For one moment the captain, the passengers, the people on the quay, gaze breathless as it whirls through the air. It falls just short of the landing-stage, and sinks into the grey waters of that chilly lake, never more to be recovered, in any sense of the word. In those immeasurable depths its neat silk covering will decay, its slender frame will fall to pieces. It has gone for ever. Beneath this grey Italian sky some Italian gamp must keep off these Italian showers. Then the captain, the passengers, and the people smile and laugh. I, who write this, am the only one on whose face there is not a grin, for that umbrella was mine. A FIRST IMPRESSIONIST. * * * THE BELFRY OF BRUGES OVERLOOKED ["A more silent city than Bruges does not exist."--_Standard._] WHAT? Bruges a silent city! Now, nay a thousand times! If deaf, accept our pity; If not,--oh dear! those chimes! [Illustration: SIX OF ONE, HALF-A-DOZEN OF THE OTHER _Three of our Countrywomen Abroad._ "_Well, I never!_ To turn round, and stare at one like that!"] [Illustration: A VIEW ON THE FRENCH COAST] A VIEW ON THE FRENCH COAST TALK about lazy time!-- Come to this sunny clime-- Life is flowing rhyme-- Pleasant its cadence Zephyrs are blowing free Over the summer sea, Sprinkling deliciously Merry Mermaidens! Despite the torrid heat, Toilettes are quite complete; White are the little feet, Fair are the tresses: Maidens here swim or sink, Clad in blue serge--I think Some are in mauve or pink-- Gay are the dresses! If you know Etretât, You'll know _M'sieu là_-- Oh, such a strong papa!-- Ever out boating. You'll know his babies too, Toto and Lolalou, All the long morning through Diving and floating. Oh what a merry crew! Fresh from the water blue, Rosy and laughing too-- Daring and dripping! Look at each merry mite, Held up a dizzy height, Laughing from sheer delight-- Fearless of slipping! He hath a figure grand-- Note, as he takes his stand, Poised upon either hand, Merry young mer-pets: Drop them! You strong papa, Swim back to Etretât! Here comes their dear mamma, Seeking for _her_ pets! * * * [Illustration: 'ARRY'S 'OLIDAY; B'LOGNE AND BACK] [Illustration: HARRY'S SON'S HOLIDAY REMINISCENCES--HOLLAND (_Drorn all by himself, and signed "Harry's Son"_)] [Illustration: 'ARRY ON THE BOULEVARDS] ON THE CHEAP (_From the Journal of a Travelling Economist_) ["On the other hand, however, we must avow some apprehension that too minute attention to the possibility of cheap travel may render a Continental tour a continual vexation and trouble. Plain living and high thinking are, as Mr. Capper says, crying wants of these days; but the latter condition is hardly to be attained by the self-imposed necessity of striking a bargain with a landlord at the end of each day's journey."--_Times._]