THROUGH WILD EUROPE 69 



infancy, instead of one language, the two or three 

 which have happened to be generally used around 

 them. Italian, for instance, is the language of the 

 Adriatic generally, the sailors' language, from the 

 small coasting craft, which make such a picturesque 

 feature in all the small ports on both shores of the 

 Adriatic, to the large steamers of the Austrian- 

 Lloyd, and the Ungaro-Croatia, on board of which 

 Italian is the official language. Shipping, of course, 

 means trade ; and in consequence Italian is the 

 most universally spoken language all down the 

 coast, and for some considerable distance inland. 

 In fact, it is so indispensable that, previous to my 

 second visit to these parts, I took some lessons in 

 Italian, and in consequence enjoyed my travelling 

 much more, was considerably more independent, 

 and saved a great deal of expense. French is also 

 useful, but only in the towns, among the officials, 

 the consuls, and the higher classes. Among the 

 fishermen, boatmen, and the working people whom 

 I have to engage as guides and carriers, French is 

 quite useless, as is English. People who say that 

 they can travel all over the world with English 

 should visit some of the places in these countries, 

 and they would find themselves very much at sea 

 if they knew no other language. On all the regular 

 routes, and in towns visited by tourists, English 

 serves well enough all over the world. On the 



