'Coming home we saw Erasmus Wilson who had been reading "Hunger and Thirst" and expressed great value for it.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Erasmus Wilson Print: Book
'Read the article in yesterday's "Times" on George's Sea-side Studies - highly gratifying... G. is reading to me Michelet's book "De l'Amour".'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot (pseud) Print: Newspaper
'Despite his grandmother's strictures on reading, Davies read widely. His first attraction was to the penny dreadfuls of his day, which he read in secret... The school books he read contained poems that stirred him deeply. One of the school texts he used contained long passges from "The Lady of the Lake" with a prose commentary attached. And then there was a favourite schoolboy poem starting with the resounding line: "The Soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers", with a refrain that the boys loved to chant at play. There were extracts from Shakespeare, the usual lyrics, and a few heavily didactic poems intended to inculcate morality in the boyish heart'.
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: William Henry Davies Print: Book
'Despite his grandmother's strictures on reading, Davies read widely. His first attraction was to the penny dreadfuls of his day, which he read in secret... The school books he read contained poems that stirred him deeply. One of the school texts he used contained long passges from "The Lady of the Lake" with a prose commentary attached. And then there was a favourite schoolboy poem starting with the resounding line: "The Soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers", with a refrain that the boys loved to chant at play. There were extracts from Shakespeare, the usual lyrics, and a few heavily didactic poems intended to inculcate morality in the boyish heart'.
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: William Henry Davies Print: Book
'Despite his grandmother's strictures on reading, Davies read widely. His first attraction was to the penny dreadfuls of his day, which he read in secret... The school books he read contained poems that stirred him deeply. One of the school texts he used contained long passges from "The Lady of the Lake" with a prose commentary attached. And then there was a favourite schoolboy poem starting with the resounding line: "The Soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers", with a refrain that the boys loved to chant at play. There were extracts from Shakespeare, the usual lyrics, and a few heavily didactic poems intended to inculcate morality in the boyish heart'.
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: William Henry Davies Print: Book
'I have been reading Fawcett's Economic condition of the Working Classes, Mill's Liberty, looking into Strauss's Second Life of Jesus, and reading Neale's History of the Puritans of which I have reached the fourth volume'.
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud.] Print: Book
'Finished Guillemin on the Heavens'.
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud.] Print: Book
'The fresh-sounding work of the war generation, which began to appear in the late 1920s and early 1930s, provided him with important models. Huxley, Wells and Aldington (especially "Death of a Hero") were rapidly digested; his poetic models were Edith Sitwell, Aldington, Nichols, Sassoon and Graves (in the cheap Benn's Sixpenny Poets editions), to be followed by the more lasting influences of Eliot and D.H. Lawrence...He read an essay by Lawrence in which he showed how England treated its writers. That, he said, made him decide "to swim against the current".'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Lawrence Durrell Print: Book
'He was reading an article by Darwin on Diseased Volition'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon, Lord Byron Print: Unknown
[Marginalia]
Unknown
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge
'My present sojourn is the most distressing you can imagine: the weather is so bad that one cannot cross the threshold; there is not a book in the hou[se] besides "Rutledges's Sermons" and "Black's sermons" neither of which I have any relish for, and the "Juvenile Library" which, with the exception of "Jack the Gi[ant] Killer", ["]Blue Beard" and the "Wishing cap" that I read last night, does not appear to be particularly edifying...'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Baillie Welsh Print: BookManuscript: Letter
'Dearest - I found not only a load of Books on Saturday, but eight proof sheets besides; the consideration and alteration of which, attended with other sorry enough drawbacks, has kept me occupied to the present hour. Henceforth nothing but fireman haste awaits me, for week after week! My spare hours filled with critical meditations, and ever and anon the thought of this solemn treaty intervening!'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carlyle Print: Book
'Directly after breakfast, the 'Goodwife' and the Doctor evacuate this apartment, and retire up stairs to the drawing-room, a little place all fitted up like a lady's work-box; where a 'spunk of fire' is lit for the forenoon; and I meanwhile sit scribbling and meditating, and wrestling with the powers of Dulness, till one or two o'clock; when I sally forth into city, or towards the sea-shore, taking care only to be home for the important purpose of consuming my mutton-chop at four. After dinner, we all read learned languages till coffee (which we now often take instead of tea), and so on till bed-time...'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carlyle Print: Book
'Directly after breakfast, the 'Goodwife' and the Doctor evacuate this apartment, and retire up stairs to the drawing-room, a little place all fitted up like a lady's work-box; where a 'spunk of fire' is lit for the forenoon; and I meanwhile sit scribbling and meditating, and wrestling with the powers of Dulness, till one or two o'clock; when I sally forth into city, or towards the sea-shore, taking care only to be home for the important purpose of consuming my mutton-chop at four. After dinner, we all read learned languages till coffee (which we now often take instead of tea), and so on till bed-time...'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Baillie Welsh Print: Book
'"François" is quite good. Very genuine touches all along and quite telling bits here and there.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad Print: Book
'Thanks very much for the book and the "Spectator" page.[...] These are all delightful pieces. You must autograph the book for me.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad Print: Serial / periodical
'She [Mona Limerick, South American-born actor being considered for the leading female role in "Victory"] had excellent notices in J[osé] Echegarray's play ("Cleansing Stain" Pioneer Players). There's a suggestion of trouble and sorrow about her which would just do for Lena.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Print: Newspaper
Charlotte Bronte (as Currer Bell) to her publisher, W. S. Williams, 28 February 1848:
'From the papers of Saturday I had learnt the abdication of Louis Philippe, the flight of the
royal family, and the proclamation of a republic in France. Rapid movements these, and some
of them difficult of comprehension to a remote spectator [goes on to reflect further on French
political situation, also observing: 'Few will pity the old monarch in his flight, yet I own he
seems to me an object of pity'].'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Brontë Print: Newspaper
'Thanks very much for your sympathetic book. It is vividly interesting (I am on p.70) and am flattered to think that its writer, who knows so much of human affairs, thinks so well of my work. I trust we may meet [...] on your return from Damascus next year.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad Print: Book
Charlotte Bronte to George Smith, 17 August 1848:
'I will not return Charles Lamb [i.e. a book], for in truth he is very welcome. I saw a review with extracts in the "Examiner," and thought at the time I should much like to read the whole book.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Brontë Print: Serial / periodical
Charlotte Bronte to her publisher, W. S. Williams, 25 June 1849:
'I have always forgotten to acknowledge the receipt of the parcel [of books, regularly sent by Williams] from Cornhill [...] I looked at it the other day — it reminded me too sharply of the time when the first parcel arrived — last October; Emily was then beginning to be ill — the opening of the parcel and fascination of the books cheered her — their perusal occupied her for many a weary day: the very evening before her last morning dawned I read to her one of Emerson's essays — I read on till I found she was not listening — I thought to recommence next day — Next day, the first glance at her face told me what would happen before night-fall.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Emily Brontë Print: Book
'Mr [James Chesterton] Bradley always found great pleasure in recalling the fact that he was the prototype of Mr Sweeting [in Charlotte Bronte's novel Shirley], although he declared that the meetings of the curates at each other's lodgings were exclusively for a series of two-hours' readings of the Greek fathers, and not for the drunken orgies described in Shirley.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: James Chesterton Bradley and fellow curates Print: Book
James Chesterton Bradley to Robert Keating Smith, 3 May 1902:
'A short paper of yours in "The Tatler" of April 2nd brought before me my old friend James W[illiam]. Smith. He and I were fellow curates in Yorkshire, he curate of Haworth, and I of the hill part of Keighley which joined on to Haworth [...] He and I with another of the name of Grant were the three curates in Charlotte Bronte's "Shirley." I need not say how indignant I have often been at the way in which she speaks of him in the novel. He was a thorough gentleman in every sense of the word, and there was not the slightest ground for the insinuation she makes against him [...] We used to read together, walk together, and as often as we could, about once a week, would meet either at his or my lodgings.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: James Chesterton Bradley and James William Smith Print: Unknown
Charlotte Bronte to her publisher, W. S. Williams, 16 August 1849:
'The "North British Review" duly reached me. I read attentively all it says about "E. Wyndham," "Jane Eyre," and "F. Hervey." Much of the article is clever, and yet there are remarks which — for me — rob it of importance [...] I do not respect an inconsistent critic. He says, "if "Jane Eyre" be the production of a woman, then she must be a woman unsexed." [...] I am reminded of the "Economist." The literary critic of that paper praised the book if written by a man, and pronounced it "odious" if the work of a woman.
To such critics I would say, "To you I am neither man nor woman — I come before you as an author only. It is the sole ground on which you have a right to judge me — the sole ground on whiich I accept your judgement.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Brontë Print: Serial / periodical
Charlotte Bronte to her publisher, W. S. Williams, 16 August 1849:
'The "North British Review" duly reached me. I read attentively all it says about "E. Wyndham," "Jane Eyre," and "F. Hervey." Much of the article is clever, and yet there are remarks which — for me — rob it of importance [...] I do not respect an inconsistent critic. He says, "if "Jane Eyre" be the production of a woman, then she must be a woman unsexed." [...] I am reminded of the "Economist." The literary critic of that paper praised the book if written by a man, and pronounced it "odious" if the work of a woman.
