"In the Heart of the Vosges and Other Sketches by way of a Devious Traveller" by Matilda Betham-Edwards is a charming collection of tour sketches that takes readers on a delightful journey thru the picturesque landscapes of the Vosges region. The writer, known for her keen observational competencies and vibrant prose, invites readers to explore the heart of France, imparting glimpses into the beauty, subculture, and traditions of the Vosges mountains. The sketches are a blend of travelogue and private reflection, supplying a nuanced perspective at the people and locations encountered during Betham-Edwards' sojourn. With a "devious" and curious spirit, the author immerses herself inside the nearby customs, folklore, and herbal wonders of the Vosges. From quaint villages to rolling hills, every cartoon paints a shiny picture of the region's appeal. Betham-Edwards' writing is infused with an experience of wanderlust and a deep appreciation for the idyllic landscapes she explores. Through her evocative descriptions and attractive narratives, readers are transported to the coronary heart of the Vosges, experiencing the sights and sounds as though they have been proper there along the writer.
Matilda Betham-Edwards was an English novelist, travel writer, Francophile, and prolific poet who corresponded with several well-known English male writers of the day. In addition, she wrote several children's books. Betham-Edwards was the fourth child of Edward Edwards (1808-1864), a farmer, and his wife Barbara (1806-1848), daughter of William Betham (1749-1839), an antiquary and preacher. She was educated in Ipswich and worked as a governess-pupil at a school in London. Her first novel, The White House by the Sea (1857), was an immediate success, reissued numerous times, pirated in the United States, and remained in print for forty years. Matilda studied French and German abroad before moving to Suffolk with her sister to oversee her father's farm. Not happy with solely rural jobs, she occasionally contributed to Household Words, benefiting from Dickens' connection and an early association with Charles and Mary Lamb, her mother's companions. After her sister died, she relocated to London and authored a number of novels on French life based on her numerous journeys to France and intimate knowledge of provincial French households, as well as children's and non-fiction works about France. She was published by George and Richard Bentley. She resided in Algeria with feminist educator Barbara Bodichon and accompanied her on trips to France and Spain.
