I.—EASTWARD HO!

While it is true that the great tide of travel, like the “star of empire,” is ever westward, and the iron-bound highways leading toward the setting sun are the channels through which this current surges with ever-increasing volume, yet like those of the ocean, this tide has its ebb as well as flow. The business relations which exist between the East and the West render necessary a constant intercommunication, which of itself is sufficient to account for much of the returning travel. In addition to this, the social relations also exert their influence. The man who “went West” to make his fortune desires to revisit the home of his youth on the Eastern hillside. Perhaps his children, who have grown up on the prairies, wish to see the hills and valleys so often described by their parents, and contrast the almost boundless expanses of the “great West” with the rugged mountain scenery and the rocky farms, where unceasing toil, coupled, perhaps, with honest poverty, laid the foundation for sterling integrity, which the ease and freedom of Western life have not served to obliterate.

The attractions of the natural scenery of the East are of themselves sufficient to call to them annually thousands of tourists, who, independently of the causes already mentioned, occupy their “summer vacations” with an Eastern tour simply for the enjoyment of the attractions presented in the way of pleasant routes of travel, and the scenery to be enjoyed on the way or at the objective point of the journey.

With a view of meeting the wants of this great and constantly increasing class of excursionists, this work has been written. It is designed to point out the most desirable routes between Chicago and the Eastern seaboard, and to serve as a book of ready reference by the way. The lines of travel chosen are such as will give the tourist the most favorable opportunities for visiting the celebrated summer resorts en route, and secure the advantages of palace coaches, dining cars, quick transit, and sure connections,—considerations which combine to make a journey enjoyable, and by means of which a trip becomes a luxury as a means as well as an end.

The descriptions are made simple and practical, and with no effort to impart a roseate hue to the scenes described, but with a view to aid the tourist in “seeing with his own eyes” the beauties of landscape or other scenery from the most favorable points of observation, and discover for himself the things too often seen only through the medium of the guide book.

II.—SUMMER TRAVEL.

The benefits arising from a summer jaunt, with its release from the cares of business, are of inestimable value. “Work and worry” are killing hundreds who might be saved to long life and happiness could they but break away from their toil for a trip to the mountains or seaside, or some other place where business could for the time be forgotten. Though the respite be only a brief one, a break in the monotony of a busy life will sometimes relieve the tension which if too long continued snaps asunder the strings which need relaxation to preserve their strength.

The man who esteems his life work too important to admit of vacations sometimes learns, when too late for remedy, that unremitting application to his task has totally disqualified him for its continuance, and long before the period when he ought to be in his prime, he is compelled to relinquish to others the work he so fondly hoped to finish himself. A little relaxation now and then might have saved him from a collapse, but “he couldn’t afford the time.”

Happily for the American business world, the infection of “summer travel” grows more and more contagious as its benefits become better understood. Year by year the tide increases in volume, and the facilities of travel are multiplied to meet the demand. If these pages shall serve to assist the tourist in the choice of his route, or, the choice being made, in rendering his journey more enjoyable, their purpose will be fully met.