To such critics I would say, "To you I am neither man nor woman — I come before you as an author only. It is the sole ground on which you have a right to judge me — the sole ground on whiich I accept your judgement.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Brontë Print: Serial / periodical
Charlotte Bronte to her publisher, W. S. Williams, 19 March 1850:
'I enclose for your perusal a scrap of paper which came into my hands without the knowledge of the writer. He is a poor working man of this village — a thoughtful, reading, feeling being, whose mind is too keen for his frame, and wears it out. I have not spoken to him above thrice in my life, for he is a Dissenter, and has rarely come in my way. The document is a sort of record of his feelings, after the perusal of "Jane Eyre"; it is artless and earnest, genuine and generous. You must return it to me, for I value it more than testimonies from higher sources. He said: "Miss Bronte, if she knew he had written it, would scorn him"; but, indeed, Miss Bronte does not scorn him; she only grieves that a mind of which this is the emanation should be kept crushed by the leaden hand of poverty — by the trials of uncertain health and the claims of a large family.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Brontë Manuscript: Unknown
'... we have seen review in St James's Gazette, March 17 and Pall Mall March 18 — both good.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Louis Stevenson Print: Serial / periodical
'I enclose another review. Fancy Eton masters setting my book as a classic to turn into Latin verse.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Louis Stevenson Print: Serial / periodical
'Have lately been reading some very practical and spiritual treatises such as Shepherd on the Ten Virgins and my shortcomings make me almost weary of myself'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Arabella Davies Print: Unknown
'I am reading up the Camisards and shall go a walk in the scene of their wars, the Hautes Cévennes.'
Unknown
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Louis Stevenson
'The single bed proved very unsuitable for Joseph Conrad, because apart from its legitimate purpose as a resting place, his bed had to be hospitable to a heap of books, all open and face downwards, maps, bed-rest, and more than once a wooden Spratt's dog-biscuit box he had ordered his man to place at the foot of the bed to brace his feet against.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad Print: Book
'I have only seen Athenaeum ...'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Louis Stevenson Print: Serial / periodical
'I have only seen Athenaeum, PMG ...'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Louis Stevenson Print: Serial / periodical
'I have only seen Athenaeum, P.M.G. and the Scotsman.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Louis Stevenson Print: Newspaper
'I find upon looking up that Louis is in tears over Back from the Dead.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Louis Stevenson Print: Unknown
'If you chance to see a paragraph in the papers describing my illness, and the "delicacies suitable to my invalid condition" cooked in copper, and other ridiculous and revolting yarns, pray regard it as a spectral illusion, and pass by.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Louis Stevenson Print: Newspaper
'I could read well when very young (as is before hinted) spending much time with my afflicted father, I read much to him; and the experiences and sufferings of faithful martyrs, and of our worthy friends, with the accounts of the glorious exit of such as launched out of time in full assurance of everlasing bliss, made profitable impressions on my mind; my spirit being often tendered thereby, and my love of virtue and piety strengthened; so that I may truly say that such holy persons, "though they be dead, yet speak".'
Unknown
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Henry Payton
'My natural disposition was very volatile, and my apprehension very quick; and as my faculties opened, I delighted much in books of a very contrary nature and tendency to those which had engaged my attention in my childhood. I had a near relation, who, notwithstanding his having been favoured in his youth, had slighted his soul's mercies, and pursued lying vanities. He kept house in the town; and through him, myself, and my sisters, had opportunities of obtaining plays and romances, which I read with avidity. I also spent much time at his house as to be introduced into amusements very inconsistent with the implicity of truth, and my former religious impressions; so that my state was indeed dangerous, and but for the interposition of Divine Providence, I had been left to pursue courses which must have terminated deplorably. I also read history, was fond of poetry, and had a taste for philosophy; so that I was in the way to embellish my understanding (as is the common phrase), and to become accomplished to shine in conversation; which might have tended to feed the vain proud nature, render me pleasing to those who were in it, and make me conspicuous in the world.'
Unknown
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Catherine Payton
'And here I may add, that from the time I came from school, I read little, save religious books; and after I appeared in ministry, until late in life, reading even then was much taken from me, except the scriptures: all of which I believe was in divine wisdom, that I might not minister from what I had gathered from religious writings; but might receive the arguments I was enabled to advance on behalf of the truth, by the immediate revelation of the Holy Spirit.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Catherine Payton Phillips Print: Book
'There is what I consider a pretty good 5 Towns story [‘From One Generation to Another’] in the October London Magazine. But they have given it a rotten air by splitting it up into two short paragraphs, & by the vilest illustrations. I hate to be published in that desolating publication. It humiliates me. Still, new flats have to be paid for.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Arnold Bennett Print: Serial / periodical
'Meeting held at School House
3/12/29
T. C. Elliott in the chair
1. Minutes of last Meeting read and approved
[...]
5. The subject of the evening Ghost Stories was then taken
H. R. Smith read an account written by Clarkson Wallis of a ghost appearing in Brighton
Meeting.
Geo Burrows read a Newcastle Ghost story
Miss Brain read of the Ghost of Southcote Manor & Mrs Elliott read of Mrs S. The Morton
Ghost.
C. E. Stansfield read an essay on the subject especially with reference to the work of the
Physchical [sic]
Research Society thereafter he and H. R. Smith told a story apiece.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: E. Dorothy Brain
'Meeting held at School House
3/12/29
T. C. Elliott in the chair
1. Minutes of last Meeting read and approved
[...]
5. The subject of the evening Ghost Stories was then taken
H. R. Smith read an account written by Clarkson Wallis of a ghost appearing in Brighton
Meeting.
Geo Burrows read a Newcastle Ghost story
Miss Brain read of the Ghost of Southcote Manor & Mrs Elliott read of Mrs S. The Morton
Ghost.
C. E. Stansfield read an essay on the subject especially with reference to the work of the
Physchical [sic]
Research Society thereafter he and H. R. Smith told a story apiece.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Mrs C. Elliott
'The Excursion – Saturday 7th July.
Plans laid for our entertainment led to a delightful outing.
Ufton Court proved a most interesting + even thrilling adventure with its secret panels,
priests’ holes and treasure hidey places. [...]
In the course of a happily chosen route through what I should like to describe as Newcomers
to Reading scenery we halted at Kingsclere Church + there for the first time many of us saw a
race horse in a stained glass church window. On looking at the type-written programme of our
way I see we passed other spots with alluring names ‘Round Oak’, the Falcon, the Pineapple,
the Ship, the Bolton Arms but no stops were permitted at any of these, and as official
programmes were only issued to actual drivers of cars, our passengers were brought safely
through in blissful ignorance of the potency of Berkshire welcome. [...]
The official route is appended.
[The typescript of the itinerary, with handwritten title, is pasted into the minutebook and
reads as follows.]
Excursion to Ufton Court
Proceed to "Three Firs", Burghfield, take road towards "Round Oak", taking 2nd on right and
twice bear left to Ufton Court.
Return same road and proceed to "Round Oak", and forward to Kingsclere via "Falcon",
"Pineapple" and "Ship".
If time allows, pause Kingsclere for short visit to Church.
Leave Kingsclere by Overton road, bear right "Bolton Arms" and soon after sharp left on
Sydmonton road. After 2½ miles turn sharp left at 4 X roads for Overton uphill to Supper site.
Return by same road to Kingsclere, there bear right for Basingstoke and thence to Reading.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Driving members of the XII Book Club Manuscript: Sheet
'The Excursion – Saturday 7th July.
Plans laid for our entertainment led to a delightful outing.
Ufton Court proved a most interesting + even thrilling adventure with its secret panels,
priests’ holes and treasure hidey places. [...]
In the course of a happily chosen route through what I should like to describe as Newcomers
to Reading scenery we halted at Kingsclere Church + there for the first time many of us saw a
race horse in a stained glass church window. On looking at the type-written programme of our
way I see we passed other spots with alluring names ‘Round Oak’, the Falcon, the Pineapple,
the Ship, the Bolton Arms but no stops were permitted at any of these, and as official
programmes were only issued to actual drivers of cars, our passengers were brought safely
through in blissful ignorance of the potency of Berkshire welcome. [...]
The official route is appended.
[The typescript of the itinerary, with handwritten title, is pasted into the minutebook and
reads as follows.]
Excursion to Ufton Court
Proceed to "Three Firs", Burghfield, take road towards "Round Oak", taking 2nd on right and
twice bear left to Ufton Court.
Return same road and proceed to "Round Oak", and forward to Kingsclere via "Falcon",
"Pineapple" and "Ship".
If time allows, pause Kingsclere for short visit to Church.
Leave Kingsclere by Overton road, bear right "Bolton Arms" and soon after sharp left on
Sydmonton road. After 2½ miles turn sharp left at 4 X roads for Overton uphill to Supper site.
Return by same road to Kingsclere, there bear right for Basingstoke and thence to Reading.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Victor Alexander Manuscript: Sheet
'The old reason [for not replying to letters] remains, also the old remedy. A good shillingsworth of fine fiction now. [...] A copy of the July “BLUE” enfolding some rather tasteless morsels, a fine article by H. S. Goodwin on Geoffrey Woodhouse, the unspeakably hopeless "Hertford Letter" and several mixed comments on my poems and me — that also fell from the lucky bag. The "Southern Weekly", the "Daily Mirror" and other papers show up the latest buffoonery of A.W.U. [?] quite plainly.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Edmund Blunden Print: Book
‘Still, in daytime, we sometimes got out of the trench into the tall sorrelled grass behind, which the sun had dried, and enjoyed a warm indolence with a book (not “Infantry Training” I think.)’
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Edmund Blunden Print: Book
'Meeting held at Oakdene, Northcourt Avenue 15. I. 35.
Sylvanus Reynolds in the Chair
1. Minutes of last read & approved.
5. It was with a great pleasure to the club to welcome back Charles and Katherine Evans, who
with the latter’s brother Samuel Bracher, came to entertain us with their programme of “Bees in
Music and Literature.”
6. Charles Evans opened with an introduction that gave us an outline of the bee’s life.[...]
7. We next listened to a record of Mendelssohn’s “Bee’s Wedding.”
8. Samuel Bracher gave a longish talk on Bees and the Poets. He classified the poems as Idyllic,
Scientific or Philosophical, and Ornamental; by quoting a great variety of works including lines
from Shakespeare, K. Tynan Hickson, Pope, Thompson, Evans, Alexander, Tennyson, & Watson,
he showed an amazing knowledge of the Poets. [...]
