→ 1595: Reiseanleitungen 16. Jahrhundert

William Davison
»Most notable and excellent instructions for travelers«
British Library, Harl. MS 6893, publiziert 1595, 1613, 1633

»The best scholler is fittest for a Traveller, as being able to make the most useful observation. Experience added to learning makes a perfect man. It must therefore be confessed, that to fit men for negotiation, the visiting of forraine countries is most necessary. This kingdom justly glories in many noble instruments, whose abilities have been perfitted by that meanes. But withall it cannot be denied, that many men, while they ayme at this fitness, make themselves unfit for any thing. Some goe over, full of good qualities and better hopes; who having, as it were, emptied themselves in other places, return laden with nothing but the vices, if not the diseases, of the Countries which they have sene; and (which is most to be pitied) they are commonly the best wits, and purest receptacles of sound knowledge that are thus corrupted. It hath therefore been much desired that some men, who had themselves been Travellers, and had made least use of their Travels, would give some unfailing directions to others. Such are here presented to thee, and in such a volume as they may be an helpful, though unchargeable companion of thy travel. Pitty it is, that such monuments of wisdom should have perished, for the authors' sakes: men famous in their times for learning, experience, nobility, and greatness of place.«