Autograph narrative, extensively illustrated by Mrs. Kenah, of two journeys in Europe taken by the Kenah couple with friends in 1821-24 and in 1827-29. On the first tour, accompanied by Walter Burrell, MP for Sussex, and "Mrs. Crutchley of Sunning Hill Park....and a Blenheim spaniel," the Kenahs traveled through France, Switzerland, Italy, and Bavaria; they were present in Naples for the 1822 eruption of Mount Vesuvius, and spent time in Rome and Lucca as well. In the later tour, they visited the Low Countries, Germany, and Trieste. The text is clearly drawn from diaries kept by Mrs. Kenah during the tours, and contains her often humorous responses, as an "Inexperienced Traveller," to tourist sights, local customs and manners, "foreign" food, and travel difficulties, Mrs. Kenah describes herself as "a woman in quest of the Picturesque," and over 80 of her watercolors and pen and ink sketches are mounted in her travel album. Subjects include "Eruption of Vesuvius, October 22, 1822 as it appeared at midday;" several portraits of Lucchese, Swiss and German figures in local costume; a portrait of Tommaso Sgricci, the famous improvvisatore; a memorial Mass in Caudenberg; the "table d'hote" at the Baths of Ems; the Salon at the Palazzo Ricasoli in 1824; and a variety of "picturesque" landscapes, including a view of the Bay of Naples, of a canal in Venice, and of several castles and mountain scenes in Germany. Also included are several printed views of German scenes which have been hand-colored, and In addition, there are watercolors of English subjects at the end of the volume: cottage scenes, rural landscapes, "view of Box Hill," "Grimsthorpe, 1826," and "Dunkeld from Dr. Fisher's garden. Sept. 9 1826."
Description:
Spine title reads: "Journal. Vol. I.", Annotated on front endpaper: "Mary Leigh Best, 1878.", and Binding: Contemporary calf, red gilt morocco spine label, gilt decoration.
Subject (Geographic):
Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Lucca (Italy), Naples (Italy), and Vesuvius (Italy)
Ethnic costume, Grand tours (Education), Landscape drawing, Travelers' writings, English, Views, Women authors, Women travelers, Description and travel, Social life and customs, and Eruption, 1822
Sketchbook containing 37 watercolors done by Ellis Cornelia Knight while on board Lord Nelson's flagship the Foudroyant with Sir William and Lady Emma Hamilton in 1800. Twenty-six sketches are views taken from the ship off the coast of Sicily, under sail to Malta, and returning from Malta to Palermo. There are also sketches taken in Palermo prior to sailing, and on excursions from the ship near Syracuse. Sketch 2, for example, shows the villa of Prince Ventimiglieri in Palermo; sketch 19 shows an excursion party rowing near Syracuse. There is an index at the back of the volume
Description:
Ellis Cornelia Knight (1757-1837), writer, governess and protégé of Lady Emma Hamilton, whom she broke with after Lady Hamilton's affair with Lord Nelson became public knowledge in England. Knight's works include Dinarbas: A Tale (1790) and Sir Guy de Lusignan (1833)., In English., Inscribed on verso of flyleaf by Knight: "This book was commenced at Palermo in Sicily, 1800. Finished at Windsor, 1806.", and Binding: contemporary full calf; gilt decoration.