Karl Philipp Moritz (1757–1793)

"One of the most remarkable collections of evidence of the state of England in 1782 that we possess"
By sally tarbox on 13 December 2016
Format: Paperback
George III was on the English throne when Carl Philip Moritz, an actor - and later teacher of philosophy - left his native Germany for a visit to England.
This is quite a fascinating book, as Moritz relates his adventures in a series of letters to a friend back home. He rhapsodizes on the beauties of the countryside, but talks too of things show more that strike him as odd or interesting. From trips to the theatre and the House of Commons, evenings at Vauxhall and Ranelagh pleasure gardens, he moves on to take a walking/ coach tour to Oxford and thence to the Derbyshire Peak district.
He notes repeatedly that traveling on foot is deemed peculiar, dangerous and 'low' - he is often turned away from inns as an undesirable because of it. And yet he has many positive interactions too with the assorted people he encounters en route.
Highly readable, he brings to life a vanished world: "there opened out towards me the paradisal district towards Slough."
Most enjoyable. show less

The best travel books are sometimes of familiar countries by foreign visitors. This is a consistently interesting and honest 18th century account, which often notes the narrowness and class prejudices of British culture.

A vivid pseudonymous autobiography of a sensitive and deeply self-aware youth growing up in Hanover in the 18th century. Although Moritz's anguish and insecurity can be tedious, it serves his goal of showing the effects of in imperfect educational system on impressionable pupils. For contemporary readers, the most striking aspect of the work is its emotional honesty. Moritz lives in these pages as few authors of his ear do.

Pioneering psychological fiction!