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

Reading Experience Database UK Historical image of readers
 
 
 
 

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Samuel Egerton Brydges : Arthur Fitz-Albini: a Novel

'We have got Fitz-Albini; my father has bought it against my private wishes, for it does not quite satisfy my feelings that we should purchase the only one of Egerton's works of which his family are ashamed. That these scruples, however, do not at all interfere with my reading it, you will easily believe. We have neither of us yet finished the first volume. My father is disappointed - I am not, for I expected nothing better.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Austen      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : Tour to the Hebrides

'We have got Boswell's Tour to the Hebrides, and are to have his Life of Johnson.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Austen      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa, or, the History of a Young Lady

'I am working at Richardson now, and will send you the paper by the end of the week. I suppose I ought to be ashamed to confess that, tedious as he often is, I feel less difficulty in getting through him than in reading Fielding, and that as a matter of taste I actually prefer Lovelace to Tom Jones! I suppose that is one of the differences between men and women which even Ladies' Colleges will not set to rights.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Margaret Oliphant      Print: Book

  

Thomas Sherlock : [sermons]

'She read sermons and other religious books, her favourite sermons being "professedly practical", without too much "Regeneration and Conversion", especially Sherlock's'.

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Austen      Print: Book

  

Laetitia Matilda Hawkins : [novels]

'Austen read especially novels by women, including Mary Brunton, Frances and Sarah Harriet Burney, Maria Edgeworth, Charlotte Lennox, Lady Morgan, Ann Radcliffe, Regina Maria Roche, Charlotte Smith, Jane West, Laetitia-Matilda Hawkins and Hannah More. She also, apparently, read the fiction of the Lady's Magazine, deriving names, Willoughby, Brandon, Knightley, from it, but correcting its "monological" discourse'.

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Austen      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Sir Charles Grandison

'Her favourite novels included those of Burney, whom she thought "the very best of English novelists", and of Richardson, especially "Sir Charles Grandison".'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Austen      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Sir Charles Grandison

'In 1753 Catherine Talbot stayed with the Berkeley family and participated enthusiastically in readings of "Sir Charles Grandison".'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Catherine Talbot      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Sir Charles Grandison

'Susan Sibbald knew Scottish shepherd Wully Carruthers who was a fellow-subscriber to the circulating library at Melrose, but while she borrowed Ann Radcliffe, he read "Ancient and Modern History", though he did sometimes read a "novel or nonsense buke", like "Sir Charles Grandison". He had also read Alan Ramsay's "The Gentle Shepherd", and contrasted it ironically with the life of a real shepherd.'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Wully Carruthers      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : Tour of the Hebrides

'Weeton's reading becomes important in communication with friends, but also a point of conflict: when she visits her brother and his wife, they complain that she spends all her time reading, though she insists that she read very little ("only... Gil Blas, now and then a newspaper, two or three of Lady M. W. Montagu's letters, and few pages in a magazine'), and only because her hosts rose so late. Since her literacy is important as a sign of status, she repeatedly presents herself not as a reader of low status texts like novels but of travels, education works, memoirs and letters, including Boswell's "Tour of the Hebrides", the Travels of Mungo Park, and Mme de Genlis' work. She approves some novels, like Hamilton's "The Cottagers of Glenburnie", but generally finds them a "dangerous, facinating kind of amusement" which "destroy all relish for useful, instructive studies'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Ellen Weeton      Print: Book

  

[Madame] de Genlis : 

'Weeton's reading becomes important in communication with friends, but also a point of conflict: when she visits her brother and his wife, they complain that she spends all her time reading, though she insists that she read very little ("only... Gil Blas, now and then a newspaper, two or three of Lady M. W. Montagu's letters, and few pages in a magazine'), and only because her hosts rose so late. Since her literacy is important as a sign of status, she repeatedly presents herself not as a reader of low status texts like novels but of travels, education works, memoirs and letters, including Boswell's "Tour of the Hebrides", the Travels of Mungo Park, and Mme de Genlis' work. She approves some novels, like Hamilton's "The Cottagers of Glenburnie", but generally finds them a "dangerous, facinating kind of amusement" which "destroy all relish for useful, instructive studies'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Ellen Weeton      Print: Book

  

William Henry Davies : 'Love's Silent Hour' and three other poems

'Yesterday my Elizabeth and I went to the most remarkable poets' Reading I have ever attended. It was held at Lord Byron's beautiful house in Piccadilly... I was moved by Mr de la Mare reading five poems of great beauty. Elizabeth was thrilled at seeing for the first time W.H. Davies, a strange tiny poet. He read "Love's Silent Hour" and three others. Hilary [Hilaire Belloc] read "The Poor of London" and "the Dons". He got a big reception'.

Unknown
Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: William Henry Davies      

  

William Shakespeare : The Sonnets

'read some of the Sonnets of shakspear which are great favourites of mine & lookd into the Poems of Chatterton to see what he says about flowers & have found that he speaks of the Lady smock [quotes from 'The Battle of Hastings'].

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Clare      Print: Book

  

William Collins Collins : 'Odes' [Appears to be a volume of Odes by various authors]

'Read some of the Odes of Collins think them superior to Grays [...] I cannot describe the pleasure I feel in reading them [...] I find in the same Vol Odes by a poet of the name of Oglivie [...] they appear to me to be bold intruders to claim company with Gray and Collins'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Clare      Print: Book

  

John Hamilton Reynolds : The Garden of Florence

'Began to read again the 'Garden of Florence' by Reynolds it is a beautiful simple tale' [describes other poems in vol].

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Clare      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa Harlowe

At home all day. [...] My wife read part of Clarissa Harlowe to me in the even as I sat a-posting my book.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Margaret 'Peggy' Turner      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : Song: she dwelt among th' untrodden ways

'lucy / wordsworth she dwelt in the untrodden ways,beside the springs of dove...' Transcribes text but with significant errors when compared to wordsworth's original. The original first line 'she dwelt among the untrodden ways'.

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Groom      

  

Samuel Rogers : The Sailor

'the sailor / rogers'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Groom      

  

Samuel Rogers : An Italian Song

'An Italian Song / Rogers' [transcription of poem]

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Groom      

  

Miss Elizabeth Smith : Fragments of prose and verse: by a young lady

'happiness is a very common plant...' 'e. smith's fragments' 'greenock'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elisabeth or Eliza Duncan      

  

Miss Elizabeth Smith : Fragments of prose and verse: by a young lady

'the christain life may be compared...' 'e. smith's fragments'. followed by extract ascribed to 'hannah more' 'those who are rendered unhappy by frivolous troubles seek comfort in frivolous enjoyments...'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elisabeth or Eliza Duncan      

  

Miss Elizabeth Smith : Fragments of prose and verse: by a young lady

'the cause of all sin...' 'e.smith's fragments'. signed 'e.d.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elisabeth or Eliza Duncan      

  

Samuel Rogers : The Wish

'A Wish' 'Rogers' [transcribes text] 'Mine be a cot beside a hill...'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Dugdale      

  

William Robert Spencer : To The Lady Anne Hamilton

'Verses / Spencer' 'Too late I staid, forgive the crime; /...' [transcript of poem]

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Groom      

  

Thomas James Mathias : The Pursuits of Literature; A Satirical Poem

Engaged in a 2nd perusal of the Pursuits of Literature and the Monthly Magazine

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: I.G.      Print: Book

  

Baroness Anne Loiuse Germaine De Stael-Holstein : Germany

Read with much delight and instruction the Baroness De Stael's Germany

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: I.G.      Print: Book

  

Benjamin Disraeli : 

'Our parents had accumulated a large number of books, which we were allowed to browse in as much as we liked.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Vivian (Molly) Hughes      Print: Book

  

Benjamin Thompson : Philosophical Papers: being a collection of memoir

I have been reading lately "Maunders Geography" and working a little at "Thompson's Natural Philosophy["]

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Albert Battiscombe      Print: Book

  

James Shirley : The Gratefull Servant. A Comedie...

