' Quite well; many thanks.' ' You said so many francs, I think.' Reduction begins, and by the time my lady has asked all sorts of questions, the terms have come within such con- venient limits that the rooms are engaged. Now, you will go to the , or the ; see the rooms, or send
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