text:  We would fain whisper to such persons that mere locomotion never qualified any body to write a book even of travels; that some powers of observation and a certain correctness of judgment and even some previous acquaintance with the history and character of the nation they visit are also necessary; and if after that they still persisted in their designs we would beg of them to remember that light words are apt to travel both far and fast; that some part of their lucubrations may possibly reach the countries they refer to--perhaps through the instrumentality of the trunkmakers; and that in any case they should avoid giving unfavourable details even if true of the private life and habits of people who have shown them kindness and hospitality--details the data of which if investigated would be found in most instances to be absurd and ridiculously insufficient