Aunt sup'd with me. Read 4 Acts of 'The Gratefull Servant'. Bed 12. More amused and quiet than of late.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Gertrude Savile      Print: Book

  

Andrew Michael Ramsay : Travels of Cyrus

Mary read to me a little before dinner, (which she does tolerable); 'Cyrus' a Romance. I wound silk.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Stancliff      Print: Book

  

Andrew Michael Ramsay : ['Cyrus'] OR Travels of Cyrus

Lay till near 11. Mary read 'cyrus', I winding silk.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Stancliff      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Double Falsehood; Or, the Distrest Lovers... writt

Read 'Double Falshood' a play of Shakespear's never acted till this winter. I think it a poor one for his. Bed 12.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Gertrude Savile      Print: Book

  

Andrew Michael Ramsay : The Travels of Cyrus

Read 'The travells of Cyrus' after supper.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Gertrude Savile      Print: Book

  

Andrew Michael Ramsay : The Travels of Cyrus

Home past 9. Supper alone, Read 'Cyrus', Bed 12.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Gertrude Savile      Print: Book

  

Andrew Michael Ramsay : The Travels of Cyrus

Rise at 10. Mary read 'Cyrus'. Knited [knitted] till 7.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Stancliff      Print: Book

  

Andrew Michael Ramsay : The Travels of Cyrus

Took Phisick. Rise at 10. Mary read Cyrus.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Stancliff      Print: Book

  

Andrew Michael Ramsay : The Travels of Cyrus

Took phisick. Mary read Cyrus.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Stancliff      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Romeo and Juliet

[Marginalia by Macaulay on the first page of his copy of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet"]: 'An admirable opening scene, whatever the French critics may say. It at once puts us thoroughly in possession of the state of the two families.'

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Romeo and Juliet

[Marginalia by Macaulay by the passage about the biting of the thumbs in Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet"]: 'This is not what would be commonly called fine; but I would give any six plays of Rowe for it.'

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Romeo and Juliet

[Marginalia by Macaulay by the scene in the street beginning with Mercutio's lines: 'Where the devil should this Romeo be? / Came he not home to- night?' in Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet"]: 'This is the free conversation of lively, high-spirited young gentlemen.'

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Romeo and Juliet

[Marginalia by Macaulay by the commencement of the third act in Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet"]: 'Mercutio, here, is beyond the reach of anybody but Shakespeare.'

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Romeo and Juliet

[Marginalia by Macaulay by the the lines 'Some consequence, yet hanging in the stars, / Shall bitterly begin his fearful date / With this night's revels'in Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet"]: 'This is as fine an instance of presentiment as I remember in poetry. It throws a sadness over all the gaiety that follows, and prepares us for the catastrophe.'

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Romeo and Juliet

[Marginalia by Macaulay at the close of the Third Act of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet"]: 'Very fine is the way in which Juliet at once withdraws her whole confidence from the nurse without disclosing her feelings'.

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Romeo and Juliet

[Editorial commentary on Macaulay's marginalia]: 'When [...] the poor child commits her life to the hands of Friar Lawrence, Macaulay remarks on the wonderful genius with which the poet delineates a timid, delicate girl of fourteen excited and exalted to an act of desperate courage.'

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

George (Duke of Buckingham) Villiers : The Rehearsal

Read 4 acts of 'The Rehearsall'. Bed 11.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Gertrude Savile      Print: Book

  

George (Duke of Buckingham) Villiers : The Rehearsal

Read an act of 'The Rehearsall' and one of 'All for Love'. Bed 12.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Gertrude Savile      Print: Book

  

Andrew Michael Ramsay : The Travels of Cyrus

Read 'travells of Cyrus' alone 2 1/2 hours. A fine book. Bed near 12.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Gertrude Savile      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : The Life of Samuel Johnson

Commenced Boswell's Life of Johnson and was much pleased with it.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Horrocks Ainsworth      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : The Life of Samuel Johnson

Dined at five - went on with Boswell having discontinued it, since Saturday January 23rd.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Horrocks Ainsworth      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : King Lear

'There is a pencil note in his copy of "Paradise Lost": "Had to write 500 lines of this for being caught reading "King Lear" in class."'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Tom Thomas      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : The Tempest

'We spent a whole term on the first two scenes of "The Tempest".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Vivian (Molly) Hughes      Print: Book

  

William Seward : Anecdotes of Some Distinguished Persons, Chiefly o

Reading "Anedotes of Some Remarkable Persons Chiefly of The Present and Two Preceding Centuries'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Hunter      Print: Book

  

Mary Masters : To Marinda at Parting

May heavenly Angels their soft wings display And guide you safe thro' ev'ry dangerous way In every step may you most happy be And tho far distant often think of me [some differences from the original]

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Sophia      

  

Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Schelling : Zeitschrift fur speculative Physik

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Plays [various]

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

James MacPherson : The Poems of Ossian, the Son of Fingal

[Marginalia]

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Adam Weishaupt : Pythagoras

[Marginalia]

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Plays

[Marginalia]

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : Benjamin the Waggoner

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Adam Weishaupt : Ueber Wahrheit und sittliche Vollkommenheit

[Marginalia]

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Von Schelling : Darlegung des wahren Verhaltnisses der Naturphilosphe

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Von Schelling : Denkmal der Schrift von den gottlichen Dingen

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Von Schelling : Einleitung zu seinem Entwurf eines Systems der Naturphilosophie

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Von Schelling : Ideen zu einer Philosophie der Natur

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Von Schelling : Philosophie und Religion

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Romeo and Juliet

Macaulay's marginalia, by the lines 'Now, afore God, this reverend holy friar/ All our whole city is much bound to him' in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet: "Warburton proposed to read 'hymn' for 'him'; - the most ludicrous emendation ever suggested".

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Romeo and Juliet

Macaulay's marginalia by the speech about Queen Mab in Romeo and Juliet: "This speech, - full of matter, of thought, of fancy, as it is, - seems to me, like much of this play, to be not in Shakspeare's [sic] very best manner. It is stuck on like one of Horace's 'purple patches'. It does not seem to spring naturally out of the conversation. This is a fault which, in his finest works, Shakspeare [sic] never commits."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Romeo and Juliet

Macaulay's marginalia by the lines 'Hath Romeo slain himself' to 'Of those eyes shut, that make thee answer "I"' : "If this had been in Cibber, Cibber would never have heard the last of it."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Romeo and Juliet

Macaulay's marginalia by the point where Balthazar brings the evil tidings to Mantua in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet: "Here begins a noble series of scenes. I know nothing grander than the way in which Romeo hears the news. It moves me even more than Lear's agonies."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Romeo and Juliet

Macaulay's marginalia in the scene in the vault of death in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet: "The desperate calmness of Romeo is sublime beyond expression; and the manner in which he is softened into tenderness when he sees the body of Juliet is perhaps the most affecting touch in all poetry."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

Abraham Parsons : Travels in Asia and Africa

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet

Macaulay's marginalia in his copy of Hamlet, by the opening dialogue: "beyond praise".

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet

Macaulay's marginalia in his copy of Hamlet, by the lines 'that season comes/ Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated" : "Sweet writing".

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet

Macaulay's marginalia in his copy of Hamlet, "The long story about Fortinbras, and all that follows from it, seems to me to be a clumsy addition to the plot".

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet

Macaulay's marginalia in his copy of Hamlet, in the scene of the royal audience in the room of state: "The silence of Hamlet during the earlier part of this scene is very fine, but not equal to the silence of Prometheus and Cassandra in the Prometheus and Agammemnon of Aeschylus."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

Emanuel Swedenborg : The Wisdom of Angels concerning Divine Love and Divine Wisdom

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet

Macaulay's marginalia in his copy of Hamlet, by the scene with the strolling player's declamation about Pyrrhus: "the only thing deserving of much admiration in the speech is the manner in which it is raised above the ordinary diction which surrounds it. It is poetry within poetry, - a play within a play. It was therefore proper to make its language bear the same relation to the language, in which Hamlet and Horatio talk, which the language of Hamlet and Horatio bears to the common style of conversation among gentlemen. This is a sufficient defence of the style, which is undoubtedly in itself far too turgid for dramatic, or even for lyric, composition."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

Emanuel Swedenborg : True Christian Religion

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Emanuel Swedenborg : De coelo et ejus mirabilibus, et de inferno

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Emanuel Swedenborg : De cultu et amore Dei

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet

Macaulay's marginalia in his copy of Hamlet, at the opening of Act 1, Scene 4: "Nothing can be finer than this specimen of Hamlet's peculiar character. His intellect is out of all proportion to his will or his passions. Under the most exciting circumstances, while expecting every moment to see the ghost of his father rise before him, he goes on discussing questions of morals, manners, or politics, as if he were in the schools of Wittenberg."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

Emanuel Swedenborg : De equo albo de quo in Apocalypsi

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Emanuel Swedenborg : De equo albo de quo in Apocalypsi

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet

Macaulay's marginalia in his copy of Hamlet, by the lines 'Dost thou hear?/ Since my dear soul was mistress of her choice,/ And could of men distinguish, her election/ Hath sealed thee for herself, - ' : "An exquisitely beautiful scene. It always moved me more than any other in the play. There is something very striking in the way in which Hamlet, a man of a gentle nature, quick in speculation, morbidly sluggish in action, unfit to struggle with the real evils of life, and finding himself plunged into the midst of them, - delights to repose on the strong mind of a man who had been severely tried, and who had learned stoicism from experience. There is wonderful truth in this."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

