Targeted at both intrepid travellers and 'readers at home', this two-volume account of Spanish history, topography and culture by Richard Ford (1796–1858) combines the rigour of a gazetteer with the humour and pace of a private travel diary. First published in 1845, as part of John Murray's series of guidebooks, the work made an immediate impact upon the reading public. Within days it was celebrated in the press as the 'most comprehensive and accurate account of that country' hitherto produced. Through a series of hand-picked routes, readers encounter the varied landscapes and cultures of Spain's distinct regions. Volume 1 leads the reader from Cadiz in Andalucia to Granada and on to Catalonia. Volume 2 takes in Leon, Galicia and the Basque provinces. The result is an engaging account that will be of interest to modern tourists and historians alike.
Contents
Volume 1: Preface; Section I. Preliminary Remarks: 1. Public conveyances and steamers; 2. Skeleton tours; Section II. Andalucia: 3. Introductory information; 4. Manners; 5. Routes; Section III. Ronda and Granada: 6. Introductory sketch of the country and natives; 7. Routes; 8. Kingdom of Granada; Section IV. The Kingdom of Murcia: 9. General view of the country and its productions; 10. Routes; 11. Mines; Section V. Valencia: 12. General account of the country, natives, and agriculture; 13. Valencia; 14. Routes; Section VI. Catalonia: 15. Character of the country and natives; 16. Routes; 17. Barcelona and its history; Section VII. Estremadura: 18. General view of the province; 19. Badajoz; 20. Routes. Volume 2: Section VIII. Leon: 21. Introductory remarks on the province and natives; 22. Routes; 23. Salamanca; 24. El Vierzo; 25. Valladolid; Section IX. The Kingdom of Gallicia: 26. Introductory sketches of the country, people, and productions; 27. Routes; 28. Santiago; Section X. The Asturias: 29. General view of the principality, early history, and natives; 30. Routes; 31. Oviedo and coal mines; Section XI. The Castiles, Old and New: 32. General account of the country and natives; 33. Madrid; 34. Railroads; 35. Routes; 36. Escorial; 37. Toledo; Section XII. The Basque Provinces: 38. The Fueros, character of country and natives, manners, and language; 39. Routes; Section XIII. Kingdom of Arragon: 40. Constitutional history, character of the country and people; 41. Zaragoza; 42. Routes; 43. Spanish Pyrenees; Section XIV. Kingdom of Navarre: 44. The country and natives, the Agoes and Guerilleros; 45. Routes; 46. Pamplona; Index; List of errata.
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