John Harwood: Journal of visit to Paris

This material is held atCambridge University Library

Scope and Content

An autograph journal of Harwood's visit to Paris, 26 May - 22 June 1685. The account includes entries on libraries, statues, water supplies, stonework, drink, trades, the waterworks of Versailles, the epitaph of Descartes, a disputation at the Sorbonne, the feast of D'Boun, and the library and cabinet of Charles Mons. Le Brun. Harwood describes the places he visited, which included St Omer's College, the Tuileries, the monastery of Val de Grace (including a description of the chapel), the opera and theatre, the menagerie and chateau at Vincennes, the Palace, the King's physic garden, the Gobelins factory, Versailles, the Collège de Clermont, the Hôtel de Ville, Nôtre Dame, St Denys, Medune (Louvois' chateau), the Louvre and the Arsenal. He also describes the royal library, which he was shown by Robert Scott, a London bookseller who supplied it with English books. There are Latin transcripts of epitaphs, etc., at the end of the volume. The journal is divided into six sections: 1. 'Observations made in a ramble in May 1685 to Paris.' 2. 'The journal of what we saw or happen'd remarkable after we came to Paris.' 3. 'A brief account of what we saw most remarkable at Versailles.' 4. A continuation of the journal of events in Paris. 5. 'A continuance of my journal from the time we left Paris till we arrived in England.' 6. 'A miscellany of observations which could not so well be brought into the body of my journal, concerning the natural abilities, temper and inclinations, manners and customs, virtues and vices of the French, as also their meals and drinks, and buildings &c. of their commodities &c.'

Access Information

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Acquisition Information

The volume was formerly MS 11807 in the collection of Sir Thomas Phillipps, who purchased it in 1842. Purchased by the Library at Sotheby's, 26 June 1974.

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Geographical Names