'I have cast up my reading account, and brought it to the end of the year 1835. During the last thirteen months I have read Aeschylus twice; Sophocles twice; Euripides once; Pindar twice; Callimachus; Apollonius Rhodius; Quintus Calaber; Theocritus twice; Herodotus; Thucydides; almost all Xenophon?s works; almost all Plato; Aristotle s Politics, and a good deal of his Organon, besides dipping elsewhere in him; the whole of Plutarch?s Lives; about half of Lucian; two or three books of Athenaeus; Plautus twice; Terence twice; Lucretius twice; Catullus; Tibullus; Propertius; Lucan; Statius; Silius Italicus; Livy; Velleius Paterculus; Sallust; Caesar; and, lastly, Cicero. I have, indeed, still a little of Cicero left; but I shall finish him in a few days. I am now deep in Aristophanes and Lucian.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay Print: Book
'I have cast up my reading account, and brought it to the end of the year 1835. [?] During the last thirteen months I have read Aeschylus twice; Sophocles twice; Euripides once; Pindar twice; Callimachus; Apollonius Rhodius; Quintus Calaber; Theocritus twice; Herodotus; Thucydides; almost all Xenophon?s works; almost all Plato; Aristotle?s Politics, and a good deal of his Organon, besides dipping elsewhere in him; the whole of Plutarch?s Lives; about half of Lucian; two or three books of Athenaeus; Plautus twice; Terence twice; Lucretius twice; Catullus; Tibullus; Propertius; Lucan; Statius; Silius Italicus; Livy; Velleius Paterculus; Sallust; Caesar; and, lastly, Cicero. I have, indeed, still a little of Cicero left; but I shall finish him in a few days. I am now deep in Aristophanes and Lucian.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay Print: Book
Very busy today. Reading Aeschylus & learning the verb τύπτω.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Print: Book
We [Barrett and Hugh Stuart Boyd] talked comparatively about Homer, Aeschylus & Shakespeare: and positively about Aeschylus's Prometheus ? Praises of the speech in the Medea.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Print: Book
We [Barrett and Hugh Stuart Boyd] talked comparatively about Homer, Aeschylus & Shakespeare: and positively about Aeschylus's Prometheus ? Praises of the speech in the Medea.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Print: Book
Finished the Hippolytus, - & began the Supllices of Aeschylus. I read a part of it before; but I have left off now my partial habits of reading.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Print: Book
Finished the Choephori, & began the Eumenides. Read more than 500 lines of Greek, & was more tired by them than by the 800 the other day, because I met with more difficulties.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Print: Book
Finished the Choephori, & began the Eumenides. Read more than 500 lines of Greek, & was more tired by them than by the 800 the other day, because I met with more difficulties.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Print: Book
Byron's "Detached Thoughts" (15 October 1821-18 May 1822), on Harrow master Dr. Drury: 'My first Harrow verses (that is English as exercises) a translation of a Chorus from "the Prometheus" of Aeschylus -- were received by him but coolly ...'
Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron Print: BookManuscript: Letter
'Read Aeschylus before breakfast'.
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud.] Print: BookManuscript: Unknown
'Finished the Agamemnon, 2nd time.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud.] Print: BookManuscript: Unknown
'Vol 1 containing Prometheus Chain'd, The Supplicants, The Seven Chiefs against Thebes.
'Vol 2 Agamemnon.
N.B. A Speech of Cassandra. This is the state of man: in prosperous fortune. a shadow passing light, throws to the ground joys baseless. fabrie. in a [?] come malice with a sponge moistened in gall, and wipes each beauteous character away. More than the first, this melts me soul to pity.
The Choephora. bringing libations for the tomb; from whence the play received its name.
The Furies.
