A Discussion On The Grand Tour In The Eighteenth Century Of England

The Grand Tour of England in the eighteenth century is a significant part of British social cultural history, a breakthrough point to research on contemporary society transitions. The Grand Tour attains prosperity under a series of factors,including the continuous Grand Tour traditions of nobility; patronage system, i.e.,conferring a title by the king; nobility taking education to uphold their authority; on the basis of British economy development in eighteenth century, a new hierarchy emerged, which enters the Grand Tour by imitating nobility life-style and flaunting individual wealth. With the joint efforts of nobility and new hierarchy, the Grand Tour flourishes in this century.The Grand Tour enters the greatest prosperity in the eighteenth century along with the following aspects. Firstly, travel itinerary is extended, not confined to traditional tour routes any longer; and the travel destinations diversify more and more.Secondly, people group entering the Grand Tour is expanded. Apart from nobility,more hierarchies participate in the Grand Tour, including more women. Thirdly, the content of the Grand Tour becomes more abundant. Hot springs spa service, buying and collecting art gradually turn into important parts of tour, other than learning etiquette and art appreciation all along.The Industrial Revolution in Great Britain and the Great French Revolution followed in succession give rise to rapid changes of the historical background of the Grand Tour. In Britain, the speed of economic growth is faster than ever, along with the whole European economy growth, consumer society has been set up by the middle of the 18 th century. Under the influence of Industrial Revolution,classical-education-centered Gentlemen Education cannot meet the demands of the times, while scientific and technical education gaining increasing attention. Traffic Revolution brought about by Industrial Revolution spreads out railways in Britain and the whole continent of Europe, forming rail networks connecting different locations.This traffic optimization cuts both travel time and expenditure, which makes traveling pervasive. On one hand, the Europe turbulence after 1789 Great French Revolution increases the risk during tour by halting traffic to countries like Italy; on the other hand, the Britain government implements conservative policies to avoid effects ofGreat Revolution, which silences the Grand Tour. Tourism popularization caused by traffic development wakens the roles of the Grand Tour to educate, to purchase commodity and to view sceneries. And all the above leads the Grand Tour to a decline.The cultural communications between Britain and the Europe continent during the Grand Tour promote transitions of Britain society and culture, making aristocracy culture fashion come into style in the whole society. The Grand Tour is also connected with acceleration of Britain libraries and museums development, transformation of18 th century architectural and painting style, countryside villas construction and Gentlemen Culture development.