The image of rural france in the travel diary of Arthur Young

The author makes an analysis of the book of travels by Arthur Young who from a position of a physiocrat observed and explored the economic situation of French country during his three journeys in 1787 /1788 and 1789/90. The traveller used his own experience of agronomist and he supplemented his observation with information from local landed proprietors who were interested in agronomics. He also broadened his horizons via conversations with his French friends . When he conducted a survey of conditions of French country he used his method of statistics which he introduces during his preceding research journeys in England and Ireland. But the traveller omitted the social side of the country life when using this method. The characteristic of this method was abridged of a general opinion of educated Enlightenment class. The work of Arthur Young is also a typical Enlightenment book of travels even thought the aim of his journey the author broke out of traditional destinations. The traveller delimited himself distinctivelly nationally in the French environment and for this reason he expressed his opinions from a position of Englishman. This feature is characteristic of the whole contents of the book of travels, no mater if he adressed himself to agriculture, behaviour and customs of French society or to..