The Persians. [Quotes part of a speech by Aeossa (?)] "Who ever my friends, in the rough stream of life hath struggled with affliction... that gale shall allways breath."'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Frances Hamilton Print: Book
[italics]'Euripides qto edition - Aeschylus - Sophocles'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley Print: Book
'Read Miss E[dgesworth]'s Harrington and ormond - Arthur Mervyn - S. reads the Agamemnon of Aeschylus'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley Print: Book
'S goes to Egham - he reads Aeschylus and tavels in the kingdom of Caubul - read Rasselas - make jellies and work'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley Print: Book
'S. finishes the plays of Aeschylus - finishes the Hist. of Caubul - writes - reads three chap. of Gibbon aloud'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley Print: Book
'S. reads the Persae of Aeschylus & Eustace's travels'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley Print: Book
'[Shelley] finishes reading Isaiah to me & begins Jeremiah - He reads Las Casas on the Indies - Eschylus & Athenaeus'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley Print: Book
'S. reads fragments of Aeschylus'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley Print: Book
'After wandering about in a kind of pleasing distraction for some time, I got into a corner, with Johnson, Garrick, and Harris. GARRICK: (to Harris.) "Pray, Sir, have you read Potter's Aeschylus?" HARRIS. "Yes; and think it pretty." GARRICK. (to Johnson.) "And what think you, Sir, of it?" JOHNSON. "I thought what I read of it verbiage: but upon Mr. Harris's recommendation, I will read a play. (To Mr. Harris.) Don't prescribe two." Mr. Harris suggested one, I do not remember which. JOHNSON. "We must try its effect as an English poem; that is the way to judge of the merit of a translation. Translations are, in general, for people who cannot read the original." I mentioned the vulgar saying, that Pope's Homer was not a good representation of the original. JOHNSON."Sir, it is the greatest work of the kind that has ever been produced" BOSWELL. "The truth is, it is impossible perfectly to translate poetry. In a different language it may be the same tune, but it has not the same tone. Homer plays it on a bassoon; Pope on a flagelet".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Mr Harris Print: Book
'After wandering about in a kind of pleasing distraction for some time, I got into a corner, with Johnson, Garrick, and Harris. GARRICK: (to Harris.) "Pray, Sir, have you read Potter's Aeschylus?" HARRIS. "Yes; and think it pretty." GARRICK. (to Johnson.) "And what think you, Sir, of it?" JOHNSON. "I thought what I read of it verbiage: but upon Mr. Harris's recommendation, I will read a play. (To Mr. Harris.) Don't prescribe two." Mr. Harris suggested one, I do not remember which. JOHNSON. "We must try its effect as an English poem; that is the way to judge of the merit of a translation. Translations are, in general, for people who cannot read the original." I mentioned the vulgar saying, that Pope's Homer was not a good representation of the original. JOHNSON."Sir, it is the greatest work of the kind that has ever been produced" BOSWELL. "The truth is, it is impossible perfectly to translate poetry. In a different language it may be the same tune, but it has not the same tone. Homer plays it on a bassoon; Pope on a flagelet".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Johnson Print: Book
'1: August 1779.] Johnson has been diverting himself with imitating Potter's Aeschylus in a translation of some verses of Euripides - he has translated them seriously besides, & given them to Burney for his history of Musick. here are the Burlesque ones - but they are a [italics] Caricatura [end italics] of Potter whose Verses are obscure enough too. [the verses are given] Poor Potter! he does write strange unintelligible Verses to be sure, but I think none as bad as these neither'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Hester Lynch Thrale Print: Book
'1: August 1779.] Johnson has been diverting himself with imitating Potter's Aeschylus in a translation of some verses of Euripides - he has translated them seriously besides, & given them to Burney for his history of Musick. here are the Burlesque ones - but they are a [italics] Caricatura [end italics] of Potter whose Verses are obscure enough too. [the verses are given] Poor Potter! he does write strange unintelligible Verses to be sure, but I think none as bad as these neither'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Johnson Print: Book
'[Mrs Ward's average day at Stocks began] at 5.30 a.m, with the reading of Greek, or writing of letters, or much reading, for the reading of many books was still her greatest solace and delight. "For reading, I have been deep in Emile Faguet's "Dix-huitieme siecle", she wrote to Mrs Creighton in August, 1908, "comparing some of the essays in it with Sainte-Beuve, the reactionary with the Liberal; reading Raleigh's Wordsworth, and Homer and Horace as usual. If I could only give three straight months to Greek now I should be able to read most things easily, but I never get time enough - and there are breaks when one forgets what one knew before".