Emanuel Swedenborg : Oeconomia regni animalis, in transactiones divisa

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Emanuel Swedenborg : Oeconomia regni animalis, in transactiones divisa

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet

Macaulay's marginalia in his copy of Hamlet, by the conversation between Hamlet and the courtier, in Act 5: "This is a most admirable scene. The fooling of Osric is nothing; but it is most striking to see how completely Hamlet forgets his father, his mistress, the terrible duty imposed upon him, the imminent danger which he has to run, as soon as a subject of observation comes before him; - as soon as a good butt is offered to his wit."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet

Macaulay's marginalia. By an editorial note by Dr Johnson, to the lines, 'Who would fardels bear, / To groan and sweat under a weary life'. Johnson wrote, "All the old copies have to 'grunt and sweat'. It is undoubtedly the true reading, but can scarcely be borne by modern ears." Macaulay writes: "We want Shakespeare, not your fine modern English."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet

Macaulay's marginalia. By the editorial notes in his copy of Hamlet: "It is a noble emendation. Had Warburton often hit off such corrections, he would be entitled to the first place among critics."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet

Macaulay's marginalia by the editorial notes in his copy of Hamlet in the scene where Hamlet declines to kill his uncle in the act of praying. Johnson comments that the speech in which, "not content with taking blood for blood, he contrived damnation for his enemy, was too horrible to be read or uttered." Macaulay responds: "Johnson does not understand the character. Hamlet is irresolute; and he makes the first excuse that suggests itself for not striking. If he had met the King drunk, he would have refrained from avenging himself lest he should kill both soul and body."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : King Lear

Macaulay's marginalia in his copy of King Lear, in Act 1, Scene 3: "Here begins the finest of all human performances."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : King Lear

Macaulay's marginalia in his copy of King Lear, in Act 2, Scene 2, opposite Cornwall's description of the fellow who has been praised for bluntness: "Excellent! It is worth while to compare these moral speeches of Shakspeare [sic] with those which are so much admired in Euripides. The superiority of Shakspeare's [sic] observations is immense. But the dramatic art with which they are introduced, - always in the right place, - always from the right person, - is still more admirable."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : King Lear

Macaulay's marginalia in his copy of King Lear, by the lines 'Now i pr'ythee, daughter, do not make me mad!/ I will not trouble thee, my child; farewell!' : "This last struggle between rage and tenderness is, I think, unequalled in poetry."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : King Lear

Macaulay's marginalia in his copy of King Lear, by the apostrophe commencing, 'O, let not women's weapons, water-drops...' : "Where is there anything like this in the world"?

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : King Lear

Macaulay's marginalia in his copy of King Lear, by opening of the play: "Idolising Shakspeare [sic] as I do, I cannot but feel that the whole scene is very unnatural. He took it, to be sure, from an old story. What miracles his genius has brought out from materials so unpromising!"

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : King Lear

Macaulay's marginalia in his copy of King Lear, by the quarrel between Kent and Cornwall's steward: "It is rather a fault in the play, to my thinking, that Kent should behave so very insolently in this scene. A man of his rank and sense would have had more self-command and dignity even in his anger. One can hardly blame Cornwall for putting him in the stocks."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : King Lear

Macaulay's marginalia in his copy of King Lear, in Act 3, Scene 4: "The softening of Lear's nature and manners, under the discipline of severe sorrow, is mot happily marked in several places."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : King Lear

Macaulay's marginalia in response to a note by Dr Johnson at the end of King Lear. Johnson protested against the unpleasing character of a story, "in which the wicked prosper, and the virtuous miscarry." Macaulay responds: "There is nothing like this last scene in the world. Johnson talks nonsense. Torn to pieces as Lear's heart had been, was he to live happily ever after, as the story-books say? Wonderful as the whole play is, this last passage is the triumph of Shakspeare's [sic] genius. Every character is perfectly supported."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Antony and Cleopatra

Macaulay's marginalia in his copy of Antony and Cleopatra. A response to an editorial note by Steevens. "Solemn nonsense! Had Shakspeare [ sic] no eyes to see the sky with?"

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

Thomas Gaisford : Poetae Minores Graeci

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Samuel Pepys : Memoirs of Samuel Pepys, Esq

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Henry V

Macaulay's marginalia in his copy of Henry V, by the Prologue. Macaulay responds to an editorial note by Dr Johnson, who remarks that to call a circle an O was a very mean metaphor. Macaulay responds: "Surely, if O were really the usual name of a circle there would be nothing mean in it, any more than in the Delta of the Nile."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

Emanuel Swedenborg : Regnum animale anatomice, physice et philosophice

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : A Midsummer Night's Dream

Macaulay's marginalia in his copy of A Midsummer Night's Dream, by Warburton's editorial note to the lines 'Now the hungry lions roar, / And the wolf beholds the moon'. Macaulay writes: "In my opinion, this is one of Warburton's very best corrections."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : A Midsummer Night's Dream

Macaulay's marginalia in his copy of A Midsummer Night's Dream, by the lines 'the rattling tongue / Of saucy and audacious eloquence': This is Shakspeare's [sic] manly sense and knowledge of the world, introduced with perfect dramatic propriety. How different from Euripides's lectures on such subjects."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : A Midsummer Night's Dream

Macaulay's marginalia in his copy of A Midsummer Night's Dream, by the lines 'Be, as thou wast wont to be' to 'Hath such force and blessed power": "Beautiful and easy beyond expression".

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : A Midsummer Night's Dream

Macaulay's marginalia in his copy of A Midsummer Night's Dream, on the last page: "A glorious play. The love-scenes Fletcher might perhaps have written. The fairy scenes no man but one since the world began could have written."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : unknown

We [Barrett and Hugh Stuart Boyd] talked comparatively about Homer, Aeschylus & Shakespeare: and positively about Aeschylus's Prometheus ? Praises of the speech in the Medea.

Century:      Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett      Print: Book

  

Thomas Beddoes : Domiciliary Verses

'W[ordsworth] did not read it [Thomas Beddoes, Domiciliary Verses] until it was reprinted in the Annual Anthology (1799). [Joseph] Cottle sent W[ordsworth] a copy ... in Aug. 1799, and on 2 Sept he wrote back: "Pray give yourself no uneasiness about Dr Beddoes's verses [which parodied the Lyrical Ballads] ... it is a very harmless performance."'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

Marcus Antoninus : 

At breakfast, my parcel of books from Eaton came up the road. Fresh from the carrier. Unpacked it eagerly, & read the title pages of Barnes?s Euripides, Marcus Antoninus, Callimachus, the Anthologia, Epictetus, Isocrates, & Da Vinci?s Painting. The last I had sent for, for Eliza Cliffe, but the externals are so shabby that I have a mind to send it back again. Finished my dream about Udolpho; - & began Destiny, a novel by the author of the Inheritance [Susan Ferrier] which Miss Peyton lent me. I liked the Inheritance so much that my desires respecting this book were ?all alive?. I forgot to say that I don?t like the conclusion of the Mysteries. It is ?long drawn out? & not ?in linked sweetness?. Read some of the Alcestis. Mr. Boyd wishes me to read it; & I wished so too.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett      Print: Book

  

William Lisle Bowles : Fourteen Sonnets

'At some point after 1828, W[ordsworth] told Alexander Dyce that he read Bowles's Fourteen Sonnets on publication: "When Bowles's Sonnets first appeared, - a thin 4to pamphlet, entitled Fourteen Sonnets, - I bought them in a walk through London with my dear brother, who was afterwards drowned at sea."'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

Marcus Antoninus : 

I read half the 6th book of Antoninus today ? so I can?t say, after all, perdidi diem [I have lost a day].

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett      Print: Book

  

Thomas Hughes : Tom Brown

[Permitted Sunday reading for the children of the family]

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Vivian (Molly) Hughes      Print: Book

  

Marcus Antoninus : 

I read the other half of Antoninus?s sixth book, - & half his seventh, besides. What a creature I am ? to spend my time in this way, between philosophy & folly. Anoninus wd. not be well pleased, if he could know whom he has for a reader!

