ROUND THE WORLD TRIP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2926, 22 August 1925, Page 4

ROUND THE WORLD TRIP.

Concluded from Page 1). night we went to St. Peter’s and saw the whole edifaee. illuminated, also the fountains —a magnificent sight. The whole of the next morning was spent in the Vatican museum and chapels and in the afternoon we passed through the Holy Door and spent some time wandering through the interior. The following day we spent in viewing the coloseum, catacombs etc. etc. T also received a pass and visited the King's Palace and wandered through the Royal chambers. There is no doubt that Rome keeps the archives of the world, of which it was once the absolute mistress. It is majestically beautiful and superbly fascinating, a world of art and history, of which no one has succeeded in giving a complete representation, although a phalanx of students of all nations are always studying here, and though all the great poets and prose-writers of the world have glorified it through the ages. It is most fascinating to wander through the shops and among the people. Hundreds of soldiers are to he seen in the streets, wearing their decorations and in the vari-colonred uniforms of their regiments. The King’s Guard are tine looking fellows resplendent in their uniform something like the English LifeGuardsmen. They are all very polUo and courteous to strangers. Experiences are compelling us to get a smattering of Italian! The hotel accommodation is excellent and we are gradually becoming accustomed to the strange diet. The weather is decidedly warm and during a shower of rain becomes verymuggy. All the shops elose from about 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. At nights the streets are thronged with people and refreshments are served at tables on the footpaths outside the numerous restaurants. On the whole the people appeal' to be happy and pleasure-living. V c attended a place of amusement one night and the audience —men and women smoking the while—don’t make any bones about marking their appreciation or otherwise an item. If the artist doesn't please them they hiss profusely. There is also much del a v between the items. Despite the fail of the lire (which is from 130 (o 140 to the pound sterling) business appears to be prosperous and the women dress with excellent taste. In fact, except for a few blind and crippled beggars we have not seen much evidence of poverty. The’ country people are very industrious and work long hours on their holdings. Cab and taxi hire is ridiculously cheap. Men’s Bomilino luits are procurable for 10/0. Ga-t nigh* (-Inly 4th) the American ttnests at the hotel bad a ga\ turn. At dinner there were several speeches —typically American. Today, Sunday (•Inly sth) we take the. train at 2.15 p.m. for Maples, where we will remain lor a couple of days sight-seeing. Then on to Venice and back t<> .Milan. After which we go. to Paris and then back to London, where we will remain a week, then on to Wales, the Aridlands, Liverpool and Scotland.