31. Why does Hazlitt dislike traveling with a friend who does not share his observations?

a) It leads to disappointment and frustration

b) It makes the journey expensive

c) It forces him to stay silent

d) It slows down the journey

Answer: a) It leads to disappointment and frustration

Explanation: Hazlitt finds it disheartening when his traveling companion fails to appreciate the beauty or significance of a scene. For him, the emotional and intellectual fulfillment of a journey depends on a deep personal connection with the surroundings. If his companion remains indifferent or sees things differently, the experience feels diminished. He would rather be alone, absorbing the landscape on his own terms, than be forced into conversations that fail to match his level of perception.

32. How does Hazlitt describe the way thoughts arise while traveling alone?

a) Like floating thistle seeds carried by the wind

b) Like a river flowing steadily

c) Like a scientist making discoveries

d) Like an argument being developed

Answer: a) Like floating thistle seeds carried by the wind

Explanation: Hazlitt compares the spontaneous emergence of thoughts during solitary travel to thistle seeds drifting freely in the wind. Just as the seeds move unpredictably, without control or restriction, thoughts flow naturally when one is alone, shaped by the surroundings and emotions of the moment. This imagery highlights the beauty of unstructured contemplation, which Hazlitt believes is best achieved in solitude, without the constraints of conversation or external distractions.

33. What kind of discussions does Hazlitt find suitable for a journey?

a) Discussing the scenery and upcoming meals

b) Political debates

c) Philosophical arguments

d) Business discussions

Answer: a) Discussing the scenery and upcoming meals

Explanation: While Hazlitt dislikes deep philosophical debates or intellectual discussions during travel, he finds simple, practical conversations about the scenery or food to be enjoyable. Talking about upcoming meals or appreciating nature together does not require excessive analysis or explanation, making it a more natural and lighthearted form of interaction. Unlike forced discussions on abstract topics, these conversations do not distract from the journey’s essence.

34. What aspect of traveling in a foreign country does Hazlitt dislike?

a) The inability to speak his native language freely

b) The lack of good food

c) The difficulty in finding places to stay

d) The expense of travel

Answer: a) The inability to speak his native language freely

Explanation: Hazlitt finds that being in a country where he cannot communicate in his own language limits his ability to express himself fully. He believes that language plays a crucial role in experiencing and reflecting on a journey. When traveling alone in an unfamiliar place, the inability to engage in meaningful conversations or express one’s thoughts freely creates a sense of isolation, making the travel experience feel somewhat restricted.

35. What does Hazlitt say about inns during a journey?

a) They provide a place of temporary freedom and detachment from identity

b) They are unpleasant and uncomfortable

c) They are best avoided

d) They should only be used when necessary

Answer: a) They provide a place of temporary freedom and detachment from identity

Explanation: Hazlitt sees inns as unique spaces where travelers can temporarily shed their usual identities. Unlike home, where one is bound by responsibilities and social roles, an inn offers anonymity and detachment. A traveler is free to be whoever they want, free from expectations or obligations. This temporary escape aligns with his broader view that travel should provide complete liberty, allowing individuals to exist beyond the confines of their daily lives.

36. What does Hazlitt mean by “Out of my country and myself I go”?

a) Traveling allows him to escape his usual identity

b) He dislikes his home country

c) He wishes to move permanently

d) He enjoys visiting foreign countries

Answer: a) Traveling allows him to escape his usual identity

Explanation: Hazlitt suggests that travel provides a break not just from physical locations but from personal constraints as well. When journeying to a new place, one is free from the expectations, habits, and routines that define them at home. This allows for a sense of renewal and self-discovery, reinforcing his belief that travel is not just about exploring the world but also about exploring one’s own mind and identity in a liberated state.

37. What does Hazlitt believe is the main benefit of traveling alone?

a) It allows for uninterrupted self-reflection

b) It improves social skills

c) It helps avoid getting lost

d) It increases knowledge about history

Answer: a) It allows for uninterrupted self-reflection

Explanation: Hazlitt values solitude as a means of deep self-reflection. He believes that traveling alone frees the mind from distractions and allows for introspection. Without the need to engage in conversation or accommodate another person’s interests, a solitary traveler can fully immerse themselves in their thoughts. This aligns with the Romantic philosophy of individualism, where personal experience and self-discovery take precedence over social engagement.

38. Why does Hazlitt compare his past memories to “sunken wrack and sumless treasuries”?

a) They are hidden but valuable

b) They are lost forever

c) They are unimportant

d) They are impossible to recover

Answer: a) They are hidden but valuable

Explanation: Hazlitt compares memories to shipwrecks and hidden treasures, emphasizing that they are buried deep in the mind but remain valuable. He suggests that past experiences, though not always at the surface of consciousness, hold great emotional and intellectual worth. These memories resurface when one revisits familiar places, evoking emotions and reflections that were once forgotten, making travel a deeply personal and nostalgic experience.

39. How does Hazlitt feel about explaining his emotions to others?

a) He finds it unnecessary and difficult

b) He enjoys discussing his emotions

c) He believes emotions should be debated

d) He thinks emotions are not important

Answer: a) He finds it unnecessary and difficult

Explanation: Hazlitt views emotions as deeply personal experiences that do not always need verbal expression. He believes that words often fail to capture the depth of one’s feelings, and attempting to communicate them to others can feel forced or inadequate. This is why he prefers solitude—free from the expectation of sharing his thoughts—so that he can experience emotions purely, without the obligation to justify them to a companion.

40. What does Hazlitt mean when he refers to “half-faced fellowship”?

a) Partial companionship that does not allow true solitude

b) Superficial friendships

c) Halfhearted conversations

d) Traveling with strangers

Answer: a) Partial companionship that does not allow true solitude

Explanation: Hazlitt criticizes companionship that is neither fully engaging nor entirely absent, referring to it as “half-faced fellowship.” He dislikes situations where a traveler is not entirely alone but also not meaningfully connected with their companion. This kind of partial companionship, where interaction is obligatory but not enriching, disrupts the introspective benefits of solitude without offering genuine engagement, making the journey less enjoyable.