By-gone Tourist Days: Letters of Travel

"By-gone Tourist Days: Letters of Travel" by Laura G. Case Collins is a collection of travel letters written in the late 19th century. The letters chronicle the author's extensive travels across Europe, capturing her experiences and reflections in various cities such as London, Edinburgh, Heidelberg, and Paris. Collins' charming narrative style provides a vivid depiction of her observations on culture, architecture, and personal encounters during her journeys. At the start of the work, the author reflects on the tumultuous journey across the Atlantic aboard the steamer Adriatic, where she details the challenges of seasickness and the peculiar beauty of the turbulent ocean. Transitioning to her experiences in England, Collins explores historic cities like Chester and Stratford-upon-Avon, including visits to notable sites such as Shakespeare's birthplace. The opening letters set a tone of wonder and admiration for the landscapes and cultural treasures she encounters, while also sharing personal anecdotes and interactions with locals, effectively intertwining travel journalism with personal memoir.