Manuscript, in a single hand, of twelve letters written during a tour of London and addressed to "dear Elvira." In the letters, the author (Mrs. Percivall or Percival?) describes the social sights of London, including parties and dinners she attends, music she hears, and nobility she sees, including a masquerade at Somerset House where her friend dresses up as an Indian princess; a dinner which the Queen gave to the Ambassador; a military show by soldiers in Hyde Park; and, at the end of the volume, a masquerade ball in which she meets "a very agreeable gentleman." In addition, "being almost smothered with the thick air of London," she and her acquaintances take a trip into the country, where they visit Hatfield and attend a concert of music hosted by Italian marquis, where "there was an eunuch who sang." Throughout, she provides detailed descriptions of paintings, furniture, silverware, food, equipages, and the dress of the nobility
Description:
In English., Title from first page., Leaves are numbered and written on the rectos only, except for pages 6, 8, and 44 which are numbered and written on versos., Binding: half morocco over machine-grain morocco boards., and An unvetted transcript is available in the object file. For further information, consult library staff.
Subject (Geographic):
England, London., England., Great Britain., Great Britain, and London
Subject (Name):
Percivall, Mrs.
Subject (Topic):
Amusements, Country homes, Courts and courtiers, Nobility, Social life and customs, and Description and travel
Holograph diary recording Macartney's embassy to China between September 11, 1792 and January 15, 1794. The first volume narrates his journey to China; embarking on board a man-of-war from London, he lists the members of his train; describes his stop in Madeira, where he dines with the governor, visits the gardens, and attends a ball. He then stops at Tenerife, where he learns of "barbarities committed by the blacks" in St. Domingo; and continues with stops at St. Iago; Rio de Janeiro; and the islands of Amsterdam and St. Paul. Throughout, he provides summaries of the island's history, inhabitants, agriculture, and interesting flora and fauna. The volume concludes with two essays on trade and commerce, one on avarice and the other explaining differences of custom and manners between Chinese and Europeans which cause difficulties in conducting trade. This latter treatise is preceded by a petition by "Tong-Foo and Buble-me-qua" asking for aid in recovering debts owed them by English merchants and The second volume begins with a brief summary of the journey from England, but focuses primarily on his time in China. He describes, in detail, the reception he receives from the local dignitaries upon his arrival in China; the activities and machinations of the court and courtiers; the architecture; social life and customs; missionary work in China; British foreign relations with China; and especially his own opinions concerning cultural differences in negotiating with various members of the court. The volume concludes with his opinion on how to preserve the diplomatic ground lately gained in China. At the beginning of the first manuscript is an inscription, "This journal was written by Lord Macartney on board the Lion merely for his own amusement and to pass away some tedious hours of a very long sea voyage."
Description:
In English., Watermark on paper: 1803., Marbled endpapers in vol. 1., and Binding: vol. 1: full vellum. Vol. 2: half vellum; back board is covered with marbled paper. Written on spine of vol. 2: Embassy to China.
Subject (Geographic):
Amsterdam Island (Terres australes et antarctiques françaises), China, Great Britain., Great Britain, China., Madeira Islands, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Saint Paul Island (Indian Ocean), and Tenerife (Canary Islands)
Subject (Name):
Macartney, George Macartney, Earl, 1737-1806.
Subject (Topic):
Diplomatic and consular service, British, Travelers' writings, English, Commerce, Court and courtiers, Description and travel, Foreign relations, Politics and government, and Social life and customs
Holograph diary recording Macartney's embassy to China between September 11, 1792 and January 15, 1794. The first volume narrates his journey to China; embarking on board a man-of-war from London, he lists the members of his train; describes his stop in Madeira, where he dines with the governor, visits the gardens, and attends a ball. He then stops at Tenerife, where he learns of "barbarities committed by the blacks" in St. Domingo; and continues with stops at St. Iago; Rio de Janeiro; and the islands of Amsterdam and St. Paul. Throughout, he provides summaries of the island's history, inhabitants, agriculture, and interesting flora and fauna. The volume concludes with two essays on trade and commerce, one on avarice and the other explaining differences of custom and manners between Chinese and Europeans which cause difficulties in conducting trade. This latter treatise is preceded by a petition by "Tong-Foo and Buble-me-qua" asking for aid in recovering debts owed them by English merchants and The second volume begins with a brief summary of the journey from England, but focuses primarily on his time in China. He describes, in detail, the reception he receives from the local dignitaries upon his arrival in China; the activities and machinations of the court and courtiers; the architecture; social life and customs; missionary work in China; British foreign relations with China; and especially his own opinions concerning cultural differences in negotiating with various members of the court. The volume concludes with his opinion on how to preserve the diplomatic ground lately gained in China. At the beginning of the first manuscript is an inscription, "This journal was written by Lord Macartney on board the Lion merely for his own amusement and to pass away some tedious hours of a very long sea voyage."
