BOSWELL ON THE GRAND TOUR: Germany and Switzerland, 1764

Boswell is back -- the spirited Boswell of the London Journal who has shaken the dreariness of the straight and narrow path adhered to in Holland for a tour of the German courts, financed by patient Papa. And here again is his journal, not the piece- work of the Dutch year, but a bubbling narrative of a year of high adventure. In Berlin he tries to have an audience with Frederick the Great, but his kindly guide Lord Marischal is a bit wary of the young nobleman's actions and Boswell loses out. Then Boswell ventures by post-wagon from one principality to another where he partakes of the sparkling life of the courts with ease and delight. Fully aware of himself as a young Laird of Auchinleck, indeed perhaps overly so, concerned with his mercurial spirits which he terms hypochondriac, flipping over in his mind the possibility of marrying his Dutch Belle, Zelide, Boswell journeys on, on the whole triumphant. In Switzerland he achieves his greatest victory -- in breaking through the reserve of the recluse Rousseau and confessing to him -- a charming twist. The long conversations with Rousseau form perhaps the most delightful portion of the book. There follows the visit to Voltaire, at whose home Boswell stays. The first volume of the Grand Tour series, next stop to be Italy, this brings us Boswell with all his ebullience, self-concern, and charm, and Boswell brings with him the life of manners and intellect long dead. For the London Journal market.