Susanna here, back at the bottom of another research rabbit-hole.
This one’s entirely unintentional. I started off by looking up the land routes into Genoa, which led me quite by accident to Mariana Starke—or, more specifically, the Fifth revised edition of her comprehensive guidebook, Information and Directions for Travellers on the Continent.
Being published in 1829, it’s about a century too late for my needs, but it’s still a fascinating read, and when I’m trolling the Internet, coffee in hand, for good primary sources, I’m easily lured down rabbit holes by fascinating reads.
Mariana Starke was, herself, a fascinating woman, and deserving of a separate post. Born in 1762 in Surrey, England, she wrote and published plays and poems in her 20s, but when she was 30 her role changed to that of caregiver to her parents and her sister Louisa, all of whom were suffering from tuberculosis, and she set out with them on a journey to the continent. Her father and sister died there, and her mother died not long after, leaving Mariana to publish her travel notes as Letters from Italy, which would eventually evolve into the formidable Information and Directions travel guide that kept her travelling herself, to update it accurately, well into her 70s. She died at Milan in 1838.
Getting to Genoa by road, even in those days, was no easy feat.
According to Ms. Starke:
“there was only a mule-path [between Genoa and Lerici] when we made this excursion; the carriage road, begun long since, is now, however, passable; though not finished : it lies at the edge of precipices without any fence to guard travellers from accidents; and through torrents difficult to ford; but it commands sublime scenery…”
I might have opted to stick to the sea route.
For those braver souls than I, Ms. Starke says it is most valuable to have with you, when travelling on the continent an “active man-servant, who understands the management of carriages”.
As for the carriage itself, she says, “Persons in health, who wish to travel economically, might find their purpose answered by going with the Voituriers belonging to Emery; whose carriages set out, almost every week, from London to various parts of the Continent…but persons blessed with health and affluence should travel in their own carriage, going post through France, and, generally speaking, going en voiturier in Switzerland and the Italian States.
“A strong English carriage, hung rather low, with well-seasoned corded jack springs, iron axeltrees, and sous-soupentes of rope covered with leather — strong wheels — anti-attrition grease — strong pole-pieces— a drag-chain, with a very strong iron shoe; and another drag made of leather, with an iron hook — a box containing extra linch pins, tools, nails, bolts, etc., for repairing, mounting, and dismounting a carriage — this box should be made in the shape of a trunk, padlocked, and slung to the hind axletree — one well, if the carriage be crane-necked; two, if it be not — a sword case — a very light imperial — two moderate-sized trunks, the larger to go before — a patent chain and padlock for every outside package — lamps, and a stock of candles fitted to them — a barouche seat, and a very light leather hat-box, or a wicker basket, with an oil-skin cover suspended under it. The bottom of the carriage should be pitched on the outside; the blinds should be made to bolt securely within-side; and the doors to lock. A second-hand carriage, in good condition, is preferable to a new one; and crane-necks are safer than single perches, though not necessary.”
As an aside, in footnotes, she comments that “Carriages without perches, invented by Elliot and Holbrook, Westminster-Road, are convenient on the Continent”, and adds, “Savage, in Queen-Street, Long-Acre, fits up travelling carriages remarkably well.”
And then we’re back to wheels.
“Wheels made for travelling on the Continent,” says Ms. Starke, “should neither have patent tire nor patent boxes : mail coach, or common brass boxes, answer best. In those parts of Germany where the roads are bad, it is advisable to cord the wheels of travelling carriages; and the mode of doing this effectually is, to attach the cords to iron cramps fixed on the tire; afterwards fastening them round each nave. Every trunk ought to have a cradle; that is, some flat smooth pieces of oak, in length the same as the inside of the trunk, about two inches and a half wide, nearly half an inch thick, and cross-barred by, and quilted into, the kind of material used for saddle-girths; a distance of three inches being left between each piece of wood. This cradle should be strapped very tight upon the top of the trunk (after it has been packed) by means of straps and buckles fastened to its bottom : and thus the contents can never be moved, by jolts, from the situation in which they were originally placed. Every trunk should have an outside cover of strong sail cloth painted."
