Practical hints for travellers in the Near East : a companion to the guide books / by E.A. Reynolds-Ball.

  • Reynolds-Ball, Eustace A. (Eustace Alfred), 1858-1928
Date:
1903
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Practical hints for travellers in the Near East : a companion to the guide books / by E.A. Reynolds-Ball. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    22/176 (page 6)
    Ladies will find the new soap-leaves (sold in a little book at 50 c., and obtainable at any French chemist’s or railway bookstall), called “ Savon de Voyage Blanche Leigh,” extremely useful when travelling, half-a-dozen “books” taking up very little room. A single leaf rubbed between the hands, previously wetted, will produce a good lather. Outfit (see Hints to Explokers Section). Passports.—Considering how cheaply and easily a passport is obtained, and what serious inconvenience is often caused by the lack of this invaluable permit, it is curious that one so often comes across travellers, in quite out-of-the-way regions, unprovided with one. Even in countries where passports are rarely demanded it often happens that the want of one proves a great drawback to the tourist’s comfort. For instance, a registered letter will always be given up to the traveller provided with a passport, while, without it, he will have to get a resident of the place to vouch for his identity. Then, in the case of private galleries, and Government buildings not usually open to the public, it will frequently serve as an “ open sesame” even when a tip would be futile. Petty func- tionaries, too, all over the Continent have a great respect for a Foreign Office passport, being firmly persuaded that the British Foreign Minister personally vouches for the respectability of its bearer ! The production of this docu- ment is also very useful in case of difficulty with railway officials, police, customs officers, &c. A passport even facilitates the cashing of a cheque by a foreign hotel-keeper. The countries where passports obtain may be thus classified:—(a) Where passports are absolutely obligatory: .Russia, Turkey, Roumania, Syria, and Palestine. (b) Where passports are advisable : France, Germany, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and Egypt. (<•) Where passports are optional: All countries of Europe not specified above, and Morocco.