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Of Travel
by Francis Bacon |
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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 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 heavens
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 to 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 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 less as 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 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 are of 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 will engage him into their own quarrels. When a
traveller returneth home, let him not leave the countries, where he
hath travelled, altogether behind him; but maintain 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.
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contact: morgan at [email protected] page last modified: thu jan 12 01:37:48 2006 |
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