9. Charles Evans then spoke on Maeterlinck and Edwardes.
10. Charles Stansfield read Martin Armstrong’s Honey Harvest.
11. Another gramophone record gave us Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Flight of the Bumble Bee”
12. Katherine Evans read from Victoria Sackville-West’s “Bees on the Land”. Some of the lines
were of very great beauty, & much enjoyed.
13 H. M Wallis then read an extract from the Testament of Beauty, concerning Bees. But he & all
of us found Robert Bridges, at that hour in a warmish room, too difficult, and he called the
remainder of the reading off.
14. A general discussion was the permitted, and members let themselves go.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel V. Bracher
‘Englebelmer, indeed, was now entering upon a dark period.[...]. Still we explored the church into which opened a mysterious tunnel; as if on holiday we examined the brightly painted saints and the other sacred objects from gallery to vault; and hard by found a large collection of the Englebelmer parish magazine, which was and was not interesting. Religious readings were interrupted by a move to Beaussart.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Edmund Blunden Print: parish magazine
'The house in which some of us were lodged was the quietest conceivable [...]; our beds were in the attics, and during the night we had scarcely thrown down the French novels which we picked up there and put out our candles, when it seemed an aeroplane was buzzing overhead and something hit the tiles.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Edmund Blunden Print: Book
‘At Watten station [...] I sauntered by the canal then settled myself with my book in an empty cattle truck.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Edmund Blunden Print: Book
'I was reading in the headquarters shelter when the great man [the Brigadier-General] suddenly drew aside the sacking of the entrance, and gleamed stupendously in our candlelight, followed by an almost equally menacing Staff Captain.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Edmund Blunden Print: Book
'I will stay in this farmhouse while the gas course lasts [...] and get the old peasant in the evenings to recite more "[Fables of] La Fontaine" to me, in the Béthune dialect, and walk out to see the neighbouring inns and shrines, and read -- Bless me, Kapp [a fellow officer and satirical artist, recently sent away to the Press Bureau] has gone away with my "John Clare"! He has the book yet for all I know [...].
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Edmund Blunden Print: Book
'Our billet was a chemist's house, well furnished with ledgers and letters strewn about from bureaux, chiefly the scrawl of poor people in Thiepval and other places of the past who bemoaned the bad crops, and their consequent inability to pay up.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Edmund Blunden Manuscript: Letter
'On the way back [from the Bombay Secretariat] bought a few clothes and some books from Thacker, a better *libraire* than you will find in all Africa.[...] Out again at five and discovered Tarapooree Walla, a bookshop recalling in its extent, variety and disorder the best traditions of the Charing Cross Road. Ran amok.[...] Early to bed but read until 11.45 when finding myself weak and nervy took my first grain of opium (pill) and to sleep.''
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Ronald Storrs Print: Book
'The Irish part of ''Forster's Life'' is very painful and interesting. [...] It is very good anti-Home Rule reading and makes one think worse than ever of Parnell.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Emma Darwin Print: Book
'We are not delighted with ''Sir H. Taylor's Letters''. They are not a bit fresh or spontaneous'.
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Emma Darwin Print: Book
'I am grown to like Lowell much better at the end. He adores London and its climate especially, and the Parks and the thrushes all winter through.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Emma Darwin Print: Book
'I seem to have been reading nothing but about young girls lately — Miss Bronte, Miss Edgeworth, the Burneys, the Winkworths.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Emma Darwin Print: Book
'Meeting held at 7, Marlborough Avenue. 15th Jan, 1944
A. G. Joselin in the chair.
[...]
2. The minutes of the last meeting were read and signed
[...]
5. Howard Smith opened the evening on Shelley with a biographical sketch. [...]
6. We adjourned for refreshment[.]
7. F. E. Pollard read “Ode to the West Wind”
8. Margaret Dilks gave brief appreciation of Shelley’s poetry. This started a general
discussion in which nearly all took part — whether he influenced or was influenced by
his contempor[ar]ies , & what effect he had, if any, on future poets. On these
questions opinion varied, but all agreed with F. E. Pollard that Shelley’s verse is
supremely ‘poetical’.
9. To illustrate Shelley’s passion for liberty and reform Bruce Dilks read from “The
Masque of Anarchy” which was inspired by the Peterloo Massacre in 1819.
10. Rosamund Wallis read some stanzas from “Adonais”. F. E. Pollard read a short
poem entitled “A Lament”[.] Thus, our thoughts being with the departed, the meeting
ended on a lighter note. One member quoted a touching little verse from the
Berkshire Chronicle In Memoriam notices, which another capped by some lines written
by a school-boy on the relative merits of perpetual roasting and eternal hymn-singing.
Lines which gained the boy a severe reprimand from his head-master, and a ‘Fiver’
from his father.
[signed as a true record by] S A Reynolds 14/2/44'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Howard Smith Print: Unknown
'Meeting held at 7, Marlborough Avenue. 15th Jan, 1944
A. G. Joselin in the chair.
[...]
2. The minutes of the last meeting were read and signed
[...]
5. Howard Smith opened the evening on Shelley with a biographical sketch. [...]
6. We adjourned for refreshment[.]
7. F. E. Pollard read “Ode to the West Wind”
8. Margaret Dilks gave brief appreciation of Shelley’s poetry. This started a general
discussion in which nearly all took part — whether he influenced or was influenced
by
his contempor[ar]ies , & what effect he had, if any, on future poets. On these
questions opinion varied, but all agreed with F. E. Pollard that Shelley’s verse is
supremely ‘poetical’.
9. To illustrate Shelley’s passion for liberty and reform Bruce Dilks read from “The
Masque of Anarchy” which was inspired by the Peterloo Massacre in 1819.
10. Rosamund Wallis read some stanzas from “Adonais”. F. E. Pollard read a short
poem entitled “A Lament”[.] Thus, our thoughts being with the departed, the
meeting
ended on a lighter note. One member quoted a touching little verse from the
Berkshire Chronicle In Memoriam notices, which another capped by some lines
written
by a school-boy on the relative merits of perpetual roasting and eternal hymn-
singing.
Lines which gained the boy a severe reprimand from his head-master, and a ‘Fiver’
from his father.
[signed as a true record by] S A Reynolds 14/2/44'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: [unknown member of the XII Book Club] Manuscript: Unknown
'Meeting held at 7, Marlborough Avenue. 15th Jan, 1944
A. G. Joselin in the chair.
[...]
2. The minutes of the last meeting were read and signed
[...]
5. Howard Smith opened the evening on Shelley with a biographical sketch. [...]
6. We adjourned for refreshment[.]
7. F. E. Pollard read “Ode to the West Wind”
8. Margaret Dilks gave brief appreciation of Shelley’s poetry. This started a general
discussion in which nearly all took part — whether he influenced or was influenced by
his contempor[ar]ies , & what effect he had, if any, on future poets. On these
questions opinion varied, but all agreed with F. E. Pollard that Shelley’s verse is
supremely ‘poetical’.
9. To illustrate Shelley’s passion for liberty and reform Bruce Dilks read from “The
Masque of Anarchy” which was inspired by the Peterloo Massacre in 1819.
10. Rosamund Wallis read some stanzas from “Adonais”. F. E. Pollard read a short
poem entitled “A Lament”[.] Thus, our thoughts being with the departed, the meeting
ended on a lighter note. One member quoted a touching little verse from the
Berkshire Chronicle In Memoriam notices, which another capped by some lines written
by a school-boy on the relative merits of perpetual roasting and eternal hymn-singing.
Lines which gained the boy a severe reprimand from his head-master, and a ‘Fiver’
from his father.
[signed as a true record by] S A Reynolds 14/2/44'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: [unidentified headmaster of the unidentified author] Manuscript: Unknown
'Meeting held at “Oakdene”, Northcourt Avenue. 14.2.44
S. A. Reynolds in the chair.
[...]
2. The minutes of the last meeting were read and signed.
[...]
5. After an interval for refreshment we turned our thoughts to the Study of the Life and Works of André Maurois, which proved to be a subject of absorbing
interest. Rosamund Wallis was his Biographer up to the time of the outbreak of this war — her chief source of information being Maurois’ autobiography “Call no
man happy” from which she read several extracts. She revealed to us the child Emil Hertzog, born an Alsatian Jew & brought up in the sheltered atmosphere of
French family life. Brilliantly successful at school, in business, as a soldier and under the name of André Maurois as a writer. Success was his easily and
immediately for allied to his native genius was an infinite capacity for hard work.
6. Readings from Maurois’s works were given as follows:-
Howard Smith from ‘The Silence of Colonel Bramble’
Isabel Taylor [from] Ariel
F. E. Pollard [from] Disraeli
Frank Knight [from] Byron
Knox Taylor [from] History of England
Maurois has been very fortunate in his translators and all the readings were much enjoyed. Colonel Bramble was his first book & remains the most widely read &
generally acclaimed of them all. ‘Ariel’ his life of Shelley gained him a reputation for writing ‘Romanticized Biography’ which he resented and tried to counteract
in his lives of Byron and Disraeli. The general opinion of the Book Club was that he writes always with more charm and wit than accuracy & Knox Taylor’s
criticism of the ‘History of England[’] was that in trying to give a general impression without much detail, Maurois has picked out the wrong details and therefore
gives the wrong impression.
7. Kenneth Nicholson then continued the story of Maurois’ life up to the present day, when he is living in America with his wife, while their children remain in
France.
[signed as a true record by] J. Knox Taylor 13/3/44.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Kenneth F. Nicholson
'We entrained about 3 pm in cattle trucks. The Belgians had straw in theirs, and 20 men to a truck. We had 40 men, and no straw. A further distinction was made with the aid of chalk on the Belgian trucks, where someone had written "Belgian gut, Francosen gut, aber Englisch Schwein".'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: James Clifford Farrant Manuscript: Graffito, Chalk-written sign.
'In the German barracks "Gott strafe England" was chalked up in many conspicuous places. It was also the headline on their bread coupon cards.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: James Clifford Farrant Manuscript: Graffito, Chalk-written sign.
