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ALFRED C. JOHNSON : 1872 HANDWRITTEN MANUSCRIPT EUROPEAN RUSSIA TRAVEL DIARY, GENEALOGICAL REFERENCE OF EUROPE'S ROYALTY AND HEADS OF STATE AND INTIMATE LOOK INTO THE WINDER, JOHNSON AND LAWRIE FAMILIES

16mo - over 5¾" - 6¾" tall. On offer is the amazing 1872 handwritten manuscript diary of the young Alfred C. Johnson of 727 Pine Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Research suggests this is the same man that becomes Consul of the United States at Stuttgart, Germany in the future and as late as 1896. Mr. Johnson is a literate, observant diarist who details a very interesting life [just one year out of school but he writes and shows interests of a middle aged man] of going to the theatre [Walnut Street is a favorite] and opera, lectures and speeches and he never fails to mentions both birthdays, anniversaries, deaths and other important events of his intimate and extended family [almost compulsively as in one example of new family member 'Molly' - "Molly is one week old; Molly is two weeks old; Molly is three weeks old" and after one month Molly graduates to monthly notations] and European Royalty and other well known, historically important European figures for many of whom he has, it seems, a deep interest and it appears a peripheral relationship. He consistently relates the birthdays of heads of State and their offspring and even makes comments on the character of the individuals. In one fascinating observation he notes a person being born on a specific day in 1801 that he considered a good day and indicative of the man's character. We also deduce that he is likely a much younger sibling of quite a large family as he notes the day his sister Sarah who died at 40 would have been 46 and his brother Theodore is 2 years younger than Sarah. During the year, he takes a train to Washington DC for a visit, also New York City and later he crosses the Atlantic and visits Hamburg [he sees the Emperor of Germany and the King of Prussia, the Dutchess of Genoa etc.], Denmark, Stockholm and Moscow, Russia, among other places. At one point around Thanksgiving, he writes of being glad he is away from home, because he is so ashamed of a disgraced family member. At the back of the diary in the memorandum area he notes 20 separate people he needs to bring presents back to America. Here are some snippets: "January 11 - Nellie married that hateful stitch of a James Chester Norris two years ago today, and will have her second child about 1st of March. April 29 - Went to see Miss Nilson in Opera of Hamlet with Miss Cary and Brignote music by Thomas. Very fine but does not compare with Mignon. May 24 - Rufus Lawrie came up for first time. Birthday of Queen Victoria, born 1819, is 53. June 13 - Sailed in Steamer Hollandia for Hamburg at 2:30. Some very pleasant people on board, especially Miss Hearns, and some very unpleasant people. Feel a little uncomfortable tonight. Moon light. June 28 - Weather cloudy, rain. Took a drive. saw a funeral .... and a house covered with black with a a double string of hired mourners in long cloaks and furs. Took train at Albona (a small town out of Hamburg) at 9:45 pm. Arrived to Thiel at 12 night. Took boat after walking a number of blocks ..... and she fell on one knee too, but did not hurt much. Aug 2 - Arrived in Moscow 11 am, Hotel Chevrier. Miserable place. The exposition and largest room without pillows in the world. Afternoon drove for Sparrow Hill where a view of the city is had..........Road terrible, nearly upset. November 12 - Weather damp, rain, chilly. Heard of another dreadful fire in Boston this time loss estimated at $1,250,000. What shall become of us? Nothing is sure in this world. Next spring there will be one in Philadelphia and everything we have will be lost." Further research finds his father is Lawrence Johnson b. 1801, his grandfather was Aaron Winder b. 1763. Overall VG.. Manuscript. Book Condition: Very Good+

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