'Our parents had accumulated a large number of books, which we were allowed to browse in as much as we liked.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Vivian (Molly) Hughes Print: Book
'Philip Inman conveyed a ... specific sense of the uses of literacy for an early Labour MP. The son of a widowed charwoman, he bought up all the cheap reprints he could afford and kept notes on fifty-eight of them... There were Emerson's essays, Ruskin's Sesame and Lilies, Holmes's Autocrat of the Breakfast Table, Lamb's Essays of Elia, classic biogaphies (Boswell on Johnson, Lockhart on Scott, Carlyle on Sterling), several Waverley novels, Wuthering Heights, Don Quixote, Robinson Crusoe, Pilgrim's Progress, The Imitation of Christ, Shakespeare's sonnets, Tennyson, Browning, William Morris and Palgrave's Golden Treasury.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Philip Inman Print: Book
'Percy Wall, jailed for defying draft notices in the First World War, was inspired in part by a copy of Queen Mab owned by his father, a Marxist railway worker. But neither father nor son applied ideological tests to literature. In the prison library - with some guidance from a fellow conscientious objector who happened to be an important publishing executive - Percy discovered Emerson, Macaulay, Bacon, Shakespeare and Lamb. It was their style rather than their politics he found liberating: from them "I learned self-expression and acquired or strengthened standards of literature".'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Wall Print: Book
'[Chaim Lewis] enthusiastically embraced the literature of an alien culture - "the daffodils of Herrick and Wordsworth... the whimsey of Lamb and the stirring rhythmic tales of the Ballads" and, yes, "the wry eloquence of Shylock".'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Chaim Lewis Print: Book
'As one participant recalled, "Many exceptional debates come back to mind on such subjects as Jane Austen, Charles Lamb, Victorian Novelists, George Eliot, Meredith, Pepys and the Navy, Frederick the Great, Wordsworth, Shelley, Napoleon, where the speaking was of high level and the debating power considerable."'
Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Ladies' Edinburgh Debating Society Print: Book
'every day Spike Mays ran to his East Anglia school, where he studied "Robinson Crusoe", "Gulliver's Travels" and "Tales from Shakespeare".'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Spike Mays Print: Book
Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Saturday 4 October 1800: 'A ... rather showery and gusty, morning ... Read a part of Lamb's play.'
Unknown
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth
'Theodore Watts-Dunton remembers Algernon Swinburne's fondness for reading aloud during his last years at Watts-Dunton's home: "... he would read for the hour together from Dickens, Lamb, Charles Reade and Thackeray."'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Algernon Swinburne Print: Unknown
'[Davies said] "Before I was twelve I had developed an appreciation of good prose, and the Bible created in me a zest for literature", propelling him directly to Lamb, Hazlitt's Essays and Ruskin's The Crown of Wild Olives. Later... he joined the library committee of the Miners' Institute in Maesteg, made friends with the librarian, and advised him on acquisitions. Thus he could read all the books he wanted: Marx, Smith, Ricardo, Mill, Marshall, economic and trade union history, Fabian Essays, Thomas Hardy, Meredith, Kipling and Dickens'.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: D.R. Davies Print: Book
'Nottinghamshire collier G.A.W. Tomlinson volunteered for repair shifts on weekends, when he could earn time-and-a-half and read on the job. On Sundays, "I sat there on my toolbox, half a mile from the surface, one mile from the nearest church and seemingly hundreds of miles from God, reading the Canterbury Tales, Lamb's Essays, Darwin's Origin of Species, Wilde's Ballad of Reading Gaol, or anything that I could manage to get hold of". That could be hazardous: once, when he should have been minding a set of rail switches, he was so absorbed in Goldsmith's The Deserted Village that he allowed tubs full of coal to crash into empties'.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: G.A.W. Tomlinson Print: Book
'Growing up in Lyndhurst after the First World War, R.L. Wild regularly read aloud to his marginally literate grandmother and his completely illiterate grandfather - and it was his grandparents who selected the books... "I shall never understand how this choice was made. Until I started reading to them they had no more knowledge of English literature than a Malay Aborigine... I suppose it was their very lack of knowledge that made the choice, from "Quo Vadis" at eight, Rider Haggard's "She" at nine. By the time I was twelve they had come to know, intimately, a list of authors ranging from Shakespeare to D.H. Lawrence. All was grist to the mill (including Elinor Glyn). The classics, poetry, essays, belles lettres. We took them all in MY stride. At times we stumbled on gems that guided us to further riches. I well remember the Saturday night they brought home "The Essays of Elia". For months afterwards we used it as our roadmap...".'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: R.L. Wild Print: Book
