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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