Showing 17 results

Is pleased to hear news of St Johns [probably concerning the lifting of restrictions imposed on the awarding of foundress's fellowships] and he and Wilson celebrated 'after the good old English Fashion'. Notes the existence of a number of Spanish refugees who were celebrating also. Other Johnians in Rome were too ill to attend the celebration. Discusses meeting the Manningham party and the forming of a committee to procure a sculpture. Discusses his finances; is running out of money and wishes that he could get credit at Coutt's. Is in the process of buying prints for friends and having a carving made. Is amused by the counterfeiting of cheques by the Governor of the City. Gives a description of his journey across Mount Cenis, the high cost of living in Italy and the problems of finding accommodation during Holy Week in Rome. Relates the story of a dredging swindle on the River Tiber.

Is disappointed not have received news from home. Is complimentary about his traveling companion. Travels are proceeding smoothly, if not involving much education. Describes part of the Feast of Corpus Domini, the procession called by Painters 'il Gruppo del Papa'.

Gives a graphic account of the aftermath of the assassination of the Duc de Berry on the 13th February 1820. Describes the state of the city, the political machinations and the interrogation of the perpertrator.

Still has not received any letters. Gives proposed route of his journey to Brussels. Contends that neither Bohemia nor Saxony have much to offer the visitor, excepting Prague and a few items in Dresden. Has seen some fine pictures and heard good music. Describes the site of the recent Battle of Dresden [1813]. Notes the good countenance of the King and his apparent frugality. Discusses the merits of taking up a College Living on his return.

Gives a description of journey from Paris to Rome, including crossing Mount Cenis in deep snow. Contends that his health has never been better. Has been pleased to meet up with old friends in Italy. Believes that Italy is becoming dearer, and made sure to arrive in Rome before Holy Week in order to find reasonable lodgings. Has been to a number of social occasions, including a concert by Romberg.

Has traveled down the River Po in a steam boat, became seasick in Venice and has caught a bad cold in Germany due to the bad weather. Describes the Royal family of Bavaria in glowing terms, a view shared by the Bavarians themselves, he contends. Gives descriptions of Prince Eugene, Guardian viceroy of Italy who is married to one of the King of Bavaria's daughters, and of the King himself. Believes that outside of the Court circle there is very little society, proved by the lack of dinner invitations received. Describes the new Art Gallery and suggests that the architect of the Fitzwilliam Museum, 'whenever it shall be built', should pay a visit. Is also complimentary of the Observatory and astronomical equipment. Has been told that the astronomical equipment being produced in Germany is of higher quality than that of England, and that Italian and German research is over taking that of the English due to this fact and also mentions other engineering innovations. Discusses the German nature as opposed to that of the English, especially regarding jealousy. Also notes the hatred prevalent on the Continent due to the 'horrible business.' [Refers to the attempt by King George IV in 1820 to gain a divorce from his wife, Caroline of Brunswick, thus excluding her from the title of Queen] Mentions a number of other sights in Munich including a description of the workings of the House of Correction and the English Garden.

Has arrived in Constantinople. Comments on the lack of beds available in the country and how they have been sleeping in their clothes. Describes the trials and tribulations of the journey from Salonika with four Cambridge men, including a boat trip into Constantinople harbour. Describes Constantinople generally and the city walls and aqueducts supplying Constantinople particularly. Describes a trip on the Bosphorous to the Black Sea and notes the castles alongside the waterway. Has visited Scutari to see the stupendous view and to visit the only mosque open to Christians, the rest being closed after a member of the Russian Ambassador's entourage was seen to spit on the floor of the Santa Sophia. Notes that even bribes appear not to work, though they did manage to briefly see inside the Mosque of Sultan Achmet before being chased away. Gives a description of a religious ceremony involving 'gyrations of spinning'. Describes the city of Constantinople and notes the vast and strange array of headdresses seen on the street. Has inspected the harem. Has seen the Sultan when he was leaving church, gives a brief description of him and his style of leadership and popularity. Puts the inhabitants of Constantinople at 700,000. Describes the cemeteries and tells of the Turkish habit of using old Greek remains for headstones. Thinks that though much of the old Greek remains have been lost the city still looks like that of an old Greek town. Describes the Cistern. Is disappointed by the small number of antiquities in Constantinople and also on the way to Larisa but is impressed by the countryside. Encounters the playing of bagpipes and compares it to the instrument from Scotland. Is very complimentary about the British Ambassador, Sir Robert Lister, and his wife. Has made the acquaintance of a Cambridge man who has just returned from Persia and gives a very bad report of that country.

Can only write one letter as it is so hot. Has at last reached Greece and finds it beautiful. Describes the view from the signal station and contends that the land is untouched by cultivation as the locals are 'too lazy to bestow the necessary labour', though admits that the recent crop failures may have something to do with the plague and various wars which have engulfed the island. Discusses the political situation on Corfu and in the Mediterranean generally, including mentioning the role of Ali Pasha and 'King Tom' Maitland. Discusses his future travel plans which include a meeting with Ali Pasha to procure a Tartar guide and visits to Constantinople, Athens, Malta and Messina. Describes a marriage ceremony and its meanings. Describes a walk to the supposed site of the Homer's Palace of Alcinous and the inhabitants of the island, especially the soldiers.

Discusses his friend General Church and his programme to rid the area of 'Decisi', a society of bandits. Gives an account of the problem of rule in the country due to the numbers of bandits and the lack of power afforded to the General. Gives a brief history of the Decisi and also relates an account of an attack on a troop of soldiers by locals of the village of Ururi. Describes a visit to Pompei. Gives news of acquaintances met in Italy and the financial arrangements for his travels.

Gives an account of crossing Mount Pindus in Greece and a visit to the monastries of Metara [Meteora]. Describes a tour of one of the monastries, used as a prison by Ali Pacha. Also notes their Turkish guide's propensity for wine and the open manner in which Turkish muslim's consume alcohol. Describes Salonica, especially its large Jewish population, and notes the poor situation of the resident Greeks. Notes the hostility shown by the Turkish population towards Christian travelers, but also is surprised by their accommodation, describing visits to mosques which they were allowed unhindered, including to a mosque, once a church, which houses the tomb of Saint Demetia. Describes the Roman remains in Salonica, of which there are few, and also discusses the trade carried out in the town, especially the existence of overland routes to Germany using horses and camels. Describes the Valley of the Peneus River, especially its agriculture, noting herds of cows and horses, wheat, barley and rye and also the presence of cotton and silk worms. Mentions the existence of the houses of the Vizier and his sons. Has met the Vizier Ali Pacha at Larissa who provided them with horses for travel all the way to Constantinople and for this reason will undertake the journey shortly. Discusses the character of Ali Pacha and his two sons and describes their relations with regard to their power. Briefly describes Larissa and Trikala and waxes lyrical about Mount Olympus. Gives a description of the journey towards Turkey and the Turkish towns. Describes the mosques and is also struck by the large cemeteries and comments on the large number of Turks who die from plague.