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett      Print: Book

  

Marcus Antoninus : 

On Wednesday before breakfast, I read the beginning of Antoninus?s 10th. book, & I went on with it today, but not the end. My energies felt dead within me: & how could I do anything without them? Nothing but reading the 3d. vol: of Mrs. Shelley, which I despatched in two hours ? (which did come at last!! - ) No going out today. Marcus Antoninus after Mrs. Shelly [sic], and drinking tea after Marcus.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett      Print: Book

  

Mary Shelley : The Last Man

On Wednesday before breakfast, I read the beginning of Antoninus?s 10th. book, & I went on with it today, but not the end. My energies felt dead within me: & how could I do anything without them? Nothing but reading the 3d. vol: of Mrs. Shelley, which I despatched in two hours ? (which did come at last!! - ) No going out today. Marcus Antoninus after Mrs. Shelly [sic], and drinking tea after Marcus.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett      Print: Book

  

Marcus Antoninus : 

On Wednesday before breakfast, I read the beginning of Antoninus?s 10th. book, & I went on with it today, but not the end. My energies felt dead within me: & how could I do anything without them? Nothing but reading the 3d. vol: of Mrs. Shelley, which I despatched in two hours ? (which did come at last!! - ) No going out today. Marcus Antoninus after Mrs. Shelly [sic], and drinking tea after Marcus.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : 

'After tea...[on a Sunday, my father]...liked to read aloud to us from books that sounded quite well, but afforded some chance of frivolity.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Molly Vivian      Print: Book

  

James Thomson : The Seasons

'At age thirteen John Clare was shown The Seasons by a Methodist weaver and though he had no real experience of poetry, he was immediately enthralled by Thomson's evocation of spring'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Clare      Print: Book

  

William Gladstone : 

'I struggled through one [essay/article] by Gladstone just, in order to be able to say I had, but honestly I understood no single sentence.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Vivian (Molly) Hughes      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Samuel Johnson : 

'Christopher Thomson was a "zealous" Methodist until he discovered Shakespeare, Miilton, Sterne and Dr Johnson at a circulating library. When his absence from Sunday chapel was noticed, "I was called to account for it; by way of defence I pleaded my desire for, and indulgence in, reading. This appeared rather to aggravate than serve my cause. It was evidently their opinion, that all books, except such as they deemed religious ones, ought not to be read by young men. I ventured somewhat timidly to hint, that it was possible for a young man to read novels, and other works of fiction, and still keep his mind free from irreligion and vice...".'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Christopher Thomson      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : 

'Circuit preacher Joseph Barker found that theology simply could not compete with Shakespeare: "What pleased me most was the simplicity and beauty of his style. He had always a meaning in what he said, and you could easily see his meaning. He never talked at random or lost himself in a mist. I had at this time been so accustomed to meet dull, mysterious and unmeaning stuff in many religious books as they are called, that I felt quite delighted to read something that was rational, plain, stirring, and straightforward".'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Barker      Print: Book

  

James Thomson : 

'Shakespeare incited his appetite for poetry: Cowper, Pope, Dryden, Goldsmith, Thomson, Byron. Not only were they more interesting than the fifty volumes of Wesley's Christian Library: eventually Barker realised that "the reason why I could not understand them was, that there was nothing to be understood - that the books were made up of words, and commonplace errors and mystical and nonsensical expressions, and that there was no light or truth in them". When his superintendent searched his lodgings and found Shakespeare and Byron there, Barker was hauled before a disciplinary committee'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Barker      Print: Book

  

Thomas Hobbes : 

'Byron had intoxicated him "with the freedom of his style of writing, with the fervour or passionateness of his feelings and with the dark and terrible pictures which he seemed to take pleasure in painting". The general effect of reading Milton, Hobbes, Locke and Newton had been "to make me resolve to be free. I saw that it was impossible for the soul of man to answer the end for which it was created, while tramelled by human authority, or fettered with human creeds. I saw that if I was to do justice to truth, to God, or to my own soul, I must break loose from all creeds and laws of men's devising, and live in full and unrestricted liberty..."'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Barker      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : 

'Though one former ploughboy extolled Shakespeare for possessing a deep sense of the pure morality of the Gospel" and quoted from him on most of the 440 pages of his autobiography, he was anxious to insist that "Shakespeare can be far more appreciated and better understood in the closet than in a public theater".'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Westcott Tilke      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : 

'While he read little but the Bible and religious periodicals, his son was working his way through the Rhymney Workmen's Institute Library and Cassell's National Library of 3d paperbacks. MacAulay's essays, Goldsmith's History of England, Far from the Madding Crowd, Self-Help, Josephus, Plutarch, Shakespeare, Pepys, Johnson's Lives of the Poets, and The Sorrows of Young Werther were among the books Jones read, often on his employer's time. (He hid them under the ledger at the Rhymney Iron Works, where he worked a thirteen hour day as a timekeeper for 9s. a week.)'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Jones      Print: Book

  

Samuel Pepys : 

'While he read little but the Bible and religious periodicals, his son was working his way through the Rhymney Workmen's Institute Library and Cassell's National Library of 3d paperbacks. MacAulay's essays, Goldsmith's History of England, Far from the Madding Crowd, Self-Help, Josephus, Plutarch, Shakespeare, Pepys, Johnson's Lives of the Poets, and The Sorrows of Young Werther were among the books Jones read, often on his employer's time. (He hid them under the ledger at the Rhymney Iron Works, where he worked a thirteen hour day as a timekeeper for 9s. a week.)'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Jones      Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : Lives of the Poets

'While he read little but the Bible and religious periodicals, his son was working his way through the Rhymney Workmen's Institute Library and Cassell's National Library of 3d paperbacks. MacAulay's essays, Goldsmith's History of England, Far from the Madding Crowd, Self-Help, Josephus, Plutarch, Shakespeare, Pepys, Johnson's Lives of the Poets, and The Sorrows of Young Werther were among the books Jones read, often on his employer's time. (He hid them under the ledger at the Rhymney Iron Works, where he worked a thirteen hour day as a timekeeper for 9s. a week.)'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Jones      Print: Book

  

Adam Smith : The Wealth of Nations

'The Primitive Methodists may have been the most anti-intellectual of the Wesleyans, yet miners' MP John Johnson... "found their teaching the strongest possible incentive to trying to improve myself, not only morally, but mentally, and towards the latter end I took to serious and systematic study." He read deeply in history and philosophy, as well as such this-worldly tracts as The Wealth of Nations, John Stuart Mill's Principles of Political Economy, and Alfred Marshall's Principles of Economics'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: John Johnson      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : 

'As a circuit preacher Pyke introduced farm people to Milton, Carlyle, Ruskin and Tolstoy. His own reading ranged from Shakespeare and Boswell to Shelley's poems and George Henry Lewes's History of Philosophy. He was even prepared to acknowledge the "genius" of Jude the Obscure, though he would have preferred a happy ending'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Richard Pyke      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : 

'As a circuit preacher Pyke introduced farm people to Milton, Carlyle, Ruskin and Tolstoy. His own reading ranged from Shakespeare and Boswell to Shelley's poems and George Henry Lewes's History of Philosophy. He was even prepared to acknowledge the "genius" of Jude the Obscure, though he would have preferred a happy ending'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Richard Pyke      Print: Book

  

Thomas Second Lord Lyttelton : Letters

'The propaganda of Robert Owen alone did not convert printer Thomas Frost to socialism: "The poetry of Coleridge and Shelley was stirring within me and making me 'a Chartist and something more'". Frost had been an omnivorous reader since childhood, when he read his grandmother's volumes of The Spectator and The Persian Letters. Most subversive of all were the letters of the second Lord Lyttelton: "The attraction which this book had for me consisted, I believe, in the tinge of scepticism to be found in several of the letters, and in the metaphysical questions argued, lightly and cleverly, in others. I was beginning to assert for myself freedom of thought, and to rebel against custom and convention; and there was naturally much in common between the writer and the reader",'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Frost      Print: Book

  

Miguel de Cervantes Savedra : Don Quixote

"Of my earliest days at school I have little to say, but that they were very happy ones, chiefly because I was left at liberty, and in the vacations, to read whatever books I liked ... I read all Fielding's works, Don Quixote, Gil Blas, and any part of Swift that I liked." (Wordsworth, Prose Works vol. 3 p.372).

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Collins : An Ode on the Popular Superstitions of the Highlands of Scotland

"[in 29.10.1828 letter to Alexander Dyce] ... W[ordsworth] recalls that 'in 1788 the Ode was first printed from Dr Carlyle's copy, with Mr Mackenzie's supplemental lines - and was extensively circulated through the English newspapers, in which I remember to have read it with great pleasure upon its first appearance.'"

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Print: Newspaper

  

William Shakespeare : 

'Milton established a habit of serious reading, which brought Bamford to Homer, Virgil, Shakespeare, the great poets, classic histories and voyages, and ultimately William Cobbett's Political Register'.

