Extremely rare travel guide to the Netherlands, with a separate atlas containing 19 maps and plans, from the library of Henry Tronchin at Bessinge. Published during the reign of Louis Napoleon (1806-1810), the guide provides practical information for travellers as well as an extensive description of the country. The first edition, published in 1804, contained only one map; the present second edition is the first to include the atlas.
The guide opens with tables of distances and practical information on different means of travel, including their costs, followed by general observations on the Kingdom of Holland. These cover the constitution, climate, food and drink, local products and trades, weights and measures, religion, language, education, sciences, police and customs. The second part describes the departments of Groningen, Friesland, Overijssel, Guelders, Utrecht, Holland, Brabant and Zeeland. The atlas includes maps and plans of the principal cities and numerous routes through the country, as well as a map showing the routes between Paris, London and Amsterdam.
With the armorial book-plate of Henry Tronchin (1794-1865) and the library label of Bessinge (the home of the famous library of the Tronchin family) mounted the front paste down, the signature of Charles Richard Tronchin (1763-1835) on the title page. The spine is slightly rubbed. The first free flyleaf is torn, with loss of material, the title page is slightly foxed, the inner margins of the large maps are frayed. Otherwise in good condition. Alphabetische naamlijst 1790-1831, p. 709; Koeman, II, Hes3 (records only 1 copy); Saalmink, p. 2089.