Thursday, November 22, 2018

The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris, David McCullough, c. 2011.

The book for the day: The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris, David McCullough, c. 2011.

1830s.

Thomas Jefferson, John Adams had both died in 1826. Lafayette -- yes, that Lafayette -- was taking his swan song tour of America, returning as a hero. Meanwhile, American writers and painters were streaming to Paris.

No regular passenger vessels at the beginning. Folks booked passage on a packet -- a cargo ship that took passengers.

Most were brigs: two-masted square riggers.

Alexis de Tocqueville: traveled in the opposite direction; coming to America in 1831; he had never spoken to an American in his life; he had never seen the sea -- until this voyage.

Crossing took about 30 days.

Number of passengers on a packet ship ranged from one to thirty.

Main port, arrival in France: Le Havre.

Le Havre to Paris: 110 miles.

Most memorable on the way to Paris: a stop at Rouen, halfway between Le Havre and Paris. Nice description of the cathedral, page 22.

Chapter Two: Paris.

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