A journey into various parts of Europe; and a residence in them, during the years 1818, 1819, 1820, 1821; with Notes, Historical and Classical; and memoirs of the Grand Dukes of the House of Medici; of the Dynasties of the Kings of Naples; and of the Dukes of Milan

London: Geo. B. Whitaker, 1825. FIRST EDITION. All blanks present. Contemporary blind-tooled morocco, gilt edges, boards somewhat faded and worn at joints, edges and corners, small stains to boards; marbled edges and endpapers, interior excellent. Inscriptions on fly-leaves of the Hon. Joshua Vanneck, and in Volume I is added "the gift of (?) Aston on leaving Eton, March, 1831." Possibly Joshua Vanneck (1778-1844), Second Baron Huntingfeld, a Tory Member of Parliament from Dunwich. First edition. Pennington, "rector of Thorley, Herts; late Fellow of Clare Hall, Cambridge and Chaplain to the late Countess of Bath" (from the title page) describes his travels in Europe following the end of the Napoleonic wars. He had traveled on the Continent in the 1780's, before the French Revolution, and was thus able to contrast, from personal knowledge, pre- and post-Napoleonic Europe. As an example, Chapter 2 begins with the following statement: "In spite of the Revolution and the horrors it had experienced, we found in Paris the same thoughtlessness and gaiety for which it was ever distinguished; and the rapid change of dynasties had made little change in the disposition of the people." Providing both a history and travel narrative, Pennington makes his way around Europe to Italy and up through Switzerland. His comments on everything from museums to religious practice make for a thoroughly enjoyable and fascinating read. (Inventory #: 15272)