Erinnerungen

THE Fates were unkind to the Balkan Peninsula. Because of its position, it was forced to stand in the path of the greatest racial movements of the world, and was thus the scene of savage racial struggles, and the depositary of residual shreds of nations surviving from great defeats or Pyrrhic victories and cherishing irreconcilable mutual hatreds. As if that were not enough of ill fortune imposed by geographical position, the great Roman Empire elected to come from its seat in the Italian Peninsula to die in the Balkan Peninsula, a long drawn-out death of many agonies, of many bloody disasters and desperate retrievals. For all the centuries of which history knows a blood-mist has hung over the Balkans; and for the centuries before the dawn of written history one may surmise that there was the same constant struggle of warring races.

We have progressed appreciably beyond the days of the old horseless carriage, which, it will be remembered, retained even the dashboard. To-day the modern automobile somewhat resembles, in its outlines, across between a decapod locomotive and a steam fire-engine, or at least something concerning the artistic appearance of which the layman has very grave doubts. The control of a restive horse, a cranky boat, or even a trolley-car on rails is difficult enough for the inexperienced, and there are many who would quail before making the attempt; but to the novice in charge of an automobile, some serious damage is likely enough to occur within an incredibly short space of time, particularly if he does not take into account the tremendous force and power which he controls merely by the moving of a tiny lever, or by the depressing of a pedal.

With heart, humor, and razor-sharp observation, this intimate and incisive memoir traces the journey of a Black, queer woman as she searches the world for a place of security and acceptance to call homeI’ve never seen home as a permanent concept; it is an image crafted from untempered glass that threatens to shatter with lack of care.Jennifer Neal was born in the United States to a family that moved continuously for their own survival and well-being—from the Great Migration to the twenty-first century. As an adult, she has continued to travel the world as a Black queer woman, across two decades and four countries—from Japan to the US and then Australia to Germany, where she has settled for now.Throughout her moves, Neal threads her personal story of immigration with local Black histories and racial politics to provide context for her own experiences. The result is both a crucial examination of how racism plays a foundational role in modern-day immigration systems and a tender tribute to immigrants and their stories.An unwavering interrogation of colonialism and policy, love and loss, hypocrisy and resistance, My Pisces Heart demands meaningful conversation about not only the ways in which we live with our histories, but also how they live through us—urging an honest dialogue on why the West continues to grapple with its past and visualize its future.

We was playin' rummy over to Hatch's, and Hatch must of fell in a bed of four leaf clovers on his way home the night before, because he plays rummy like he does everything else; but this night I refer to you couldn't beat him, and besides him havin' all the luck my Missus played like she'd been bought off, so when we come to settle up we was plain seven and a half out. You know who paid it. So Hatch says: "They must be some game you can play." "No," I says, "not and beat you. I can run two blocks w'ile you're stoopin' over to start, but if we was runnin' a foot race between each other, and suppose I was leadin' by eighty yards, a flivver'd prob'ly come up and hit you in the back and bump you over the finishin' line ahead o' me." So Mrs. Hatch thinks I'm sore on account o' the seven-fifty, so she says: "It don't seem fair for us to have all the luck." "Sure it's fair!" I says. "If you didn't have the luck, what would you have?" "I know," she says; "but I don't never feel right winnin' money at cards." "I don't blame you," I says.