Description:
In English., Watermark on paper: 1803., Marbled endpapers in vol. 1., and Binding: vol. 1: full vellum. Vol. 2: half vellum; back board is covered with marbled paper. Written on spine of vol. 2: Embassy to China.
Subject (Geographic):
Amsterdam Island (Terres australes et antarctiques françaises), China, Great Britain., Great Britain, China., Madeira Islands, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Saint Paul Island (Indian Ocean), and Tenerife (Canary Islands)
Subject (Name):
Macartney, George Macartney, Earl, 1737-1806.
Subject (Topic):
Diplomatic and consular service, British, Travelers' writings, English, Commerce, Court and courtiers, Description and travel, Foreign relations, Politics and government, and Social life and customs
Manuscript, in a single hand, of a description of summer tours, in the author's phaeton, through England, Wales, and Scotland, both alone and accompanied by family members. Each journey begins and ends in Wanstead; along the way, the author records the quality of the roads; houses he visits; and the names of significant inhabitants. In Llangollen, he admires the library of Miss Ponsonby and Miss Butler; in Aberystwyth, he describes the sea and the bathing procedures of women there. In Edinburgh, he writes approvingly of a Presbyterian service he attends but complains of the dark taverns, "and the Stair Cases are nasty & very dark when perhaps your room is 3 or 4 stories high." He visits several factories in Birmingham, including Mr Bolton's, whose factory produces ormolu, silver plate, boxes, and buttons; and Mr Clay's, "who has a Patent for making paper pannels for Coaches tea boards &c." The volume also includes several charts listing mileages from Wanstead to the author's various destinations
Description:
George Bowles (1732-1817) of Wanstead Grove, Essex, and Burford House, Salop, was High Sheriff of Essex in 1785. He died unmarried and left Wanstead Grove to his niece, Anne Rushout, whose bookplate is pasted into the volume., In English., Pasted in on flyleaf: envelope front addressed to "The Lady Rushout"; with Windsor postal stamp; 1-penny postage; and a drawing of a black figure playing tennis., Bookplate of Honorable Anne Rushout., Marbled endpapers., and Binding: full calf. Printed on spine: Travels.
Subject (Geographic):
Aberystwyth (Wales), Birmingham (England), Edinburgh (Scotland), and Great Britain
Subject (Name):
Bowles, George, 1732-1817.
Subject (Topic):
Gentry, Conduct of life, Travelers' writings, English, Description and travel, and Social life and customs
Manuscript, in a single hand, of a collection of descriptions of residences of English nobility. The author focuses on descriptions of the views from each seat and the landscape in which the house is situated; occasionally he also describes the architecture and furnishings of the houses and provides anecdotes about the owners. He calls Winander Meer in Westmoreland "the largest water of the kind in England," and notes its picturesque promontories and shrub-decorated shores. At Raby Castle in North Riding, Yorkshire, the seat of the Earl of Darlington, he praises the Gothic taste of the windows; provides the dimensions of the "rendezvous apartment"; and explains how the dog-kennel, "rising out of a wood," beautifies the scene. He also speaks approvingly of Sir James Lowther's project in Cumberland of "building a town to consist of 300 houses, for the use of such of his Domesticks, and other people as are married," which he calls "a most incomparable method of promoting population."
Description:
In English., Alphabetical table of contents at beginning of manuscript., At end of manuscript: "The following table of Rooms in the Noblemen & Gentlemen's Seats mentioned in this Vol[u]me do not give the exact proportion of any whole house ... .", Title from title page., Bookplate of Philip Shirley., Bookplate of Ettington Manuscript Library. Written in ink in center: No. 62., Steel engraving pasted on preliminary leaf, opposite clipping with description: Ickworth House near Bury St. Edmunds : the seat of the most noble the Marquess of Bristol / engd. on steel by Alfred Adlard. 50 Dorset Street, Salisbury Square., and Binding: quarter calf over marbled boards. Printed on spine: Noblemens Seats.
Subject (Geographic):
England., England, and Great Britain
Subject (Name):
Young, Arthur, 1741-1820.
Subject (Topic):
Architecture, Domestic, Gentry, Homes and haunts, Nobility, Social life and customs, Travelers' writings, English, and Description and travel
Manuscript copies of letters from Denison to her friend "Mary" in Bath, describing the last stages of an extended Continental tour. The first volume begins with the author's description of her family's three month tour of Switzerland, including their encounter with Lady Bute and a visit to the "English Gardens" at Arlesheim. It continues with letters detailing the journey to Naples, via Milan, Florence and Rome. The second volume concerns the Dennison's three months in Naples and their return to England via Mont Cenis and Paris and Throughout her letters, Denison includes information on galleries, churches, and works of art she has viewed. She also discusses the events of daily life; servants; the manners and conversation of other travelers and new acquaintances; social gatherings, balls, and conversazioni; and such matters as the reported outbreak of plague at Noja, a destructive fire at the San Carlo Opera, and the Duke of Wellington's ball at Versailles
Description:
Binding: half morocco with marbled boards.
