[ Edward Mason Wrench, MVO, FRCS. ] Cyclostyled pamphlet describing a holiday 'Trip to Cornwall | Oct. 1890', intended for family members. In facsimile of Wrench's handwriting and signature ('Ed. M. Wrench'), with numerous illustrations by him.

Author: 
Edward Mason Wrench (1833-1912), of Baslow, Assistant Surgeon, 34th Regiment of Foot [ Cornwall, 1890 ]
Publication details: 
No place [ tour of 'Oxford, Swindon, Exeter, Torquay, Plymouth, Truro & Falmouth']. 5 to 22 October 1890.
£100.00
SKU: 17052

20pp., 12mo. On ten 26.5 x 21 cm numbered leaves, nine of them printed on one side only and the seventh with the text duplicated in error by being printed on both sides. Each leaf folded once, and the ten leaves stitched up to make a 21 x 13.25 cm booklet. The text written around a total of 20 illustrations by the author (including 'a covered market cart' in Oxford; 'Uncle Mervyn's Pajamas'; 'a Performing Elephant'; 'Rougemont', 'The Logan Stone', 'The Armed Knights & Enys Dodnan Rocks at The Lands End', the Clifton Suspension Bridge). In good condition, lightly aged and worn. 'Trip to Cornwall | Oct. 1890' in autograph on blank 'cover'. The account begins with the author at Baslow, preparing for his 'holiday the day after tomorrow'. He has engaged a lcoum tenens ('which the surgery boy translated as "the local demon") and is 'taking more interest in the trains in Devonshire than in my probably rounds for tomorrow'. He describes his aim in writing as follows: 'I purpose if I have time to write family letters describing mother's an[d] my pilgrimage, (on cyclostyle paper) sending them to Baslow where Diana will print them - I shall not attempt any description of Oxford or Exeter, Devonshire or Cornwall, but simply tell you, where we have been and what we have seen, even what we had for dinner may interest you, as much as a lame description of the Coast Scenery of the Lizard - where we hope to be this day week, having visited Oxford, Swindon, Exeter, Torquay, Plymouth, Truro & Falmouth'. Wrench's journey begins at Longshaw Lodge, where he finds the Duke of Devonshire in 'very good spirits'. Over lunch the Duke tells 'a good story of Sir J Paxton told to him by Mr Lindsey MP when travelling to Portsmouth Sir J. P. sitting opposite & assenting'. At Totnes he sees the Eddystone Lighthouse, 'around which I sailed in the good ship Gloriana on my way to India in 1856', before visiting Devonport Dockyard, where most time is spent on board 'the Admirals flagship the Anson'. At Penzance Wrench's party 'enjoyed a real unexpected treat [...] in hearing a first rate Concert, Antoinette Sterling - Pachmann - Plunket Green &c'. On the final leg of the journey the party visit St Michael's, Cornwall, where Wrench is reminded of 'an incident in the life of my Grandfather who was Rector of St Michaels Cornhill London, from 1795 to 1736.' On 22 October the party return home, 'having thoroughly enjoyed our holiday'. For more on Wrench, see his obituary in the British Medical Journal, 27 April 1912.