| Summary: | Leather-bound travel diary of an [American] female passenger named Louise P. Bruce who sailed with a group from New York to Queenstown on the Bothnia in May 1878. Handwritten in ink.
The first few pages provide details of shipboard life on the Bothnia, in particular the bad weather. Other experiences recorded include the Sunday Service in the Saloon given by the Captain, the Queen’s birthday on which an amateur concert was given for the benefit of a sailor’s charity and a reading by Miss Helen Potter (lecturer and performer), arriving at Queenstown and the use of Cunard ‘Roman Candles’.
The majority of the journal gives detailed accounts of travels around Ireland, Scotland, England (in particular London), France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy and other places across Western Europe. Places of cultural interest are recorded and her reflections on them.
The journal ends on Friday 7th February 1879 while in Rome.
Contains several loose items including: Hotel D’Angleterre business cards; visitor leaflet entitled ‘Explanations of the Geological parts of the Glacier-Garten’ by M. Albert Heim; handwritten lists of churches visited in Rome, Algerian Picture Gallery and [landmarks visited]; small paper label/engraved monogram ‘B.S.L’ , probably handmade paper with evidence of a watermark.
Inside page contains a colour postcard of the Bothnia at sea (slightly damaged) and pinned to the back page is a dried [plant stem]. Notes relating to the log of the Bothnia and prices are also included. Indicates name of Captain as 'McMickan'.
Initials on spine ‘L. P. B’ 1878. Clasp is broken. |
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