We Must Confess, However, That Hitherto There Are Few Books Of Travels
In Our Country That Are Worthy Of It:
Till very lately, its mineralogy
and geology have been much neglected; and even at present, they must be
studied rather in professed works on these subjects, or in the
transactions of societies, instituted for their express and peculiar
investigation, than in books of travels.
With respect to our national
character, it is obvious, that will be found more carefully studied, and
more frequently attended to, in the travels of foreigners in Britain,
than in native travels, though necessarily in the former there must be
much mistake and misapprehension, and there is often much prejudice and
misrepresentation.
In one department of travels Britain is, we believe, original and
peculiar; we allude to picturesque travels, of which those of Gilpin are
an interesting and most favourable specimen. These differ essentially
from the picturesque travels of foreigners, which are confined to the
description of antiquities, buildings, and works of art; whereas our
picturesque travels are devoted to the description of the sublimities
and beauties of nature. To these beauties, the British seem particularly
sensible, and Britain, perhaps, if we regard both what nature has done
for her, and the assistance which tasteful art has bestowed on nature,
is as favourable a country for the picturesque traveller as most in
Europe.
483. Paul Hentzer's Journey into England in 1598. London, 1600. 8vo. In
Dodsley's Fugitive Pieces, vol. 2. Also published at the Strawberry Hill
Press.
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