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
Manuscript journal of a London wine merchant's travels in France, Germany, Switzerland and the Low Countries during the summer and fall of 1835, accompanied as far as Switzerland by a boy, Alfonzo Pipon. The diary documents travel and hotel conditions; social events and contacts with British residents in various cities; business plans and trade fairs; and encounters with members of the British and Continental aristocracy, Although they witnessed part of the "Grand Review" by Louis Philippe on July 28, 1835, Collins and Pipon only heard reports of Fieschi's assassination attempt shortly after. The entries for the following week include descriptions of the mood of Paris, the lying in state of the assassination victims, and a brief interview between a deputation of British residents and the King, who spoke in English "expressing great affection for the English Nation.", Entries for the Swiss and German portion of the tour are illustrated with printed scenes and describe the natural beauties of the region in detail, comparing Berne to Somersetshire; a difficult and storm-plagued boat trip to see the Griesenbach Falls; the arrival of the Queen of Naples in Zurich; and an archery contest at the William Tell school, The journal concludes with lists of the letters of introduction carried by Collins; his addresses while traveling; and a chart of distances and conveyances for the entire journey, and Tipped in: folding lithograph with scenes concerning the Fileschi assassination attempt, printed August 12, 1835; 8 sepia aquatints of Swiss views; 2 prints of Lucerne; plan of Karlsruhe; small map of Low Countries
Description:
Inscribed "To Mrs. Collins, Bramford" (his mother) with a letter dated "25th December 1835.", Inside front pastedown has illuminated coat of arms with the motto "Dum spiro spero.", and Binding: crimson half-morocco with marbled boards.
Subject (Geographic):
Europe., Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Germany., France., Netherlands, and Switzerland
Subject (Name):
Fieschi, Giuseppe Marco, 1790-1836. and Louis Philippe, King of the French, 1773-1850.
Subject (Topic):
Tourism, Travelers' writings, English, Wine and wine making, Description and travel, Politics and government, Commerce, and Views