Manuscript, in a single hand, of a diary of a journey from Dublin to England and then to Cork, written in a lighthearted and sometimes satirical manner. Traveling with his father, his friend Valerius, and a servant, the Irish author records his impressions in England of churches he visits; where he takes his meals; and the inhabitants he meets. After describing several churches in Liverpool, he writes, "I am broke of in this Part of my Description, as I think by some simpering or laughing; but on Enquiry I am supris'd to find it's some of my Female Acquaintance," which causes him, he writes, to lose the spirit to continue with his description. Elsewhere, he visits silk mills and describes the cost and workings of the machinery. At Nottingham, he notes that "most of the Inhabitants here are Presbyterians and I really believe I was in five different Meetings which I mistook for Churches, and at Length was so much vexed at being so often disappointed that I protested against looking further for one." Throughout, he records numerous encounters with women, including a landlord's daughter with whom he carries on a flirtation. The narrative is prefaced by an introduction addressed to "Madam," in which he speaks disapprovingly of women's coquetry, and mocks "our country-women who have been abroad," who "commonly return Home with Variety of odd Pronunciations, particular Gestures, & new Fashions, perhaps never known in any Part of the World, but the Production of their own fertile Brain."
Description:
Author of the manuscript is an unknown Irishman., In English., Index at end of manuscript., Leather oval bookplate inside front cover: Ex Musaeo Huthii., and Binding: full morocco; gilt decoration. Printed on spine: Narrative of a journey through England. MS. 1752.
Subject (Geographic):
England, Liverpool (England), London (England), and Nottingham (England)
Subject (Topic):
English wit and humor, Travelers' writings, English, Women, Conduct of life, Description and travel, and Buildings, structures, etc
Manuscript, in a single hand, of a description of the author's tour through France and Italy in 1770, traveling with his master Robert Fellowes and Thomas Durrant, and recording his interactions with the inhabitants, curious sights, local hygienic practices, and traveling conditions. At one point he writes that he fell 14 times from his horse, while in Aquapendente he witnesses a postboy beating the horses "in a most unmerciful manner." In Bologna, he records news of banditti "which infested this part of the Country consisting of upwards of 40 men." He also climbs Mount Vesuvius "about two years since there was a dreadful eruption," where he walks on rough lava and ashes "in many places knee deep." Elsewhere, he notes the practice in Italy of hanging ladies' negligees out of coach windows and the presence of lice on the Italian nobility; and expresses his regret at the lack of diversions during this season of the year, as he should have been "very glad to have been here at the time of the Carnival when all kinds of diversions are allowed, such as Plays, Operas, Maskings, Horseraces &c." and At the conclusion of the manuscript, the author describes his return to England in excellent health and his gratitude to his "indulgent master" Mr. Durrant; addresses the manuscript to his father; and signs it "J Deeker London March 12th 1770." Bound in throughout the manuscript are 13 maps, colored in red and green representing stages of the author's journey, and 11 pen and wash drawings of such scenes as Trajan's pillar at Rome; Remains of three taverns where St Paul met his friends; and the Palace of the duke of Tuscany at Florence. A wash drawing entitled "Mons. D-r [Deeker] riding post", probably copied from Henry William Bunbury's print "Courier francois", is also bound in.
Description:
James Deeker was one of the first aeronauts in England. His hot-air balloon ascent in Norwich in June, 1785, was witnessed by Horace's nephew, George, the 3rd Earl of Orford., In English., Index of places visited at end of manuscript, as well as a mileage chart and a "List of Painters &c." which lists artists' names and brief biographies., On flyleaves, two pages in pencil recording "Interesting Remarks" and their page numbers., Autograph in pencil on flyleaf: ER Pratt. April 1812., Bookplate of Roger Pratt. Written in pencil on bookplate: Ryston Hall. Norfolk., and Binding: full reverse calf. Marbled endpapers. Stamped on spine: Deeker's Journal. Written on spine: 1770.
Subject (Geographic):
Europe., Europe, France, Italy, and Vesuvius (Italy)
Subject (Name):
Deeker, James.
Subject (Topic):
Grand tours (Education), Tourism, Travelers' writings, English, Ruins, Social life and customs, and Description and travel
Manuscript diary describing a European tour, principally of Eastern Europe, Russia and Italy. Fairfax devotes much attention to works of art and historical buildings
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