'Spent the day reading Lamb [for Higher School Certificate Eng. Lit]. Have decided that if I read an author each fortnight I might manage to finish (by February) "The Age of Wordsworth"'.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding Print: Book
'Spent the day reading Lamb [for Higher School Certificate Eng. Lit]. Have decided that if I read an author each fortnight I might manage to finish (by February) "The Age of Wordsworth"'.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding Print: Book
'In my hours of leisure I read the works of Mr Charles Lamb, Mr Holcroft's memoirs, and the "Life of General Washington".'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carter Print: Book
'Read, in the Athenaeum, an interesting article on Bishop Colenso's (of Natal), Letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury on the toleration of Polygamy in converts to Christianity. In the evening read the "Monks of the West".'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud.] Print: Book
Harriet Martineau, Journal, 24 September 1837: 'Revelled in Lamb's letters. What an exquisite specimen is that man of our noble, wonderful, frail humanity!'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Harriet Martineau Print: Book
Sir John Hammerton looking back on his early days in Glasgow when he left school and became a correspondence clerk, he said of Cassell's Library "What an Aladdin's cave it proved to me! Addison, Goldsmith, Bacon, Steele, DeQuincey ..., Charles Lamb. Macaulay and many scores of others whom old Professor Morley introduced to me -- what a joy of life I obtained from these, and how greatly they made life worth living!"
Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Sir John Hammerton Print: Book
'Our syllabus was large, covering at least twelve set books: two plays of Shakespeare's, two volumes of Milton and two of Keats; Chaucer, Sheridan, Lamb, Scott's "Old Mortality" and the first book of "The Golden Treasury", with its marvellous pickings of Coleridge, Shelly, Byron and, especially, Wordsworth, which excited me, at that age, more than any other poetry written.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Norman Nicholson Print: Book
'Read Lambs specimens.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley Print: Book
'read Dante - finish Lambs specimens. walk to Mr Olliers. read Zapolya'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley Print: Book
Elizabeth Barrrett to Lady Margaret Cocks, 19 August 1837:
'Has your Ladyship seen Lamb's letters, in Mr Talfourd's edition? I quite [italics]sighed[end
italics] when I finished them. They are exquisite -- & the "gentle-hearted Charles" [quotes
Coleridge] shows in them all his gentle heart, together with his very quaint sly brilliant (as
[italics]star[end italics]light) fancies.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Print: Book
'Read Lambs Specimens'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley Print: Book
'All I can say at all likely to give you any pleasure is, that I read poor dear Charles Lamb's Memoirs and Letters with the utmost delight; & not the less so for seeing such continual allusions to one "H.C. Robinson". Do you know such a person? And my dear brother James too, and kind-hearted Martin - these reminiscences were very pleasant to me. But of Lamb himself - what an affectionate disposition - what originality, what true wit, & what a singular, and I must say, melancholy combination of the truest & warmest piety, with the most extraordinary and irreverent profaneness. I cannot understand the union of two such opposites: but I believe there have been many other instances of it. Amongst fools who may take up the work, the oaths and the levity might do harm, & therefore I regret their insertion: but those who knew him, can only regret, & love him [underlined] notwithstanding [ end underlining].'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Sarah Harriet Burney Print: Book
'I send you some verses which I read in the Examiner; I think them very witty, although very abominable'. [What follows is Charle's Lamb's poem, 'The Triumph of the Whale':
Io! Paean! Io! sing
To the funny people's King.
Not a mightier whale than this
In the vast Atlantic is;
Not a fatter fish than he
Flounders round the polar sea.
See his blubbers--at his gills
What a world of drink he swills,
From his trunk, as from a spout,
Which next moment he pours out.
