Our Old Home, Vol. 2 Annotated with Passages from the Author's Notebook

"Our Old Home, Vol. 2" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a travel journal from the 1800s, sharing the author's adventures and thoughts while touring England, highlighting historical spots, scenery, and cultural understandings, particularly during his visits to places like Blenheim and the residences of notable people like Robert Burns. The writing focuses on the feelings and mental influences Hawthorne gets as he thinks about the deeper meanings of these locations, not just on the things he sees. As Hawthorne, with his group, begins their journey to Blenheim, the Duke of Marlborough's home, the book's start establishes a relaxed vibe of discovery through the countryside. Before arriving at the sprawling, history-filled estate, they travel through lovely villages, taking in the architecture and natural beauty. Hawthorne describes the abundant scenery and key landmarks they come across, such as Rosamond's Well and the Triumphal Pillar, while pondering the treasures of nature and human creation. Hawthorne's musings on the Duke's background express a thoughtful tourist dealing with the importance of history, fame, and the movement of time, themes that echo across the entire volume.