The Pyreneean valley in which the baths of Vernet are situated is not much known to English, or indeed to any travellers. Tourists in search of good hotels and picturesque beauty combined, do not generally extend their journeys to the Eastern Pyrenees. They rarely get beyond Luchon; and in this they are right, as they thus end their peregrinations at the most lovely spot among these mountains, and are as a rule so deceived, imposed on, and bewildered by guides, innkeepers, and horse owners, at this otherwise delightful place, as to become undesirous of further travel. Nor do invalids from distant parts frequent Vernet. People of fashion go to the Eaux Bonnes and to Luchon, and people who are really ill to Bareges and Cauterets. It is at these places that one meets crowds of Parisians, and the daughters and wives of rich merchants from Bordeaux, with an admixture, now by no means inconsiderable, of Englishmen and Englishwomen. But the Eastern Pyrenees are still unfrequented. And probably they will remain so; for though there are among them lovely valleys¿and of all such the valley of Vernet is perhaps the most lovely¿they cannot compete with the mountain scenery of other tourists loved regions in Europe. At the Port de Venasquez and the Breche de Roland in the Western Pyrenees, or rather, to speak more truly, at spots in the close vicinity of these famous mountain entrances from France into Spain, one can makecomparisons with Switzerland, Northern Italy, the Tyrol, and Ireland, which will not be injurious to the scenes then under view. But among the eastern mountains this can rarely be done. The hills do not stand thickly together so as to group themselves; the passes from one valley to another, though not wanting in altitude, are not close pressed together with overhanging rocks, and are deficient in grandeur as well as loveliness. And then, as a natural consequence of all this, the hotels¿are not quite as good as they should be.

Britain is an emergent mass of land rising from a submarine platform that attaches it to the Continent of Europe. The shallowness of its waters¿shallow relatively to the profundity of ocean deeps¿is most pronounced off the eastern and south-eastern coasts; but it extends westward as far as the isles of Scilly, which are isolated mountain-peaks of the submerged plateau. The seas that wash the long Cornish peninsula, therefore, though they are thoroughly oceanic in character, especially on the north, are not oceanic in depth; we have to pass far beyond Scilly to cross the hundred-fathom line. From the Dover strait westward there is a gradual lowering of the incline, though of course with such variations and undulations as we find on the emerged plains; but the existence of this vast submarine basis must cause us to think of our island, naturally and geologically, as a true part of the great European continent, rendered insular by the comparatively recent intrusion of shallow and narrow waters. With some developments and some limits, our flora and fauna are absolutely Continental, the limits being even more noticeable as regards Ireland. The extensive coast-line has played a most important part in influencing national history and characteristics. The greater or less resistance of different rocks and soils has affected not only coast-configurations, but therewith also the very existence and well-being of the inhabitants.

TOO often¿it is a half-acknowledged delusion, however¿one meets with what appears to be a theory: that a book of travel must necessarily be a series of dull, discursive, and entirely uncorroborated opinions of one who may not be even an intelligent observer. This is mere intellectual pretence. Even a humble author¿so long as he be an honest one¿may well be allowed to claim with Mr. Howells the right to be serious, or the reverse, "with his material as he finds it;" and that "something personally experienced can only be realized on the spot where it was lived." This, says he, is "the prime use of travel, and the attempt to create the reader a partner in the enterprise" ... must be the excuse, then, for putting one's observations on paper. He rightly says, too, that nothing of perilous adventure is to-day any more like to happen "in Florence than in Fitchburg." A "literary tour," a "cathedral tour," or an "architectural tour," requires a formula wherein the author must be wary of making questionable estimates; but he may, with regard to generalities,¿or details, for that matter,¿state his opinion plainly; but he should state also his reasons. With respect to church architecture no average reader, any more than the average observer, willingly enters the arena of intellectual combat, but rather is satisfied¿as he should be, unless he is a Freeman, a Gonse, or a Corroyer¿with an ampler radius which shall command even a juster, though no less truthful, view.

THERE is no topographical division of Europe which more readily defines itself and its limits than the Rhine valley from Schaffhausen to where the river empties into the North Sea. The region has given birth to history and legend of a most fascinating character, and the manners and customs of the people who dwell along its banks are varied and picturesque. Under these circumstances it was but to be expected that architectural development should have expressed itself in a decided and unmistakable fashion. One usually makes the Rhine tour as an interlude while on the way to Switzerland or the Italian lakes, with little thought of its geographical and historical importance in connection with the development of modern Europe. It was the onward march of civilization, furthered by the Romans, through this greatest of natural highways to the north, that gave the first political and historical significance to the country of the Rhine watershed. And from that day to this the Rhenish provinces and the Low Countries bordering upon the sea have occupied a prominent place in history. There is a distinct and notable architecture, confined almost, one may say, to the borders of the Rhine, which the expert knows as Rhenish, if it can be defined at all; and which is distinct from that variety of pre-Gothic architecture known as Romanesque.