'Each day there is a "Budget" published, the work of the more literary and energetic of our members, chiefly consisting of the various "officials" taken from the German papers, with leading articles on any special bits of news. There is also a monthly production with short stories and illustrations which is wonderfully good. The summer number is just out, and there is a hit at me under "Things We Want to Know": whether "Joy Riding in an aeroplane over imperfectly known country is not an overrated amusement?"'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Douglas Lyall Grant Print: Serial / periodical
Meeting held at 22 Cintra Avenue, 21st June 1944
F. E. Pollard in the chair.
1. Minutes of last meeting were read and signed.
[...]
3. Howard Smith introduced G. K. Chesterton by giving us a very full and interesting account of his life. Essayist, critic, novelist and poet;
always interesting, sometimes brilliant; inaccurate in factual detail yet showing quite extraordinary understanding of the great men of
whom he wrote.
4. F. E. Pollard read from Chesterton’s biography of Robert Browning
5. We adjourned for refreshment.
6. Margaret Dilks read from “Orthodoxy”.
7. Rosamund Wallis read an essay “French and English” which was of particular interest in view of the present day political situation, and
the difficulty statesmen of the two countries experience in understanding each other.
8. Isabel Taylor read “The Blue Cross” a thrilling and amusing detective story from “The innocence of Father Brown.”
9. Kenneth Nicholson read some of Chesterton’s poems: The Pessimist, F. E. Smith [i.e. ‘Antichrist, or the Reunion of Christendom: An
Ode’] & King’s Cross [Station].
10. It was too late to hear the readings from Chesterton’s biography of Charles Dickens, and it was suggested that this might well prove
an interesting subject for a future evening.
[signed as a true record by] Howard R. Smith 8/7/44'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Howard Smith
'Meeting held at “Frensham” 8th July 1944
Howard R. Smith in the chair.
[...]
7. “Love Came In” by Beatrice Saxon-Snell was read with the following cast:-
Thomas Curtis — F. E. Pollard
Anne Curtis — Isabel Taylor
Sandra — Elsie Harrod
Joe Coale — Bruce Dilks
James Naylor — Howard Smith
Before the reading Howard Smith briefly recounted the historical events leading up
to the time at which the action takes place. which explains the very strained
relations between George Fox & James Naylor. It was agreed that when the copies
were returned to Beatrice Saxon-Snell she should be warmly thanked for lending
them to us, & told how very much the club appreciated the play.
8. “The Dear Departed” by Stanley Houghton a play of a much more frivolous
nature, was read with the following cast:-
Henry Slater — Bruce Dilks
Amelia Slater — Muriel Stevens
Ben Jordan — Howard Smith
Elizabeth Jordan — Rosamund Wallis
Victoria Slater — Margaret Dilks
Abel Merryweather — F. E. Pollard
9. It being still quite early we decided to read another short play & chose quite at
random from the books available “The Man who wouldn't go to Heaven” by F.
Sladen-Smith. Read from sight and cast quite haphazardly this proved most
entertaining. F. E. Pollard as the recording angel, Basil Smith as the Free Church
Minister (with a voice pregnant with unxious non-conformity), Rosamund Wallis as
a string minded woman calling loudly for her dog & indeed every character was
most aptly portrayed. The full cast was as follows:
Thariel — F. E. Pollard
Margaret — Margaret Dilks
Richard Alton — Bruce Dilks
Bobbie Nightingale — Howard Smith
Eliza Muggins — Muriel Stevens
Sister Mary Teresa — Dorothea Taylor
Mrs Cuthbert Bagshawe — Ruth Beck
Harriet Rebecca Strenham — Rosamund Wallis
Rev John McNulty — Basil Smith
Timothy Toto Newbiggin — Sylvanus Reynolds
Derrick Bradley — Elsie Harrod
[signed as a true record by] AB Dilks 18/9/44'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Howard Smith Print: Book
'Meeting held at 39, Eastern Avenue 18th Sept, 1944
A. Bruce Dilks in the chair.
[...]
2. The minutes of the last meeting were read and signed.
[...]
5. Alice Joselin introduced the subject of the evening by telling us something of the life of William Blake. Born in 1757 he was living through the
beginning of the industrial revolution. He had no schooling but showed early artistic ability and was apprenticed for 7 years to an engraver. During
this time he wrote some of his early poetry. Becoming himself a professional engraver he experimented with a new method of printing “shown
to him in a vision”. As she traced the pattern of his life during the remaining 27 years, Alice Joselin gave us a portrait of an embittered man,
never well loved even by his friends and incomprehensible to his contemporaries. She concluded with an extract from a Short Survey of William
Blake by Quiller Couch.
6. F. E. Pollard said that he had been reluctant to undertake the task of talking to the Club on the literature of Wm. Blake since he was acquainted
with only three of his poems. But as this was 50% more than anyone else knew, he need not have worried. He emphasised Blakes great lyrical
gifts and his share in the poetic revolution of the C18th, even suggesting that Blake led the way. Frances Pollard illustrated his remarks by reading
from: [“]To the evening star”, “How sweet I roam” and “Memory hither come”. He also read a short extract from Jerusalem throwing out the
suggestion that the subject matter showed some influence of Thomas Payne, Quaker.
7. After some refreshment we welcomed to our meeting Mr. George Goyder who is a very keen student and collector of William Blake. It was a
great privilege to have among us one whose profound knowledge of and enthusiasm for his subject was absolutely convincing. After listening to Mr.
Goyder and looking at his many beautiful examples of Blake’s work, we were willing to allow that he is probably our greatest English artist and
equalled as an engraver only by Dürer.
The Chairman expressed our very warmest thanks to Mr. Goyder.
[signed as a true record by] J. Knox Taylor 16/X/44.'
Unknown
Century: Reader/Listener/Group: Alice Joselin
'Meeting held at Grove House. 16th October 1944
J. Knox Taylor in the chair.
[...]
2. The minutes of the last meeting were read & signed.
[...]
5. The subject of the evening was Charles Dickens and we were once again indebted to Howard Smith for a biography. In a
skilfully condensed account of the chief events of his life, we heard of the hardships Dickens underwent in childhood, of his
sudden & quite early achievement of success & financial ease. His marriage, his many children & the unhappy atmosphere
of his home life in later years. His visits to America and his sudden death at the age of 58.
6. Muriel Stevens read from David Copperfield the account of his arrival at the house of his Aunt Betsey Trotwood.
Humphrey Hare gave us the benefit of his local knowledge and described Peggotty’s Cottage at Great Yarmouth as seen by
his Father, and also Blundestone Rookery as it is today.
7. F. E. Pollard told us something of Chestertons book on Dickens and read a number of extracts showing his appreciation
of a number some of the lesser characters. Among these were Mrs. Nickleby, Mantalini, Dick Swiveller, Mr.
Stiggins, the Rev. Septimus Crisparkle and Toots.
8. We heard with interest that a recent census of boys’ reading at Leighton Park revealed Dickens even now as the third
most popular author.
9. Arnold Joselin read from Martin Chuzzlewit the chapter where Mrs. Gamp instals herself as night-nurse.
10. Knox Taylor read from The Pickwick Papers the account of the visit to Eatanswill parliamentary election.
[signed as a true record by] Arnold G. Joselin 21 Nov. 1944'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Howard Smith
'Meeting held at 22 Cintra Avenue, Northcourt Avenue, 25th April 1945
F. E. Pollard in the chair.
[...]
2. The minutes of the last meeting were read & signed.
5. Alice Joselin introduced the subject of the evening with a biographical study of
the Brontë family. Contrary to her expressed idea that she could do little more
than recite a list of dates, Alice Joselin drew for us a vivid picture of the life at
Haworth Rectory and the way in which the three sisters took the literary world by
storm.
6. After adjourning for refreshment we turned our attentions to a study of the
works of Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë. First Margaret Dilks read from
“Vil[l]ette” the description of Mme. Rachel, the famous actress. Since this passage
is the only contribution Charlotte Brontë is allowed to make to the Oxford Book of
English Prose, it is presumably considered great by someone who should be
qualified to judge. But when the reader had finished, the only audible comment
from this learned gathering was “Can someone tell me what all that means?”
7. F. E. Pollard then gave us the benefit of his discerning criticism of the works of
these writers. Describing himself as of a naturally romantic & sentimental turn of
mind (cheers and prolonged applause) he championed Jane Eyre and Shirley.
There followed a lively discussion in which nearly all members took part. The
excessive wordiness of which both Emily & Charlotte are sometimes guilty, was
attributed to the bad influence of the continent on the Englishman’s [sic!] natural
restraint. Several members of the fair sex expressed a distaste for the horrors of
Wuthering Heights, one even going so far as to suggest that the author was
probably mad. Cyril Langford, reading from a newspaper article, put forward an
interesting theory that the book was the natural psychological reaction of one
whose life was mainly occupied in household duties; and Thomas Hopkins crowned
all by telling us that he had once been presented with Wuthering Heights as a
Sunday School prize. Cyril Langford also drew our attention to Jane Eyre’s
description of her own paintings, which were clearly the forerunners of surrealism.
Other readings given were:-
Howard Smith from Wuthering Heights[,]
Rosamund Wallis from Shirley[,]
& Howard Smith from The Gondal Poems[.]'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Cyril Langford
'Meeting held at 22 Cintra Avenue, Northcourt Avenue, 25th April 1945
F. E. Pollard in the chair.
[...]
2. The minutes of the last meeting were read & signed.
5. Alice Joselin introduced the subject of the evening with a biographical study of
the Brontë family. Contrary to her expressed idea that she could do little more
than recite a list of dates, Alice Joselin drew for us a vivid picture of the life at
Haworth Rectory and the way in which the three sisters took the literary world by
storm.
6. After adjourning for refreshment we turned our attentions to a study of the
works of Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë. First Margaret Dilks read from
“Vil[l]ette” the description of Mme. Rachel, the famous actress. Since this passage
is the only contribution Charlotte Brontë is allowed to make to the Oxford Book of
English Prose, it is presumably considered great by someone who should be
qualified to judge. But when the reader had finished, the only audible comment
from this learned gathering was “Can someone tell me what all that means?”
