‘An important early female travel book and a delightfully colourful portrait of India in the late 18th century.’—Telegraph
Lady Henrietta Clive, a feisty, independent-minded traveller, married to Lord Edward Clive, son of Clive of India and Governor of Madras from 1798 to 1803, lived in Madras and travelled through southern India with her daughters and retinue in the aftermath of the war against Tipu Sultan. In this volume, Nancy Shields skilfully interweaves extracts from Henrietta’s journals with passages from the diary of Charly, Henrietta’s precocious twelve-year-old daughter, who went on to tutor the future Queen Victoria.
Important as a historical and social document, and also as an early female travel text, Birds of Passage is illustrated with watercolours by Anna Tonelli, who accompanied the party on their voyage.
About the Author
Henrietta Antonia Clive, Countess of Powis (1758–1830), was a British mineral collector and botanist. She married Lord Clive’s eldest son and heir, Edward Clive, in 1784. The marriage was beneficial to both families; the bride’s family had a prestigious name but considerable debts, while the groom’s had accrued wealth from during Clive’s military campaigns in India. The couple finally settled in Walcot Hall, Shropshire.
Loading...
