The effect produced on the mind by travelling depends entirely on the mind of the traveler and on the way in which he conducts himself. The chief idea of one very common type of traveler is to see as many objects of interest a he possibly can. If he can only, after his return from home, say that he has seen such and such a temple,castle,picture gallery, or a museum,he is perfectly satisfied. Therefore, when he arrives at a famous city, he rushes through it, so that he may get over as quickly as possible the task of seeing its principle sight., enter them by name in his notebook as visited and then hurry on to another city which he treats in the same unceremonious way. Far different is the effect of travel upon those who leave their native country with minds prepared by culture to feel intelligent admiration for all the beauties of nature and art to be found in foreign lands. Their object is not to see so much, but to see well.
When they visit Paris or Athens or Rome, instead of hurrying from temple to museum, they allow the spirit of the place to sink into their minds, and also visit such monuments as the time they have at their disposals allow them to contemplate without irrelevant haste. They find it more profitable and delightful to settle down for a week or so at centers of great historical and artistic or of remarkable natural beauty, than to pay a visit to all the principal cities that they pass by. In this way they gain by their travels refreshment and rest for their minds, satisfaction of their intellectual curiosity and increased knowledge of the world and its inhabitants.
No comments:
Post a Comment