Switch to English Switch to French

The Open University  |   Study at the OU  |   About the OU  |   Research at the OU  |   Search the OU

Listen to this page  |   Accessibility

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

Reading Experience Database UK Historical image of readers
 
 
 
 

Record Number: 8830


Reading Experience:

Evidence:

Mary Berry to a friend, 19 November 1798: 'Don't let me forget to advise you to to read the "Natural Son," or "Lovers' Vows;" it is the entire and literal translation of the play which is now acting with such success at Covent Garden, but [italics]not[end italics] as it is acted; you can get it at Todd's [bookseller's], where I did, to read in the chaise. I think it quite charming, and it affected me much [...] You must allow for German manners and for the (at all times) sad disguise of a translation.'

Century:

1700-1799

Date:

Between 1 Nov 1798 and 19 Nov 1798

Country:

England

Time

n/a

Place:

other location: In chaise

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:

Mary Berry

Age:

Adult (18-100+)

Gender:

Female

Date of Birth:

16 Mar 1763

Socio-Economic Group:

Professional / academic / merchant / farmer

Occupation:

writer

Religion:

Anglican

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:

August von Kotzebue

Title:

Lovers' Vows

Genre:

Drama

Form of Text:

Print: Book

Publication Details

In English translation

Provenance

owned


Source Information:

Record ID:

8830

Source:

Print

Author:

n/a

Editor:

Lady Theresa Lewis

Title:

Extracts of the Journal and Correspondence of Miss Berry From the Year 1783 to 1852

Place of Publication:

London

Date of Publication:

1865

Vol:

2

Page:

72-3

Additional Comments:

n/a

Citation:

Lady Theresa Lewis (ed.), Extracts of the Journal and Correspondence of Miss Berry From the Year 1783 to 1852, (London, 1865), 2, p. 72-3, http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=8830, accessed: 18 May 2024


Additional Comments:

Source editor notes Richard Cumberland as translator and adapter of the play for the stage, but does not mention Elizabeth Inchbald's 1798 English translation -- so is unclear exactly whose work Berry was reading.

   
   
Green Turtle Web Design