Travels Through France And Italy

Travels Through France And Italy is a travelogue written by the Scottish author Tobias Smollett. The book is a detailed account of Smollett's travels through France and Italy during the mid-18th century. Smollett's journey starts in Dover, England, and takes him through the French countryside, where he describes the people, customs, and landscape in great detail. He then travels to Paris, where he spends several months exploring the city and observing its culture and society. From Paris, Smollett travels south through Lyon, Avignon, and Marseille, before crossing the Alps into Italy. In Italy, he visits several cities, including Genoa, Florence, Pisa, Rome, and Naples. Throughout his journey, Smollett provides vivid descriptions of the architecture, art, and history of each city, as well as his personal experiences and observations. The book also includes Smollett's reflections on the political and social conditions of France and Italy during the 18th century, as well as his critique of the Catholic Church and its influence on Italian society. Overall, Travels Through France And Italy is a fascinating and entertaining travelogue that provides a unique glimpse into the culture and society of 18th-century Europe.The burghers here, as in other places, consist of merchants, shop-keepers, and artisans. Some of the merchants have got fortunes, by fitting out privateers during the war. A great many single ships were taken from the English, notwithstanding the good look-out of our cruisers, who were so alert, that the privateers from this coast were often taken in four hours after they sailed from the French harbour; and there is hardly a captain of an armateur in Boulogne, who has not been prisoner in England five or six times in the course of the war. They were fitted out at a very small expence, and used to run over in the night to the coast of England, where they hovered as English fishing smacks, until they kidnapped some coaster, with which they made the best of their way across the Channel.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Tobias George Smollett was a Scottish writer and surgeon, born on March 19, 1721, in Dalquhurn, Scotland. He gained recognition for his picaresque novels, which followed the adventures of colorful, often roguish protagonists. His most notable works include The Adventures of Roderick Random, The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle, and The Expedition of Humphry Clinker. These novels were highly influential, particularly in shaping the development of the British novel, and had a lasting impact on later writers, including Charles Dickens. Smollett s works were characterized by vivid storytelling, humor, and sharp social commentary, often exploring the challenges faced by the lower classes and the absurdities of human nature. In addition to his literary career, Smollett trained as a surgeon, which influenced some of his writing, especially his depiction of medical matters. He spent the latter part of his life in Italy, where he died on September 17, 1771, at the age of 50. Smollett s legacy as one of the most important early English novelists continues to be celebrated. He was survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Smollett, and had a sister, Jean Smollett.