Travels during the years 1787, 1788, & 1789; undertaken more particularly with a view of ascertaining the cultivation, wealth, resources, and national prosperity of the kingdom of France.

Second edition. Two volumes. Folio. viii, 629, [3, index]; [4], 336, [4, index] pp., two folding letterpress maps to front of Vol. 1, the first with early hand-colouring, folding letterpress map to front of Vol. 2. With the half title to Vol. 2. Contemporary half calf with marbled paper covered boards, spines with five single raised bands outlined in gilt, the second and fourth panels lettered in gilt on red and green morocco labels, blue speckled edges (joints, headcaps and lower corners expertly restored, upper corners of Vol. 1 rather bumped, else a most attractive set). London: printed for W. Richardson, Royal-Exchange; Bury St. Edmund’s, printed by J. Rackham, for W. Richardson, London.

One of the most substantial works by the great agricultural reformer and writer Arthur Young (1741-1820), hugely expanded in the present second edition. Volume One is substantially the same as the one-volume 1792 edition; Volume Two is new matter, with the exception of the chapter on "Vines"; and bears the imprint: Bury St. Edmund’s, printed by J. Rackham, for W. Richardson, London, 1794; and was apparently sometimes also issued separately.

'Between 1787 and 1790 Young made three lengthy visits to France, Catalonia, and northern Italy, which resulted in his very interesting and most historically valuable book. The interest of Travels in France is enhanced by the accounts of lands that were for the most part strange to Young and unknown to many of his readers. His commentaries, in consequence, were broad in scope, and in addition to farming, described aspects - the scenery, roads, inns, manners, and the signs of wealth or poverty - which in England he would have taken for granted or passed over in a very few words. His visits to France took place in a period which saw the beginnings of the revolution, and this gives his first-hand accounts an importance which is almost as vital now as it was to those who lived through these years. Indeed, historians on both sides of the channel have drawn heavily on Young for his view of France at this critical juncture' (ODNB).

Goldsmiths', 15937; Kress, B.2872.

Stock Code: 240951