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the experience of reading in Britain, from 1450 to 1945...

Reading Experience Database UK Historical image of readers
 
 
 
 

Record Number: 33402


Reading Experience:

Evidence:

'At the time I received thy letter, I was reading Carlyle's 'Life of Cromwell'. I was unable to procure the second volume immediately, and while waiting for it, I have been reading attentively his 'Past and Present'. I have been extremely pleased with it, and deeply interested in his views of the present state of society, or rather of the corruption of its state.. [extensive commentary follows] Often while I have been reading it I have thought of thee, and wished I could read it with thee.'

Century:

1800-1849

Date:

Between 9 Nov 1847 and 22 Nov 1847

Country:

England

Time

n/a

Place:

city: Leicester
county: Leicestershire
specific address: Beaumont Leys

Type of Experience
(Reader):
 

silent aloud unknown
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

Type of Experience
(Listener):
 

solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown


Reader / Listener / Reading Group:

Reader:

Eliza Ellis

Age:

Adult (18-100+)

Gender:

Female

Date of Birth:

3 Dec 1825

Socio-Economic Group:

Professional / academic / merchant / farmer

Occupation:

Amateur geologist

Religion:

Quaker

Country of Origin:

England

Country of Experience:

England

Listeners present if any:
e.g family, servants, friends

n/a


Additional Comments:

n/a



Text Being Read:

Author:

Oliver Cromwell

Title:

Oliver Cromwell's Letters and Speeches: With Elucidations by Thomas Carlyle

Genre:

Essays / Criticism, Autobiog / Diary, Letters and speeches

Form of Text:

Print: Book

Publication Details

1845, first edition. 2 Volumes

Provenance

unknown


Source Information:

Record ID:

33402

Source:

Print

Author:

Eliza Ellis

Editor:

Margaret Ellis

Title:

Letters and Memorials of Eliza Ellis: Compiled by Her Sister, Margaret Ellis

Place of Publication:

Leicester

Date of Publication:

1883

Vol:

n/a

Page:

39

Additional Comments:

Privately printed by Samuel Clarke, 5 Gallowtree Gate, Leicester, and 'for private circulation only'.

Citation:

Eliza Ellis, Margaret Ellis (ed.), Letters and Memorials of Eliza Ellis: Compiled by Her Sister, Margaret Ellis, (Leicester, 1883), p. 39, http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=33402, accessed: 25 April 2024


Additional Comments:

Letter from Eliza Ellis to Hannah Lucas. Most likely Carlyle's 'Cromwell' was borrowed,possibly from a circulating or subscription library, as Ellis notes that the second volume was not available.

   
   
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