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Essay XVIII: Of Travel
Essay XVIII: Of Travel
Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part
of experience. He that travelleth into a country before he hath some entrance
into the language, goeth to school, and not to travel. That young men travel
under some tutor, or grave servant, I allow ^1 well; so that he be such a one
that hath the language, and hath been in the country before; whereby he may be
able to tell them what things are worthy to be seen in the country where they
go; what acquaintances they are to seek; what exercises or discipline the
place yieldeth. For else young men shall go hooded, and look abroad little. It
is a strange thing, that in sea voyages, where there is nothing to be seen but
sky and sea, men should make diaries; but in land-travel, wherein so much is
to be observed, for the most part they omit it; as if chance were fitter to be
registered than observation. Let diaries therefore be brought in use. The
things to be seen and observed are: the courts of princes, especially when
they give audience to ambassadors; the courts of justice, while they sit and
hear causes; and so of consistories ecclesiastic; the churches and
monasteries, with the monuments which are therein extant; the walls and
fortifications of cities and towns, and so the havens and harbors; antiquities
and ruins; libraries; colleges, disputations, and lectures, where any are;
shipping and navies; houses and gardens of state and pleasure, near great
cities; armories; arsenals; magazines; exchanges; burses; warehouses;
exercises of horsemanship, fencing, training of soldiers, and the like;
comedies, such whereunto the better sort of persons do resort; treasuries of
jewels and robes; cabinets and rarities; and, to conclude, whatsoever is
memorable in the places where they go. After all which the tutors or servants
ought to make diligent inquiry. As for triumphs, masks, feasts, weddings,
funerals, capital executions, and such shows, men need not be put in mind of
them; yet are they not to be neglected. If you will have a young man to put
his travel into a little room, and in short time to gather much, this you must
do. First, as was said, he must have some entrance into the language before he
goeth. Then he must have such a servant or tutor as knoweth the country, as
was likewise said. Let him carry with him also some card ^2 or book describing
the country where he travelleth; which will be a good key to his inquiry. Let
him keep also a diary. Let him not stay long in one city or town; more or
lessas the place deserveth, but not long; nay, when he stayeth in one city or
town, let him change his lodging from one end and part of the town to another;
which is a great adamant ^3 of acquaintance. Let him sequester himself from
the company of his countrymen, and diet in such places where there is good
company of the nation where he travelleth. Let him, upon his removes from one
place to another, procure recommendation to some person of quality residing in
the place whither he removeth; that he may use his favor in those things he
desireth to see or know. Thus he may abridge his travel with much profit. As
for the acquaintance which is to be sought in travel; that which is most of
all profitable is acquaintance with the secretaries and employed men of
ambassadors: for so in travelling in one country he shall suck the experience
of many. Let him also see and visit eminent persons in all kinds, which areof
great name abroad; that he may be able to tell how the life agreeth with the
fame. For quarrels, they are with care and discretion to be avoided. They are
commonly for mistresses, healths, place, and words. And let a man beware how
he keepeth company with choleric and quarrelsome persons; for they willengage
him into their own quarrels. When a traveller returneth home, let him not
leave the countries where he hath travelled altogether behind him; butmaintain
a correspondence by letters with those of his acquaintance which are of most
worth. And let his travel appear rather in his discourse than his apparel or
gesture; and in his discourse let him be rather advised in his answers, than
forward to tell stories; and let it appear that he doth not change his country
manners for those of foreign parts; but only prick in some flowers of that he
hath learned abroad into the customs of his own country.
[Footnote 1: Approve.]
[Footnote 2: Map.]
[Footnote 3: Loadstone.]
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