London to Dover

'London to Dover'. A version of this volume published posthumously as 'A Journey from London to the Isle of Wight' (London, 1801), Vol. I.

Elaborate title-page with views of St. Paul's Cathedral, London, and Dover Castle, by Moses Griffith. For attribution, see 'Curious Travellers Editions' [https://editions.curioustravellers.ac.uk/], item ID 1118.

Although the title-page is dated 1787, i.e. the year of Pennant's actual tour (see below), there is evidence of him still adding to the MS volume in February 1791: see 'Curious Travellers Editions' [https://editions.curioustravellers.ac.uk/], item ID 1121.

Unlike most volumes of the 'Outlines', this volume is based in part on a genuine tour, undertaken by Pennant in 1787 with his son David, intended 'to make a comparison of the naval strength and commercial advantages and disadvantages of our island, with those of her two powerful rivals [France and Spain]'. This is described in Pennant's 'Literary Life' (1793), p. 31.

Itinerary begins at Temple Stairs in London, follows the southern shore of the Thames to its estuary, then roughly follows the English coast to Dover (including an account of Canterbury).

Many of the unsigned original illustrations can likely be attributed to Moses Griffith, e.g. the watercolour views entitled 'Dover Cliffs Kent' (pp. 220–221), 'Dover Priory and the Maison Dieu' (p. 228). For Griffith's work on this volume, see 'Curious Travellers Editions' [https://editions.curioustravellers.ac.uk/], item ID 1121. However, three illustrations are signed 'J. P. A' and dated to 1763 ('Dover Castle from the Landside' (p. 211); 'View of Dover From the Sea' (p. 223); 'Shakespeares Cliff' (p. 243), so some other illustrations might also be by other hands.

Full itinerary and index at rear of volume.

Object Details

ID: P/16/20
Collection: Charts and maps
Type: Manuscript
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Pennant, Thomas; Griffith, Moses
Date made: 1773; 1773-1792 1787 1787-01-01 - 1792-12-31 1787-1792 1790 1791 1792-10-27 1792
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: 1 volume
Parts: 'Outlines of the Globe' or 'Imaginary World Tour' and related items - manuscript tours, natural history, and illustrations authored and compiled by Thomas Pennant (1726–1798), naturalist, traveller, and writer (Manuscript)
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