Greek literature meant more and more to her as the years went on, and though she could give so little time to it, the half-hour before breakfast which she devoted, with her husband, to Homer, or Euripides, or the "Agamemnon", became gradually more precious to her than any other fraction of the day'.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Augusta Ward Print: Book
'The rest of the evening was devoted to a play-reading. Gilbert Murray's translation of The Agamemnon had been selected. The following took part.
Chorus & Elders H.M. Wallis
Watchman & Elder C.E. Stansfield
Herald R.H. Robson
Aigisthos H.R. Smith
Cassandra Mrs Unwin
Cytemnestra [sic] Eliot Wallis instead of Miss B.S.
Agamemnon E.E. Unwin
For the ordinary member some introduction & description of the Greek Drama would have added to the interest of the evening. Probably those who were reading enjoyed it more than those who had to listen.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Members of the XII Book Club Print: Book
‘[ … ]they have made me billet warden, which sounds grand, and is grand;
as it leaves me time and enough to spare for reading. No new books can
come to me now, as my finances have dwindled down to 20 centimes; 2d,
quatre sous. No Petit Journal or Telegramme (the local authority) after
today. However, when I was in the full tide of opulence with ten francs, I
chanced on a little bookshop with little 10 and 15 centime editions of
Moliere, De Vigny, Voltaire, etc. … I am just enjoying "Prometheus Bound" in
a French Translation; in prose—an excellent way to read Greek
masterpieces, if only the translation is faithful. Aeschylus is certainly a
person of great power; but what is Prometheus a symbol of? Tell me if you
can. Is it a forerunner of the Christ idea?’
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Ivor Bertie Gurney Print: Book
Diary entry, 14 June 1831:
"He [Mr. Boyd] was not in good spirits. No more was his companion – I talked however as well
as I could, - & read as well as I could besides, out of the Septem Apud Thebas, which I began
today in his Porson’s edition. Read 78 lines. I do like reading with him"
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Browning Print: Book
Diary entry, 14 June 1831:
"While we were reading the Seven Chiefs, he observed that tho’ Plutarch preferred it to the
other Tragedies of Aeschylus, he could not help believing it inferior to the Agamemnon. “It is
however very long since I read this tragedy; & now I shall be able to judge better”. The “now”
made me sigh. Is there any change of his reading it thro’ with me, now?"
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Browning Print: Book
Diary entry, June 15, 1831:
"The Cliffes brought me The Seven Chiefs which Mrs. Best had ordered from Worcester at my
request; and I have been reading over again what I read with him yesterday, & writing in the
margin such remarks of his as I could remember. The last day’s reading with him, must soon
come, even if it be not past – but I cant bear to think that!"
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Browning Print: Book
Diary entry, June 16, 1831:
"I heard Stormy & Georgie read Homer & Xenophon – as usual, – tho’ I have not yet
commemorated them here -& I prepared a part of the first choral ode of the Seven Chiefs for Mr.
Boyd. He seemed to wish me to “sound dreadful note of preparation” before I read Aeschylus
with him in future; as in this way, the benefit to myself is likely to be greater".
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Browning Print: Book
Diary entry, June 21, 1831:
"Well – but we began to read the Seven Chiefs out of Blomfield’s edition; & were very happy."
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Browning Print: Book
Diary entry, June 24, 1831:
"Afterwards we returned to Mr. Boyd’s own room, & read Aeschylus again. We read the scene
after the first chorus of the Seven Chief, & both of us abused it. I had abused it before reading
it with him; & he, from indistant recollections, had taken it’s part; but by this co-reading our
opinions became united. While I was reading, I observed the closing of eyes & imperfect
attention –what he calls “his heaviness” coming on. I may be wrong; but I cant help thinking
that if he were much interested, he wd. not suffer in this way. I thought so yesterday, till my
voice absolutely trembled. I may be wrong. When the reading was over, we talked of the
Knowles’s"
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Browning Print: Book
Diary entry, June 25, 1831:
"Read Aeschylus – the part I read yesterday, -& wrote down all that I cd. remember of Mr.
