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E. Alvord : 1871 HANDWRITTEN DIARY: S.S. GERMANIA Travel Diary of an Outspoken Opinionated Young Man

64mo - up to 3" tall. On offer is a wonderful early travel/steamship diary for 1871. The diary was handwritten by, we believe, E. Alvord of Springfield, Minn., a young, very outspoken man to record his trip to Europe while traveling on board the steamship, "Germania'. The first part of the diary, 16 pp, are handwritten miscellaneous notes. One rather interesting note: "Nov. 23, Milton Hull in 188 Deen St. Cooks Vanderbilt House." The voyage starts May 23rd when he begins recording his trip, from leaving the harbor, on board the ship, in Europe and on his way back home aboard the ship, "China" until September 12th, 1871. In total there are 93 days worth of handwritten adventures. The diarist did not hold back; he didn't seem to like the places he visited or the people too much and at one point he seems to have a problem with some Jewish folks. Here are some snippets; "Left Hoboken 15 minutes to three. Sent out hats overboard amid the shouts of the crowd. At 4:40 discharged pilot, awful hungry….Out of sight of land, fair wind making 12 ½ knots, hungry. Fear we have got beat as we haven't got in a 2nd cabin. The captain is a gentleman, polite and kind. Dutch babies are thick!....The weather is beautiful. Company pleasant for one sailing out on the boundless ocean. So vast, reminds me of the summer of Dr. Taylor on "loneliness.".Heavy fog on the banks, a dull stupid day, wish I was home. No service on board which I don't like! Have been up on the bridge with the ladies….A very slow steamer which together with the German style of cooking makes it quite tedious…Arrived at Plymouth at 9 pm. I feasted 1st time since leaving home. Had quite a nice piece of roast beef and some ale which I relished highly. Awful English, funny people, so concluded, yet kind to us….Visited St. Paul church. Climbed to the top of it, 424 feet high. Saw the tomb of Wellington and Nelson. Also attended a funeral there of a daughter of one of the Arch Deacons. Leave London for Belgium tomorrow, glad to get away….Oh, Germany is the most lovely place to live. Music seems to be a passion and the people are so civil. Thus cannot help liking them, but with all this pleasure, I think of home, yes, yes….Good Bye old Vienna. Beautiful city and lovely music. Arrived at Lulgough and went to the circus with Gen Spinner of U. S. Treasury and Mrs. Three ladies got terribly wet, jolly time…..Sailed from Liverpool today at 4 O'clock. A full compliment of passengers and all seem delirious to get to good old America once more. Some Chinese on board bound for China. Wonderful isn't it, going to China by the way of N.Y…..We are getting on nicely, passed a steamer of the Union Line which sailed two days before and now we are coming on a ship going the same way as we…." Mysteriously he stops writing before he gets home, curious given he was very faithful with his writing before this. The diary is a black leather diary with a beautiful deep blue lining that also has wonderful scalloped pockets. It measure about 3" x 6" closed and is in good shape.. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good+. Binding: Full-Leather

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