And of course one shouldn't forget one's health and fitness. "Persons who wish to preserve their health, during a long journey, should avoid sitting many hours together in a carriage, by alighting and walking on while their horses are changed, provided they travel post; and by walking up all the ascents, provided they travel en voiturier; and persons who get wetted through should take off their clothes as soon as possible, rub themselves with Eau de Cologne, and then put on dry warm linen, scented with Hungary water.”
That, presumably, is where your “active man-servant” comes into play.
And that part might not be so bad…
How would you have fared, do you think, travelling by carriage?
(All images, incidentally, except the manservant, are from Wikimedia Commons, and all are, as far as I was able to discover, in the public domain).
This woman really knew her nuts and bolts, Susanna! It’s enough to make someone stay home. *G* But I love the intrepid lady travelers of this time period, of Mariana Starke certainly was one.
This woman really knew her nuts and bolts, Susanna! It’s enough to make someone stay home. *G* But I love the intrepid lady travelers of this time period, of Mariana Starke certainly was one.
This woman really knew her nuts and bolts, Susanna! It’s enough to make someone stay home. *G* But I love the intrepid lady travelers of this time period, of Mariana Starke certainly was one.
This woman really knew her nuts and bolts, Susanna! It’s enough to make someone stay home. *G* But I love the intrepid lady travelers of this time period, of Mariana Starke certainly was one.
This woman really knew her nuts and bolts, Susanna! It’s enough to make someone stay home. *G* But I love the intrepid lady travelers of this time period, of Mariana Starke certainly was one.
Fascinating, just fascinating.
Since 1940, when I saw my first Air-stream, I wanted to travel with a trailer (or later, an RV). On two occasions in the 1990s we did rent an RV and took a short trip in Missouri. Alas, I found that my allergic sensitivities weren’t up to the required chemicals.
My husband thought those trips were roughing it. (I don’t know if he’ll be up to reading this post.)
Sometimes we need to see how pampered we are/were in the 20th and 21st centuries.
And Susannah, all during my reading of this, I kept thinking of the journey you took us on from Paris to Rome (in the back of my mind without remembering it was your writing).
Fascinating, just fascinating.
Since 1940, when I saw my first Air-stream, I wanted to travel with a trailer (or later, an RV). On two occasions in the 1990s we did rent an RV and took a short trip in Missouri. Alas, I found that my allergic sensitivities weren’t up to the required chemicals.
My husband thought those trips were roughing it. (I don’t know if he’ll be up to reading this post.)
Sometimes we need to see how pampered we are/were in the 20th and 21st centuries.
And Susannah, all during my reading of this, I kept thinking of the journey you took us on from Paris to Rome (in the back of my mind without remembering it was your writing).
Fascinating, just fascinating.
Since 1940, when I saw my first Air-stream, I wanted to travel with a trailer (or later, an RV). On two occasions in the 1990s we did rent an RV and took a short trip in Missouri. Alas, I found that my allergic sensitivities weren’t up to the required chemicals.
My husband thought those trips were roughing it. (I don’t know if he’ll be up to reading this post.)
Sometimes we need to see how pampered we are/were in the 20th and 21st centuries.
And Susannah, all during my reading of this, I kept thinking of the journey you took us on from Paris to Rome (in the back of my mind without remembering it was your writing).
Fascinating, just fascinating.
Since 1940, when I saw my first Air-stream, I wanted to travel with a trailer (or later, an RV). On two occasions in the 1990s we did rent an RV and took a short trip in Missouri. Alas, I found that my allergic sensitivities weren’t up to the required chemicals.
My husband thought those trips were roughing it. (I don’t know if he’ll be up to reading this post.)
Sometimes we need to see how pampered we are/were in the 20th and 21st centuries.
And Susannah, all during my reading of this, I kept thinking of the journey you took us on from Paris to Rome (in the back of my mind without remembering it was your writing).
Fascinating, just fascinating.
Since 1940, when I saw my first Air-stream, I wanted to travel with a trailer (or later, an RV). On two occasions in the 1990s we did rent an RV and took a short trip in Missouri. Alas, I found that my allergic sensitivities weren’t up to the required chemicals.
My husband thought those trips were roughing it. (I don’t know if he’ll be up to reading this post.)
Sometimes we need to see how pampered we are/were in the 20th and 21st centuries.