Such his person--next declare,
Muse, who his companions are.--
Every fish of generous kind
Scuds aside, or slinks behind;
But about his presence keep
All the Monsters of the Deep;
Mermaids, with their tails and singing
His delighted fancy stinging;
Crooked Dolphins, they surround him,
Dog-like Seals, they fawn around him.
Following hard, the progress mark
Of the intolerant salt sea shark.
For his solace and relief,
Flat fish are his courtiers chief.
Last and lowest in his train,
Ink-fish (libellers of the main)
Their black liquor shed in spite:
(Such on earth the things _that write_.)
In his stomach, some do say,
No good thing can ever stay.
Had it been the fortune of it
To have swallowed that old Prophet,
Three days there he'd not have dwell'd,
But in one have been expell'd.
Hapless mariners are they,
Who beguil'd (as seamen say),
Deeming him some rock or island,
Footing sure, safe spot, and dry land,
Anchor in his scaly rind;
Soon the difference they find;
Sudden plumb, he sinks beneath them;
Does to ruthless seas bequeath them.
Name or title what has he?
Is he Regent of the Sea?
From this difficulty free us,
Buffon, Banks or sage Linnaeus.
With his wondrous attributes
Say what appellation suits.
By his bulk, and by his size,
By his oily qualities,
This (or else my eyesight fails),
This should be the PRINCE OF WHALES].
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Matthew Lewis Print: Serial / periodical
'Miss Jewsbury lay on the floor and read half through the Essays of Elia and called our drawing room "such an ugly room in which we should always be unhappy".'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Miss Jewsbury Print: Book
'I think she thought I was French as I was reading the "Matin". But when I picked up Lamb which was obviously an English book, she began throwing out leading questions.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Harold Nicolson Print: Book
'Your mention of Hawthorne puts me in mind to tell you what rabid [underlined] admirers we
are of his [...] There is no prose write of the present day I have half the interest in I have in
him, his style, in my mind is so beautifully refined and there is such exquisite pathos and
quaint humour, and such an awfully [underlined] deep knowledge of human nature, not that
hard unloving detestable, and, as it is purely one sided (or wrong [underlined] sided) false
reading of it that one finds in Thackeray. He reminds me in many things of Charles Lamb, and
of heaps of our rare old English humourists, with their deep pathetic nature--and one faculty
he possesses beyond any writer I remember (not dramatic, for then I would certainly
remember Shakespeare, and others on further though perhaps) viz. that of exciting you to the
highest pitch without on any [underlined] occasion that I am aware of making you feel by his
catastrophe ashamed of having been excited. What I mean is, if you have ever read it, such a
case as occurs in the "Mysteries of Udolpho" where your disgust is beyond all expression on
finding that all your fright about the ghostly creature that has haunted you throughout the
volumes has been caused by a pitiful wax image! [...] And no Author I know does [underlined]
try to work upon them [i.e. the passions] more, apparently with no [underlined] effort to
himself. I cannot satisfy myself as to whether I like his sort of Essays contained in the twice
told tales best, or his more finished works such as Blithedale romance. Every touch he adds to
any character gives a higher interest to it, so that I should like the longer ones best, but there
is a concentration of excellence in the shorter things and passages that strike, in force like
daggers, in their beauty and truth, so that I generally end in liking that best which I have read
last [...] There are beautiful passages in Longfellow, above all, as far as my knowledge goes
in the Golden Legend, some of which in a single reading impressed themselves on my
memory.'
