The Smell Of The Continent: The British Discover Europe

Front Cover
Pan Macmillan, Dec 10, 2010 - History - 400 pages

‘I remember being much amused last year, when landing at Calais,’ wrote Mrs Frances Trollope in her 1835 book, Paris and the Parisians, ‘at the answer made by an old traveller to a novice ... making his first voyage. “What a dreadful smell!” said the uninitiated stranger ... “it is the smell of the continent, sir!” replied the man of experience. And so it was.’

Historians James Munson and Richard Mullen examine just what it was about the smell of the continent that so attracted British travellers in the hundred years from the fall of Napoleon to the outbreak of the First World War. It was the first time in history that the British, en masse, set out to discover Europe. Drawing on contemporary accounts, diaries and letters, Munson and Mullen offer a compelling portrait of the Victorians abroad, many of them convinced that their country was not only vastly superior but also the envy of the world.

From the glowing review coverage:

'Pure charm' A.N. Wilson, Reader's Digest

'An entertaining and sometimes surprising, thought-provoking history' Sunday Times

 

Contents

Introduction
A Note on Money
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Epilogue
Further Reading
Notes
Index

Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Endnotes
Copyright

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About the author (2010)

James Munson and Richard Mullen have collaborated on a number of books and both work for Contemporary Review.

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