| Authorship Notes |
While little is known of the author of this work dedicated to the duke of Vendôme, the image of travel that features in the section 'Du Voyager' (section 18, pp. 97-107v) is important within the history of travels in France. While earlier French pedagogical works - such as Pontaymeri's 'Académie' - were rather critical of travelling, Pelletier is markedly in favour of it. He suggests that attending noblemen's academies abroad (a practice criticized by Pontaymeri for its dangers) doesn't justify foreign travel, but according to Pelletier, not travelling is 'rotting at home'.
He suggests travelling not only in Italy, but also in lesser known destinations such as Northern countries (at this time, this would include England) and Spain. This is because he wants the young man return from his travels 'ably informed', and in a position to offer what he learnt abroad to his Prince, 'to whom he owes his life, his blood, his faith, his riches, his fortune'. As such, this travelling programme combines the educational benefits with 'intelligencing'. |