Unknown
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Margaret De Quincey
Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 12 November 1797: 'I know that our tastes differ much in poetry. & yet I think you must like these lines by Charles Lamb. I believe you know his history — & the dreadful death of his mother'. Southey then quotes several lines beginning: 'Thou shouldst have longer lived, & to the grave...'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
'The meeting at Ingleside on May 20th was of a very pleasant character, in that among other reasons it was devoted to the works of Charles Lamb. Papers were read by Miss Goadby and C.E. Stansfield and readings were given by Miss Pollard, Mrs Rawlings, Mrs Ridges and A Rawlings'.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Miss Pollard Print: Book
'The meeting at Ingleside on May 20th was of a very pleasant character, in that among other reasons it was devoted to the works of Charles Lamb. Papers were read by Miss Goadby and C.E. Stansfield and readings were given by Miss Pollard, Mrs Rawlings, Mrs Ridges and A Rawlings'.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Helen Rawlings Print: Book
'The meeting at Ingleside on May 20th was of a very pleasant character, in that among other reasons it was devoted to the works of Charles Lamb. Papers were read by Miss Goadby and C.E. Stansfield and readings were given by Miss Pollard, Mrs Rawlings, Mrs Ridges and A Rawlings'.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Alfred Rawlings Print: Book
'The meeting at Ingleside on May 20th was of a very pleasant character, in that among other reasons it was devoted to the works of Charles Lamb. Papers were read by Miss Goadby and C.E. Stansfield and readings were given by Miss Pollard, Mrs Rawlings, Mrs Ridges and A Rawlings'.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Charles Stansfield Print: Book
'The meeting at Ingleside on May 20th was of a very pleasant character, in that among other reasons it was devoted to the works of Charles Lamb. Papers were read by Miss Goadby and C.E. Stansfield and readings were given by Miss Pollard, Mrs Rawlings, Mrs Ridges and A Rawlings'.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Miss Goadby Print: Book
'Letters & Letter writing were then proceeded with.
Mrs Burrow read three letters of William Cowper characteristically interesting & amusing.
Mrs C. Elliott read in French two amusing letters one by Madame de Sevigny & one by Victor Hugo.
C. I. Evans read two [?] Ladies Battle & K.S. Evans two by R.L. Stevenson
F.E. Pollard read letters by G.B. Shaw & J.M. Barrie to Mrs Patrick Campbell on the death of her son killed in action.
Geo Burrow read several characteristic epistles of Charles Lamb & Howard R. Smith part of a letter by Lord Chesterfield to his son.
The Club were also much interested by seeing a number of Autograph letters from famous folk shown by various members of the Club.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: George Burrow Print: Unknown
Charlotte Bronte to her former teacher, Margaret Wooler, 28 August 1848:
'Do you remember once speaking with approbation of a book called "Mrs Leicester's School," which you said you had met with, and you wondered by whom it was written? I was reading the other day a lately published collection of the "Letters of Charles Lamb," edited by Serjeant Talfourd, where I found it mentioned that "Mrs Leicester's School" was the first production of Lamb and his sister. These letters are themselves singularly interesting; they have hitherto been suppressed in all previous collections of works and relics, on account of the frequent allusions they contain to the unhappy malady of Miss Lamb [goes on to recount incident of Mary Lamb's killing of her mother, and Charles's subsequent care of her] [...] I thought it both a sad and edifying history.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Brontë Print: Book
Charlotte Bronte to her former teacher, Margaret Wooler, 28 August 1848:
'Do you remember once speaking with approbation of a book called "Mrs Leicester's School," which you said you had met with, and you wondered by whom it was written? I was reading the other day a lately published collection of the "Letters of Charles Lamb," edited by Serjeant Talfourd, where I found it mentioned that "Mrs Leicester's School" was the first production of Lamb and his sister. These letters are themselves singularly interesting; they have hitherto been suppressed in all previous collections of works and relics, on account of the frequent allusions they contain to the unhappy malady of Miss Lamb [goes on to recount incident of Mary Lamb's killing of her mother, and Charles's subsequent care of her] [...] I thought it both a sad and edifying history.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Margaret Wooler Print: Book
'A Meeting held at Grove House May 3rd H. B. Lawson in the chair
Min 1. Minutes of last Read and approved
[...]
[Min] 4 The Subject of the evening "Humour" was then introduced by H. B. Lawson who fascinated us by his thoughtful attempts to
define his subject[.] An interesting discussion followed in which the disputants backed their opinions by literary allusion and we
were led to wonder if Humour flowed from F E Pollards heart & wit from R H Robsons head.
