The Torrington Diaries : Containing the Tours Through England and Wales of the Hon. John Byng (Later Fifth Viscount Torrington) Between the Years 1781 and 1794

lii, 382pp (vol 1); x, 420pp (vol 2); xii, 326pp (vol 3); xiv, 274pp (vol 4). 22x15, uniform grey cloth with glt lettering, dw for volume 4, remnants of dw for volume 3. Endpapers on some volumes splitting, frontispiece plate loosening in volume 1, vol 4 dw chipped with aging tape repair, owner's name in ink on fep, contents generally very good thus. Byng's diaries of his travels on horseback in late 18th century England remain one of the best studies of both the architecture and topography of the time, and in particular its society. Despite having aristocratic relatives living in some of the grandest houses in the country Byng preferred to stay in inns and hostels with his servant. His views on architecture - gothic good, red brick bad - and society - he was particularly appalled by fashionable Brighton with its "harpy set of painted harlots" - are precursors to 19th century debates about taste. His aim was to show that England was just as worthy of a 'Grand Tour' as the increasingly fashionable destinations in Italy; the enduring influence of his diaries shows how successful he was.…