A Handbook for Travellers in Spain
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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"Be that as it may, Spain, first civilized by the Phoenicians, and long possessed by the Moors, has indelibly retained many of the original impressions. Test her, therefore, and her natives by an Oriental standard, decypher her by that key,-how analogous will much appear, that seems strange and repugnant, when compared with European usages! This land and people of routine and habit are potted for antiquarians, for here Pagan, Roman, and Eastern customs, long obsolete elsewhere, turn up at every step in church and house, in cabinet and campaign. In this age of practical investigation, the physical features of Spain, her mighty mountain ranges and rivers, her wealth above and below ground, her vegetation and mines, offer a wide and almost new field to our naturalists and men of science."--A Handbook for Travellers in Spain (1845) by Richard Ford "These in due time were beaten by the Spaniards, aided by the troops of Charlemagne, whose principle was to uphold all who were enemies to the Kalif of Cordova. When the Moors were driven back beyond the Ebro, the reconquered province was divided into departments or Veguerias, and governed by deputed counts. The national liberties were secured by a code of Usages, and the people were represented by local parliaments or Universidades. The sovereignty became hereditary about 1040, in the person of Ramon Berenguer, who allied himself with the French and Normans; hence the introduction of their style of architecture. Catalonia was united to Arragon in 1137 by the marriage of Ramon Berenguer IV. with Petronila, the heiress of Ramiro el Monje; and both were incorporated with Castile by the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella."--A Handbook for Travellers in Spain (1845) by Richard Ford |
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A Handbook for Travellers in Spain is an 1845 work of travel literature by English writer Richard Ford. It has been described as a defining moment in the genre.
British tourists were travelling through Europe in increasing numbers and the need for guidebooks was beginning to be supplied by publishers like John Murray. In 1845 Ford, who had gained tremendous knowledge of Spain by extensive travel on horseback, wrote this account enlivened by humour and anecdotes.
In Ford's obituary, commonly attributed to Sir William Stirling-Maxwell, "so great a literary achievement had never before been performed under so humble a title." Ford marked, with George Borrow the eccentric English traveller, an interest in Spain that would continue through the twentieth century on the part of British writers: Gerald Brenan, Norman Lewis and George Orwell were among the most eminent of these successors, with Jason Webster (the author of Duende, Andalus and Guerra) and Chris Stewart (the author of Driving Over Lemons) being contemporary.
The original edition was published by John Murray in 1845 in two volumes. The following year in 1846 he prepared a more manageable version entitled Gatherings from Spain which included some extra material. Second and third editions of the original book appeared in 1847 and 1855 respectively. As of 1966 the book was still being reprinted.
In 1855 Richard Ford also wrote Andalucia, Ronda and Granada, Murcia, Valencia, and Catalonia; the portions best suited for the invalid.
See also
- Murray's Handbooks for Travellers (series)
