'Aloud [these past two days] I have read Bright's speeches and "I promessi sposi". To myself I have read Mommsen's Rome'.
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud.] Print: Book
[Read] 'Sayce and Promessi Sposi'.
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud] Print: Book
'I do sometimes wish for my library here, where it costs trouble to other people to get books for me, and yet I have done well enough lately with Montaigne, and a bit of Moliere with the boys, now and then, and I Promessi Sposi with Fanny discovering thereby that I can read Italian almost like French or English, which I was not aware of'.
Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Harriet Martineau Print: Book
Elizabeth Barrett to Hugh Stuart Boyd, July 1832:
'I have read Hebrew regularly every day since I told you of my beginning Genesis, -- and I am
now more than half way through Genesis, & begin to relax a little from the lexicon. From its
being a primitive language it is very interesting in a philosophical point of view. I like to find
the roots of words & ideas at the same time [...] I am glad I thought of having recourse to it,
for if it had no other advantage, it has at least given a change of air to my mind. I have been
reading besides, two Italian novels -- one by Manzani [sic], entitled the Betrothed, which, tho'
heavy enough sometime, is very well written & very amiably written. The other is a
continuation of the story, by a different & an unequal writer'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett Print: Book
'I have tried to read Mme de Genlis' memoirs, but they are one large capital I from beginning to end; this amuses at first - but tires long before we get to the end of 8 vols. - Above all, dear, get the Promessi Sposi - at first you may lag a little, but as you get on the truth & perfect Italianism of the manners and desciptions - the beautiful language which differs from all other Italian prose - being really the Tusca[n] of the day that he writes, & not a bad imitation of the [ ] trecentisti - the pasion & even sublimity of parts rendered it to me a most delightful book - I can imagine a person who had not been to Italy not liking it but to [underlined] us [end underlining] it must be delightful.'
[letter to Jane Williams Hogg]
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley Print: Book