And Susannah, all during my reading of this, I kept thinking of the journey you took us on from Paris to Rome (in the back of my mind without remembering it was your writing).
All that plus traveling in skirts and petticoats with gloves and hats and shawls–yikes! I do love the rabbit holes we venture into. I was digging around in quarter days when I saw this one so back I go to discover more Celtic mysteries.
BTW, Mary Jo, I dreamt last night about “Uncommon Vows”.
All that plus traveling in skirts and petticoats with gloves and hats and shawls–yikes! I do love the rabbit holes we venture into. I was digging around in quarter days when I saw this one so back I go to discover more Celtic mysteries.
BTW, Mary Jo, I dreamt last night about “Uncommon Vows”.
All that plus traveling in skirts and petticoats with gloves and hats and shawls–yikes! I do love the rabbit holes we venture into. I was digging around in quarter days when I saw this one so back I go to discover more Celtic mysteries.
BTW, Mary Jo, I dreamt last night about “Uncommon Vows”.
All that plus traveling in skirts and petticoats with gloves and hats and shawls–yikes! I do love the rabbit holes we venture into. I was digging around in quarter days when I saw this one so back I go to discover more Celtic mysteries.
BTW, Mary Jo, I dreamt last night about “Uncommon Vows”.
All that plus traveling in skirts and petticoats with gloves and hats and shawls–yikes! I do love the rabbit holes we venture into. I was digging around in quarter days when I saw this one so back I go to discover more Celtic mysteries.
BTW, Mary Jo, I dreamt last night about “Uncommon Vows”.
“How would you have fared, do you think, travelling by carriage?”
If it was all I knew, I imagine I would have endured. Now I suspect I would not fare well having been spoiled in many ways.
Is there mention of Bourdaloues in Starke’s book? (Thinking of Anne’s January post on The Willow Pattern.)
“How would you have fared, do you think, travelling by carriage?”
If it was all I knew, I imagine I would have endured. Now I suspect I would not fare well having been spoiled in many ways.
Is there mention of Bourdaloues in Starke’s book? (Thinking of Anne’s January post on The Willow Pattern.)
“How would you have fared, do you think, travelling by carriage?”
If it was all I knew, I imagine I would have endured. Now I suspect I would not fare well having been spoiled in many ways.
Is there mention of Bourdaloues in Starke’s book? (Thinking of Anne’s January post on The Willow Pattern.)
“How would you have fared, do you think, travelling by carriage?”
If it was all I knew, I imagine I would have endured. Now I suspect I would not fare well having been spoiled in many ways.
Is there mention of Bourdaloues in Starke’s book? (Thinking of Anne’s January post on The Willow Pattern.)
“How would you have fared, do you think, travelling by carriage?”
If it was all I knew, I imagine I would have endured. Now I suspect I would not fare well having been spoiled in many ways.
Is there mention of Bourdaloues in Starke’s book? (Thinking of Anne’s January post on The Willow Pattern.)
Mary Jo, I kept thinking of your characters while I was reading of her travels…
Mary Jo, I kept thinking of your characters while I was reading of her travels…
Mary Jo, I kept thinking of your characters while I was reading of her travels…
Mary Jo, I kept thinking of your characters while I was reading of her travels…
Mary Jo, I kept thinking of your characters while I was reading of her travels…
ah, am afraid I’d never get farther than walking distance from home due to extreme motion sickness. I can’t even play many video games!
ah, am afraid I’d never get farther than walking distance from home due to extreme motion sickness. I can’t even play many video games!
ah, am afraid I’d never get farther than walking distance from home due to extreme motion sickness. I can’t even play many video games!
ah, am afraid I’d never get farther than walking distance from home due to extreme motion sickness. I can’t even play many video games!
ah, am afraid I’d never get farther than walking distance from home due to extreme motion sickness. I can’t even play many video games!
