PREFACE.
This book is a record of a pleasure-trip. If it were a record of a
solemn scientific expedition, it would have about it that gravity,
that profundity, and that impressive incomprehensibility which are
so proper to works of that kind, and withal so attractive. Yet notwithstanding
it is only a record of a pic-nic, it has a purpose, which
is, to suggest to the reader how he would be likely to see Europe and
the East if he looked at them with his own eyes instead of the eyes
of those who travelled in those countries before him. I make small
pretence of showing any one how he ought to look at objects of
interest beyond the sea—other books do that, and therefore, even
if I were competent to do it, there is no need.
I offer no apologies for any departures from the usual style of
travel-writing that may be charged against me—for I think I have
seen with impartial eyes, and I am sure I have written at least
honestly, whether wisely or not.
In this volume I have used portions of letters which I wrote for
the Daily Alta California, of San Francisco, the proprietors of that
journal having waived their rights and given me the necessary
permission. I have also inserted portions of several letters written
for the New York Tribune and the New York Herald.
THE AUTHOR.
San Francisco, 1869.
