This notebook is a continuation of the journal kept by Joseph Farington during his travels through the Austrian Netherlands (modern Belgium) and Northern France in August and early September 1793. Following the completion of his task to make topographical sketches of the siege of Valenciennes, Farington and his family travelled to Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges before returning to London earlier than expected due to the surprise British defeat at Dunkirk (he originally planned to accompany the army during their campaign in France).

The tour of the Belgian cities allowed Farington to observe the works of the Old Masters, particularly those of Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck. Unlike many of his fellow Academicians, Farington had not travelled to Europe to complete his training, and so this tour allowed him to observe great works of art first-hand. It is apparent that Farington admired the works of Rubens. He remarks extensively on Rubens' large altarpieces for various churches and cathedrals in Antwerp and Ghent and often includes pen and ink sketches of them with remarks as to their composition and use of colour.

After leaving Europe, Farington provides an account of his journey back to Britain. The account provides a useful and richly descriptive insight into the effect of the French Revolution upon English travellers in Europe, and the difficulty encountered in returning to Britain due to the instability on the continent.