Sue, my parents actually did take off for a time in a pop-up tent trailer. I had no idea where they were, they would just telephone in every now and then from various campsites. They loved it. Looking around my Very Cluttered house right now, that has a definite appeal 🙂
Sue, my parents actually did take off for a time in a pop-up tent trailer. I had no idea where they were, they would just telephone in every now and then from various campsites. They loved it. Looking around my Very Cluttered house right now, that has a definite appeal 🙂
Sue, my parents actually did take off for a time in a pop-up tent trailer. I had no idea where they were, they would just telephone in every now and then from various campsites. They loved it. Looking around my Very Cluttered house right now, that has a definite appeal 🙂
Sue, my parents actually did take off for a time in a pop-up tent trailer. I had no idea where they were, they would just telephone in every now and then from various campsites. They loved it. Looking around my Very Cluttered house right now, that has a definite appeal 🙂
Sue, my parents actually did take off for a time in a pop-up tent trailer. I had no idea where they were, they would just telephone in every now and then from various campsites. They loved it. Looking around my Very Cluttered house right now, that has a definite appeal 🙂
Rabbit holes are the best.
Rabbit holes are the best.
Rabbit holes are the best.
Rabbit holes are the best.
Rabbit holes are the best.
🙂 I haven’t come across Bourdaloues yet, but I confess I may still be distracted by the active man-servant…
🙂 I haven’t come across Bourdaloues yet, but I confess I may still be distracted by the active man-servant…
🙂 I haven’t come across Bourdaloues yet, but I confess I may still be distracted by the active man-servant…
🙂 I haven’t come across Bourdaloues yet, but I confess I may still be distracted by the active man-servant…
🙂 I haven’t come across Bourdaloues yet, but I confess I may still be distracted by the active man-servant…
That used to be me, as well, although I surprised myself a couple of years ago when I went on a cruise and wasn’t sick AT ALL. Completely unexpected, because I’m like you–normally it doesn’t take much. I can’t decide whether to cruise again, to see if I can pull it off a second time, or whether I should simply consider that voyage was charmed.
That used to be me, as well, although I surprised myself a couple of years ago when I went on a cruise and wasn’t sick AT ALL. Completely unexpected, because I’m like you–normally it doesn’t take much. I can’t decide whether to cruise again, to see if I can pull it off a second time, or whether I should simply consider that voyage was charmed.
That used to be me, as well, although I surprised myself a couple of years ago when I went on a cruise and wasn’t sick AT ALL. Completely unexpected, because I’m like you–normally it doesn’t take much. I can’t decide whether to cruise again, to see if I can pull it off a second time, or whether I should simply consider that voyage was charmed.
That used to be me, as well, although I surprised myself a couple of years ago when I went on a cruise and wasn’t sick AT ALL. Completely unexpected, because I’m like you–normally it doesn’t take much. I can’t decide whether to cruise again, to see if I can pull it off a second time, or whether I should simply consider that voyage was charmed.
That used to be me, as well, although I surprised myself a couple of years ago when I went on a cruise and wasn’t sick AT ALL. Completely unexpected, because I’m like you–normally it doesn’t take much. I can’t decide whether to cruise again, to see if I can pull it off a second time, or whether I should simply consider that voyage was charmed.
Susanna, my traveling heroines are FAR more intrepid than I am!!!!
Susanna, my traveling heroines are FAR more intrepid than I am!!!!
Susanna, my traveling heroines are FAR more intrepid than I am!!!!
Susanna, my traveling heroines are FAR more intrepid than I am!!!!
Susanna, my traveling heroines are FAR more intrepid than I am!!!!
Janice–I hope it was a GOOD dream!
Janice–I hope it was a GOOD dream!
Janice–I hope it was a GOOD dream!
Janice–I hope it was a GOOD dream!
Janice–I hope it was a GOOD dream!
When I think about how much I loved tent camping back in the day, I think I might have managed traveling with Mariana Starke pretty well. (I love her book and relied heavily on her when I was plotting routes for my characters.)
But then I consider how much I dislike the bone-jarring rides on a badly potholed street even in a modern, well-sprung car, and I figure, no, I’d never make it.
And then I decide, that aches and pains or no, I’d love to try it. After all, it can’t have been any worse that spending 12 hours shoved into an airline seat where you can’t move your legs because they’re wedged against the seat in front of you!
When I think about how much I loved tent camping back in the day, I think I might have managed traveling with Mariana Starke pretty well. (I love her book and relied heavily on her when I was plotting routes for my characters.)