7. F. E. Pollard then gave us the benefit of his discerning criticism of the works of
these writers. Describing himself as of a naturally romantic & sentimental turn of
mind (cheers and prolonged applause) he championed Jane Eyre and Shirley.
There followed a lively discussion in which nearly all members took part. The
excessive wordiness of which both Emily & Charlotte are sometimes guilty, was
attributed to the bad influence of the continent on the Englishman’s [sic!] natural
restraint. Several members of the fair sex expressed a distaste for the horrors of
Wuthering Heights, one even going so far as to suggest that the author was
probably mad. Cyril Langford, reading from a newspaper article, put forward an
interesting theory that the book was the natural psychological reaction of one
whose life was mainly occupied in household duties; and Thomas Hopkins crowned
all by telling us that he had once been presented with Wuthering Heights as a
Sunday School prize. Cyril Langford also drew our attention to Jane Eyre’s
description of her own paintings, which were clearly the forerunners of surrealism.
Other readings given were:-
Howard Smith from Wuthering Heights[,]
Rosamund Wallis from Shirley[,]
& Howard Smith from The Gondal Poems[.]'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Cyril Langford
'Meeting held at 22 Cintra Avenue, Northcourt Avenue, 25th April 1945
F. E. Pollard in the chair.
[...]
5. Alice Joselin introduced the subject of the evening with a biographical study of
the Brontë family. Contrary to her expressed idea that she could do little more
than recite a list of dates, Alice Joselin drew for us a vivid picture of the life at
Haworth Rectory and the way in which the three sisters took the literary world by
storm.
[...]'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Alice Joselin
'Meeting held at Frensham. 6th Oct. 1943
Howard R. Smith in the chair.
1. Minutes of the last meeting were read & approved.
[...]
5. Kenneth Nicholson discoursed to us on ‘Style’. He confessed that the more he
had gone into the subject the further he had got out of his depth, but this fact was
not apparent, for what he said was most interesting and illuminating. He gave as
his four essentials for good style: Clarity, Rhythm, Sincerity and the Emergence of
Personality. Kenneth Nicholson illustrated these qualities by quotations from such
varied sources as: The Telephone Directory; an advertisement for Sanitas powder;
the Dean of Harvard; Charles Morgan; Walter Pater; C. E. Montague; G. K
Chesterton; H. G. Wells; T. E. Lawrence; a Leighton Park boy and a Press
reporter. In the discussion which followed, some members thought that good style
could be achieved without sincerity, and reference was made to the regrettable
absence of clarity in legal documents and official forms.
6. F. E. Pollard then read 7 examples of prose writing and we were asked to write
down the authors. It was only to be expected that Kenneth Nicholson, who had
been studying the subject, should come out top with 5 right answers. [...]
[signed as a true record by] A. B. Dilks
8.11.43. [at the club meeting held at 39 Eastern Avenue: see Minute Book, p. 165]'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Kenneth F. Nicholson Print: Book
'Meeting held at Frensham. 6th Oct. 1943
Howard R. Smith in the chair.
1. Minutes of the last meeting were read & approved.
[...]
5. Kenneth Nicholson discoursed to us on ‘Style’. He confessed that the more he
had gone into the subject the further he had got out of his depth, but this fact was
not apparent, for what he said was most interesting and illuminating. He gave as
his four essentials for good style: Clarity, Rhythm, Sincerity and the Emergence of
Personality. Kenneth Nicholson illustrated these qualities by quotations from such
varied sources as: The Telephone Directory; an advertisement for Sanitas powder;
the Dean of Harvard; Charles Morgan; Walter Pater; C. E. Montague; G. K
Chesterton; H. G. Wells; T. E. Lawrence; a Leighton Park boy and a Press
reporter. In the discussion which followed, some members thought that good style
could be achieved without sincerity, and reference was made to the regrettable
absence of clarity in legal documents and official forms.
6. F. E. Pollard then read 7 examples of prose writing and we were asked to write
down the authors. It was only to be expected that Kenneth Nicholson, who had
been studying the subject, should come out top with 5 right answers. [...]
[signed as a true record by] A. B. Dilks
8.11.43. [at the club meeting held at 39 Eastern Avenue: see Minute Book, p. 165]'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Kenneth F. Nicholson Print: Book
'Meeting held at Frensham. 6th Oct. 1943
Howard R. Smith in the chair.
1. Minutes of the last meeting were read & approved.
[...]
5. Kenneth Nicholson discoursed to us on ‘Style’. He confessed that the more he
had gone into the subject the further he had got out of his depth, but this fact was
not apparent, for what he said was most interesting and illuminating. He gave as
his four essentials for good style: Clarity, Rhythm, Sincerity and the Emergence of
Personality. Kenneth Nicholson illustrated these qualities by quotations from such
varied sources as: The Telephone Directory; an advertisement for Sanitas powder;
the Dean of Harvard; Charles Morgan; Walter Pater; C. E. Montague; G. K
Chesterton; H. G. Wells; T. E. Lawrence; a Leighton Park boy and a Press
reporter. In the discussion which followed, some members thought that good style
could be achieved without sincerity, and reference was made to the regrettable
absence of clarity in legal documents and official forms.
6. F. E. Pollard then read 7 examples of prose writing and we were asked to write
down the authors. It was only to be expected that Kenneth Nicholson, who had
been studying the subject, should come out top with 5 right answers. [...]
[signed as a true record by] A. B. Dilks
8.11.43. [at the club meeting held at 39 Eastern Avenue: see Minute Book, p. 165]'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: unknown members of the XII Book Club
'Meeting held at Frensham. 6th Oct. 1943
Howard R. Smith in the chair.
1. Minutes of the last meeting were read & approved.
[...]
5. Kenneth Nicholson discoursed to us on ‘Style’. He confessed that the more he
had gone into the subject the further he had got out of his depth, but this fact was
not apparent, for what he said was most interesting and illuminating. He gave as
his four essentials for good style: Clarity, Rhythm, Sincerity and the Emergence of
Personality. Kenneth Nicholson illustrated these qualities by quotations from such
varied sources as: The Telephone Directory; an advertisement for Sanitas powder;
the Dean of Harvard; Charles Morgan; Walter Pater; C. E. Montague; G. K
Chesterton; H. G. Wells; T. E. Lawrence; a Leighton Park boy and a Press
reporter. In the discussion which followed, some members thought that good style
could be achieved without sincerity, and reference was made to the regrettable
absence of clarity in legal documents and official forms.
6. F. E. Pollard then read 7 examples of prose writing and we were asked to write
down the authors. It was only to be expected that Kenneth Nicholson, who had
been studying the subject, should come out top with 5 right answers. [...]
[signed as a true record by] A. B. Dilks
8.11.43. [at the club meeting held at 39 Eastern Avenue: see Minute Book, p. 165]'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: unknown members of the XII Book Club
'This morning I stayed in and read some most illuminating articles on Sufyism. There's a lot to know, but I guess I'll know some of it before I've done.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Gertrude Bell Print: Serial / periodical, probably a periodical
'Last night a year ago I was reading Mother the "Shadow of Death" at Kirby Thore and today a year ago the shadow fell very near me. I thought much last night of him [the late Henry Cadogan] and of all he had been to me and is still.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Gertrude Bell Print: Book
'Left at 10.40 Frontier 12.15, lunch Belfort 12.40 where I got "Lourdes" and read it with wild interest all the rest of the way. Tea at Nancy. Reims 7.30.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Gertrude Bell Print: Book
'I went up to the Musee this morning and read a Persian life of Hafez with a Latin crib. I think I got at the meaning of it with the help of a Persian dictionary, but a Latin translation is not so clear to me as it might be.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Gertrude Bell Print: Book
'Florence [Lascelles] the Marshalls and I went to the [Berlin] National Gallery to see the modern pictures. It was most interesting because I had been reading about modern German painters and knew what I wanted to look at. It rained all the afternoon — I read and wrote in my room.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Gertrude Bell Print: Unknown, presumably book, exhibition catalogue or periodical
'Fog in the early morning, sun came out after lunch. Quite chilly. Read Arabic and "Les Misérables".'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Gertrude Bell Print: Book
'All day we sailed along an absolutely barren coast. A tiny fringe of green along the sand and then great mts with nothing but brown scrub upon them. It sometimes doesn't rain here for 5 years. Read Arabic and talked to the Hoffmanns. Slept, tea, read a Spanish novel, dinner, very indifferent music ending with choruses on deck.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Gertrude Bell Print: Book
'Very foggy; raw and cold all morning; the sun came out a little after lunch, but it was still cold. Wrapped myself in fur cloaks and rugs and sat on deck reading novels.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Gertrude Bell Print: Book
'After lunch, finished a book on Hawaii Mr W[alford] lent me.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Gertrude Bell Print: Book
'Read some of Schultze's book on Java, lent me by Herr v Ditman. We got in unexpectedly early, about 3. The port of Tanjon Priok has outer roads where some English merchant boats and some Dutch gun boats lay at anchor and an inner, canal like harbour, small but exquisitely arranged.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Gertrude Bell Print: Book
'A motor bicycle drew up at our door and a haggard dispatch rider stumbled in to put a scrap of paper into my hand. It was a page torn out of an army notebook with a scribbled message in pencil from a lieutenant addressed to his commanding officer; the date and time upon it belonged to the afternoon before. The writer was holding on with a handful of men at a point (he gave a rough map reference) but they were nearly surrounded — could help be sent, very soon or it would come too late? The messenger had been trying ever since to find the CO and had failed; the message must be delivered to someone — and now to me of all people! The message, I pointed out, was twelve hours old, but the dispatch rider seemed stupefied with his utter failure and weariness. He went dumbly away with his scrap of paper. And I tried to dismiss from my mind a tiny detail in a disastrous landscape — a huddle of brown down there at the map reference, where, in all likelihood, a young officer and a dozen men would be lying together dead.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Barclay Josiah Baron Manuscript: Letter, Pencilled note on a page torn out of an army notebook.