The majority of our English counties possess some special feature, some particular attraction which acts as a lodestone for tourists, in the form of a stately cathedral, striking physical beauty, or a wealth of historical or literary associations. There are large districts of rural England that would have remained practically unknown to the multitude had it not been for their possession of some superb architectural creation, or for the fame bestowed upon the district by the makers of literature and art. The Bard of Avon was perhaps the unconscious pioneer in the way of providing his native town and county with a valuable asset of this kind. The novels of Scott drew thousands of his readers to the North Country, and those of R. D. Blackmore did the same for the scenes so graphically depicted in Lorna Doone; while Thomas Hardy is probably responsible for half the number of tourists who visit Dorset.

The Jenolan Caves contain some of the most remarkable and beautiful objects in Australian wonderland. They are formed in a limestone "dyke," surrounded by magnificent scenery, and hide in their dark recesses natural phenomena of rare interest to the geologist, as well as of pleasurable contemplation by non-scientific visitors; while in and about them the moralist may find "¿¿ tongues in trees, books in the running brooks,Sermons in stones, and good in everything." To see these caves once is to create a lifelong memory. The pink and the white terraces of New Zealand, which before the recent eruptions attracted so many tourists, did not excel in splendour the caves at Jenolan. But it is common for people to go abroad to admire less interesting things than are to be found within easy distance of their starting point, and which, if they were a thousand miles away, would probably be regarded as worthy of a special pilgrimage. There are persons living two or three leagues from the caves who have never seen them, and who, if they embraced the opportunity for inspection, would possibly regard them with the kind of wonder with which they would gaze upon the transformation scene at a pantomime. And yet the most frequent entry in the visitors' book is that the caves are "grand beyond expectation," and in some of their principal features "indescribably beautiful."

¿Darn it!¿ he said. ¿Of course I owe it to you three fellows to give you all the dope, but I certainly hate to drag my affairs in. Still, after all our planning I can¿t leave you without an explanation. You know I live in Denver with my mother and two sisters. Boys, I¿ve got the finest mother, and the sweetest kid sisters. Mother works. She never gets a vacation; couldn¿t even come to my Commencement. Gosh! It made me sick. And my older sister (she¿s sixteen) has heard me tell all about you fellows, and she was so crazy to see you, and the school, and everything. But they couldn¿t make it. Too much car fare.¿¿Why, you big stiff!¿ cried the tall boy angrily. ¿Why didn¿t you say something? Mother and father came right through Denver. All your folks could have come on with them in the car.¿

"The Grand Canyon of Arizona: How to See It" is a travel guide written by George Wharton James. Published in 1910, this book serves as a comprehensive guide to exploring the Grand Canyon, offering practical advice on how visitors can make the most of their experience at this iconic natural wonder.George Wharton James, an American travel writer and lecturer, was known for his works on the American Southwest and Native American cultures. In this guidebook, he likely provides details on the various vantage points, trails, and viewpoints within the Grand Canyon, helping readers plan their visit and appreciate the geological and scenic wonders of the area.For individuals interested in early 20th-century travel literature, the Grand Canyon, and the history of exploration in the American West, George Wharton James' guidebook serves as both a practical resource and a historical document reflecting the attitudes and knowledge of the time.

As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, I don't have specific information about a book titled "The Cathedrals of Northern France" by M. F. Mansfield. It's possible that the book may be a less widely known or niche publication.If "The Cathedrals of Northern France" by M. F. Mansfield is a real or upcoming book, or if there are variations in the title or author's name, I recommend checking more recent sources such as online bookstores, library catalogs, or the publisher's website for the latest information.Books about the cathedrals of Northern France could cover a range of topics, including their architectural features, history, and cultural significance. If you are interested in this subject, you may also explore other well-known works on French cathedrals and architecture.

