Letters from England, Volume 2 (of 3)

"Letters from England, Volume 2 (of 3)" by Robert Southey is a make-believe travelogue set in the 1800s. Displayed as a collection of letters from Don Manuel Alvarez Espriella, a made-up Spanish nobleman, the story follows his journey across England as he takes in both its good qualities and bad qualities. Beginning in Oxford, the audience sees the university through the narrator's eyes, as the narrator describes the wonderful environment and the strange habits of the students. The narrator thinks about the student's clothing, the beauty of Christ Church, and the appealing vibe of the city, as well as talks with the local students. He points out different parts of university life while expressing sadness about the loss of architecture. The narrator talks about living among students, the amazing colleges, and the charming English countryside as his journey goes on. He sets the stage for more exploration and observation on English culture throughout the rest of the story.