Travels, 1877-78 : Constantinople, Egypt, North Africa, etc., 1877-1878.

Format:

Other

Author/Creator:

Allen, John, 1810-

Contributor:

Rosengarten Family Fund.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

English diaries--19th century--Specimens.

English diaries.

English diaries--Male authors--19th century.

Male authors.

Istanbul (Turkey)--Description and travel--19th century.

Istanbul (Turkey).

Egypt--Description and travel--19th century.

Egypt.

Jerusalem--Description and travel--19th century.

Jerusalem.

Italy--Description and travel--19th century.

Italy.

Tunisia--Description and travel--19th century.

Tunisia.

Genre:

Diaries.

Watercolors (paintings)

Drawings (visual works)

Manuscripts, English.

Specimens.

Penn Provenance:

Sold by The Wayfarer's Bookshop (North Vancouver, B.C.), 2012.

Physical Description:

1 volume + 2 photographs

Place of Publication:

1877-1878.

Summary:

In this oblong leather-bound journal, sixty-eight-year-old Englishman John Allen records his seven-month journey from London to North Africa. The front cover of the journal has a small pasted leaf of paper with a handwritten title in ink. There are two small portrait photographs of John Allen, one most likely used for his passport. The first leaf of the journal has the heading "1877 Monday 26 Nov. from London to," followed by a list of cities and the hotels where Allen stayed. The next leaf has the heading "Persons met en Voyage" and is followed by a five-page list of each person whom Allen met and the city where he met him. The remainder of the volume follows John Allen's journey, starting in Paris. Each entry begins with the date, the city, and method of travel. Allen notes major sights, monuments, museums, and in some cases specific works of art. In Italy Allen cites specific works and comments on pictures and artifacts. The journal contains observations of the landscapes, wildlife, and notes on regional events. Some entries include descriptions of food, drink, local dress, and shopping. At each location on his journey Allen visits several embassies and meets major diplomats and royalty. After Paris Allen tours Italy, and from Brindisi, Italy he travels via steamer to Corfu, Greece, then on to Athens. In late December 1877, while traveling by sea to Constantinople, Allen describes the passengers on board, including a man Allen claims is a Russian spy. Arriving in Constantinople 30 December 1877, Allen describes Turkish money and exchanges. He meets Austen Henry Layard (1817-1894) at the British Embassy and is invited to a party with several high-ranking diplomats. Allen sees the Sultan's palaces and describes shopping at the bazaars. Allen makes observations about local events, like the flood of refugees arriving in Turkey. At the end of January 1878, Allen travels to Egypt. He is at sea for several days and records his experience with passengers, including a Pasha who took Allen's cabin to house his harem. The ship arrives in Alexandria, after encountering a violent hurricane in Smyrna, on 29 January 1878. In Egypt Allen sees the pyramids of Giza, the petrified forest, and other notable locations. He makes arrangements to go to Palestine, hiring a dragoman and making a contract. On his journey Allen observes the wildlife and notes the number of flamingos and pelicans at Port Said. Reaching Jerusalem, Allen is escorted by a guide on a tour of the major monuments; he meets the Bishop of Jerusalem, Samuel Gobat (1799-1879), and his wife Marie and travels to Jericho. Allen then heads to Tunisia, where he meets Consul General Richard Wood (1806-1900). On his return trip to England, Allen stops in Algiers and arrives in Paris on 4 May 1878, where he stays for the "Great Exhibition" in June. The entries from June to October are listed by city and date. Included in Allen's journal are twenty-one watercolors--some spanning two pages--chiefly landscapes and people he encountered, with hand written captions. There are also three pencil drawings, one spanning two pages and one a map of Jerusalem and its surrounding area. Two pages at the end of the journal contain a list of books. John Allen makes no mention of family or his home in the journal.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Rosengarten Family Fund.

OCLC:

783549235