People who travel do so for reasons as distinct as each
individual. Even so, the reasons for
travelling can (somewhat awkwardly) be categorized. The more stereotypical objectives include the
honeymooner’s all-inclusive, or the family trip to Disneyland .
And though modern travellers now spread about the globe in ways far removed and
advanced from those of the past, tourists travel for the same basic reasons
that they always have: fun, relaxation, and/or adventure.
An interesting case in point originates from the 18th
century personal papers of the aristocratic Roche family of Ireland . In the postscript of a letter written to his
brother on 6 January 1771, Edward Roche of Trabolgan relates his disappointment
with one of the great tourist cities of England . Apparently drawn to Bath due to its reputation for sexual
adventure, Edward tells his brother that in spite of all the talk there is no
place worse for it (MacLysaght, 151). This
is not because English women are unresponsive, he goes on to say; it is rather
that the city itself does not give prospective lovers a suitable
opportunity. In fact on the subject of
English women’s natural inclination for amour,
the writer makes an interesting observation.
He tells his brother that “English women have a greater propensity for
it than” Irish women and follows this comment with a popular aphorism of the
day concerning the similarities between the women of England
and the Celtic men of Ireland .
“It’s a saying here: ‘English women and Irish men’ for that sport against the
world” (Maclysaght, 151).
 |
| "And you thought your Irish husband and my English wife wouldn't get along!" |
MacLysaght,
Edward. “Roche Papers.” Analecta
Hibernica, Survey of Documents in
Private Keeping: First Series, No. 15 (Nov. 1944), pp. 143,
145-152.
The
Irish Manuscripts Ltd. JSTOR. Web.
17 Feb. 2013.
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