The Prince dutifully kept a journal, outlining his activities every day of the tour. The journal appears to have been written for a broad readership that would have included Queen Victoria, the Prince’s mother. The Prince, who was frequently accompanied by Francis Bedford when visiting the sites, mentions photography on several occasions. The photograph referred to in this entry is on display in the Nash gallery.

RA VIC/MAIN/EVIID/1862

Transcription:

April 21st

We bathed again in the Lake before breakfast. At a little before 8 A.M. we left Tiberias & rode for a long time along the Lake. Genl Bruce, Teesdale & I rode with our guns. I killed during the day 4 quail, 1 pigeon, 1 land rail & 3 birds of the size of an English blackbird wh. I had never seen before. Genl B. & Teesdale killed some partridges, a few quail & some other birds. We lunched under a fig tree at 12 o’clock on the site of where once the city of Capernaum is said to have stood, & Mr. Bedford photographed us “en groupe.” In the afternoon we rode by the Lake for some time, & close to it were some beautiful Oleanders in full bloom. We came again on the River Jordon [sic], wh. was quite clear, & contrasted very much with the muddy [river] we saw a fortnight ago.

We ascended the Hill of Safet [sic], wh. was steep & very stony, & reached the town of Safet [sic] only at 7.30. in the evening. Our camp is close to the town.