THE UNIVERSAL TRAVELLER: DESIGNED TO INTRODUCE READERS AT HOME TO AN ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE ARTS, CUSTOMS, AND MANNERS OF THE PRINCIPAL MODERN NATIONS ON THE GLOBE...DERIVED FROM THE RESEARCHES OF RECENT TRAVELLERS OF ACKNOWLEDGED ENTERPRISE, INTELLIGENCE, AND FIDELITY; AND IMBODYING A GREAT AMOUNT OF ENTERTAINING AND INSTRUCTIVE INFORMATION

Hartford: Published by Robins & Smit, 1846. [2],504,[4]pp., plus frontispiece and twenty- seven plates. Contemporary calf, spine gilt, both boards embossed in blind with large floral pattern, edges of boards stamped in gilt. Somewhat rubbed, with moderate shelf wear. Interior slightly foxed throughout, heavier in some sections. Contemporary ownership inscription ("Steam Boat Hotel 1846") on front free endpaper, titlepage, and bottom of final text page. Good plus. Charles Goodrich, a Yale graduate and member of the Connecticut Senate, used the wealth of sources held in Yale's libraries to put together his UNIVERSAL TRAVELLER. In this travel guide, he describes the population, character, costumes, customs, and more of no fewer than fifty regions worldwide, ranging from Japan to New Zealand to Abyssinia to Peru. The illustrations mostly depict local costumes and architecture. An interesting and entertaining look at world travel in the 1800s as well as the the conceptions (and misconceptions) held about the diverse places of the world by 19th century Americans. First published in 1836, Goodrich's UNIVERSAL TRAVELLER went through several editions over the following fifteen years.

This copy has the ownership inscription of the "Steam Boat Hotel", which stood on Bank Street in New London. The Hotel's proprietor was William Bacon, who owned several other establishments in New London and was also Contractor of the Tri-Weekly Mail Line between Norwich and Stonington