A LIFE ABROAD.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1923, Page 3

A LIFE ABROAD.

WORT.D-W f T)E W A NT)ERINGS

AN INTERESTING VISITOR

WELLINGTON, Kept. 2C>,

“I am going away with a very beautiful impression of your city,” emphatically declared the Countess Beritn de Mnntalvn, authoress, poetess, and traveller. to a ‘‘Times’’ representative yesterday, before she sailed with her husband. Mr A. P. Barnett, by the Maimgantii en route to the United States, “Why do you never say anything about your harbour U’ proceeded Madame. “why it is beautiful! It is just like Hong Kong. There is another beautiful harbour there- though yours’ i. much bigger -and they say nothing about it. I do not understand it. From the Kclburn heights, Wellington harbour is much more beautiful than Svdnev.” ABOUT’ PEOPLE. The Countess, who has just concluded a visit to Australia where she was at one time at school, appeared to gather a favourable impression of the city's scenic attractions, hut was quite outspoken regarding its inhabitants. For instance she considered the English people more polite, and the women —hard as it may seem to admit it—bettor looking. The Countess said that the attention or rather inattention one received in New Zealand or Australia came somewhat strange to a visitor.

“If you go and ask for something and it does not suit you.” she stated, “the attendant will turn away. It is verv different to that in England.” A .SENSITIVE NATION.

“The Australians were characterised as a very sensitive people, they think you are laughing at them, or their country,” said the Countess de Montalvo, “and they seem to see a gibe or sneer in whatever one says.”

“But then,” she added, “ii is a very young country ami they are not yet grown no. even if tliev think they are! There are many corners to lie rubbed olf, it is the same in all young countries.”

The Countess was nothing if nut frank. Tariff and charges in Australia and New Zealand were considered lar too high. After extensive travel in Europe and the Far East. the visitors came to the conclusion that Japan was the most expensive country they had visited.

“EVEN DEARER.” “But when we arrived in AnsiruL'i." exclaimed the visitor, “we found theJ things were even inure dearer there, and it is the same in New Zealand.” Countess de Montalvo visited Melbourne after an alisenee ol many years As a child she was sent there to school from Brazil, her birthplace. “But 1 am i cally Spanish, descended Imm an old Aragouiaii family.” she added, “though a merciful providence did not allow mo to he horn in Spain. “I have some impressions of Spain shortly to he published," confided the candid authoress, “and I do mu think that the Spaniards will like what 1 have to say about them and their dirty tow us.”

Presumably Madame did not agree with the writer who said : - Under its earveii archways I have seen Serville. And hv the sea Tawny Cadiz, Valencia comes to me with orange (lowers and crown ot gold and green. living on the move.

Her home had been for many years in England. “But. now it. is anywhere. just wherever we are . . . )\ e travel on. and il we like a place we stay there. I think there are still a few places lelt.”

An accomplished linguist, like many of her countrymen, the Countess spoke English without the slightest trace of an accent. As a child she had four languages at her command, so English did not present any dillieulties when •die was sent to school in Australia, flei penchant was ornaments. Leads n, jade and ivorv with stum'- ol varl,.rated hues, ami brooehe.- ■" extraordinary shape and design adorned her gown' It would have made a ettno collector green with envy.

first hand impressions. Sprinjzlly. bright, jiim! bronzy, with ;m almost iiiexhaust ibl- supply of aniiding anecdotes, the Countess touch'.d lightly over her luiid of adventures in manv climes. “j never read Looks.” she said ’dy husband reads them. They might inti nonce inv opinion of places. f preler I,; ~l,lam i l l v OHO impressions ht'-t hand .I am in.L ..no of those people who sit and write of adventures in foreign lands I'" a I omlmi fireside. 1 and see thing- find gather my own impression-, bill I inn entitled to inv own opinion.” “Wherever 1 go." declared the authoress of the •Socrceress.” “I let my publishers know India. China, Japan. Java. and. of ionise. North and 8011th America, as well as .Europe—we have seen them all. . • Me stories are in my head, and my material i.- gathered first-hand." AX “INSECT TAMER. The discomforts of travel in many lands, including prospecting trips in South Africa : the uncertainties ol India:, servants, and descriptive snapshots of human nature in manv quarters of the globe, w ere also men. inued duriiiic tin* conversation. Span i'll- aristocrat, writer, painter, musician, inventor, the Countess de Montalvo even considered hersell an insect tamer. When searching for (ttaliiomls on the property of her Husband in the African veldt she made pets o a young chameleon and smite remarkabl.) large beetles. . “They all called regularly lor riic.or daily ration of boiled rue, nl . "Ini we ■get tired of ‘mealies aim rice she 7-.,m inded. “I cannot look boded rice squarely in the eye even now.