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Bamford      Print: Book

  

Desiderius Erasmus Rotterdamus : 

'In 1926 [Catherine McMullen] was herself a workhouse laundress, struggling to improve her mind by reading T.P. and Cassell's Weekly. The magazine was full of literary gossip that made her aspire to be a writer, but she had no idea which books to read until she came across Elinor Glyn's The Career of Catherine Bush. In this story of a romance between a duke and a secretary, the secretary is advised to read the Letters of Lord Chesterfield to his Son. Catherine McMullen visited a public library for the first time in her life and borrowed the book: "And here began my education. With Lord Chesterfield I read my first mythology. I learned my first history and geography. With Lord Chesterfield I went travelling the world. I would fall asleep reading the letters and awake around three o'clock in the morning my mind deep in the fascination of this new world, where people conversed, not just talked..." ... He launched her into a lifetime course of reading, beginning with Chaucer in Middle English, moving on to Erasmus, Donne, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, and even Finnegan's Wake.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Catherine McMullen      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : 

'[Mary Smith] found emancipation in Shakespeare, Dryden, Goldsmith and other standard male authors, whom she extolled for their universality: "These authors wrote from their hearts for humanity, and I could follow them fully and with delight, though but a child. They awakened my young nature, and I found for the first time that my pondering heart was akin to that of the whole human race. And when I read the famous essays of Steele and Addison, I could realize much of their truth and beauty of expression... Pope's stanzas, which I read at school as an eight year- old child, showed me how far I felt and shared the sentiment that he wrote, when he says, Thus let me live unseen, unknown Thus unlamented let me die; Steal from the world and not a stone Tell where I lie".'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Smith      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa

"Christopher Wordsworth Jr. wrote of W[ordsworth]: 'The week before he took his degree he passed his time in reading Clarissa Harlowe.'"

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

Thomas Clarkson : Portraiture of Quakerism as taken from a view of the Moral Education, Descriptions, Peculiar Customs, Religious Principles, Political and Civil Oeconomy and Character of the Society of Friends

Dorothy Wordsworth describes receiving only 'two last volumes' of 'Mr Clarkson's Book': 'we may yet have to wait a fortnight or three weeks for the other [received by William Wordsworth at a separate address (Basil Montagu's)] ... We have determined not to read the Book till we can begin at the beginning, so I have done little more than turn over the leaves ... I think it is a very well-looking Book, with enough of stuff in each page, not too large margins, and a good type. As to the matter, it looks very nice, (I have heard you say that you can judge of a book in turning over the leaves) and I have read some very sweetly written bits.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

Thomas Clarkson : Portraiture of Quakerism as taken from a View of the Moral Education, Descriptions, Peculiar Customs, Religious Principles, Political and Civil OEconomy and Character of the Society of Friends.

'W[illia]m [Wordsworth] has read most of Mr Clarkson's book and has been much pleased, but he complains of the second volume being exceedingly disfigured by perpetual use of the word tract.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa, or The History of a Young Lady

'Clarissa Harlowe was not more interesting [than Thomas Clarkson, The History of the Rise, Progress and Accomplishment of the African Slave-Trade] when I first read it at 14 years of age.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

Thomas Clarkson : History of the Rise, Progress and Accomplishment of the Abolition of the African Slave-Trade, The

'We had read his [Thomas Clarkson's] book ... William [Wordsworth] I believe made a few remarks upon paper, but he had not time for much criticism, and in fact having only one perusal of the work he was too much interested.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Manuscript: Unknown

  

William Wordsworth : [poems]

William Wordsworth describes coach journey from London, having already observed that the coach guard was a former grocer on his first day in the new job: 'At Lancaster I happened to mention Grasmere in the hearing of one of the Passengers, who asked me immediately if one Wordsworth did not live there. I answered, "Yes." - "He has written," said he, "some very beautiful Poems; The Critics do indeed cry out against them, and condemn them as over simple, but for my part I read them with great pleasure, they are natural and true." - This man was also a Grocer.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: [a grocer] Anon      

  

William Wordsworth : White Doe of Rylstone, The

'In compliance with frequent entreaties I took the MSS [of The White Doe of Rylstone] to [Charles] Lamb's to read it, or part of it, one evening. There unluckily I found [William] Hazlitt and his Beloved [Sarah Stoddart] ... though I had the Poem in my hand I ... absolutely refused, to read it. But as they were very earnest in entreating me, I at last consented to read one Book ... '

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Manuscript: Unknown

  

William Wordsworth : White Doe of Rylstone, The

'Mr. Wilson came to us on Saturday morning and stayed till Sunday afternoon - William [Wordsworth] read the White Doe; and Coleridge's Christabel to him, with both of which he was much delighted.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Print: Serial / periodical

  

William Shakespeare : Julius Caesar

[Macaulay's marginalia by the conversation in the street between Brutus and Cassius, in the First Act of Julius Caesar] "These two or three pages are worth the whole French drama ten times over."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Julius Caesar

[Macaulay's marginalia at the end of Julius Caesar] "The last scenes are huddled up, and affect me less than Plutarch's narrative. But the working up of Brutus by Cassius, the meeting of the conspirators, the stirring of the mob by Antony, and (above all,) the dispute and reconciliation of the two generals, are things far beyond the reach of any other poet that ever lived."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Julius Caesar

[Macaulay's marginalia by the lines "Let me have men about me that are fat/ Sleek headed men, and such as sleep o' nights" in Julius Caesar] "Plutarch's hint is admirably expanded here".

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

G.W.M. Reynolds : The Mysteries of London

Henry Mayhew interviews "educated" costermongers who read fiction aloud to groups of costermongers in the courts they inhabit; long account of the comments made by illiterate costermongers when cheap serials are read to them, comments on the story lines they like, characters and illustrations; reading of G.W.M. Reynolds's "Mysteries" and Edward Lloyd's penny bloods

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Serial / periodical

  

G.W.M. Reynolds : The Mysteries of the Court of London

Henry Mayhew interviews "educated" costermongers who read fiction aloud to groups of costermongers in the courts they inhabit; long account of the comments made by illiterate costermongers when cheap serials are read to them, comments on the story lines they like, characters and illustrations; reading of G.W.M. Reynolds's "Mysteries" and Edward Lloyd's penny bloods

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Serial / periodical

  

G.W.M. Reynolds : Reynolds's Miscellany

Henry Mayhew interviews a crossing sweeper: "Sometimes, after I get home, I read a book, if I can borrow one. What do I read? Well, novels, when I can get them. What did I read last night? Well, Reynolds's Miscellany; before that I read the Pilgrim's Progress. I have read it three times over; but there's always something new in it."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Serial / periodical

  

William Shakespeare : 

Henry Mayhew interviews a penny mouse-trap maker (cripple): "I found books often lull my pain... I can't afford them no, for I have no wish to incur any extraneous expense, while the weight of the labour lies on my family more than it does on myself. Over and over again, when I have been in acute pain with my thigh, a scientific book, or a work on history, or a volume of travels, would carry my thoughts far away ...I always had love of solid works. For an hour's light reading, I have often turned to a work of imagination, such as Milton's Paradise Lost, and Shakespeare's plays; but I prefer science to poetry... I think it is solely due to my taste for mechanics and my love of reading scientific books that I am able to live so comfortably as I do in my affliction."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Jack Sheppard

Henry Mayhew interviews a 'vagrant' of 18 years of age: "Of a night ...we'd read stories about Jack Sheppard and Dick Turpin, and all through that set. They were large thick books, borrowed from the library. They told how they used to break open the houses, and get out of Newgate, and how Dick got away to York. We used to think Jack and them very fine fellows. I wished I could be like Jack (I did then), about the blankets in his escape, and that old house in West-street -it is a ruin still."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Rookwood

Henry Mayhew interviews a 'vagrant' of 18 years of age: "Of a night ...we'd read stories about Jack Sheppard and Dick Turpin, and all through that set. They were large thick books, borrowed from the library. They told how they used to break open the houses, and get out of Newgate, and how Dick got away to York. We used to think Jack and them very fine fellows. I wished I could be like Jack (I did then), about the blankets in his escape, and that old house in West-street -it is a ruin still."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Windsor Castle

Henry Mayhew interviews a boy of 16, a vagrant and inmate of a casual ward of a London workhouse: "My father had no books but religious books; they were all of a religious turn, and what people might think dull. But they never made me dull. I read Wesley's and Watt's hymns, and religious magazines of different connexions. I had a natural inclination for the sae, and would like to get to it now. I've read a good deal about it since -Clark's 'Lives of Pirates', 'Tales of Shipwrecks', and other things in penny numbers (Clark's I got out of the library though). I was what people called a deep boy for a book; and am still. Whenever I had a penny, after I got a bellyful of victuals, it went for a book, but I haven't bought many lately. I did buy one yesterday -the 'Family Herald' -one I often read when I can get it. There's good reading in it; it elevates your mind -anybody that has a mind for studying. It has good tales in it... I've read "Windsor Castle" and "The Tower", -they're by the same man. I Liked "Windsor Castle" and all about Henry VIII and Herne and Hunter. It's a book that's connected with history, and that's a good thing. I like adventurous tales."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book, Serial / periodical, unsure if penny numbers or book