'You need have no fear about my looking after myself and behaving myself May, because I only go out about 3 nights a week, and then usually by myself. I either walk round the town or go to the Y.M.C.A. at Romford, where there are all kinds of games and concerts. When I stop in camp I either go in our own Y.M.C.A. and read books or war news, or sew buttons on, or have a chat with another decent fellow out of our room on military affairs. So you see I behave myself alright.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Albert Edward Mortlock French Print: Book, Newspaper
'Well I am getting on topping: today we have been on a brigade field day round a place called "The Devils Punch bowl" It's a piece of land about 3 miles round the top. The top is flat for about 3 yards and then slopes down to an awful depth. A sailor was murdered there in 1756, as he was going to Portsmouth by an highway man. They buried the sailor, and erected a stone telling all about the barborous murder. About 50 yards away there is a stone cross which the highwayman was hung on. The murdered sailor was a Witney man. On another old stone near our camp its got Portsmouth 33 miles, and Hyde Park Corner 36 miles, which shows that we are not so far from the seaside or London. It always seems curious to see such names on a mile stone.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Albert Edward Mortlock French Manuscript: Engraved stone.
'Well I am getting on topping: today we have been on a brigade field day round a place called "The Devils Punch bowl" It's a piece of land about 3 miles round the top. The top is flat for about 3 yards and then slopes down to an awful depth. A sailor was murdered there in 1756, as he was going to Portsmouth by an highway man. They buried the sailor, and erected a stone telling all about the barborous murder. About 50 yards away there is a stone cross which the highwayman was hung on. The murdered sailor was a Witney man. On another old stone near our camp its got Portsmouth 33 miles, and Hyde Park Corner 36 miles, which shows that we are not so far from the seaside or London. It always seems curious to see such names on a mile stone.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Albert Edward Mortlock French Manuscript: Milestone.
'Our Adjutant told us the history of the 1st K.R.R [King's Royal Rifles] in this war, by a diary from one of their officers. They got on fine until they went into action at the battle of Mons. They had a terrible share in it. They had 400 out of 1,000 men killed that day. The French retired and the K.R.R. held on for 3 hours after the French had gone. Then K.R.R. had to march 170 miles, fighting all the way. After the Marne, the other 600 were nearly wiped out. Well as it is tea time I must now close ...'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Albert Edward Mortlock French Manuscript: Codex
'Soldiers who have been out here 6 months can speak French, and some of the French can speak English perfectly. I can speak just a little French now. In most of the Y.M.C.A's at Aldershot ladies teach soldiers the French language free of charge. You can get 1d papers here with pretty well everything you want on it. On one side of the paper there are articles, and in English, opposite the English names, are the French names, which apply to the same article. Nutty idea isn't it.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Albert Edward Mortlock French Print: NewspaperManuscript: Codex
'Gradually, very gradually, Australians will realize what they owe to England. How all my English blood courses through my veins when I read of England's responses to the great call! It is true of course that Australians are joining the colours here, but the majority are either of the well-to-do classes, or else recent immigrants.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Kenneth Julian Faithfull Bickersteth Print: Newspaper
'The papers are eagerly read, of course, and small groups constantly gather outside the newspaper offices to read the cablegrams which are also put up for passers-by to see.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Print: Newspaper
'We missed news more than anything else, there was a notice board in the court yard and we got the German version on that, needless to say this was not very satisfying.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: J. P. Lynch Print: Newspaper
'When we were allowed to write post cards home on the 6th Oct 1914 (first time) Frau Braun [wife of the German camp commander] did the censoring, and as the Frau was not very good at English we were asked to write but little and clearly, we heard that the good Frau used to stay up nearly all night trying to read our correspondence, with the aid of a dictionary.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Braun Manuscript: Letter, Postcards
'... we got no news at Göttingen except from scraps of English papers which came in parcels, the Göttingen paper was one of the worst in Germany, and we did not take it in, the time we spent in this lager was extremely monotonous, and depressing.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: J. P. Lynch Print: NewspaperManuscript: Letter, Postcards
'We are getting together a good library of 1 franc English books.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Harold Upcott Print: Book
'Yesterday afternoon as I was lying reading in my hut the C.O. came in and told me I had to go to Warloy (behind Albert) to relieve the surgeon specialist.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Harold Upcott
'Made my head ache reading + went to bed early.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Harriet Bickersteth Cook Print: Book
'Paid Laundress and Daily Mail ... Elsie at ¼ to six. Supper at 7.15. Read + worked. Bed 9.10.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Harriet Bickersteth Cook
'An officer [of the Serbian army, Captain S. Chatni] who spoke English well put his head out, and called to us to know if we would come into his kola ... it was very comfortable inside, with pockets containing books, candles and some very pretty rugs. He read us extracts out of some of the latest German books, in which such sentiments occurred as, "The English are wholly responsible for this horrible war, and should be swept off the face of the Earth".'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Minnie Newhall Print: Book
'... we went into the Reading Rooms, and the "Daily Telegraph" Correspondent read us the article he had written on our trek across the mountains, which is to appear in the "Telegraph" next Tuesday. We saw an English newspaper, the first we had seen for a long time.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Minnie Newhall Print: Newspaper
'M. [Marjorie Cook, A. R. Cook's daughter] still has a high temp. — 104.1 in aft. Began to give Citrated milk. She enjoyed me reading to her "The man at the gate" and The Impregnable City.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Albert Ruskin Cook Print: BookManuscript: Telegraph cable
'M. [Marjorie Cook, A. R. Cook's daughter] still has a high temp. — 104.1 in aft. Began to give Citrated milk. She enjoyed me reading to her "The man at the gate" and The Impregnable City.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Margaret Ellen Cook Print: BookManuscript: Telegraph cable
'Read story to May while she worked — afterwards verified cheque book and pass
book.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Harriet Bickersteth Cook Print: Book
'Read aloud to May.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Harriet Bickersteth Cook Print: Book
'Read to May.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Harriet Bickersteth Cook Print: Book
'Read "The Mother".'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Harriet Bickersteth Cook Print: Book
'The suppression of all newspapers left the universal craving for news unsatisfied, and the daily paper was replaced by short type-written notes which were secretly passed from hand to hand. I remember the contents of one of these compositions which was handed me by a visitor with great parade of secrecy and importance.
It was composed of brief short sentences: "Cambrai the last town in German occupation. Germans retiring all along the line. Maubeuge re-occupied by French and British troops. Revolution in Berlin. Streets in flames. Death of Empress."
All such absurd stories probably emanated from a German source and represent some obscure form of German humour.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Ian Vivian Hay Manuscript: Type-written notes.
'Snow was falling ... and there was no chance of getting out to the terrace, so that the rest of the day had to be devoted to Poker and Bridge, games of which we were all heartily sick. Reading was difficult on account of the ceaseless noise kept up by Gollywog [a French officer prisoner] and his merry men [playing chess].'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Ian Vivian Hay Manuscript: Sheet
'Zeppelin. A great rush for the windows ... This evening was marked by the arrival of a parcel of books, Tauchnitz edition, which we had been allowed to order. No doubt the publishers are glad of the chance to unload their stock of British authors, as, after the war is over, there will not be much demand for the Tauchnitz volumes.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Ian Vivian Hay Print: BookManuscript: Sheet
'During the period of our captivity at Munden the time passed more heavily, I think, than at any later period, owing to the fact that we had practically no reading matter ... No daily papers or periodicals of any sort were allowed, not even German, only a rag called The Continental Times ... There were only about a dozen English novels in the camp, and no means of obtaining more; consequently, to keep one's mind occupied, one had to read them over and over again ...'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Horace Gray Gilliland Print: Book
'Cards, roulette, ping-pong and chess greatly assisted in passing the time. We also had quite a good camp library, the books mostly having been received from home. I have often heard it remarked that life there was one long queue, and it was not far wrong. Often one passed the morning waiting one's turn for the "tin room," or newly arrived parcels, while soon after lunch it was customary to see the more patient individuals already lining up chairs and settling down to their books, to wait for hot water which was sold at tea time.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: British officers waiting for hot water in the afternoons Print: Book
'I found a letter-box and feverishly endeavoured to decipher, in the semi-darkness, a long word printed in black letters on a white background. With a sinking heart I slowly made out the letters B—R—I—E. Was it necessary to read any further? Surely this was proof positive that I was still under the gentle sway of the Kaiser! What else could the remainder be but "feasten" completing the German word for letter-box.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Gerald Featherstone Knight Print: BookManuscript: Painted sign.
