We love antiquarian books of 18th and 19th century tours and when we go abroad we often try to find an account covering the same area. To tie in with our Christmas trip to Normandy, Lindsey tracked down a lovely copy of Stothard’s Tour Through Normandy - or, to give it its full title:
The text is in the form of letters written to an unnamed friend in England and describes the author’s journey including Dieppe, Rouen, Bayeux and Avranches, as well as several places in Brittany and a lengthy detour to Paris. The tour took place less that 30 years after the French Revolution (and only three years after the Battle of Waterloo) and some of the people that the author meets are keen to share tales of their involvement in the revolution - probably somewhat exaggerated.
Letters written during a tour of Normandy, Brittany and other parts of France, in 1818: including local and historical descriptions; with remarks on the manners and character of the people. By Mrs Charles Stothard, with numerous engravings after drawings by Charles Stothard, FSA.
The text is fascinating and really brings the tour to life. But the engravings, many in colour, are what makes this volume special. The author’s husband, Charles, was an antiquarian draughtsman and his engravings have the precision you would expect.
All in all, a beautiful record of life in north-west France 200 years ago.