After Supper the Club settled down to enjoy the following selections chosen to represent English Humour in literature down the
Ages[:]
Prologue of Chaucers Canterbury Tales The Prioress & Wife of Bath read by Howard R. Smith
Shakespeares Henry IV The Men in Buckram read by R. H Robson Fallstaff
[ditto] S. A. Reynolds Poins
[ditto] C. E. Stansfield Prince Hall [sic]
[ditto] Geo Burrow Gadshill
Jane Austin Pride & Prejudice Mr. Collins proposes
[ditto] Mrs Robson
Charles Dickens David Copperfield Mrs Micawber on her husbands career[?] Geo Burrow
Charles Lamb A Letter Alfred Rawlings
Lewis Carrols Alice in Wonderland The Lobster Quadrill Mary Reynolds
Jerome K. Jerome Three Men in a Boat Uncle Podger hangs a picture F. E. Pollard
Hilaire Belloc Cautionary Tales "George" recited by Howard R. Smith'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Alfred Rawlings
'9. Charles Stansfield then read his paper on Charles Lamb. He gave us a clear picture of Lamb
in his family relationships, beginning with a delightful study of Lamb’s father under the name
of Lovell of the Old Benchers, continuing with the tragedy of his mother’s death and the twenty
nine gallant years of Charles’s companionship with his sister, and concluding with a most
graceful tribute to her “as an incomparable old maid, the result of her upbringing in the
spacious closet of reading. And it gave us, too, an introduction to the man and the author, the
width of his reading as exemplified in his quotations and allusions, his whimsical humour, the
pathetic weakness that proved too strong for him, and yet with it the natural dignity of the
scholar and an innocent & delightful merriment in circumstances which might well have bred
coarseness and cynicism.
We may indeed say of these paragraphs of Charles Stansfield’s as he himself says of the
Essays that “they reveal Lamb and endear him to us.”
10. Dorothy Brain read an extract from “Recollections of Christ’s Hospital” showing Lamb’s
pride in his old school.
[...]
12. Mary Pollard read from “Dream Children”, an essay that made some of us wonder whether
it is reflected in Barrie’s “Dear Brutus”
13. Edith Goadby read from “Two Races of Men”, another theme which will not readily be
bettered.
14. Victor Alexander then read from “My Relations[”]
15. Howard Smith read from Odds and Ends with much enjoyable good humour'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Charles E. Stansfield Print: Book
'9. Charles Stansfield then read his paper on Charles Lamb. He gave us a clear picture of Lamb
in his family relationships, beginning with a delightful study of Lamb’s father under the name
of Lovell of the Old Benchers, continuing with the tragedy of his mother’s death and the twenty
nine gallant years of Charles’s companionship with his sister, and concluding with a most
graceful tribute to her “as an incomparable old maid, the result of her upbringing in the
spacious closet of reading. And it gave us, too, an introduction to the man and the author, the
width of his reading as exemplified in his quotations and allusions, his whimsical humour, the
pathetic weakness that proved too strong for him, and yet with it the natural dignity of the
scholar and an innocent & delightful merriment in circumstances which might well have bred
coarseness and cynicism.
We may indeed say of these paragraphs of Charles Stansfield’s as he himself says of the
Essays that “they reveal Lamb and endear him to us.”
10. Dorothy Brain read an extract from “Recollections of Christ’s Hospital” showing Lamb’s
pride in his old school.
[...]
12. Mary Pollard read from “Dream Children”, an essay that made some of us wonder whether
it is reflected in Barrie’s “Dear Brutus”
13. Edith Goadby read from “Two Races of Men”, another theme which will not readily be
bettered.
14. Victor Alexander then read from “My Relations[”]
15. Howard Smith read from Odds and Ends with much enjoyable good humour'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Brain Manuscript: Unknown
'9. Charles Stansfield then read his paper on Charles Lamb. He gave us a clear picture of Lamb
in his family relationships, beginning with a delightful study of Lamb’s father under the name
of Lovell of the Old Benchers, continuing with the tragedy of his mother’s death and the twenty
nine gallant years of Charles’s companionship with his sister, and concluding with a most
graceful tribute to her “as an incomparable old maid, the result of her upbringing in the
spacious closet of reading. And it gave us, too, an introduction to the man and the author, the
width of his reading as exemplified in his quotations and allusions, his whimsical humour, the
pathetic weakness that proved too strong for him, and yet with it the natural dignity of the
scholar and an innocent & delightful merriment in circumstances which might well have bred
coarseness and cynicism.
We may indeed say of these paragraphs of Charles Stansfield’s as he himself says of the
Essays that “they reveal Lamb and endear him to us.”
10. Dorothy Brain read an extract from “Recollections of Christ’s Hospital” showing Lamb’s
pride in his old school.