' ... as I had started adolescence in a blaze of idealism, the conflicting ugliness of factory life often drove my spirits into the depths. I rushed to poetry for escape and lived a double existence by seeking the slopes of Parnassus in thought while my hands mechanically soldered lead fittings or malletted sheet metal into shape at the grimy benches of the workshop.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Vero Walter Garratt Print: Book
'Sometimes it was more convenient to take a book into the lavatory and to sit there an inordinate length of time. On other occasions I disappeared into a small stock-room where fittings were contained in wooden recesses right up to the ceiling. Here, on the pretext of getting something high up, I did my reading standing on a ladder with the open book inside the recess and a box of "excuse" beside me, in case the foreman came in to see whether I had been taken ill. In consequence, my movements began to take on a disturbing air of mystery.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Vero Walter Garratt Print: Book
'Sometimes it was more convenient to take a book into the lavatory and to sit there an inordinate length of time. On other occasions I disappeared into a small stock-room where fittings were contained in wooden recesses right up to the ceiling. Here, on the pretext of getting something high up, I did my reading standing on a ladder with the open book inside the recess and a box of "excuse" beside me, in case the foreman came in to see whether I had been taken ill. In consequence, my movements began to take on a disturbing air of mystery.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Vero Walter Garratt Print: Book
'... the Alliance of Honour existed to support my trend of thought and from my early teens to claim me as an ardent worker and propagandist for the cause of personal purity. I digested all the literature that came from the London headquarters and became a branch secretary with my own headquarters in the bedroom.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Vero Walter Garratt Print: Book
'Erich had a little book which he greatly valued. In order to cheer my captivity he showed this book to me. When I saw the way Erich used to linger over its pages at night before going to sleep I thought that it was some pious work given him by his mother before he left the Fatherland. When he showed it to me I found that it was pornographic. The text was meaningless to me, as Erich regretfully acknowledged, but, he indicated, brightening considerably, the illustrations were indeed realistic.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Desmond Malone Print: Book
'During the whole of my stay I continually asked to be allowed to have English books, but apart from one small, rather sloppy novel I was only permitted a German-English grammar. As I did not know even the shape of the German letters this book was of very little use to me, but the small dictionary at the end was useful in making up conversation with the jailers.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Lorimer John Austin Print: Book
'During the whole of my stay I continually asked to be allowed to have English books, but apart from one small, rather sloppy novel I was only permitted a German-English grammar. As I did not know even the shape of the German letters this book was of very little use to me, but the small dictionary at the end was useful in making up conversation with the jailers.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Lorimer John Austin Print: Book
'The routine of every day was precisely the same. We were wakened at five, and the coffee for breakfast was provided at half-past ... After dressing, and performing the menial duties of the day, there came the most trying part, waiting for the long hours of the morning to pass by. I used to attempt to learn German words out of a dictionary, and to draw anatomical diagrams from memory, for after a few days we were permitted some paper and a pencil.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Lorimer John Austin Print: Book
'The British officers formed a circulating library, and it was always possible to get any number of the Tauchnitz books in English and in French. There was no lack of reading material, but there was a tendency for other people to borrow your book before you had finished with it, and if anyone lost a volume that he had brought out, he had nothing to exchange for another ... many books were also sent to officers from home, and generally arrived safely.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Lorimer John Austin Print: Book
'Read on furlough. 1917–1918.
[...]
B. General.
Hist.y of our own Times. '85–11. Gooch
Middlemarch – George Eliot
Felix Holt – [George Eliot]
A Mill on the Floss – [George Eliot]
Men, Women & Guns – Sapper
A Student in Arms – Hankey.
Great Texts of the Bible – Psalms
Battles of the 19th Cent.y – Ency. Brit
The Real Kaiser –
In a German Prince's house
Life of Stanley – Autobiography
Political Hist.y of the World – Innes.
The Practice of Xt.s Presence – Fullerton
Malarial Work in Macedonia. – Willoughby & Cassidy
Bible Prophecies of the present war.
Where are we?
The lost tribes.
The Marne & after
Nelson's Hist.y of the War. XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII, XIX.
A strange story. 1 & 2.
The eyes of His glory – Harrington Lees
The Practice of Christ's Presence
I.R.M. Jan — Dec 1917. Jan — July 1918.
Advent Testimony.
The King's Highway
The Vision Splendid
All's Well.
Bunyan's Characters. White. Vols. 1 & 3
Lichnowsky.
Prophetic Outlook — Cachemaile
Rhymes of a Red Cross man
Kipling – 20 poems
In Christ – Gordon
Scenes of Clerical Life. George Eliot
Sense & Sensibility – J. Austen.
Nicholas Nickleby – Dickens.
Dombey & Son "
Silvia's Lovers. Mrs Gaskell.
Emma. Jane Austen
Agnes Grey. Ann Bronte
Thirsting for the Springs. Jowett
Germany at Bay. Major MacFall
Sir Nigel Loring. Conan Doyle'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Albert Ruskin Cook Print: Unknown
'"An Ex Mill Girl," [Ethel Carnie] who wrote the novel, "Helen of Four Gates," telling an English interviewer of the twenty years she spent in a cotton factory in the North of England, said that she read incessantly in the evening, and during the day while at work had the greatest difficulty keeping "the day me" separate from "the night me." Her thoughts would wander to her books, she would forget about her work, and she would come to herself with a start "to find the bobbins too full, one rubbing against the other, so that it would take hours to right them again."'
Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Ethel Carnie Holdsworth Print: Book
'The French postcards and magazines are very rude!!! Streets are cobbled only. I have some photographs and postcards of views.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Leslie Semple Print: Serial / periodical
'The last few days have been all the same, Nothing to do but sit around reading and chatting. The weather has changed. It is now pouring with rain.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Leslie Semple
'Very nice weather. Very hot indeed. Reading on the sands. Also took a shot of some fisher girls in their picturesque costumes, digging for worms and bait.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Leslie Semple
'Raid on Valenciennes. Very little to do each day but reading. Have given my name in for a correspondence course.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Leslie Semple
'Read the new Army of Occupation Orders. We are to get 28/- per week bonus for staying on. Rather good work.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Leslie Semple Print: Unknown
'Thanks most awfully for your letters & parcels, the gloves were "topping" also the books — I have read most of them but will read them again!'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker Print: Book
'Tea at the Y.M.C.A. Club. Read after tea. Rain off. Bought socks. Supper in town — bed.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker Print: Book
'Lovely day ... Read in afternoon and played bridge — lost 4f 25 c! Bed — v cold!'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker Print: Book
'To tea at No 1 [squadron's mess] with Moore, v.good tea. Not to church all day — must go next week. Read in the evening.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker Print: Book
'Cummings in for dinner and another from No 1 [squadron]. Read and talked ... after dinner. Bed at 11 — slept excellently.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker Print: Book
'Brekker in bed: Up on patrol at 10 am v.thick, line patrol. Got lost ... Back after lunch. Thick as pea soup! Nearly lost. Bridge in evening. Lost 3 fr. Bed early, read in bed.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker Print: Book
'Strong [westerly] wind ... in morning. 3 E.A. [enemy aircraft] seen which hove off at once — both my guns froze up hard.
Read in afternoon and evening.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker Print: Book
'Thanks most awfully for the topping parcel of Xmas things. The pipe's ripping & so are the cigarettes & I am sure the books will be most interesting.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker Print: Book
'Bed at 12. Read and smoked till then. Very cold — frozen in bed. "B" Flt came back from break.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker Print: Book
'Up for early show ... Started to snow and carried on nearly all day! No patrols; did nothing except read and smoke.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker Print: Book
'Thanks so much for your two letters & the copies of "Flying" books — very good. I am afraid I didn't think much of Boyd Cable's story "Quick Work". The maniac of a pilot he describes as his hero would have been shot down at once! He did the very worst possible thing — diving away from a Hun! ... I do wish people like Boyd Cable would not show their ignorance by trying to write about flying! The best article was "Impressions of Leave" which was priceless. The story "Eighteen" was unnecessarily lugubrious.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker Print: Serial / periodical
'Read and wrote letters in the afternoon. Got 3 parcels for Xmas. To Church in evening and stayed to H.C. very nice service. Tender driven into ditch on way back — bitterly cold.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker
'To tea with No 1 [squadron]. The Hun [i.e., the aircraft shot down by the squadron in the morning's engagement] fought jolly well and was Lt Voss who had got 17 of our machines. Lecture na poo. Read in evening. Great show tomorrow.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker Print: Book
'Brekker in bed! Bon! Up at 11.30 — down town and bought some things. Read and drew in the afternoon. To dance at Dr Lawrie's in evening: 8.30 to 1.45. Quite bon show. My dancing dud full of Australians. One V.C. there. Girls not very pretty.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker Print: Book
'To see "Ching Lee Soo" with whole family at 6 p.m. Very bon show. Read and wrote letters after dinner. Gally in to dine. Raining.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker Print: Book
'Tea with the Wilkinsons ... pretty appalling! Not to Church in evening. Read and had prayers.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker Print: Book
'Got C.O.'s car at Omer at 10.30. Arrived 65 at 12.30, foggy. Patrol out but got lost. Shanks & Kennedy crashed. OK.
Read in afternoon and played new records. Down town with Jack in evening. Bed at 10 — awfully cold. Room in an awful state.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker Print: Book
'Foggy all day. Down for patrol but no bon. Read in Mess all day. Wrote letters. Beastly cold.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker Print: Book
'Dud all day. No flying ... Did nothing, but read and smoke. Bed early.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker Print: Book
'Dud for patrols all day. Wind and low clouds. Read and smoked. 15 guests for dinner! Cinema after. I read and stayed in Peacock's room. Bed early.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker Print: Book
'High wind and low clouds. No patrols at all. Rugger v Australian team in afternoon. Won 7–6. Ripping game. Read and wrote letters in evening.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker
'Read and played bridge in evening. Lost 18 fr. Beastly cold, no patrol.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker
'Read and smoked (beaucoup) in evening. Bed at 11.00.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker
'Dud and no patrols all day. Read and smoked. Dinner in Pop. [Poperinge] with Jack.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker
'Too dud for O.P.'s. Did reserve patrol in afternoon. Went up to Belgian aerodrome to see the [captured German] Gotha [bomber].
Church in morning. Read in evening.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker
'9 Albs. [German Albatros scouts] came and sat above us but did not attack me. Attacked Symons.
Walked down town with Major Howe after tea. Read and wrote letters in evening.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker
'Pretty dud. No patrols ... Read in evening. Belgian Hanriot over.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker
'Strong East wind and no flying.