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : The Tower of London

Henry Mayhew interviews a boy of 16, a vagrant and inmate of a casual ward of a London workhouse: "My father had no books but religious books; they were all of a religious turn, and what people might think dull. But they never made me dull. I read Wesley's and Watt's hymns, and religious magazines of different connexions. I had a natural inclination for the sae, and would like to get to it now. I've read a good deal about it since -Clark's 'Lives of Pirates', 'Tales of Shipwrecks', and other things in penny numbers (Clark's I got out of the library though). I was what people called a deep boy for a book; and am still. Whenever I had a penny, after I got a bellyful of victuals, it went for a book, but I haven't bought many lately. I did buy one yesterday -the 'Family Herald' -one I often read when I can get it. There's good reading in it; it elevates your mind -anybody that has a mind for studying. It has good tales in it... I've read "Windsor Castle" and "The Tower", -they're by the same man. I Liked "Windsor Castle" and all about Henry VIII and Herne and Hunter. It's a book that's connected with history, and that's a good thing. I like adventurous tales."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book, Serial / periodical, unsure if penny numbers or book

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Jack Sheppard

Henry Mayhew interviews a boy of 17, an inmate of a London workhouse: "I've read 'Jack Sheppard' through, in three volumes; and I used to tell stories out of that sometimes."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Jack Sheppard

Henry Mayhew interviews a 'London sneak or common thief': "On Sunday evenings the only books read were such as 'Jack Sheppard', 'Dick Turpin' and the 'Newgate Calendar', they got out of the neighbouring libraries by depositing 1s. These were read with much interest; the lodgers would sooner have these than any other books."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Rookwood

Henry Mayhew interviews a 'London sneak or common thief': "On Sunday evenings the only books read were such as 'Jack Sheppard', 'Dick Turpin' and the 'Newgate Calendar', they got out of the neighbouring libraries by depositing 1s. These were read with much interest; the lodgers would sooner have these than any other books."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book

  

Wiliam Wordsworth : 'The Solitary Reaper'

'[Muir's] account of his reading material as a young man in Glasgow points to an involvement with poems of the Romantic and post-Romantic periods which were concerned both with visionary experience and with the need to transcend human suffering. He tells us: I was enchanted by The Solitary Reaper, the Ode to a Nightingale, the Ode to the West Wind, The Lotus Eaters, and the chorus from Atalanta in Calydon'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Edwin Muir      Print: Unknown

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Jack Sheppard

Henry Mayhew holds meeting with a group of the lowest class of male juvenile thieves and vagabonds; during the meeting they tell him what they have read/ read regularly and Mayhew records this: "Respecting their education, according to the popular meaning of the term, 63 of the 150 were able to read and write, and they were principally thieves. Fifty of this number said they had read 'Jack Sheppard' and the lines of Dick Turpin, Claude du Val, and all the other popular thieves' novels, as well as the Newgate Calendar and Lives of Robbers and Pirates. Those who could not read themselves, said they'd had 'Jack Sheppard' read to them at the lodging houses. Numbers avowed that they had been induced to resort to an abandoned course of life from reading the lives of notorious thieves and novels about highway robbers."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book, Serial / periodical, either in penny numbers or as volume

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Rookwood

Henry Mayhew holds meeting with a group of the lowest class of male juvenile thieves and vagabonds; during the meeting they tell him what they have read/ read regularly and Mayhew records this: "Respecting their education, according to the popular meaning of the term, 63 of the 150 were able to read and write, and they were principally thieves. Fifty of this number said they had read 'Jack Sheppard' and the lines of Dick Turpin, Claude du Val, and all the other popular thieves' novels, as well as the Newgate Calendar and Lives of Robbers and Pirates. Those who could not read themselves, said they'd had 'Jack Sheppard' read to them at the lodging houses. Numbers avowed that they had been induced to resort to an abandoned course of life from reading the lives of notorious thieves and novels about highway robbers."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book, Serial / periodical, either in penny numbers or as volume

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Jack Sheppard

Henry Mayhew holds meeting with a group of the lowest class of male juvenile thieves and vagabonds; during the meeting they tell him what they have read/ read regularly and Mayhew records this: "Respecting their education, according to the popular meaning of the term, 63 of the 150 were able to read and write, and they were principally thieves. Fifty of this number said they had read 'Jack Sheppard' and the lines of Dick Turpin, Claude du Val, and all the other popular thieves' novels, as well as the Newgate Calendar and Lives of Robbers and Pirates. Those who could not read themselves, said they'd had 'Jack Sheppard' read to them at the lodging houses. Numbers avowed that they had been induced to resort to an abandoned course of life from reading the lives of notorious thieves and novels about highway robbers."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: group of London thieves     Print: Book, Serial / periodical, either as penny numbers or in volume

  

James Boswell : Life of Johnson

'Philip Inman conveyed a ... specific sense of the uses of literacy for an early Labour MP. The son of a widowed charwoman, he bought up all the cheap reprints he could afford and kept notes on fifty-eight of them... There were Emerson's essays, Ruskin's Sesame and Lilies, Holmes's Autocrat of the Breakfast Table, Lamb's Essays of Elia, classic biogaphies (Boswell on Johnson, Lockhart on Scott, Carlyle on Sterling), several Waverley novels, Wuthering Heights, Don Quixote, Robinson Crusoe, Pilgrim's Progress, The Imitation of Christ, Shakespeare's sonnets, Tennyson, Browning, William Morris and Palgrave's Golden Treasury.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Philip Inman      Print: Book

  

Miguel de Cervantes : Don Quixote

'Philip Inman conveyed a ... specific sense of the uses of literacy for an early Labour MP. The son of a widowed charwoman, he bought up all the cheap reprints he could afford and kept notes on fifty-eight of them... There were Emerson's essays, Ruskin's Sesame and Lilies, Holmes's Autocrat of the Breakfast Table, Lamb's Essays of Elia, classic biogaphies (Boswell on Johnson, Lockhart on Scott, Carlyle on Sterling), several Waverley novels, Wuthering Heights, Don Quixote, Robinson Crusoe, Pilgrim's Progress, The Imitation of Christ, Shakespeare's sonnets, Tennyson, Browning, William Morris and Palgrave's Golden Treasury.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Philip Inman      Print: Book

  

Thomas a Kempis : The Imitation of Christ

'Philip Inman conveyed a ... specific sense of the uses of literacy for an early Labour MP. The son of a widowed charwoman, he bought up all the cheap reprints he could afford and kept notes on fifty-eight of them... There were Emerson's essays, Ruskin's Sesame and Lilies, Holmes's Autocrat of the Breakfast Table, Lamb's Essays of Elia, classic biogaphies (Boswell on Johnson, Lockhart on Scott, Carlyle on Sterling), several Waverley novels, Wuthering Heights, Don Quixote, Robinson Crusoe, Pilgrim's Progress, The Imitation of Christ, Shakespeare's sonnets, Tennyson, Browning, William Morris and Palgrave's Golden Treasury.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Philip Inman      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Sonnets

'Philip Inman conveyed a ... specific sense of the uses of literacy for an early Labour MP. The son of a widowed charwoman, he bought up all the cheap reprints he could afford and kept notes on fifty-eight of them... There were Emerson's essays, Ruskin's Sesame and Lilies, Holmes's Autocrat of the Breakfast Table, Lamb's Essays of Elia, classic biogaphies (Boswell on Johnson, Lockhart on Scott, Carlyle on Sterling), several Waverley novels, Wuthering Heights, Don Quixote, Robinson Crusoe, Pilgrim's Progress, The Imitation of Christ, Shakespeare's sonnets, Tennyson, Browning, William Morris and Palgrave's Golden Treasury.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Philip Inman      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : 

'Percy Wall, jailed for defying draft notices in the First World War, was inspired in part by a copy of Queen Mab owned by his father, a Marxist railway worker. But neither father nor son applied ideological tests to literature. In the prison library - with some guidance from a fellow conscientious objector who happened to be an important publishing executive - Percy discovered Emerson, Macaulay, Bacon, Shakespeare and Lamb. It was their style rather than their politics he found liberating: from them "I learned self-expression and acquired or strengthened standards of literature".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Wall      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : Fidelity

Transcription of William Wordsworh, "Fidelity" in letter from Dorothy Wordsworth to Lady Beaumont, 2 March 1806 (first four stanzas as in 1807 edition, followed by further eight varying from these).

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Manuscript: Unknown

  

William Wordsworth : Star-Gazers

Transcription of William Wordsworth, "Star-Gazers" appears in letter from Dorothy Wordsworth to Lady Beaumont, 15 November 1806.