If Lucerne is the most widely advertised lake in the world¿if its name, in recent years, has come to be associated, less with ancient gallant exploits of half-legendary William Tells than with cheap Polytechnic Tours and hordes of personally conducted trippers, it has luckily forfeited singularly little of its ancient charm and character, and remains, if you visit it at the right moment¿or at any moment, if you are not too fastidious in your claims for solitude and æsthetic exclusiveness¿possibly the most beautiful and unquestionably the most dramatic and striking of all the half-dozen or so greater lakes, Swiss or Italian, that cluster round the outskirts of the great central knot of Alps. "Cluster round the outskirts," for it is characteristic of all these lakes, just as it is characteristic of most of our greater English meres at home¿of Windermere, for example, or Bassenthwaite, or Ullswater¿that, though their upper ends penetrate more or less deeply (and Lucerne and Ullswater more deeply than any) among the bases of the hills, yet their lower reaches, whence discharge the mighty rivers, invariably trail away into open plain, or terminate among mere gentle undulations. Of all this class of lake, then¿lakes of the transition¿Lucerne is at once the most complex in shape, the least comprehensible in bulk, and the most immediately mountainous in character.

"The Jesuit Missions" is a historical work written by Thomas Guthrie Marquis. As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, Thomas Guthrie Marquis was a Canadian historian and author known for his writings on the history of Western Canada.In "The Jesuit Missions," Marquis likely explores the history and activities of the Jesuit missions in Canada, focusing on the efforts of the Jesuit missionaries in the context of North American colonization and interactions with Indigenous peoples.For readers interested in the history of Jesuit missions in Canada, Indigenous-European relations, and the broader history of Western Canada, Thomas Guthrie Marquis' work provides valuable insights into the religious and cultural dynamics of this historical period.

"The Itinerary of Benjamin of Tudela" is a medieval travelogue written by Benjamin of Tudela, a Jewish traveler and scholar from the 12th century. The work describes his travels and experiences as he journeyed through various regions of the medieval world.Benjamin of Tudela set out from his hometown in Spain around the year 1159, and over the course of his travels, he visited many cities and Jewish communities in Europe, Asia, and Africa. His writings provide valuable insights into the medieval world, offering details about the people, cultures, and geography of the places he visited.For historians, scholars, and those interested in medieval travel literature, "The Itinerary of Benjamin of Tudela" is a significant primary source, offering a unique perspective on the medieval Jewish diaspora and the broader cultural and social landscape of the time.

"The Dover Road" is a travelogue written by Charles G. Harper. Published in 1895, the book explores the historical and scenic aspects of the road from London to Dover, a route that has been significant throughout English history due to its connections with trade, transportation, and military movements.Charles G. Harper, a British author and illustrator, was known for his travel guides and works that celebrated the beauty and historical richness of various regions in England. In "The Dover Road," Harper likely provides readers with insights into the landscapes, landmarks, and cultural elements along the route.For those interested in late 19th-century travel literature, the history of transportation routes, and the charm of English countryside exploration, "The Dover Road" by Charles G. Harper serves as both an informative guide and an engaging narrative capturing the spirit of travel in that era.

"The Rifle and Hound in Ceylon" is a book written by Sir Samuel White Baker. Published in 1853, this work explores Baker's experiences and adventures during his time in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Sir Samuel White Baker was a 19th-century British explorer, naturalist, and big-game hunter.In "The Rifle and Hound in Ceylon," Baker likely details his observations of the local flora and fauna, as well as his hunting expeditions, providing insights into the wildlife and landscapes of Ceylon during that period. The book reflects the Victorian fascination with natural history and big-game hunting prevalent among European explorers of the time.For readers interested in 19th-century travel literature, hunting narratives, and the colonial history of Ceylon, Sir Samuel White Baker's account provides a window into the adventurous spirit of the era and the interactions between European explorers and the exotic locales they visited.

