In presenting my little book to the public, I feel that I should apologize for so doing, instead of introducing it; for at the time my letters were written I had no idea of publishing them. Since my return, however, several friends who had read them have assured me that they greatly enjoyed them, and felt that others would do so, also, had they the opportunity. The letters have, at least, the merit of being fresh and honest impressions of the places described, as they were written on the spots.

Cunard Royal Mail Steamship Etruria , Mid-Ocean , June 12 . Well , was not this starting for Europe in a hurry? I left Boston Saturday, June 9th, at five A.M. , only deciding the day previous to go. A number of letters and telegrams, from New York, urging me to join a delightful party who were to make the journey, proved to be too much of a temptation to accept the change I so much needed, to resist. For several previous seasons I have seen friends off, honestly glad to have them enjoy so much,

We landed at seven A.M. Were detained but a short time at the Custom-house. The ordeal of examining luggage there, proved much less than we expected; one pleasant official, remarking that he did not wish to disturb my nicely packed bags, would pass them over if I would swear that I had no tobacco or cigars. Hasty good-bys, cards and kisses exchanged, and we were soon whirled to our hotel—the Adelphi. What a transition! We have nice rooms, and a pretty maid, with a demi-trained white cambric dres

Edwards Hotel, George St., Hanover Sq., London , June 20 . Our rooms we had telegraphed for, so upon reaching the city we had nothing to do but enter a cab and be driven to them. We have homelike accommodations, and our meals served in our own private parlor. Everything in the house is so quiet that I did not know but we had made a mistake and got into a retreat for the deaf and dumb. F. thinks it fine, but I must say that when I am at a hotel I like the bustle and excitement of one. The ‘office

June 26, 1888. From London to New Haven by rail, and there took steamer to cross the English Channel. It was stormy and very rough, and nearly all but our party succumbed to sea-sickness. We could not remain outside, the storm was so severe, and the close proximity of the mal-de-mer victims proved a little contagious. The gong sounded for dinner, but I feared dinner and my stomach would not agree, and remembering my determination not to be sick, turned my back upon those that were, took a bright

We cannot be French very much longer, and must turn our tongue into German. E. does not accompany us, so our own interpreters we shall have to be. Our carriage contained, beside ourselves, a French gentleman and an Italian gentleman, ‘we four, and no more.’ We sped on through villas and villages, and fields of bright wild flowers, with but little of interest, however, to detail. Our Italian seemed troubled in regard to an apparently new glove which he tore badly in raising a window. After a long

Chamouni is a small town at the foot of the mountains, surrounded in all directions by grand scenery, and the river Arve rushing through it, but our impressions of the place we will give you to-morrow. We find our hotel full of people from all over the world, and, alas, we see by the register that some friends from Boston have just left. Why could they not have stayed one day longer? We rush from table d’hôte into the yard to see a party dismount from their mules after a day’s excursion in the m

Martigny. Our ride of thirty miles has been delightful. There is no railroad, of course, from Chamouni to this place. We passed many pedestrians of both sexes, with their bags and waterproofs strapped across their backs, following in a line like a row of ants, apparently having a jolly time seeing Switzerland on foot; also passed parties on mules. The scenery was glorious all the way. We looked back to take our last view of Mt. Blanc and the Mt. Blanc range and the lovely valley below. Our road

Lucerne , July 18th, 1888 . In going to the breakfast-room this morning I saw, in a pantry we passed, some real cucumbers, green and fresh looking, as if they had just been picked in a garden I am thinking of, not a hundred miles from Boston. My mouth fairly watered for a few crisp slices. I had a conversation with my table waiter about them, who thought it might be possible to get some for me. I waited patiently with refreshing anticipations, but when they came their crispness had departed: the

Hotel de la Ville de Paris, Strassburg. My dear ——: Strassburg is a larger city than I had expected to see, and some parts of it are very fine. The university buildings are handsome, as are many others. The great cathedral, however, is the one particular object of interest. We first took a look at the exterior, and many looks, for its beauties are manifold. The carvings, statues, and bas-reliefs are magnificent, as are also the towers, turrets, and the spire. The west front, so called, has a ros

Mayence, Germany , July 29th, 1888 . A fine city is this, a large one too, with broad, handsome streets. Our first visit was, as usual, to the cathedral. Service was going on, and this being some anniversary day, the church was profusely decorated with fresh plants and flowers. The entire chancel was filled with ferns and white blossoms. I sat a while listening to the service, but the only portion of it I was capable of appreciating was the fine tone of the organ as it sent out its waves of swee

Cologne. Our room was all ready for us, and it was a fine one, and a rocking-chair in it, as sure as we are here, the first one seen since leaving Paris. How home-like! Letters, too! the best welcome of all. One from you, dear, who have proved by services and self-sacrifices that ‘love’ is more than a word; and two from dear friends whose rare friendship has known no change. How eagerly we read them! How thankful to know you are all well! Oh how far away in body we feel from you to-night! A rap

At Utrecht, our first Holland city, at the station, we had our first glimpse of a Holland lady in her national costume. She stepped from her carriage and stood near us for several moments, and in that time, I fear, we proved to be as good ‘starers’ as the French are. I wish I could make you see her just as I did. She was a large-framed, good-looking woman. Her dress skirt was of stiff black satin, in length considerably above her ankles. She wore a full white waist, over which she had a jacket,

Hotel Vieux Doelen , The Hague, Holland , August 6th, 1888 . In coming from Amsterdam here we saw water-lilies—sheets of them—on rivers and dikes! Yes, just like our own New England blossoms. How I did want the cars to stop, so that I could get a breath of their fragrance—a breath of Cape Cod—a breath of Plymouth ponds—a breath of East Taunton’s sweetest offerings! We saw storks too, tall and stately, carrying with them good luck, and bearing good omens. Our hotel here is a noted one; it is seve

Hotel de l’Europe, Antwerp, Belgium , August 9, 1888 . We reached here last night in time to take a look at this old city and to hear the ringing of ‘bells, bells, bells.’ We thought at first they were ringing on account of our arrival, or for some other unusual occasion, but find we were mistaken. The bells of Antwerp are ringing always. We find at our hotel the M.’s, our pleasant Chamouni friends, and it was a pleasant surprise indeed to have them meet and greet us; also Rev. Mr. G., of Boston

On Shipboard. Our first hours on board were busy ones, making our state-room seem home-like, decorating it with little souvenirs, and disposing boxes and bundles in out-of-the-way corners. Placing in vases lovely flowers, which friendly hands had placed in ours, with best wishes for a ‘Bon voyage.’ As glimpses of the chalk-cliffs of England could be caught in the distance, we turned our faces toward that shore, with loving thoughts of one dear to us, whom we leave on British soil. ‘We were a-hun