The Bache diary begins with accounts of his education in Switzerland, during which he witnesses an execution by firing squad, and several curiosities, such as a seven-foot-tall giant. Later, he travels to Passy (outside of Paris) to stay with his grandfather, Benjamin Franklin. Bache furnishes numerous anecdotes from those months. For example, he recounts with interest the launching a hot air balloon in Versailles (6/23, 7/15, and 7/20/1784). Upon his grandfather's arrival in October 1784, Bache registers Franklin's printing activities, including time with Didot, considered one of the finest printers in France (4/5/1785). In addition to visits to Paris, Bache travels with his grandfather to England, where he records a brief encounter with William Franklin—possibly the last time the two would meet (7/24/1785). In the final months of the journal, Bache departs England for Philadelphia, where he arrives on the penultimate entry (9/13/1785).

The Benjamin Franklin Bache diary offers a record of his early education in Switzerland with an account of his time in Passy with grandfather, Benjamin Franklin, then envoy to France. A translation of a (French) journal maintained in Europe during the American Revolution (8/1/1782-9/14/1785), this diary provides a clear account of Bache's time in Europe in the late-eighteenth century. Notably, the volume also provides some insights into Benjamin Franklin's time in Paris and a brief trip to England, during which Bache records a brief encounter with his uncle, William Franklin. This volume will interest Franklin scholars, though it may also appeal to researchers studying Switzerland, France, or England during the American Revolution.
 
The Bache diary begins with accounts of his education in Switzerland, during which he witnesses an execution by firing squad, and several curiosities, such as a seven-foot-tall giant. Later, he travels to Passy (outside of Paris) to stay with his grandfather, Benjamin Franklin. Bache furnishes numerous anecdotes from those months. For example, he recounts with interest the launching a hot air balloon in Versailles (6/23, 7/15, and 7/20/1784). Upon his grandfather's arrival in October 1784, Bache registers Franklin's printing activities, including time with Didot, considered one of the finest printers in France (4/5/1785). In addition to visits to Paris, Bache travels with his grandfather to England, where he records a brief encounter with William Franklin—possibly the last time the two would meet (7/24/1785). In the final months of the journal, Bache departs England for Philadelphia, where he arrives on the penultimate entry (9/13/1785).

In his detailed journal of a trip to America in the late-nineteenth century (1880), English Quaker Richard Beck offers comments on Philadelphia society and its institutions, as well as a record of his travels around America, particularly by rail. Along the way, he crosses paths with naturalist Titian Peale and artist Henry Ulke. This volume is noteworthy in two regards. First, it contains a wealth of memorabilia, including advertisements, photographs, playbills, menus, as well as Beck's own original pencil and watercolor sketches. Second, it features thoughtful and often comparative assessments of the people and places he visits. In fact, no detail can escape Beck's attentive eye. Alongside descriptions of Colorado rock formations (4/30/1880), Yosemite redwoods (6/2/1880) and the development of Salt Lake City (5/15/1880), Beck intersperses comments on American hairstyles (2/27/1880), eyeglasses (3/2/1880), libraries (4/20/1880), and that great American pastime, baseball (7/8/1880). This volume may interest scholars of postbellum material culture, late-nineteenth century Philadelphia, and the American West.