"The Diary of a Hunter from the Punjab to the Karakorum Mountains" is a travel narrative written by Augustus Henry Irby. Published in 1863, the book captures Irby's experiences as a hunter and traveler in the regions extending from the Punjab, a historical region in South Asia, to the Karakoram Mountains.Augustus Henry Irby, an English naturalist and adventurer, provides an account of his journeys, detailing the landscapes, wildlife, and encounters with local cultures during his hunting expeditions. The narrative likely reflects the Victorian-era fascination with exploration, natural history, and the allure of distant and exotic lands.For readers interested in 19th-century travel literature, big-game hunting, and the regions of South Asia, particularly the Karakoram Mountains, Irby's diary offers a firsthand perspective on the challenges and adventures of a hunter exploring the remote and rugged landscapes.

After one has left a country it is interesting to collect together the emotions it has given in an effort to define its particular character. And with Andalusia the attempt is especially fascinating, for it is a land of contrasts in which work upon one another, diversely, a hundred influences. In London now, as I write, the rain of an English April pours down; the sky is leaden and cold, the houses in front of me are almost terrible in their monotonous greyness, the slate roofs are shining with the wet. Now and again people pass: a woman of the slums in a dirty apron, her head wrapped in a grey shawl; two girls in waterproofs, trim and alert notwithstanding the inclement weather, one with a music-case under her arm. A train arrives at an underground station and a score of city folk cross my window, sheltered behind their umbrellas; and two or three groups of workmen, silently, smoking short pipes: they walk with a dull, heavy tramp, with the gait of strong men who are very tired. Still the rain pours down unceasing.

"The Old Road" is a historical and travel book written by Hilaire Belloc. First published in 1904, the book explores the historical and cultural aspects of the Old Road, referring to the ancient pilgrimage route from Winchester to Canterbury in England.Hilaire Belloc, a prolific Anglo-French writer, poet, and historian, takes readers on a journey along the Old Road, offering insights into the landscapes, towns, and historical landmarks along the way. The narrative combines historical research with Belloc's own observations, providing a vivid portrayal of the route and its significance in medieval England.For readers interested in medieval history, pilgrimage routes, and the writings of Hilaire Belloc, "The Old Road" offers a unique blend of travelogue and historical exploration, showcasing Belloc's deep appreciation for the past and his engaging storytelling style.

"The Rome Express" is a crime novel written by Arthur Griffiths. First published in 1896, the book is a mystery and detective story set against the backdrop of international travel.The plot revolves around the Rome Express, a luxurious train traveling from Paris to Rome. A crime occurs on board, and the story follows the investigation to unravel the mystery. Arthur Griffiths, a British author and prison governor, brings his experience and knowledge to the narrative, creating an engaging and suspenseful tale.For readers interested in classic mystery fiction and early detective stories, "The Rome Express" by Arthur Griffiths is a notable work that captures the intrigue and atmosphere of crime and investigation in the late 19th century.

"The Logbooks of the Lady Nelson" is a historical work written by Ida Lee. Published in 1915, the book focuses on the logbooks of the Lady Nelson, a ship known for its exploration along the coasts of Australia in the early 19th century.Ida Lee, an Australian author and maritime historian, edited and annotated the logbooks of the Lady Nelson, providing insights into the ship's voyages, discoveries, and interactions with Indigenous peoples. The Lady Nelson played a significant role in the exploration of Australian waters during the period.For readers interested in maritime history, early Australian exploration, and primary source documents from the age of sail, Ida Lee's "The Logbooks of the Lady Nelson" offers a valuable resource, shedding light on the challenges and discoveries made by this historic ship.

"The Land of the Long Night" is a travel narrative written by Paul B. Du Chaillu. Published in 1899, the book recounts Du Chaillu's experiences during his exploration of the Arctic regions, particularly focusing on the challenges and wonders encountered in the extreme northern latitudes where the phenomenon of the polar night, or "Land of the Long Night," occurs.Paul B. Du Chaillu, a French-American traveler and anthropologist, is also known for his earlier works on African exploration. In "The Land of the Long Night," he likely describes the Arctic landscapes, indigenous cultures, and the unique aspects of life in the polar regions during extended periods of darkness.For readers interested in Arctic exploration, the natural wonders of the far north, and the experiences of early adventurers, "The Land of the Long Night" by Paul B. Du Chaillu offers a firsthand account of a journey through the remote and challenging Arctic landscapes.

