TRAVELS IN FRANCE 



There are two methods of writing travels; to register the 

 journey itself, or the result of it. In the former case, it is a 

 diary, under which head are to be classed all those books of 

 travels written in the form of letters. The latter usually falls 

 into the shape of essays on distinct subjects. Of the former 

 method of composing, almost every book of modern travels 

 is an example. Of the latter, the admirable essays of my 

 valuable friend Mr. Professor Symonds, upon Italian agriculture, 

 are the most perfect specimens. 



It is of very little importance what form is adopted by a man 

 of real genius ; he will make any form useful, and any informa- 

 tion interesting. But for persons of more moderate talents^ 

 it is of consequence to consider the circumstances for and against 

 both these modes. 



The journal form hath the advantage of carrying with it a 

 greater degree of credibility; and, of course, more weight. A 

 traveller who thus registers his observations is detected the 

 moment he writes of things he has not seen. He is precluded 

 from giving studied or elaborate remarks upon insufficient 

 foundations: if he sees little, he must register little; if he 

 has few good opportunities of being well informed, the reader 

 is enabled to observe it, and will be induced to give no more 

 credit to his relations than the sources of them appear to deserve ; 

 if he passes so rapidly through a country as necessarily to be no 

 judge of what he sees, the reader knows it; if he dwells long 

 in places of little or no moment with private views or for private 

 business, the circumstance is seen; and thus the reader has the 

 satisfaction of being as safe from imposition, either designed or 

 involuntary, as the nature of the case will admit: all which 

 advantages are wanted in the other method. 



But to balance them, there are on the other hand some 

 weighty inconveniences; among these the principal is, the pro- 

 lixity to which a diary generally leads ; the very mode of i^Titing 

 almost making it inevitable. It necessarily causes repetitions 

 of the same subjects and the same ideas; and that surely must 



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