The Artist 
preserved in Germany than in England it- 
self. I think, however, that they are illus- 
trated best of all in our own country, as re- 
gards the noblest problems ; and for many 
other reasons travel here is more indispensa- 
ble to the student than travel abroad. 
Nature herself speaks more directly and 
variously in America than in Europe, and, 
on the other hand, many of our artistic 
problems are peculiar to ourselves. Most of 
our country houses are differently built, 
placed, and surrounded from those of other 
countries. Our large parks and private do- 
mains are often laid out upon virgin soil in- 
stead of upon sites which have been used for 
other purposes, while in the west of Europe 
such a thing as a virgin site hardly exists. 
Our cemeteries are distinctive. Our cities 
are planned in local ways ; and, in general 
idea and details of arrangement, our vil- 
lages and summer-colonies are like no oth- 
ers. Add those fundamental diversities in 
soil, climate, vegetation, and atmospheric ef- 
fect which the artist can never for a moment 
forget, and it will be clear why his first 
travelling should be done in his own country. 
367 
