Holograph of a tour through France, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and Italy, in which the author, traveling with Mr. Pocock, records primarily historical anecdotes about the cities and landmarks he visits; his interactions with the inhabitants; and descriptions of attractive landscapes and scenic views. In traveling from Lyons to Avignon, he pretends to be a German-Swiss officer in the Regiment of Sonneberg and, in disguise, argues with a dockyard commissary about the superiority of British laws. In Rome, he describes the Pope's election process, and declares that "the Police of Rome is but ill regulated," commenting on "their corruption and depravity." He praises the hills of the Apennines, which he pronounces "varied and beautiful & particularly so at this season of the year owing to the different colord foliage," though he and his companion are required to hire a yoke of oxen, "for the purpose of assisting the horses," in order to ascend them. The volume concludes with a description of Italy's national character and a list of "remarkable Paintings Sculputre & Architecture seen in Italy."
Description:
Binding: contemporary vellum, without title., For information on the source of acquisition, consult the appropriate curator., Signature and inscription on flyleaf: Elizabeth Carstine Mohun Harris C[?]p House 1880. This book belonged to her grandfather & came to her in the division of her mothers Books., Signature on flyleaf: Elizabeth Bertha Vaughan - nee Mohun-Harris niece of E. C. Mohun-Harris., Watkins' letters to his father during this journey were published in 1792., Written in pencil on flyleaf: The Travels of the late Rev Tho Watkins of Pennoyre which he published in 2 vols. JJ., Written inside front cover: Conrad Ebner aubergiste au Cerf a Dogguern., and Written inside front cover: The journal Book of Th. Watkins. Written when cast on the bleak and inhospitable shore of Scalea in Calabria on his voyage to Sicily. Feb 20th 1788 Wed. Evening.
Subject (Geographic):
Europe--Social life and customs--18th century., France--Description and travel., Italy--Description and travel., and Italy--Religious life and customs--18th century.
Subject (Name):
T. W.--(Thomas Watkins)
Subject (Topic):
Tourism--Europe. and Travelers' writings, English.
Manuscript, in a single hand, of the journey of Thomas Turner, copied by B. Leech, from Dieppe through France and Italy to Naples and thence to Venice, Turin, Paris, the Low Countries, and back to England. The author records primarily historical anecdotes about the cities and landmarks he visits as well as notations of interesting artifacts there; his observations on their fortifications and architectural details; and descriptions of attractive landscapes. He observes the strong and regular walls at Piacenza and Vicenza and gives a brief history of the siege in 1656 in Valenciennes. He notes that the hill "called Mons Tertaceus" is made entirely of pot-shards; and at Nimes, he writes, "There are many other antiquities, as eagles without heads, ancient inscriptions & such like, to be found, in several parts of the town." He concludes his narrative with a description of his return to Dover by packet-boat, where he lodges at "the Ship, called the Welcome to Dover." Pasted in throughout are 43 diagrams of fortifications in European cities, including the Citadel at Marseilles; the Fortress of Montmelian upon a Rock in Savoy; the Citadel at Capua; and the Town & Fortress of Cambray.
Description:
At beginning of volume is a genealogy of "The Family of Mrs. Cecilia Chester" to 1745, which concludes with a brief genealogy of Lady Cecilia Neville Duchess of York, from whom is descended "King Charles now living.", Binding: contemporary vellum, with title on spine: Turner's Itinerary. 1659 to 1662., For information on the source of acquisition, consult the appropriate curator., Index at end of manuscript., The manuscript begins with an "Abstract, from the Manuscript Itinerary of Thomas Turner Esqr, with copies of his drawings, of several well fortified places, which are very strong, by Art or Nature, or both united, in 1659 to 1662. (In the possession of Mrs. Jackson, wife of Mr. Jackson Surgeon Bedford.) Transcribed &c. by B. Leech.", and Written on flyleaf: For the Table of the Route, see the page VI. & The Alphabetical Index. pa. 178.
Subject (Geographic):
England--Genealogy., France--Description and travel., Italy--Description and travel., and Netherlands--Description and travel.
Subject (Name):
Chester family. and Turner, Thomas,--fl. 1659-1662.
Subject (Topic):
Fortification--Design., Fortification--Europe., Tourism--Europe., and Travelers' writings, English.
