Faces and Places

Henry W. Lucy meets Fred Burnaby above the Crystal Palace grounds, sharing a balloon basket after a scramble for passenger places. His account follows an eager newspaper correspondent from the crowded enclosure into the unexpected warmth and stillness of flight. Preparations, hesitant applicants and Burnaby's sudden decision to join provide both incident and humor. The encounter introduces a collection of personal sketches in which Lucy observes public figures and the practical details of travel.

Canadian trains offer another set of experiences, from fiercely heated carriages and difficult windows to the improved comfort of Pullman sleeping cars. Lucy describes the railway beside the St. Lawrence while commenting on ventilation and the habits of his fellow passengers. The contents extend to English and French places, parliamentary life and preachers he has known. Readers interested in the everyday conditions of earlier travel can follow his attention to equipment, scenery and small frustrations, alongside his memories of people met along the way.