Read and smoked all day.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker
'In bed all day. Read and smoked. Talked rot to the T.wire most of the time. About time I went home, the Day sister hates me! ... Leg rather sore.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker
'In bed all day. Dad and Mum came in the afternoon, Great. Nickie and Northwood called after. Read and smoked all day. Played bridge. Huns have got Messines ... this is awful!'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker
'In bed all day. Elsie in afternoon. Read and smoked all day.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker
'Fall of Wythschaete and Meteren. Back to our old line on the ridge. In bed all day. Gin and Kathleen and Cousin Aggie in afternoon. Read and smoked all day.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker
'To Cinema with girl in afternoon, quite good fun. Back at 6.15. Read and smoked and talked in evening.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker
'Down town with Dad. Mess about on bike all day and read and smoked in garden. Leg rather sore.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker
'Brian flew over. Kirk in p.m. I did not go as leg pretty sore. Read poems in afternoon, felt rotten at night.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker Print: Book
'V quiet all day, rested leg. Read and sketched most of the time.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker
'Sketched and read all day. Leg rather sore — did not dash about much.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker
'Uncle Jack came down for lunch. To dentist in afternoon. Read and smoked all day. Saw Uncle J. off. Read in evening.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker Print: Book
'Better. Read a bit and smoked a bit. Head still bad. Bed all day.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker Print: Book
'Better. Read and wrote and smoked all day.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker Print: Book
'Discharged from Hospital. No word from the Air Board ... Swept paths etc and read and smoked. Chilly day rather. Mum bad gout in foot.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker Print: Book
'Read and played croquet in evening.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker Print: Book
'Raining hard nearly all day. Down town with Mum in morning and then sat and read and smoked in front of fire.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Guy Mainwaring Knocker Print: Book
'Went for a long run this afternoon; tonight I am "lazing" in front of a fire with a pipe, a book, and two or three friends.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Douglas Herbert Bell Print: Book
'I have been happier lately. [The other soldiers] have not called me "College" for a long time, and they do not interfere when I try to read.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Reginald Hugh Kiernan Print: Book
'Sun. Reading cursed strike in Wales.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: William Thomas
'I had very little leisure time to lie with mother but read in the evening.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Anne Jenkins
'I hope you are well, and are finding some solace in your duties. You must
find it hard to console aliens in England. They probably love England, and
now they are aliens indeed. There was a letter in the Northcliffe Times not
long ago from a lady who would make Bach an alien, a difficult job … You
spoke of the Jewish persecution by the Russians. The English papers are
allowed to speak of it now; at least there was a strong condemnation in a
book-review in the Daily News … The Times published a special supplement
of War-Poems on Monday. Did you see it? I think Hardy’s poem [“Song of
the Soldiers”) is most likely to survive. It stirs me much more than it first
did. On route marches now to occupy my mind, I am learning Wordsworth’s
Sonnetts and the first lines of Paradise Lost, for which I can find no praise.
It is too colossal. Too Bach-like.’
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Ivor Bertie Gurney Print: Newspaper
‘Lying in my dugout or funkhole the other day, I became too bored to read
serious stuff, or write letters; so turning my attention to the few filthy
magazines strewn around, left by the last visitants, I became aware of a
thrilling boys tale of 3 scouts who apparently played the very deuce and all
with the Germans. It was so absolutely unlike the real thing that I read
quite a lot of it, and laughed a great deal.’
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Ivor Bertie Gurney Print: Serial / periodical
‘Here’s a part of our Hut of 30. [Owen had sent a postcard showing the camp
enclosed with the letter.] I slaved for them, all Sunday as Orderly—never
thought myself capable of such strenuosities as to do skivvy’s drudgery from
6.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m! … Great thanks for the Book. I read one page when the
lights went out!’
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Wilfred Owen Print: Book
‘We had Church Parade this morning. One Major read the Lesson and another
played the organ. This afternoon I have been reading a book which I just
received from Leslie.’
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Wilfred Owen Print: Book
‘We have to go back to Camp on Monday! There are a number of Tents now
standing: perhaps for us! I have not been to Hornchurch this Afternoon, but
finding a well-furnished Room over a Tea Shop here vacant (of all but sleeping
Artists), there remained; and, on the strength of Coffee, read, the whole
Afternoon.’
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Wilfred Owen Print: Book
‘At the first Ambulance I arrived at in the Car, a Corporal came up to me
with a staid air of sleepy dignity that seemed somehow familiar. And when
he began to enter in a Note Book my name & age, we knew each other. It
was old Hartop of the Technical! [Shrewsbury Technical School.] Bystanding
Tommies were astounded at our fraternity. For the Good Old Sort brought
back in an instant all the days of study in Shrewsbury, and the years that
were better than these, or any years to come. Although married, as you
may know to one of the girls who acted with me at the Socials, he has not
grown up any more since the last term at the P.T.C. He was reading the
same old books that we “did” there. I was jolly glad to see them again, &
to borrow. For he has nothing particular to do but read on his present job
of Pack Store Corporal in the R.A.M.C.’
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Wilfred Owen Print: Book
'Rested all morning. Read "Times" and rested again
after lunch.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Verena Vera Pennefather Print: Newspaper
we walked into the church which is a good deal painted over, and soon discovered the pictures of Brea. Murray tells us he is not an old master, yet his style appeared to me to belong to an early period.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Susan Horner Print: Book
Raguana who, apart from Fatima, had the most outstanding personality in the harem. She was taller than most Hadhrami women, with a good figure and the striking looks of a film star, which she might well have been had she grown up in another environment for she also had a most compelling, deep voice. As the only one in the harem who could read we often listened entranced while she spoke the words of the Quran.
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Raguana
Raguana who, apart from Fatima, had the most outstanding personality in the harem. She was taller than most Hadhrami women, with a good figure and the striking looks of a film star, which she might well have been had she grown up in another environment for she also had a most compelling, deep voice. As the only one in the harem who could read we often listened entranced while she spoke the words of the Quran.
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Doreen Ingrams
'We had spent many an evening in Teheran, poring
over maps and discussing our journey across the
Bakthiari country. It had not been easy to get
information; the maps were most inadequate; there
seemed to be no books in Teheran available on the
subject of more recent date than Sir Henry
Layard's, which related an expedition undertaken
in 1840, nor were there any Europeans in Teheran
who had travelled over the Bakhtiari Road. We had
to rely on a few letters, none of which were very
reassuring. A young officer in the Indian Army
wrote that he had never been so exhausted in his
life, and other accounts spoke of precipices and
crazy bridges, and swirling rivers to ford, - all
of which, save for the wail about exhaustion,
proved to be completely misleading.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Vita Sackville-West
'It was a change to spend such a lazy day. We read
the Apocrypha, I remember, and wandered a little,
but not very far afield, not much further than the
spring where we refilled our water bottles [...]
we talked with a wandering dervish, who strayed up
to our camp carrying a sort of sceptre, surmounted
by the extended hand of Ali in shining brass; we
listened to a blind man chanting an interminable
poem about hazrat-i-isa (his Majesty Jesus); we
watched the procession of women going to the
spring.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Vita Sackville-West Print: Book
'It was a change to spend such a lazy day. We read
the Apocrypha, I remember, and wandered a little,
but not very far afield, not much further than the
spring where we refilled our water bottles [...]
we talked with a wandering dervish, who strayed up
to our camp carrying a sort of sceptre, surmounted
by the extended hand of Ali in shining brass; we
listened to a blind man chanting an interminable
poem about hazrat-i-isa (his Majesty Jesus); we
watched the procession of women going to the
spring.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Vita Sackville-West
What a bloody world we are living in! To read the
papers makes one quite sick and here one cannot
help feeling that the horror over poor little
Dollfuss is largely mixed with eagerness over the
excellent excuse for waving flags on the Brenner.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Freya Stark Print: Newspaper
'I would not, I could not, give up the rides and
rambles that took up so much of my time, but I
would try to overcome my disinclination to serious
reading. There were plenty of books in the house —
it was always a puzzle to me how we came to have
so many. I was familiar with their appearance on
the shelves — they had been before me since I
first opened my eyes — their shape, size, colours,
even their titles, and that was all I knew about
them. A general Natural History and two little
works by James Rennie on the habits and faculties
of birds was all the literature suited to my wants
in the entire collection of three or four hundred
volumes. For the rest I had read a few story-books
and novels: but we had no novels; when one came
into the house it would be read and lent to our
next neighbour five or six miles away, and he in
turn would lend to another twenty miles further
on, until it disappeared into space'. I made a
beginning with Rollin's "Ancient History" in two
huge quarto volumes; I fancy it was the large
clear type and numerous plates [...] that
determined my choice. Rollin the good old
priest, opened a new, wonderful world to me, and
instead of the tedious task I feared the reading
would prove,it was as delightful as it had
formerly been to listen to my brother's endless
histories of imaginary heroes and their wars and
adventures. Still athirst for history, after
finishing Rollin I began fingering other works of
that kind: there was Whiston's "Josephus", too
ponderous a book to be held in the hands when read
out of doors; and there was Gibbon in six stately
volumes. I was not yet able to appreciate the lofty
artificial style, and soon fell upon something
better suited to my boyish taste in letters - a
"History of Christianity" in, I think, sixteen or
eighteen volumes of a convenient size. [...] These
biographies sent me to another old book, "Leland
on Revelation", which told me much I was curious
to know about the mythologies and systems of
philosophy of the ancients [...]. Next came
Carlyle's "French Revolution", and at last Gibbon,
and I was still deep in the "Decline and Fall"
when disaster came to us, my father was
practically ruined.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: William Henry Hudson Print: Book
I have found what I hope is an unknown and useful
manuscript of local history and am copying it out.
It has a nice miracle recorded. Someone made fun
of a holy man at his prayers: the holy man,
without turning round or interrupting his
devotions for one instant, turned the scoffer's
face into the face of a pig.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Freya Stark Manuscript: Unknown
The day's finds have been brought in, all the
diggers so excited they rushed in with them to
show me on my roof. There was a sort of communal
grave with about six skulls and the pottery very
rough, very like what they make to-day - a
pathetic little pot with the word 'MAT' - 'he
died' in Himyaritic letters.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Freya Stark Manuscript: Graffito, inscription on pottery
'I have now had your manuscript for some days and have read it with a great deal of interest.'
Thence follows a page and a half of constructive and gentle criticism to this unidentified writer, and
an invitation to visit if on holiday in France.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Ford Madox Ford Manuscript: Unknown