Subject (Geographic):
France, Italy, Naples (Italy), and Switzerland
Subject (Name):
Denison, Harriet.
Subject (Topic):
Grand tours (Education), Women travelers, Travelers' writings, English, Description and travel, Social conditions, and Social life and customs
Manuscript copies of letters from Denison to her friend "Mary" in Bath, describing the last stages of an extended Continental tour. The first volume begins with the author's description of her family's three month tour of Switzerland, including their encounter with Lady Bute and a visit to the "English Gardens" at Arlesheim. It continues with letters detailing the journey to Naples, via Milan, Florence and Rome. The second volume concerns the Dennison's three months in Naples and their return to England via Mont Cenis and Paris and Throughout her letters, Denison includes information on galleries, churches, and works of art she has viewed. She also discusses the events of daily life; servants; the manners and conversation of other travelers and new acquaintances; social gatherings, balls, and conversazioni; and such matters as the reported outbreak of plague at Noja, a destructive fire at the San Carlo Opera, and the Duke of Wellington's ball at Versailles
Description:
Binding: half morocco with marbled boards.
Subject (Geographic):
France, Italy, Naples (Italy), and Switzerland
Subject (Name):
Denison, Harriet.
Subject (Topic):
Grand tours (Education), Women travelers, Travelers' writings, English, Description and travel, Social conditions, and Social life and customs
Autograph diary of a six-month visit in Rome with "Charlotte and Papa." The author comments on art and architecture, gardens and fountains, and ancient monuments. The author, probably a woman, is interested in Catholic ceremonies and practices and describes the final profession ceremony of a nun, the lying in state and funeral of Cardinal Freschi, the celebration of the Festival of the Conception, Christmas services at St. Peter's, the Roman Carnival, and Papal processions and The author also details social encounters with such figures as Cardinal Antonelli, Sir Charles and Lady Lyell and the sculptor Benjamin Spence
Description:
Binding: contemporary half red morocco with marbled boards and endpapers.
Subject (Geographic):
Italy., Italy, and Rome (Italy)
Subject (Name):
Antonelli, Giacomo, 1806-1876., Lyell, Charles, Sir, 1797-1875., Lyell, Mary., Spence, Benjamin., and Catholic Church
Subject (Topic):
Customs and practices, Tourism, Travelers' writings, English, Women travelers, Description and travel, Festivals, etc, and Social life and customs
Holograph diary which chronicles a journey through France, Switzerland and Italy, compiled from several diaries of different journeys, the earliest being a tour in the summer of 1816. The author travels to Calais from London with members of her family. In Paris, she sees King Louis XVIII reviewing his troops in commemoration of his return to Paris last year; attends the theater; visits the Conservatorie des Arts et des Metiers to view the models of machines; and dines at Very's. She also visits the porcelain manufactory at Sevres; climbs Montanvert, describing the system of sticks used by their guides to protect them from falling; and spends the night in a monastery in St. Bernard, in the same room in which Napoleon stayed on his way to the Battle of Marengo. In Italy, she attends the opera in Turin, commenting on its lighting system, "which like the theatres in France is dark, the only lights being on the stage." She also vists churches, admires artwork and architecture, ascends Mount Vesuvius, and attends Mass at the Sistine Chapel. The diary concludes with a visit to the Devil's Bridge in Switzerland and The diary is annotated throughout, in the same hand, with further notes concerning the journey
Description:
In English. and Binding: quarter pigskin. Taped on spine: MS. Diary 1816.
Subject (Geographic):
France, Italy, Europe, Switzerland, and Vesuvius (Italy)
Subject (Topic):
Mountaineering, Alps, Theater, Travelers' writings, English, Description and travel, and Social life and customs
Manuscript, in a single hand with numerous corrections, of a description of European travels, mainly in Greece, Italy and Germany, where the author visits such cities as Naples, Messina, Malta, Florence, Salerno, Rome, Constantinople, Athens, Smyrna, Corinth, and Corfu, paying particular attention to monuments and agriculture. He views paintings and churches in Naples; visits the Campo Santo "where there are 366 holes or vaults in which the poor are interred"; sees Vesuvius; hears Mass at the Sistine Chapel; and reports on "the state of vegitation during the voyage." Elsewhere, the author notes a tempest of snow, hail, and wind on his sea voyage out of Malta; accompanies his brother "Joe" to Barcelona, where he kills two quails; admires the scenery of Switzerland and visits the landmarks associated with the legend of William Tell; and describes his meals throughout. At the end of the third volume is a list of traveling expenses. All volumes are illustrated throughout with several dozen pen and ink sketches of landscapes and monuments
Description:
In English. and Binding: full calf. Vol. 1 has metal clasp.
Subject (Geographic):
Switzerland, Altdorf., Germany, Great Britain, Greece, and Italy
Subject (Name):
Tell, Wilhelm
Subject (Topic):
Monuments, Agriculture, Europe, Travelers' writings, English, Description and travel, Social life and customs, and Religious life and customs