Diary written by Mary Addison during a European tour, 1771-1772

The diary recounts Mary Addison's journey through Europe. This began in London on 2 June 1771 and passed through Dover, Calais, Amiens, Paris (where she spent 15 days), Basle, Berne, Geneva, Lyons, Aix, and Leghorn. The account ends on 30 May 1772 in Florence. The diary contains brief entries for each day of the trip describing places visited and events that took place. There are also subjective observations of places visited, fashion, roads, and hotel accommodation. Addison records the names of people with whom her party stayed such as fellow guests or hosts.

The diary contains two other elements which have no clear connection with the travel entries. They comprise a few entries later in the diary, written in another hand, and two pressed leaves, enclosed in the volume and attached to writing paper. The leaves on writing paper are annotated with remarks about their provenance and are dated 1864.

No details about Mary Addison are as yet known. Her high standard of literacy, her participation in an extensive European tour and her proximity to the lives of members of the British and European aristocracy suggests something of her background and history.

No archival arrangement has been necessary.

ACCESS: Pending full cataloguing, access is limited and it is possible only for registered users by advance notice and agreement.

This description is the only finding aid available for the collection. Copyright in the description belongs to The University of Nottingham.

REPROGRAPHIC: Reprographic copies can be supplied for educational use and private study purposes only, depending on access status and the condition of the documents.

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There is nor record of the history of ownership of the diary before it came into the custody of The University of Nottingham.