History of a Six Weeks' Tour is a travel narrative by the British
Romantic authors Mary Shelley (pictured) and Percy Bysshe Shelley.
Published in 1817, it describes two trips taken by Mary, Percy, and
Mary's stepsister, Claire Clairmont: one across Europe in 1814, and one
to Lake Geneva in 1816. It consists of a journal, four letters, and
Percy Shelley's poem "Mont Blanc". Apart from the poem, the text was
primarily written and organised by Mary Shelley. In 1840 she revised the
journal and the letters, republishing them in a collection of Percy
Shelley's writings. Part of the new genre of the Romantic travel
narrative, History of a Six Weeks' Tour exudes spontaneity and
enthusiasm; the authors demonstrate their desire to develop a sense of
taste and distinguish themselves from those around them. The romantic
elements of the work would have hinted at the text's radical politics to
19th-century readers. The text's frank discussion of politics, including
positive references to the French Revolution and praise of Enlightenment
philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, was unusual for a travel narrative at
the time. History of a Six Weeks' Tour sold poorly but received
favourable reviews.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_a_Six_Weeks%27_Tour>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1676:
During Bacon's Rebellion, Virginia settlers led by Nathaniel
Bacon burned the colonial capital of Jamestown to the ground.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacon%27s_Rebellion>
1846:
Two French shepherd children, Mélanie Calvat and Maximin
Giraud, reported experiencing a Marian apparition on a mountaintop near
La Salette, France, now known as Our Lady of La Salette (statue
picture).
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_La_Salette>
1893:
New Zealand became the first country to introduce universal
suffrage, following the women's suffrage movement led by Kate Sheppard.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_suffrage_in_New_Zealand>
1944:
Finland and the Soviet Union signed the Moscow Armistice to end
the Continuation War.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuation_War>
1970:
Greek student Kostas Georgakis set himself on fire in Genoa,
Italy, as a protest against the Greek military junta of Georgios
Papadopoulos.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kostas_Georgakis>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
jump down someone's throat:
To criticise with excessive and unexpected harshness.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/jump_down_someone%27s_throat>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
I think the unique thing about music and graphic art is as
opposed to, say, acting and directing, that if you are good you can
always create a place for yourself.
--Cass Elliot
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Cass_Elliot>