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

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Ford Madox Hueffer : Poems for Pictures

Henry James to Ford Madox Hueffer, 23 May 1900, thanking him for copy of his newly published volume of verse: 'I think your doubt about the verses misplaced and unjustified -- all those I have yet read seeming to me to hold their own very firmly indeed. Those I have read -- and re-read -- are the little rustic lays -- several of which I think admirable'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Print: Book

Ford Madox Ford (Hueffer) : Shifting of the Fire

'I have read "Shifting of the Fire". I have read it several times looking for your "inside" in that book; the first impression being that there is a considerable "inside" in you. The book is delightfully young.' [thereafter 30 lines of critical comment for what was Ford Madox Ford's first novel, written in his teens and later adapted by Edward Garnett.]

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad      Print: Book

Ford Madox Ford (Hueffer) : The Cinque Ports

'Many thanks for the "Cinque Ports" which came today as a most agreeable surprise. In the matter of outward characteristics the book has substance, appearance an air of sober finish which to me is very pleasing. [...] Hueffer's talent has been from the first sympathetic to me. Throughout his feeling is true and his expression genuine with ease and moderation.' Hence follow nine lines of restrained praise.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad      Print: Book

Ford Madox Ford (Hueffer) : The Making of Modern Verse

'Your paper in the "Academy" mutilated as it is by the mystic mind illustrates my meaning.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad      Print: Serial / periodical

Ford Madox Ford (Hueffer) : Rossetti

'Thanks for the "Rossetti". My opinion of it you know but I am reading it carefully. It is good.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad      Print: Book

Ford Madox Ford (Hueffer) : The Fifth Queen and how she came to court

'The blessed vol: ["The Fifth Queen"] arrived about 4 days ago - or is it a week? I've read it twice - thats all.[...] Here I'll add one more phrase bearing upon the most "sensible" general effect.[...] The pictorial impression of the whole is positively overwhelming.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad      Print: Book

Ford Madox Ford (Hueffer) : The Heart of the Country: A Survey of Modern Land

'[Ford's] "The Heart of the Country" is out today and a very charming piece of writing it is.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad      Print: Book

Ford Madox Ford (Hueffer) : [article on Galsworthy]

'I've read Hueffer's portrait of Mr John Galsworthy several times. It is interesting mostly as a portrait of Mr Hueffer himself. I have my own strong conception of J.G. I can't say I've been greatly edified. Looked upon abstractedly the thing is distinctly good.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad      Print: Serial / periodical

Ford Madox Ford (Hueffer) : An English Girl

'In many respects and from an absolute point of judgement - the book ["An English Girl"] is simply magnificent.' Hence follows a page of almost unqualified praise.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad      Print: Book

Ford Madox Ford (Hueffer) : The Heart of the Country: A Survey of Modern Land

'And of all the men who write today it is only Hueffer who writes for love[...]. I took up the "H[eart]of [the]C[ountry]" which was lying there and opening it at hazard I showed sentences here and there asking whether they could have been written from any other conceivable motive.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad      Print: Book

Ford Madox Ford (Hueffer) : The Fifth Queen Crowned

'Thanks for the book. You know what I think of it in so far as I have been able to express it. I did not do it very well. There is a singular fascination about this last volume of the trilogy. I've been dropping into it ever since it came and I am as far as ever from discovering a particularly precise formula of my admiration.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad      

Ford Madox Ford (Hueffer) : Mr. Apollo

' I have just finished the book ["Mr. Apollo"] which reached me this morning [...].It comes off magnificently.' Hence follow 14 lines of almost unqualified praise.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad      Print: BookManuscript: proofs

Ford Madox Ford (Hueffer) : Henry James:A Critical Study

'If we had telephonic communication I would call you up and hear me thump my chest and cry mea culpa for not having written to him [Ford Madox Ford] about the [Henry] James book for which the precise word is: delightful.' Hence follow 6 lines of praise for Ford's new book.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad      Print: Book

Ford Madox Ford (Hueffer) : EITHER Between St Dennis and St George: A Sketch of Three Civilisations OR When Blood is their Argument: An Analysis of Prussian Culture

'Many thanks for the book which is excellent and super excellent; even to the point of making me uneasy lest its true and vibrating notes be lost in the beating of the pans and (more or less) savage yowling of the market place.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad      Print: Book

Ford Madox Ford (Hueffer) : The Good Soldier

'I was writing something so I refrained from looking at "The Good Soldier" (according to my time-honoured practice) till I got a few pages out of the way.' Hence follow six lines of praise for the novel.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad      Print: Book

Ford Madox Ford (Hueffer) and Joseph Conrad : Romance

'The writer [Ford Madox Ford] sat in the grandfather's chair,his back to the window, beside the fireplace, reading, his manuscript held up to the light: Conrad sat forward on a rush-bottomed armchair listening intently. (For how many years did the writer and Conrad not sit there like that!). We began reading after lunch of a shortish day; the lamps were brought in along with the tea.'
[Thence follows a page and a half describing Conrad's reaction as a listener.]

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Ford Madox Ford      Manuscript: Unknown

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