The Paradise of Travellers: The Italian Influence on Englishmen in the Seventeenth Century

by A. Lytton Sells

Overview

Italy in the Seicento retained her prestige as the country most advanced in the arts of civilization. She was still, with France, and prior to the formation of the Royal Society, in the van of scientific research. The Academy of St. Luke in Rome was the greatest art school in the world. Scientists like Galileo, historians like Paolo Sarpi, added new lustre to her name. Venice, ‘the eldest child of liberty’ was still glorious and powerful. Thus it was that English students flocked in numbers to Padua and that travellers regarded a sojourn in Italy as the highlight of their experience.

First published in 1964, The Paradise of Travellers devotes particular attention to travel books. Not only the records of such celebrated tourists as Fynes Moryson and John Evelyn, but those of many others, equally interesting, are examined. It is shown that, as the century advanced, Englishmen were entertained and even welcomed in Rome by learned ecclesiastics and eminent Cardinals. The Protestant and Catholic worlds were learning the need, and even the charm, of co-existence.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781041021100
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	05/01/2025
Series:	Routledge Revivals
Pages:	242
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

A. Lytton Sells, a graduate of Cambridge and of the Sorbonne, had an extraordinarily long teaching career which began in 1923. He held various positions at the University of Padua, Indiana University and taught at University of Durham until his retirement.

Table of Contents

Introduction  Part 1: Italy in the seventeenth century  1. History of the Seicento: Politics and War  2. Envoys and Diplomatists  3. Sir Henry Wotton and the Venice Embassy  4. The Queen’s Chancellor  5. Expatriates and Philosophers  6. The University of Padua  Part 2: Italy as seen by the English  7. Daily life and the Daily Round  8. Conditions of Travel: Foreign Exchange, Transport, Hotels  9. Fynes Moryson  10. Thomas Coryate  11. George Sandys  12. Lithgow, Mundy and Gage  13. John Evelyn  14. John Raymond  15. Reresby, Mortoft and Ray  16. Lassels

Editorial Reviews

Review of the first publication:

‘The book is a good introduction to the political, diplomatic, and cultural history of the Seicento, and a supplement to the basic works of John Walter Stoye, Pearsall Smith, George Bruner Parks, and others, all of whose labors are generously acknowledged.’

— John A. Thayer, Georgetown University

From the Publisher