RICHARD POCOCKE.
Born 1704—Died 1765.
This distinguished traveller was born at Southampton,
in the year 1704. The scope of his education,
which, besides those classical acquirements that
usually constitute the learning of a gentleman, embraced
an extensive knowledge of the principal oriental
languages, admirably fitted him for travelling
with advantage in the East. But previously to undertaking
that longer and more important journey
upon the history of which he was to rest all his
hopes of fame, he resolved to visit some of the more
remarkable countries of Europe; and accordingly,
on the 30th of August, 1733, he departed from London,
and proceeded by the usual route to Paris. The
curiosities of this accessible country, France, of
which we often remain in utter ignorance, because
they are near, and may be easily visited, appeared
highly worthy of attention to Pococke. He attentively
examined the palaces and gardens of Versailles,
St. Germain, and Fontainebleau; the remains
of antiquity at Avignon, Nismes, and Arles; and
the architectural and picturesque beauties of Montpellier,
Toulon, and Marseilles.
From France he proceeded into Italy, by the way of Piedmont; and having traversed the territories of Genoa, Tuscany, the territories of the church, of Venice, and of Milan, he returned through Piedmont, Savoy, and France, and arrived in London on the 1st of July, 1734.
This tour only serving to increase his passion for travelling, he, on the 20th of May, 1736, set out from
