Entries recall finishing SC College, attending parties in Charleston, visiting many Jewish families, mentioning Penina Moise, travelling to Philadelphia, seeing Fanny Kemble & comparing Philadelphia & Charleston women. In Savannah, he studies law, comments on readings and writers, muses on atheism, observances of Jewish holidays and Sabbath, possibility of becoming Hazzan, his poor eyesight and health, his poetry and other topics. After a brief trip to Grahamsville, Purrysburg, Coosawatchie & Pocotaligo, he mentions nullification, Aaron Burr, goes to Effingham County for health, and returns to Charleston. Published in Memoirs of American Jews. Later entries re Civil War era movements of troops.
Diary of David Henry Mordecai's trip down east coast to Florida Keys, description of town, wreckers, drunkenness of Key West; description of Havana, and Mantanzas, Cuba. Also has notes on school subjects, reflections on various topics, notation of "Jews - the persecuted race," slavery in SC, pressed botanic specimens, details of weather first quarter of 1850, maps and drawings.
Fragments and narratives describing cities visited, often with notations re principal industries, amusements, transportation, etc. Cities visited include Paris, Ghent, Frankfurt, London, Liverpool, Sheffield, & Birmingham.
David Henry Mordecai's 1857 diary contains details of a trip through Turin, Milan, Venice, Vienna, Heidelberg, etc with frequent references to artists and specific works seen in Museums. A flare up of consumption triggers change of plans; before embarking for Egypt, he mentions various Charleston friends including Rhetts, Middletons, Prestons and Hamptons, trips to the opera and a life-changing event not described. With botanic specimens and notations in rear of book.
