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From London to Land's End

by Daniel Defoe (1822–1731)

  • Free to read
  • 3 hours to read
  • 5 chapters
  • Reading level: 10th to 12th grade

"From London to Land's End" by Daniel Defoe is a travel narrative written in the early 18th century. The book details Defoe's firsthand observations as he journeys through England, offering insights into the country’s social and geographical landscapes. The text serves as both a record of his travels and a reflective commentary on English life, drawing comparisons between the past and the present. The opening of the narrative introduces the reader to Defoe's purpose in documenting his experiences and observations throughout England. He sets out to describe his journey starting from London, making specific notes about notable locations such as Hampton Court and Windsor. Defoe's prose is rich with details about the landscapes, historical landmarks, and the habits of the people he encounters, painting a vivid picture of 18th-century England. His keen analytical eye reveals both the beauty of the countryside and the complexities of its social fabric, inviting readers to appreciate the transformations that the nation has undergone since his time.

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  • England · Description and travel · Early works to 1800

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From London to Land's End

Sir,

I find so much left to speak of, and so many things to say in every part of England, that my journey cannot be barren of intelligence which way soever I turn; no, though I were to oblige myself to say nothing of anything that had been spoken of before.

I intended once to have gone due west this journey; but then I should have been obliged to crowd my observations so close (to bring Hampton Court, Windsor, Blenheim, Oxford, the Bath and Bristol all into one letter; all those remarkable places lying in a line, as it were, in one point of the compass) as to have made my letter too long, or my observations too light and superficial, as others have done before me.

This letter will divide the weighty task, and consequently make it sit lighter on the memory, be pleasanter to the reader, and make my progress the more regular: I shall therefore take in Hampton Court and Windsor in this journey; the first at my setting out, and the last at my return, and the rest as their situation demands.

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Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. From London to Land's End
  3. Appendix to Land's End
  4. Sir
  5. Sir

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About this edition

This free edition of From London to Land's End by Daniel Defoe comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #1149, released 1997-12-01. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Travel Writing, British Literature, History - Early Modern (c. 1450-1750).

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

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