Conclusion to the Travels through the Northern Parts of
Europe.

Such is the substance of the information I collected, in the course of a long and extensive tour throughout the northern parts of Europe. From such a survey of the political, agricultural, and commercial state of so many interesting countries, I thought that some important advantages might be derived to my own. But unhappily, from the complicated nature of our government, and the extent of our empire, so much attention is paid to the management of the two Houses of Parliament, and to the concerns of our distant possessions, that domestic improvements are but little attended to. His Majesty, (George III.) expressed a desire to know the political state of the three northern powers, Denmark, Sweden, and Russia; and I drew up accordingly, for his information, the substance of the information I had collected, regarding those three countries; but his unfortunate illness prevented him from paying that attention to it which otherwise he would have done. I abstained from publishing an account of my travels at the time, as much of the information I had received was confidential, and related to public characters then living. This reason for delay is now at an end, as forty-eight years have elapsed since my journey took place. I flatter myself however, that others may be induced, from such a model being laid before them, to adopt a similar plan, from which ultimately, many important public advantages may be derived.

The following table will give some idea of the time required for the completing this extensive journey, from which it appears, how much may be effected by activity, and perseverance, in the short period of even a few months.

In all, the journey, by sea and land, amounted to 7500 miles, and was finished in about seven months and a half. However short the time may appear, yet it is certainly possible, by great activity and perseverance, even in seven or eight months, to see the objects best entitled to attention, and the persons most distinguished for their power, their beauty, or their talents, in the greater, and, (what, in many respects, is justly accounted), the most interesting part of Europe.

In regard to the rapidity of the journey above mentioned, it is in general to be observed, that the life of man is too short to be spent in travelling only, and that those who arrive at an age proper for surveying foreign countries, can seldom spare more than a few months at a time, from their private or public avocations, for that purpose. In that short space, however, they may acquire some general idea of the nature of several foreign governments,—the character of their sovereigns,-the views and objects of their ministers, and the state of the country, as to its agriculture, commerce, and manufactures, and various other important particulars.

Besides, a native of these kingdoms, after travelling abroad, must feel more satisfaction in living at home, and must be convinced, that there is no country, where he can enjoy greater comforts, or more real advantages, than in the British Islands.

HINTS ON TRAVELLING, AND RULES TO BE LAID DOWN

REGARDING IT.

General Remarks.

How absurd are many of the young Englishmen who travel abroad. One of them, who afterwards became an English Marquis, with a large fortune, said, when he came to Berlin, "Thank God! I have come to a place where there is nothing to be seen;" by which he meant, no collection of pictures or statues, no great library, no museum of minerals, &c.

Another traveller, who afterwards became a cabinet minister, always expressed the utmost horror at associating with the people of the town where he had got to. "Would to God," he said, "that I was in a place, where there were no natives !” and I heard both these foolish speeches repeated, as being very clever and witty.

Unless it is to see either things or men, I should be glad to know, what could induce these gentlemen to go abroad, if, in their own country, they were not liable to be arrested.

The objects of every traveller ought to be, 1. Information, and 2. Amusement.

1.--Information.

In every country into which a traveller goes, if he is a man of sense and observation, he will discover something useful.

Every nation has some part of its government, some regulations in its system of laws and its police,—some branches of its commerce, some mode of cultivating the ground,—some new practices in gardening,—some new plants or fruits,— some improvements in architecture,-some peculiar manufacture,—or some ingenious machines, &c. that may be worthy of attention.

As it is of great consequence for one country, to know the real political situation of every other, all kinds of Tables, where useful facts are brought into a small compass, ought to be pro

cured.

Specimens of all kinds of the manufactures of a country, including those which exist, and even flourish at home, ought to be purchased. They give new ideas to our workmen, which are often of immense consequence

In some cases there are improvements in philosophical instruments, or discoveries in mineralogy, which may be of immense consequence.

There are also some discoveries in medicine, as the Eau de Cologne, Riga balsam, &c. which it would be desirable to procure.

2.- Amusement.

Though information is the great object of a traveller, yet amusement ought not to be neglected. Hence the nature of the national music should be examined, and the instruments on which it is played, the style of the national dances,—the games, more especially for the lower orders, the theatres, and the plays acted there; for the character of the people may, in some respects, be judged of from the style of their dramas +.

Curious customs also may be noted down, and their causes investigated.

General Rules for a Traveller, principally intended for the use of persons of considerable fortune, and of mature age, who may resolve to spend a few months in visiting Foreign Countries. 1. A traveller ought to consider himself entitled to ask any question he may think necessary, for the sake of acquiring information. Thus, "Why do the Russian peasants wear such high crowned hats?" Answer, "Because in their com

* Wedgwood's manufactures of black earthen-ware, and all those set up in imitation of it, were owing to the importation of a few antique Roman vases from Herculaneum.

+ Formerly there were nine, now not one French theatre in Germany. Shakspeare's plays are now the great favourites in all parts of that country. French plays, translated into German, are quite neglected, whereas Hamlet has filled the theatre nine times running.

V

mon dress they have no pockets, and hence they are obliged to keep their handkerchiefs in their hats."

2. He ought to consider himself as in a manner the representative of his country, and consequently ought to act with liberality and spirit, suffering himself to be imposed upon, which all travellers are, with as good a grace as possible *; and above all, not disgracing himself and his country with mean vices, as drinking to any undue excess, &c. &c.; and

3. He ought to be well informed as to the state of his own country, and to be enabled to give to others, the same information as to the state of its army, navy, agriculture, commerce, revenue, &c. that he wishes to obtain regarding other nations.

In preparing for a journey the following particulars ought to be kept in view: 1. That a thorough knowledge of the French language is absolutely necessary before he sets out; for he cannot expect to make a great progress, in any language, during a rapid journey. The German also, in the northern parts of Europe, and the Italian in the southern, would be extremely useful.

2. He ought to purchase all the most valuable printed books of travels in the countries through which he proposes to pass; also l'Etat de Cours de l'Europe, and the best maps that can be procured.

3. He ought to obtain as much private information as possible, from persons who have gone through those countries. before, but who have not published an account of their travels.

4. Besides letters from the foreign department, to our ministers abroad, he ought to obtain as many recommendations as possible to each place he intends to go to. He can hardly have too many, for he may find one dead, another sick, a third in the country, and so on. His letters ought to be of three sorts; 1. Foreign ministers of state; 2. Literary characters; and 3. Commercial men. Let him not trust too much

*The best mode of preventing imposition, is always to make a bargain beforehand.