The gulf stream flows so near to the southern coast of Norway, and to the Orkneys and Western Islands, that their climate is much less severe than might be supposed. Yet no one can help wondering why they were formerly so much more populous than now, and why the people who came westward even so long ago as the great Aryan migration, did not persist in turning aside to the more fertile countries that lay farther southward. In spite of all their disadvantages, the Scandinavian peninsula, and the sterile islands of the northern seas, were inhabited by men and women whose enterprise and intelligence ranked them above their neighbors. Now, with the modern ease of travel and transportation, these poorer countries can be supplied from other parts of the world. And though the summers of Norway are misty and dark and short, and it is difficult to raise even a little hay on the bits of meadow among the rocky mountain slopes, commerce can make up for all deficiencies. In early times there was no commerce except that carried on by the pirates¿if we may dignify their undertakings by such a respectable name,¿and it was hardly possible to make a living from the soil alone. The sand dunes of Denmark and the cliffs of Norway alike gave little encouragement to tillers of the ground, yet, in defiance of all our ideas of successful colonization, when the people of these countries left them, it was at first only to form new settlements in such places as Iceland, or the Faroë or Orkney islands and stormiest Hebrides.

"The Mission to Siam and Hué, the Capital of Cochin China, in the Years 1821-2" is a historical narrative written by George Finlayson. Published in 1826, this work provides an account of a diplomatic mission to Siam (now Thailand) and Hué, the capital of Cochin China (now part of Vietnam), undertaken in the early 19th century.George Finlayson, a Scottish physician and naturalist, was part of the mission, and his narrative captures the experiences, observations, and interactions during this diplomatic venture. The work likely delves into cultural, political, and geographical aspects of the regions visited.For readers interested in historical travel narratives, diplomatic missions in Southeast Asia, and the perspectives of travelers from the early 19th century, "The Mission to Siam and Hué" offers valuable insights into a period of cross-cultural exchange and exploration.

The Strait of Niagara, or the Niagara River, as it is commonly called, ranks among the wonders of the world. The study of this stream is of intense and special interest to many classes of people, notably historians, archæologists, botanists, geologists, artists, mechanics, and electricians. It is doubtful if there is anywhere another thirty-six miles of riverway that can, in this respect, compare with it. The term "strait" as applied to the Niagara correctly suggests the river's historic importance. The expression, recurring in so many of the relations of French and English military officers, "on this communication" also indicates Niagara's position in the story of the discovery, conquest, and occupation of the continent. It is probably the Falls which, technically, make Niagara a river; and so, in turn, it is the Falls that rendered Niagara an important strategic key of the vast waterway stretching from the mouth of the St. Lawrence to the head of Lake Superior. The lack¿so far as it does exist¿of historic interest in the immediate Niagara region, the comparative paucity of military events of magnitude along that stream during the old French and the Revolutionary wars proves, on the one hand, what a wilderness separated the English on the South from the French on the North, and, on the other, how strong "the communication" was between Quebec and the French posts in the Middle West. It does not prove that Niagara was the less important.

"Hampstead and Marylebone" is a book written by Geraldine Edith Mitton, often referred to by her initials G. E. Mitton. Published in the early 20th century, the book is likely a guide or historical account that explores the neighborhoods of Hampstead and Marylebone in London.G. E. Mitton was a prolific author known for her travel guides and works on English local history. In "Hampstead and Marylebone," she may have provided insights into the cultural, architectural, and historical aspects of these London districts, offering readers a detailed view of their past and present.For individuals interested in the history and local characteristics of Hampstead and Marylebone during the early 20th century, G. E. Mitton's work could be a valuable resource. It might provide a glimpse into the social and cultural life of these London neighborhoods.