WHAT TRAVELLERS READ.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 July 1928, Page 1

WHAT TRAVELLERS READ.

“The English traveller is generally going to or coming from somewhere, and he or she differs therein from the American, who, as a rule, is merely wandering about in search of entertainment or information. Your Englishman carries about with him a book tucked under his arm. If lie sits down on desk or in saloon he immediately opens this book and reads for dear life. The casual observer is immediately impressed by the erudite perseverance of the reader, and it is only when a mischance reveals the title of the book that the effect is destroyed. Some English travellers read good backs, some read vicious books, but for the most part the reading is simply useless except to pass the ,time. The volumes in a ship’s library are probably selected with clue regard to the taste and fancy of the expected reader, and it is seldom that one finds anything; very profound or helpful, or stimulating even. The American traveller, on the other hand, seldom reads at all; but, if there are classes among Americans, one might say that the better class American reads, if be reads, books which inform and educate.’’—From “Windows of Asia” by A. P. Richardson.