[...]
12. Mary Pollard read from “Dream Children”, an essay that made some of us wonder whether
it is reflected in Barrie’s “Dear Brutus”
13. Edith Goadby read from “Two Races of Men”, another theme which will not readily be
bettered.
14. Victor Alexander then read from “My Relations[”]
15. Howard Smith read from Odds and Ends with much enjoyable good humour'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Pollard Manuscript: Unknown
'9. Charles Stansfield then read his paper on Charles Lamb. He gave us a clear picture of Lamb
in his family relationships, beginning with a delightful study of Lamb’s father under the name
of Lovell of the Old Benchers, continuing with the tragedy of his mother’s death and the twenty
nine gallant years of Charles’s companionship with his sister, and concluding with a most
graceful tribute to her “as an incomparable old maid, the result of her upbringing in the
spacious closet of reading. And it gave us, too, an introduction to the man and the author, the
width of his reading as exemplified in his quotations and allusions, his whimsical humour, the
pathetic weakness that proved too strong for him, and yet with it the natural dignity of the
scholar and an innocent & delightful merriment in circumstances which might well have bred
coarseness and cynicism.
We may indeed say of these paragraphs of Charles Stansfield’s as he himself says of the
Essays that “they reveal Lamb and endear him to us.”
10. Dorothy Brain read an extract from “Recollections of Christ’s Hospital” showing Lamb’s
pride in his old school.
[...]
12. Mary Pollard read from “Dream Children”, an essay that made some of us wonder whether
it is reflected in Barrie’s “Dear Brutus”
13. Edith Goadby read from “Two Races of Men”, another theme which will not readily be
bettered.
14. Victor Alexander then read from “My Relations[”]
15. Howard Smith read from Odds and Ends with much enjoyable good humour'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Edith Goadby Manuscript: Unknown
'9. Charles Stansfield then read his paper on Charles Lamb. He gave us a clear picture of Lamb
in his family relationships, beginning with a delightful study of Lamb’s father under the name
of Lovell of the Old Benchers, continuing with the tragedy of his mother’s death and the twenty
nine gallant years of Charles’s companionship with his sister, and concluding with a most
graceful tribute to her “as an incomparable old maid, the result of her upbringing in the
spacious closet of reading. And it gave us, too, an introduction to the man and the author, the
width of his reading as exemplified in his quotations and allusions, his whimsical humour, the
pathetic weakness that proved too strong for him, and yet with it the natural dignity of the
scholar and an innocent & delightful merriment in circumstances which might well have bred
coarseness and cynicism.
We may indeed say of these paragraphs of Charles Stansfield’s as he himself says of the
Essays that “they reveal Lamb and endear him to us.”
10. Dorothy Brain read an extract from “Recollections of Christ’s Hospital” showing Lamb’s
pride in his old school.
[...]
12. Mary Pollard read from “Dream Children”, an essay that made some of us wonder whether
it is reflected in Barrie’s “Dear Brutus”
13. Edith Goadby read from “Two Races of Men”, another theme which will not readily be
bettered.
14. Victor Alexander then read from “My Relations[”]
15. Howard Smith read from Odds and Ends with much enjoyable good humour'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Victor Alexander Print: Book
'Meeting held at 219, Kings Road. 15th October 1942.
Dorothea Taylor in the chair
1. The minutes of the last meeting were read & signed.
2. The secretary read a card from Mr Dyson regretting that he is completely
unqualified to address us on Russian Literature
[...]
3. The question of new members was again raised and the secretary reported that
she had written to Mr. & Mrs. Fawcett extending our renewed invitation to them to
join the Club. & their reply, regretting that they are unable to accept, was read.
[...]
[...]
5. After some excellent refreshments, we devoted the rest of the evening to the
study of Charles Lamb. Roger Moore first gave us the story of his life – how he
was educated at Christ’s Hospital where he met and formed a life-lon friendship
with S. T. Coleridge, then of his appointment in the East India House. We heard of
the curse of madness which hung over the Lamb family & how in 1796 his Mother
was killed by his sister Mary in a fit of insanity. Lamb was magnificent in this
tragedy & devoted the rest of his life to the care of his sister who remained
subject to periodic seizures. Lamb wrote essays, poetry, letters & with his sister
he wrote Tales from Shakespeare. He was also one of the first literary & dramatic
critics.