Boyd’s saying upon it."
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Browning Print: Book
Diary entry. February 2nd, 1832: "A little of the Prometheus tonight"
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Browning Print: Book
Diary entry. February 3rd, 1832: "While he was asleep, I went on with my Prometheus."
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Browning Print: Book
Diary entry. February 4th, 1832: "A lovely day! – Busy with my Prometheus. I have finished the
370th line. Reading what I have written to Bro who approves very much indeed. If I publish it, I
will also publish a preliminary essay which might be made very critical & interesting"
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Browning Print: Book
Diary entry. February 6th, 1832: "Hard at work at the Prometheus. Finished the translation of
lines. Who cd. write in a diary after that?"
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Browning Print: Book
Diary entry. February 7th, 1832: "Translated a hundred lines of Aeschylus. Up & at work both
today & yesterday before breakfast"
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Browning Print: Book
Diary entry. February 8th, 1832: "Up before breakfast, at — Finished another hundred, in spite
of Mrs. Trant & Mr. Curzon"
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Browning Print: Book
Diary entry. February 11th, 1832: "Intended to have finished the Prometheus today. Not
possible"
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Browning Print: Book
Diary entry. February 14th, 1832: "The Prometheus not finished after all"
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Browning Print: Book
Diary entry. February 15th, 1832: "I have finished my translation. lines of Aeschylus translated
in a fortnight. I think I am satisfied — tolerably satisfied. But the original is too magnificent for
translation."
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Browning Print: Book
Diary entry. March 5th, 1832: "As soon as I cd. get into Mr. Boyd’s room, I went there. He
made me read his preface & some additional translations. He had had my extracts read to
him. After some verbal criticisms, he observed with regard to the blank verses that some of
the lines were beautiful, some poor: a circumstance for which he did not so much blame me,
as Aeschylus. I could not be otherwise in any literal translation of the Prometheus. With
regard to the lyrical portion of the extracts, they seemed to him “rather poo”, considering they
were my writing –but then “the short time you were in writing them”! – He asked me to let
him have some other extracts –the speech about Typhon*, & another choral ode, -but he did
not press me, so I need not presser. “ anything [been] fixed about your going away?” No
indeed! — nothing! "
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Browning Print: Book
Diary entry. July 16th, 1831: "After dinner we had a little more of the Seven Chiefs; & I heard
him recite some of the Prometheus; & then we talked; and at half past 7 I went away. "
Unknown
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Diary entry. August 4th, 1831: "After nearly 3 quarters of an hour, Mrs. Boyd advised me to go
in to him. I went. Heard him repeat some passages from Aeschylus, which he was not clear (…)
about. I could not help it. The tears rolled down my cheeks. They should not injure him — not
even by blistering his book: so they were wiped away very quickly. Perhaps this was the last
time of our being together!"
Unknown
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Diary entry. October 18th, 1831: "From thence I went in to Mr. Boyd who had breakfasted. I
spent a happy day with him, hearing him repeat passages from the Prometheus, & conversing"
Unknown
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Diary entry. October 20th, 1831: "Was in Mr. Boyd’s room before nine. Heard him say over the
passages in the Prometheus"
Unknown
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Except Shakespeare, who grew from childhood as
part of myself, nearly every classic has come with
this same shock of almost intolerable enthusiasm:
Virgil, Sophocles, Aeschylus and Dante, Chaucer
and Milton and Goethe, Leopardi and Racine, Plato
and Pascal and St Augustine, they have appeared,
widely scattered through the years, every one like
a 'rock in a thirsty land', that makes the world
look different in its shadow.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Freya Stark Print: Unknown
