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

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Dyson : [postcard declining an invitation to address the XII Book Club]

'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: Margaret Dilks      Manuscript: Postcard

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