6. F. E. Pollard read some of Lambs letters, illustrating his great love of London –
professed abhorrence of the Lake District – also his love of good food and in
particular of Cambridge Brawn.
7. S. A Reynolds read an extract from one of Lamb’s last essays, also two of his
sonnets one of which he contrasted with an amended version by Coleridge.
8. Elsie Harrod read Lamb’s essay on his visit to MACKERY END in Hertfordshire of
which he had childish memories & family associations.
9. Arnold Joselin read part of the Essay on Christ’s Hospital & as an Old Blue he
was able to enlarge on & explain some details & also to reassure us that certain
ancient practices are now discontinued. [...]
[signature of] Arnold G. Joselin
14 Nov. 1942'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Francis E. Pollard Print: Book
'Meeting held at 219, Kings Road. 15th October 1942.
Dorothea Taylor in the chair
1. The minutes of the last meeting were read & signed.
2. The secretary read a card from Mr Dyson regretting that he is completely
unqualified to address us on Russian Literature
[...]
3. The question of new members was again raised and the secretary reported that
she had written to Mr. & Mrs. Fawcett extending our renewed invitation to them to
join the Club. & their reply, regretting that they are unable to accept, was read.
[...]
[...]
5. After some excellent refreshments, we devoted the rest of the evening to the
study of Charles Lamb. Roger Moore first gave us the story of his life – how he
was educated at Christ’s Hospital where he met and formed a life-lon friendship
with S. T. Coleridge, then of his appointment in the East India House. We heard of
the curse of madness which hung over the Lamb family & how in 1796 his Mother
was killed by his sister Mary in a fit of insanity. Lamb was magnificent in this
tragedy & devoted the rest of his life to the care of his sister who remained
subject to periodic seizures. Lamb wrote essays, poetry, letters & with his sister
he wrote Tales from Shakespeare. He was also one of the first literary & dramatic
critics.
6. F. E. Pollard read some of Lambs letters, illustrating his great love of London –
professed abhorrence of the Lake District – also his love of good food and in
particular of Cambridge Brawn.
7. S. A Reynolds read an extract from one of Lamb’s last essays, also two of his
sonnets one of which he contrasted with an amended version by Coleridge.
8. Elsie Harrod read Lamb’s essay on his visit to MACKERY END in Hertfordshire of
which he had childish memories & family associations.
9. Arnold Joselin read part of the Essay on Christ’s Hospital & as an Old Blue he
was able to enlarge on & explain some details & also to reassure us that certain
ancient practices are now discontinued. [...]
[signature of] Arnold G. Joselin
14 Nov. 1942'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Sylvanus A. Reynolds Print: Book
'Meeting held at 219, Kings Road. 15th October 1942.
Dorothea Taylor in the chair
1. The minutes of the last meeting were read & signed.
2. The secretary read a card from Mr Dyson regretting that he is completely
unqualified to address us on Russian Literature
[...]
3. The question of new members was again raised and the secretary reported that
she had written to Mr. & Mrs. Fawcett extending our renewed invitation to them to
join the Club. & their reply, regretting that they are unable to accept, was read.
[...]
[...]
5. After some excellent refreshments, we devoted the rest of the evening to the
study of Charles Lamb. Roger Moore first gave us the story of his life – how he
was educated at Christ’s Hospital where he met and formed a life-lon friendship
with S. T. Coleridge, then of his appointment in the East India House. We heard of
the curse of madness which hung over the Lamb family & how in 1796 his Mother
was killed by his sister Mary in a fit of insanity. Lamb was magnificent in this
tragedy & devoted the rest of his life to the care of his sister who remained
subject to periodic seizures. Lamb wrote essays, poetry, letters & with his sister
he wrote Tales from Shakespeare. He was also one of the first literary & dramatic
critics.
6. F. E. Pollard read some of Lambs letters, illustrating his great love of London –
professed abhorrence of the Lake District – also his love of good food and in
particular of Cambridge Brawn.
7. S. A Reynolds read an extract from one of Lamb’s last essays, also two of his
sonnets one of which he contrasted with an amended version by Coleridge.
