THE “Buy British Goods” campaign has now been followed by an organized “Take British Holidays” campaign. It is said that last year five million English people spent their holidays on the Continent, leaving fifty million pounds worth of English money in foreign countries. Apart altogether from economic considerations, there is much to be said for the Continental holiday. The change that is so necessary in these days of strain and worry is most effective when it is a complete change — change of environment, change of food, change of language — while even a very superficial acquaintance with foreign peoples broadens sympathies, and does something to destroy the insularity which Catholics especially must regard as utterly mischievous. At the same time, it is absurd to be acquainted with the Ardennes and hardly to have heard of the Quantocks, to know Lake Como and never to have seen Lake Windermere. England is a country dowered with a wealth of beauty which Englishmen should most certainly know and love. The trouble is that, on the whole, English holidays are far more expensive than Continental holidays, and often far more uncomfortable.
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