Unknown
Century:      Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      

  

William Wordsworth : The Force of Prayer

Transcription of William Wordsworth, 'The Force of Prayer' appears in letter from Dorothy Wordsworth to Jane Marshall, 18 October 1807.

Century:      Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Manuscript: Unknown

  

William Wordsworth : Convention of Cintra, The

William Wordsworth to Daniel Stuart, 'Sunday Night, June 4th [1809]': 'Nothing but vexation seems to attend me in this affair of the Pamphlet [The Convention of Cintra]. Mr De Quincey according to my request sent me down ten stitched Pamphlets ... and it was not till today that I discovered that in two copies of those stitched the page which was cancelled remains as it first stood, the corrected leaf not having been substituted.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      

  

William Wordsworth : Introduction to Select Views in Cumberland, Westmoreland, and Lancashire, by the Rev. Joseph Wilkinson, Rector of East and West Wretham, in the County of Norfolk and Chaplain to the Marquis of Huntly

Dorothy Wordsworth to Catherine Clarkson, 18 Novembr [1809]: 'Sara [Hutchinson] has been kept almost constantly busy in transcribing ... For William [Wordsworth] she has been transcribing the introduction to a collection of prints to be published by Mr. Wilkinson of Thetford (of which I believe you know the history as your husband's name is down among those of the subscribers). I hope you will be interested with William's part of the work (he has only finished the general introduction, being unable to do the rest until he has seen the prints). It is the only regular and I may say scientific account of the present and past state and appearance of the country that has yet appeared.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Sara Hutchinson      Manuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : 

'By age fourteen Durham collier Jack Lawson would find... emancipation at the Boldon Miners' Institute... "And didn't I follow the literary trail, once I found it. Like a Fenimore Cooper Indian I was tireless and silent once I started. Scott; Charles Reade, George Eliot; the Brontes; later on Hardy; Hugo; Dumas and scores of others. Then came Shakespeare; the Bible; Milton and the line of poets generally. I was hardly sixteen when I picked up James Thomson's Seasons, in Stead's 'Penny Poets'... I wept for the shepherd who died in the snow".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Jack Lawson      Print: Book

  

James Thomson : The Seasons

'By age fourteen Durham collier Jack Lawson would find... emancipation at the Boldon Miners' Institute... "And didn't I follow the literary trail, once I found it. Like a Fenimore Cooper Indian I was tireless and silent once I started. Scott; Charles Reade, George Eliot; the Brontes; later on Hardy; Hugo; Dumas and scores of others. Then came Shakespeare; the Bible; Milton and the line of poets generally. I was hardly sixteen when I picked up James Thomson's Seasons, in Stead's 'Penny Poets'... I wept for the shepherd who died in the snow".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Jack Lawson      Print: Book

  

William Hickling Prescott : The Conquest of Mexico

'The historical classics "came as a revelation"- Macaulay, J.R. Green, Gibbon, Motley's Dutch Republic, Prescott on Peru and Mexico and The French Revolution. Academic critics today might discern ideologies in all of the above, but that was not Lawson's reading of them. "Of politics I knew nothing and cared less", he recalled, yet his purely literary readings had helped him form "some very definite opinions on the right and wrong of things social..."'

Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Jack Lawson      Print: Book

  

William Hickling Prescott : The Conquest of Peru

'The historical classics "came as a revelation"- Macaulay, J.R. Green, Gibbon, Motley's Dutch Republic, Prescott on Peru and Mexico and The French Revolution. Academic critics today might discern ideologies in all of the above, but that was not Lawson's reading of them. "Of politics I knew nothing and cared less", he recalled, yet his purely literary readings had helped him form "some very definite opinions on the right and wrong of things social..."'

Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Jack Lawson      Print: Book

  

William Morris : 

[Alice Foley] read some Morris and less Marx, but for her a liberal education for the proletariat was not merely a means of achieving socialism: it was socialism in fact. At night school she staged a personal revolution by writing a paper on Romeo and Juliet and thriling to the "new romantic world" of Jane Eyre. She joined a Socialist Sunday School where 'Hiawatha' was recited for its "prophetic idealism", and a foundry hammerman intoned Keats's 'Eve of St Agnes and 'Ode on a Grecian Urn'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Alice Foley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Romeo and Juliet

[Alice Foley] read some Morris and less Marx, but for her a liberal education for the proletariat was not merely a means of achieving socialism: it was socialism in fact. At night school she staged a personal revolution by writing a paper on Romeo and Juliet and thriling to the "new romantic world" of Jane Eyre. She joined a Socialist Sunday School where 'Hiawatha' was recited for its "prophetic idealism", and a foundry hammerman intoned Keats's 'Eve of St Agnes and 'Ode on a Grecian Urn'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Alice Foley      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : 'Daffodils'

'[Chaim Lewis] enthusiastically embraced the literature of an alien culture - "the daffodils of Herrick and Wordsworth... the whimsey of Lamb and the stirring rhythmic tales of the Ballads" and, yes, "the wry eloquence of Shylock".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Chaim Lewis      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : The Merchant of Venice

'[Chaim Lewis] enthusiastically embraced the literature of an alien culture - "the daffodils of Herrick and Wordsworth... the whimsey of Lamb and the stirring rhythmic tales of the Ballads" and, yes, "the wry eloquence of Shylock".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Chaim Lewis      Print: Book

  

Marcus Aurelius : [Meditations]?

'In a Sunday school library set up by a cotton mill fire-beater, [Thomas Thompson] read Dickens, Thackeray, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and Marcus Aurelius'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Thompson      Print: Book

  

Samuel Smiles : Self Help

'Blatchford, once he read it carefully found [Samuel Smiles's Self Help] "one of the most delightful and invigorating books it has been my happy fortune to meet with".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Peel Glanville Blatchford      Print: Book

  

Samuel Smiles : Self Help

'George Gregory offers a case study in the importance of Self-Help. His father was an illiterate Somsert miner, his mother a servant who read nothing but the Bible... Gregory only had a few school prizes - Jack and the Ostrich, a children's story; The Crucifixion of Philip Strong, a gripping tale of labor unrest; and the verses of Cornish poet, John Harries - and the family read a weekly serial, Strongdold the Gladiator. Having left school at twelve to work in the mines, Gregory had no access to serious reading matter until mid-adolescence, when a clerk introduced him to Self-Help. That book, he recalled in old age, "has lived with me, and in me, for more than sixty years... I was impressed by its quality for I had never touched a book of such high quality; and the impression deepened and became vivid as I took it home, read the stories of men who had helped themselves, struggled against enormous difficulties, suffered privations...but went on to rise phoenix-like from the ruins of their plans... I realised that my lack of education was not decisive of what I might become, so I commenced to reach out into the future".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gregory      Print: Book

  

Charles Monroe Sheldon : The Crucifixion of Philip Strong

'George Gregory offers a case study in the importance of Self-Help. His father was an illiterate Somerset miner, his mother a servant who read nothing but the Bible... Gregory only had a few school prizes - Jack and the Ostrich, a children's story; The Crucifixion of Philip Strong, a gripping tale of labor unrest; and the verses of Cornish poet, John Harries - and the family read a weekly serial, Strongdold the Gladiator. Having left school at twelve to work in the mines, Gregory had no access to serious reading matter until mid-adolescence, when a clerk introduced him to Self-Help. That book, he recalled in old age, "has lived with me, and in me, for more than sixty years... I was impressed by its quality for I had never touched a book of such high quality; and the impression deepened and became vivid as I took it home, read the stories of men who had helped themselves, struggled against enormous difficulties, suffered privations...but went on to rise phoenix-like from the ruins of their plans... I realised that my lack of education was not decisive of what I might become, so I commenced to reach out into the future".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gregory      Print: Book

  

Miguel Cervantes : Don Quixote

Transcribed from title page to edition of Don Quixote in 30 May 1813 letter from William Wordsworth to Basil Montagu: 'The History of the Valorous and Witty Knight Errant / Don Quixote of the Mancha / Written in Spanish by Michael Cervantes / Translated in to English / By Thomas Shelton / And now printed Verbatim from the 4to / Edit: of 1620 / With a curious set of new Cuts, from / the French of Coypel / London, printed for D. Midwinter &c. / M.DCCXL.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

Thomas Clarkson : Memoirs of the Private and Public Life of William Penn

Dorothy Wordsworth to Catherine Clarkson, 4 October [1813]: 'I was resolved not to write until I had read your Husband's Book, of which literally I have not even now read ten pages, from want of time to read anything.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: BookManuscript: Letter

  

Samuel Rogers : Poems

William Wordsworth to Samuel Rogers, 5 May 1814: 'I have to thank you for a Present of your Volume of Poems, received some time since, through the hands of Southey. I have read it with great pleasure.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : Yarrow Visted

Writing to Catherine Clarkson, 11 November 1814, Dorothy Wordsworth gives transcription of version of William Wordsworth, "Yarrow Visited".

