[Manuscript/Ephemera] 2 19th century Manuscript Travel Accounts. (1) An extremely interesting diary of an extended stay in Rome, recounting visits to all manner of churches, historic locations, and artists’ studios in the 1880s. The diarist visited the catacombs, Roman ruins, churches, Colonna Palace, St. Peters, the Colosseum, Spada Palace, St. John Lateran, etc., and enjoyed the Carnival and saw the famed Laocoon. In an extended text of some 17,000 words, the diarist catches numerous unusual details and provides curious stories and characterizations. She sees Pope Leo XIII [Pope from 1878-1903] who “appears old and feeble, is much better looking than his pictures, has a most intelligent face – indeed, he is said to be the finest scholar that has occupied the Papal Chair for a long time.” “Since the rupture of church and state [in Italy],” the writer continues, “the Pope chooses to consider himself a Prisoner in the Vatican. There are two parties in Italy, especially in Rome – black, the Pope; white, the King – two distinct sets in society who hold each other in abhorrence! It is most amusing to outsiders in the very heart of Romanism, its power is the weakest.” Queen Marguerite “is very lovely – her features are large, but the face is strong ad shows much intelligence and strength of character; she is greatly admired and beloved.”Among relics the diarist saw, “the Holy Baby” was notable. It was a doll said to be painted by St. Luke. “It is supposed to have great power in healing the sick… The priest took it out of the box and allowed me to hold it a moment. I kissed its pretty little face and tiny feet. The people in the streets fall on their knees” when it taken past them. “Once it was stolen, but walked back in the middle of the night. The monks heard a noise outside, saw its little pink feet under the door, and in it came.” The diarist visited the studios of sculptors Randolph Rogers, W. W. Story, R. H. Greenough (who had just completed a bust of W. W. Astor), and Emma Phinney. Phinney spent considerable time with the diarist, speaking of her commissions, ill health and other matters. One ms. gathering of pages (no covers). 87 pp. of well-written ink text. The author of this a fine account has not yet been determined. (2) European travels in 1882. A collection of completed ms. and individual letters, apparently written by several individuals traveling together. The first section of material has a ms. title page: “A glimpse of Europe” and describes how the traveler left Philadelphia on the SS British Prince. A burial at sea is noted. The traveler then stopped at Glasgow, Loch Loman, “Rob Boy’s prison,” Edinburgh, and London. Of the latter city, he writes, “’Beware of the cab drivers’ is the advice to all strangers, and it is necessary, too. They know a foreigner in a minute and he will invariably be a victim.”Other locations are Abbotsford, York, and Holyrood Palace. Melrose Abbey “is entirely covered with ivy, most of the roof has fallen in. On the exterior are still to be seen some statues.” The kitchen in Shakespeare’s house in Stratford-on-Avon was “used as a butcher’s shop many years since, and bears the marks of bad usage.” While in a carriage in London, “as we were going along, our attention was suddenly attracted to an African (who seemed to have been insulted by the driver of the coach) – running along side the horses barefooted and poorly clad and frequently making threatening gestures to the driver.” Stops at The Tower, St. Paul’s, and Hampton Court were followed by time in Italy (Rome, Venice), nicely described. One of the authors is James Schelly (1858-1932), a native of Berks County, Penn., and later a prominent Allentown businessman. [His passport application for 1882 is in the National Archives.]Material is a gathering of loose pages (no covers but complete) and original letters byseveral contemporaries. 110 pp. in total.