Elizabeth Barrett to Mary Russell Mitford, 5 December 1842:
'I did think the fifth volume [of Frances Burney D'Arblay's Diary and Letters] interesting & very
interesting -- and yet, I dont give it the preference quite as you do [...] I believe I was [...]
vexed at her wary conduct & cold policy & most provident distrust towards that noble woman
Madme de Stael [goes on to comment upon and criticise text in detail].'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Print: Book
'Have you seen the Journal & letters of my dear Sister? & Charlotte Barrett's pretty Introduction. I earnestly hope the work will be liked; and I think it stands a very fair chance, so many celebrated people will be brought forward. - This is a very tolerable place for getting books (English [underlined] s'entend [end underlining]) but my copy is a present, & will have a fine gauntlet to run, I promise it'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Sarah Harriet Burney Print: Book
'Am charmed to find "The Diary" is approved by the General. The third vol: I think must be universally interesting - the [underlined] first [end underlining], to own the truth, contained too much about the early appearance of Evelina, to please me. - But it went down well with many people, & has caused a fresh demand for Evelina & Cecilia at every Library in Cheltenham'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Sarah Harriet Burney Print: Book
'You want to know what I think of the "Diary". I wil tell you fairly & impartially. after wading with pain and sorrow through the tautology and vanity of the first volume, I began to be amused by the second, and every suceeding volume has, to my thinking, encreased in power to interest & entertain. That there is still considerable vanity I cannot deny. In her life, she bottled it all up, & looked and generally spoke with the most refined modesty, & seemed ready to drop if ever her works were alluded to. But what was kept back, and scarcely suspected in society, wanting a safety valve, found its way to her private journal. Thence, had Mrs Barrett been judicious, she would have trundled it out, by half quires, and even whole quires at a time'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Sarah Harriet Burney Print: Book
'What do you think of the "Wardour", by Madame d'Arblais [sic]? It has only proved to us that she forgot her English; and the same suspicion has arisen again in my mind, that "Evelina" was written, or at least corrected, by Dr Johnson.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Princess Caroline Princess of Wales Print: Book
17 March 1856:
'During breakfast I read some of Mme. d'Arblay's Memoirs to dear Charley [husband], who was much interested in her account of Dr. Johnson. he had not read it before, and I had not read it since it first came out.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Lady Charlotte Schreiber Print: Book
17 March 1856:
'During breakfast I read some of Mme. d'Arblay's Memoirs to dear Charley [husband], who was much interested in her account of Dr. Johnson. He had not read it before, and I had not read it since it first came out.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bertie Print: Book
[Letter 24 March 1814]
'''The Wanderer'' is to be out on Monday. It is the most interesting novel I have ever read.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Fanny Allen Print: Book
