Scotland we have seen. And, besides, it is invaded by shoals of cockneys about this time of the year. Even Ellen's Isle must lose much of its charm under such trying circumstances! Switzerland too we have seen. Let us try something new in its way.
And there is something quite new and attractive in its way! Cook and Son are organizing a grand tour to Christiania, Stockholm, St. Petersburg and Moscow,—to the great fair of Nijni Novgorod, and on to the Volga River and the Caspian Sea,—and thence back to Constantinople, to Greece and to Italy. That surely is a wonderful programme, enough to satisfy the most inveterate traveller! To go through the remote villages in the interior of Russia, to steam down the Volga, to walk by the ancient ruins of Athens and Rome,—why, this surely would be the realization of our most cherished dreams!
And yet stop one moment. There is one serious difficulty in the way. The trip will take two months and a half, and I did not wish to leave my family by themselves in London for such a length of time. And the trip will cost each of us £134, which means two thousand Rupees at the present rate of exchange!
I was informed at Messrs Cook and Son's office that they despaired of taking out a party according to the scheme, because they could not get ten people to come forward. Six persons had come forward, and if I and my two friends joined, the party could set out at once,—otherwise the scheme must be dropped. The temptation was very great, but we resisted it. I could not possib]y join it, and so the scheme fell through.
