'The evening was then devoted to Samuel Johnson as seen through the biography of Boswell. Two papers were contributed.
By Mr Burrow on "a Second Hand Book" which threw an interesting sidelight on Dr Johnson
& By H.R. Smith who gave us an interesting account of the biographer.
Readings from the biography were given by Mr Rawlings, Mr Unwin, Mr Evans & Mr Wallis, Mr Robson'.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: George Burrow Manuscript: Unknown
'Mr Geo Burrow read a paper on George Sand indicating her semi-patrician origin & the County surroundings in which she lived. We were given some indication of her passionate nature & of how the various subjects of her passion were first adored on a pedestal & then fell through successive states to one of severe criticism if not contempt. The apt epigram was quoted that "George Sand did not behave as a perfect Gentleman".
Readings as under from her work were then given, bringing out her love of country life & her considerable powers of descriptive writing, also the romantic cast of her tales.
From Tillage of the Soil Celia Burrow
Consuelo H.R. Smith
The Devil's Pool C.E. Stansfield
Countess of Rudolfstadt F.E. Reynolds'.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: George Burrow Manuscript: Unknown
'The Club then turned its attention to Mark Rutherford. Mr Burrow gave some outline of Hale White [sic] life telling us how he had passed through several occupations student for Ministry School Master & Publisher's Assistant before settling down as an Author and Admiralty Official. In style he is simple & effective in manner he reminds sometimes of Hardy or Gissing. Three of his novels are semi-biographical & have the interest that attaches to a truthful diary. The rest of the evening was devoted to Readings designed to give us an insight into different aspects of his work. We gathered that although his plots were poor & scrappy his characters were vivid & intensely living. The readings were as followed.
R.B. Graham & F.E. Pollard from Autobiography of Mark Rutherford
Mrs Evans A Series of Character Sketches
Mrs Robson Revolution in Tanners Lane
Mrs Reynolds Catherine [sic] Furze
Mrs Burrow Mark Rutherfords Deliverance.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: George Burrow Manuscript: Unknown
'Various anonymous essays by members of the Club were then read with the following titles and at the conclusion of the meeting whilst the authorship of some was quickly acclaimed others proved very difficult to locate.
Some thoughts on Racing attributed to R. Wallis
One Generation & the next or Jobson on False Freedom C.E. Stansfield
Intimations of Immortality R.H. Robson
The Lady of the Marsh Mrs R.B. Graham
If Christianity had Won R.B. Graham
The Revolt of the Innocents Geo Burrow
Thoughts on the Construction of Cathedrals H.M. Wallis
Revenge or Justice C Evans
Five minutes Thoughts upon present Condition H.M. Wallis
A Scandalous Affair [illegible symbol]'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: members of XII Book Club Manuscript: Unknown
'The subject of the evening Elizabethan Drama other than Shakespear was then taken. Geo Burrow read a very short introduction to the subject.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: George Burrow Manuscript: Unknown
'A Meeting held at 70 Northcourt Avenue 25th September 1929 C. E Stansfield in the
chair
Min 1. Minutes of last time read and approved
2 Mrs T C Elliott was wellcomed to the club in a felicitous speech by the chairman
3 The Secretary read a letter of resignation of Membership from Muriel Bowman Smith he was
directed unanimously to ask her to reconsider the matter.
[...]
7 Holiday Essays were read R H Robson a family holiday at Mort[?] Geo Burrow The
Jamboree & thoughts thereon C. E. Stansfield on a Swiss Holiday whilst H M Wallis chatted on
some aspects of Bordighera.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: George Burrow Manuscript: Unknown
'Meeting held at 73 Northcourt Avenue
Friday 28th March 1930
1. Minutes of last meeting were approved.
[...]
6. A warm message of sympathy to be sent to our secretary, H R Smith
7. F E Pollard opened the discussion by speaking on The Cinema and The Theatre pointing out
that the silent film could only represent incidents & visible emotions, the Talkie was a
mechanical reproduction, while the best dramatic art must be given there and then by living
Personalities[.] Each may have its place but it would be a disaster if the theatre was driven
out of existence. Geo Burrows followed dealing with the influence of films on backward Races to whom the
worst was often shown with undesirable effects; & the possibilities of using Films for
missionary work.
H R Robson thought Films were of little use in Education; he regarded them as a species of
dope, in which he indulged for the soporific effect.
C E Stansfield whilst disclaiming any familiarity of them spoke of their possible deleterious
influence on our language which he heard would before long be “Ammricanized” [sic] he
dreaded the actions of the “Smellie” & “Feelie” & the possible increase of armaments to
further
the trade.
Robert Pollard expressed unbounded enthusiasm for the Talkie & Colour films. The movies
were dead & orchestras being displaced by records of appropriate music attached to the films.
T C Elliot dealt with their effect on public life and morals which he feared was almost wholly
deleterious; he produced and commented unfavourably on some of the magazines
published.
An interesting general discussion followed but whilst it was felt that many undesirable features
were associated with the Cinema the Club did not feel equal to the task of reforming it.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: George Burrow Manuscript: Unknown
Meeting held at Ashton Lodge July 10th 1930
H. M. Wallis in the chair
Min 1. Minutes of last meeting approved
[...]