8. Elsie Harrod read Lamb’s essay on his visit to MACKERY END in Hertfordshire of
which he had childish memories & family associations.
9. Arnold Joselin read part of the Essay on Christ’s Hospital & as an Old Blue he
was able to enlarge on & explain some details & also to reassure us that certain
ancient practices are now discontinued. [...]
[signature of] Arnold G. Joselin
14 Nov. 1942'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Sylvanus A. Reynolds
'Meeting held at 219, Kings Road. 15th October 1942.
Dorothea Taylor in the chair
1. The minutes of the last meeting were read & signed.
2. The secretary read a card from Mr Dyson regretting that he is completely
unqualified to address us on Russian Literature
[...]
3. The question of new members was again raised and the secretary reported that
she had written to Mr. & Mrs. Fawcett extending our renewed invitation to them to
join the Club. & their reply, regretting that they are unable to accept, was read.
[...]
[...]
5. After some excellent refreshments, we devoted the rest of the evening to the
study of Charles Lamb. Roger Moore first gave us the story of his life – how he
was educated at Christ’s Hospital where he met and formed a life-lon friendship
with S. T. Coleridge, then of his appointment in the East India House. We heard of
the curse of madness which hung over the Lamb family & how in 1796 his Mother
was killed by his sister Mary in a fit of insanity. Lamb was magnificent in this
tragedy & devoted the rest of his life to the care of his sister who remained
subject to periodic seizures. Lamb wrote essays, poetry, letters & with his sister
he wrote Tales from Shakespeare. He was also one of the first literary & dramatic
critics.
6. F. E. Pollard read some of Lambs letters, illustrating his great love of London –
professed abhorrence of the Lake District – also his love of good food and in
particular of Cambridge Brawn.
7. S. A Reynolds read an extract from one of Lamb’s last essays, also two of his
sonnets one of which he contrasted with an amended version by Coleridge.
8. Elsie Harrod read Lamb’s essay on his visit to MACKERY END in Hertfordshire of
which he had childish memories & family associations.
9. Arnold Joselin read part of the Essay on Christ’s Hospital & as an Old Blue he
was able to enlarge on & explain some details & also to reassure us that certain
ancient practices are now discontinued. [...]
[signature of] Arnold G. Joselin
14 Nov. 1942'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Elsie Harrod Print: Book
'Meeting held at 219, Kings Road. 15th October 1942.
Dorothea Taylor in the chair
1. The minutes of the last meeting were read & signed.
2. The secretary read a card from Mr Dyson regretting that he is completely
unqualified to address us on Russian Literature
[...]
3. The question of new members was again raised and the secretary reported that
she had written to Mr. & Mrs. Fawcett extending our renewed invitation to them to
join the Club. & their reply, regretting that they are unable to accept, was read.
[...]
[...]
5. After some excellent refreshments, we devoted the rest of the evening to the
study of Charles Lamb. Roger Moore first gave us the story of his life – how he
was educated at Christ’s Hospital where he met and formed a life-lon friendship
with S. T. Coleridge, then of his appointment in the East India House. We heard of
the curse of madness which hung over the Lamb family & how in 1796 his Mother
was killed by his sister Mary in a fit of insanity. Lamb was magnificent in this
tragedy & devoted the rest of his life to the care of his sister who remained
subject to periodic seizures. Lamb wrote essays, poetry, letters & with his sister
he wrote Tales from Shakespeare. He was also one of the first literary & dramatic
critics.
6. F. E. Pollard read some of Lambs letters, illustrating his great love of London –
professed abhorrence of the Lake District – also his love of good food and in
particular of Cambridge Brawn.
7. S. A Reynolds read an extract from one of Lamb’s last essays, also two of his
sonnets one of which he contrasted with an amended version by Coleridge.
8. Elsie Harrod read Lamb’s essay on his visit to MACKERY END in Hertfordshire of
which he had childish memories & family associations.
9. Arnold Joselin read part of the Essay on Christ’s Hospital & as an Old Blue he
was able to enlarge on & explain some details & also to reassure us that certain
ancient practices are now discontinued. [...]
[signature of] Arnold G. Joselin
14 Nov. 1942'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Arnold Joselin Print: Book