ORIGINS OF MODERNITY

travel literature

Tachard, Guy (1651-1712)
A relation of the voyage to Siam : performed by six Jesuits, sent by the French King, to the Indies and China, in the year, 1685 : with their astrological observations, and their remarks of natural philosophy, geography, hydrography, and history : published in the original, by the express orders of His Most Christian Majesty : and now made English, and illustrated with sculptures.
London : Printed by T.B. for J. Robinson and A. Churchil, and are to be sold by S. Crouch ... , 1688.

The subtitle of this typical relation of a voyage reveals the extent to which works of travel literature were being presented as repositories of facts rather than heroic adventures or pilgrimages. The six Jesuits report not on the spiritual state of the people of Siam, but on matters pertaining to natural philosophy.