5 The subject of John Masefield was then taken
Geo Burrow gave some account of his life
Mrs Burrow read 2 poems "Beauty" & "Posted Missing"
H. M. Wallis read from the novel Sard Harker a thrilling account of an escape from a bog.
Violet Clough read from "Midsummer Night".
After refreshments "Phillip the King" was read in parts & much enjoyed the parts being taken as
opposite.
King Phillip C. B. Castle
His Daughter the Infanta Mrs Castle
Various Ghosts Mrs Pollard
The Captain H.R. Smith
De Leyva S.A. Reynolds
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: George Burrow Manuscript: Unknown
'Meeting held at Reckitt House Feb 27 1931
R. H. Robson in the chair
1. Minutes of last approved
[...]
6 The subject of the evening Persian Art was then taken. R. H. Robson gave us a short survey
of Persian History emphasizing the way in which the natural Features of the Country had kept
it in a separate entity throughout the ages[.] Mrs Robson sang us "Myself When Young" and to
Geo Burrow we were indebted for a fascinating description of the Persian Art Exhibition. After
Supper Mrs Burrow read us some short & charming Persian lyrics, C.E. Stansfield read from
Fitzgeralds Omar Kyaham [sic] Mrs Pollard gave us Laurence Binyons impressions of Persian
Art & Miss Brain read the last scene from Flecker’s Hassan.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: George Burrow Manuscript: Unknown
'Meeting held at 70, Northcourt Avenue: 2. VI. 31
Charles E. Stansfield in the chair
1. Minutes of last approved
[...]
7. The subject of the Sitwells was introduced by George Burrow who read spicy biographical extracts from Who's Who about the father Sir George Reresby, the sister Edith, and the brothers Osbert and Sacheverell. [...]
Relieved by this happy if unexpected dénouement we settled ourselves in renewed confidence to listen to readings from the poetry of Edith. Alfred Rawlings read us parts of Sleeping Beauty & Celia Burrow the story of Perrine.
Then for the work of Osbert and Sacheverell. H. M. Wallis gave us an amusing & tantalising paper entitled "Southern Baroque Art". This was followed by further reading from Mary Pollard, Alfred Rawlings, Charles Stansfield, & George Burrow.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: George Burrow Manuscript: Unknown
'Meeting held at Oakdene, Northcourt Avenue 19.2.32
S. A. Reynolds in the Chair
1. On the minutes of last meeting read, R. H. Robson declared that he had not made love to his own
wife that was another "Joseph Surface".
[...]
4 Geo Burrow then gave a short sketch of Ibsen's life, his Father a merchant out of mixed Danish
Swedish blood & mother a German — his first play produced at Christiana in 1850, but was not
published. He was appointed Poet to theatre at Bergen, which meant being "General Utility" man, thus
gaining a general knowledge of the production of plays - for being refused a Poet's pension he left
Norway for Italy & afterwards moved to Munich. In 1891 he returned to Christiana.
5 A reading followed from "The League of Youth" a satire on politicians. the scene chosen being one in
which various attempts to get Bratsberg's support for one of his financial schemes & on being
rebuffed, threatens to [2 un-deciphered words] by disclosing his son's forgery of his name on a bill.
The cast were:—
Bratsberg F E Pollard
Monsen R H Robson
Ringdal G Burrow
Fjeldbo H. R Smith
Erik C. E. Stansfield
Salma [i.e. Selma] Mrs Robson
Thora Dorothy Brain
Lundestad A. Rawlings
Hejre E. B. Castle
[...]
7 Readings from Act I and Act IV of The Wild Duck were then given by:—
Werle F E Pollard
Gregers R H Robson
Hjalmar [Halmar] H R Smith
Gina Mrs Robson
Hedwig [Hedvig] Dorothy Brain
Riddell [sic] C. E. Stansfield
[...]
9 C E Stansfield added a note about Peer Gynt which was written in Italy during 1866/67 — a poem
written recklessly[?] describing his own youth — a genial philosophical pascal[.]
10. A general discussion followed'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: George Burrow Manuscript: Unknown
'Meeting held at School House, L[eighton]. P[ark].: 18. i. 33.
Sylvanus A. Reynolds in the Chair.
1. Minutes of last read and approved
[...]
5. Reginald Robson then spoke to us on the England of 1580 - 1590, with special reference to
the development of the Elizabethan manor house. His attractive account of Ufton Court & the
alluring photographs he passed round led several of our members to express the disre that
our picnic next July might be held there. Reginald Robson may take it therefore that he is
notified that his services as showman will be in request, and owners of motor cars are advised
to have their vehicles in repair for the occasion.
6. In the absence of George Burrow, Edgar Castle read us some notes on the literature of 1580–1590 which George Burrow had gallantly prepared on his bed of sickness.
7. Victor Alexander then spoke of the situation in France during the period in question. Some
of the Castles on the Loire were duly admired. They seem a little distant for a Book Club
picnic[...].
8. Howard Smith had hoped to speak to us of the Faerie Queen, but as he was also in the grip
of influenza Frank Pollard good naturedly discussed at short notice the versification of Spenser
illustrating his remarks very pleasingly by quotations.
9. The company then dispersed homeward through the rigours of an arctic blizzard.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Edgar Castle Manuscript: Unknown
