(New York: W. L. Allison Company, [1848]).

A CLASSIC NINETEENTH CENTURY TRAVEL MEMOIR BY BAYARD TAYLOR, a highly esteemed American poet, literary critic, translator, and travel author. VIEWS A-FOOT was his first breakout success, and the start of a long career. It is his firsthand account of a two-year journey across Europe—mostly on foot. He traveled through places like England, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy with very little money, relying on endurance, curiosity, and occasional luck. Taylor deliberately traveled cheaply, living “on pilgrim fare” and often facing hardship. He writes lyrically about landscapes—mountains, rivers, forests, and valleys. He describes cities, customs, and people, often contrasting old European traditions with his American perspective. Along with being a travelogue, it is also a story of personal growth and self-discovery. Taylor emphasizes living in the present and embracing life boldly—one famous line advises not to dwell on the past but to “go forth…without fear.”
Bayard Taylor was extremely popular in his day. As a poet, he drew a crowd of more than 4,000 to a poetry reading once, which was a record that stood for 85 years. His travelogues, of which he wrote several, were also popular in both the United States and Great Britain. Item #34836

First edition thus, Allison imprint. 8vo, in antique three-quarter calf over marbled boards, the spine with gilt ruled raised bands, the compartments decorated with central gilt tools, one compartment with a dark maroon morocco label gilt lettered and ruled, marbled endpapers, t.e.g. 481pp. A handsome copy with only very minor evidence of use, hinges firm and strong, the text extremely clean, free of any spotting or evidence of foxing.