But then I consider how much I dislike the bone-jarring rides on a badly potholed street even in a modern, well-sprung car, and I figure, no, I’d never make it.
And then I decide, that aches and pains or no, I’d love to try it. After all, it can’t have been any worse that spending 12 hours shoved into an airline seat where you can’t move your legs because they’re wedged against the seat in front of you!
When I think about how much I loved tent camping back in the day, I think I might have managed traveling with Mariana Starke pretty well. (I love her book and relied heavily on her when I was plotting routes for my characters.)
But then I consider how much I dislike the bone-jarring rides on a badly potholed street even in a modern, well-sprung car, and I figure, no, I’d never make it.
And then I decide, that aches and pains or no, I’d love to try it. After all, it can’t have been any worse that spending 12 hours shoved into an airline seat where you can’t move your legs because they’re wedged against the seat in front of you!
When I think about how much I loved tent camping back in the day, I think I might have managed traveling with Mariana Starke pretty well. (I love her book and relied heavily on her when I was plotting routes for my characters.)
But then I consider how much I dislike the bone-jarring rides on a badly potholed street even in a modern, well-sprung car, and I figure, no, I’d never make it.
And then I decide, that aches and pains or no, I’d love to try it. After all, it can’t have been any worse that spending 12 hours shoved into an airline seat where you can’t move your legs because they’re wedged against the seat in front of you!
When I think about how much I loved tent camping back in the day, I think I might have managed traveling with Mariana Starke pretty well. (I love her book and relied heavily on her when I was plotting routes for my characters.)
But then I consider how much I dislike the bone-jarring rides on a badly potholed street even in a modern, well-sprung car, and I figure, no, I’d never make it.
And then I decide, that aches and pains or no, I’d love to try it. After all, it can’t have been any worse that spending 12 hours shoved into an airline seat where you can’t move your legs because they’re wedged against the seat in front of you!
Having done backpacking and camping in my youth I might survive a trip such as this. The big difference is, what was proper back then is now no longer required. Clothing is so different, what a woman could do has changed, the ease of lighter travel and so many other factors have changed. Today a trip in similar circumstances might be a challenge, but not has much so as back then.
I grew up using wagons for transportation and know how slow that can be. I love reading historical novels and understanding how long a carriage trip from London to the Scottish border would take with horses, bad roads and limited facilities. We have it so easy now.
Having done backpacking and camping in my youth I might survive a trip such as this. The big difference is, what was proper back then is now no longer required. Clothing is so different, what a woman could do has changed, the ease of lighter travel and so many other factors have changed. Today a trip in similar circumstances might be a challenge, but not has much so as back then.
I grew up using wagons for transportation and know how slow that can be. I love reading historical novels and understanding how long a carriage trip from London to the Scottish border would take with horses, bad roads and limited facilities. We have it so easy now.
Having done backpacking and camping in my youth I might survive a trip such as this. The big difference is, what was proper back then is now no longer required. Clothing is so different, what a woman could do has changed, the ease of lighter travel and so many other factors have changed. Today a trip in similar circumstances might be a challenge, but not has much so as back then.
I grew up using wagons for transportation and know how slow that can be. I love reading historical novels and understanding how long a carriage trip from London to the Scottish border would take with horses, bad roads and limited facilities. We have it so easy now.
Having done backpacking and camping in my youth I might survive a trip such as this. The big difference is, what was proper back then is now no longer required. Clothing is so different, what a woman could do has changed, the ease of lighter travel and so many other factors have changed. Today a trip in similar circumstances might be a challenge, but not has much so as back then.
I grew up using wagons for transportation and know how slow that can be. I love reading historical novels and understanding how long a carriage trip from London to the Scottish border would take with horses, bad roads and limited facilities. We have it so easy now.
Having done backpacking and camping in my youth I might survive a trip such as this. The big difference is, what was proper back then is now no longer required. Clothing is so different, what a woman could do has changed, the ease of lighter travel and so many other factors have changed. Today a trip in similar circumstances might be a challenge, but not has much so as back then.
I grew up using wagons for transportation and know how slow that can be. I love reading historical novels and understanding how long a carriage trip from London to the Scottish border would take with horses, bad roads and limited facilities. We have it so easy now.