The Diary Of A Young Lady Of Fashion In The Year 1764-1765

Used book may have markings, writing from the previous owner. DJ has some bumping, rubbing, little tears on the top, spine, edges, corners. Outer page edges with tanning, browning, stains and foxing. When this book appeared in 1925 in Britain, it created a sensation as it was purported to be the 18th century travel diary of Cleone Knox, an Irishwoman of 20 who was taken by her father to the Continent to escape the advances of a young suitor. Thus the diary describes the life and customs of people in London, Paris, Lausanne, Venice from the eyes of this spirited young woman. There is even a description of a meeting with Louis XV, and also a visit with Voltaire. The diary was supposed to have been recently found and edited for publication by "her kinsman, Alexander Blacker Kerr". The book went through 9 printings and some had compared it in interest to Pepys before it was revealed that the book had been written by a 19-year old British girl, Magdalen King-Hall, "during a seaside stay". King-Hall was the daughter of Admiral Sir George King-Hall, and whose mother was from a Northern Irish family, who herself had been raised in Italy. Magdalen had been sent in her youth to Switzerland to improve her French. Magdalen went on to become a novelist. B4.