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Manuscript: Unknown

  

William Wordsworth : ?Excursion, The

Dorothy Wordsworth to Catherine Clarkson, 11 November 1814: 'Your anecdote of Tom [?Thomas Clarkson] that he sate up all night reading William's poem gave me as much pleasure as anything I have heard of the effect produced by it ... It speaks highly in favour of Tom's feeling and enthusiasm that he was so wrought upon.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Tom ?Clarkson      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : Excursion, The

Dorothy Wordsworth to Sara Hutchinson, 18 February 1815: 'William and Mary and little Willy paid a visit to old Mrs Knott yesterday with the Ex[cursio]n in hand, William intending to read to the old Lady the history of the Grasmere Knight. She could not hear his loud voice; but understood the story very well when her Niece read it, and was delighted.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : Excursion, The

Dorothy Wordsworth to Sara Hutchinson, 18 February 1815: 'William and Mary and little Willy paid a visit to old Mrs Knott yesterday with the Ex[cursio]n in hand, William intending to read to the old Lady the history of the Grasmere Knight. She could not hear his loud voice; but understood the story very well when her Niece read it, and was greatly delighted. Today they have returned the Book, and poor Miss K has written a complimentary but alas! unintelligible note ... she concludes by saying ... that she had written to Kendal to order the Book. She says she had been told by Mrs Green and others that it was above their capacity, and of course above hers, but what she had read had given her infinite delight. I tell William that the family made a trading voyage of it. Certainly the Book would never have been bought by Miss K. if Willy and his Father and Mother had stayed quietly at home.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Miss Knott      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : Fairy Queen, The

Dorothy Wordsworth to Sara Hutchinson, 18 February 1815: 'It is 11 o'clock. William has been reading the Fairy Queen - he has laid aside his Book and Mary has set about putting her nightcap.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : extracts from The Excursion

Dorothy Wordsworth to Sara Hutchinson, 16 March 1815: 'William has made a conquest of holy Hannah [More], though she had not seen the Book [The Excursion], had seen nothing but the extracts in the Edinbrough [sic] Review. She intends to buy it; but is waiting for a cheaper Edition.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Hannah More      Print: Serial / periodical

  

William Wordsworth : Excursion, The

Dorothy Wordsworth to Catherine Clarkson, 31 December 1815: 'In reading the 3rd Book of the Excursion last night what a pang did I feel for our poor widowed Friend Mrs Luff when I came to these lines "Oh never let the Wretched, if a choice / Be left him, trust the freight of his distress / To a long voyage on the silent deep! ... "'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Manuscript: Unknown

  

G.W.M. Reynolds : The Mysteries of the Court of London

Evidence of Abel Heywood to Select Committee considering abolition of newspaper stamps: "This 'Court of London' I consider is a test of the taste of the readers generally; I think between this 'Court of London' and the others [other cheap publications] there is a very wide line of distinction; I have read some portion of it, and it draws scenes of profligacy as strongly as it is possible for any writer to do, and the feelings are excited to a very high pitch by it; indeed some look upon it as an indecent publication; but it is not in reality an indecent publication because I do not believe that any words appear that are vulgar; but certainly the language is of a more exciting kind and directed to excite the passions of its readers."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Abel Heywood      Print: Serial / periodical

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Jack Sheppard

Statement of a juvenile offender: "I have been twice in prison. I was only in Liverpool two days. I came from Manchester to the races; I had no work. I have been at all the theatres... I have robbed my parents to satisfy my desire to go to the theatres; ...I have seen 'Jack Sheppard' performed; I think it will be the means of inducing boys to copy his tricks. I have read his life; many boys have it."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: H.T.      Print: Book, Serial / periodical, read as numbers or volume?

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Jack Sheppard

Statement of a juvenile offender: "I have been five times in prison. I have been as the Sanspareil and at all the theatres... I am sure had I never known the theatres I should have been quite a different character at this day. I have heard 'Jack Sheppard' performed; I was very fond of it; I had his life, but some boy took it from me; most boys have his life."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: T.A      Print: Book

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Jack Sheppard

Statement of a juvenile offender: "I came from Manchester to the races. I was taken into custody when I had only been in Liverpool two days. I was taken up for attempting to pick pockets... Theatres are very exciting. I never saw 'Jack Sheppard' performed; I have read his history; I have seen many boys buy his history; I borrowed mine from another boy."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: G.G.      Print: Book

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Jack Sheppard

Statement of a juvenile offender: "I have been three times in prison and once discharged. I have been at the Sanspareil and Amphitheatre; I have also been at the penny hop... I am sure the theatres would bring any youngster to ruin: they don't care where they get their money, so that they do but get it to join their companions. I was very fond of seeing 'Jack Sheppard' performed. I have read his life; I bought it."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: J.M.      Print: Book

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Jack Sheppard

Statement of a juvenile offender: "I was never in prison before. I have been twice discharged, and am now waiting for trial... I have heard the 'Life of Jack Sheppard' read; it did not lead me to think of anything good, but I am sure it would lead young folks to do everything bad. The man I heard read it lived in a house in Gore-street, and sold penny-beer, asnd other things: it is a house where men and boys meet"

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Jack Sheppard

Statement of a juvenile offender: "I have been nine times in prison and once discharged, and am now waiting trial... I never saw 'Jack Sheppard' performed. I have read his life and heard a great deal about him. I think that those who read his life are not likely to reap any good, or those that see the play performed, I am sure will get no good."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: T.E.      Print: Book

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Jack Sheppard

Statement of juvenile offender: "I have been six times in prison and four times discharged, and am now waiting trial... I have been to all the theatres... I never saw 'Jack Sheppard' performed. I have often heard and read about him: they all seem to say he was a great man and a great prison breaker; and when he was at liberty like a gentleman."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: M.F.      Print: Book

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Jack Sheppard

Statement of juvenile offender: "I have been twice in prison and am now waiting trial... I have seen 'Jack Sheppard' performed; have read part of his life; I thought the play was very interesting; I am sure it did not create in me any bad thoughts, nor increase my desire to follow bad pratices..."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: A.L.      Print: Book, Serial / periodical, not sure if penny parts or volume

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Jack Sheppard

Statement of juvenile offender: "I have been six times in prison, and four times discharged... Never saw 'Jack Sheppard' performed; have read his life and often heard speak of him; he was very clever."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: J.F.      Print: Book, Serial / periodical, not sure if penny parts or volume

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Jack Sheppard

Statement of juvenile offender: "I have been four times in prison and twice discharged... I never saw Jack Sheppard performed; I have heard boys talk of him, and have heard my father read his life"

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book, Serial / periodical, not sure if penny parts or volume

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Jack Sheppard

Statement of juvenile offender: "I never was in prison before. I have been at the Sanspareil, and at all the other theatres, except the Queen's. I never saw 'Jack Sheppard' performed. I have heard the prisoners speak about it many times: some would speak well of the play, others would say it was most of it false. I have read his Life; I think myself it is mostly false; there may have been such a man, but I think he could not go through all the exploits that is spoken of."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: E.B.      Print: Book, Serial / periodical, not sure if penny parts or volume

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Jack Sheppard

Statement of juvenile offender: "I never was in prison before. I was taken into custody for attempting to rob my master... I never saw 'Jack Sheppard' performed; I have read part of his life; I think he was a clever man; I don't know that reading his life created any difference in my mind."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: J.H.      Print: Book, Serial / periodical, not sure if penny parts or volume

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Jack Sheppard

Statement of juvenile offender: "I thought this 'Jack Sheppard' was a clever fellow for making his escape and robbing his master. If I could get out of gaol I think I should be as clever as him; but after all his exploits he got done at last. I have had the book out of a library at Dale Field. I paid 2d a book for three volumes. I also got 'Richard Turpin' in two volumes and paid the same."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: J.L.      Print: Book

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Jack Sheppard

Statement of juvenile offender: "When I left school I went to Mr Banks, bookseller, two years. I had good opportunities of reading then, voyages and such; read the Life of Jack Sheppard. I borrowed it from another boy... I read 'Jack Sheppard' about five months before I began the robberies."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: J.H.      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Antony and Cleopatra

[Macaulay's marginalia in his copy of Antony and Cleopatra, by an editorial note by Steevens, which reminds the reader that Cleopatra's story of the salt fish on Antony's hook was taken from North's Plutarch]: "Yes, but how happily introduced, and with what skill and spirit worked up by Shakespeare!"

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Coriolanus

[Macaulay's marginalia in his copy of Coriolanus, by a note by Warburton regarding the composition of the Senate] "Absurd! Who knows anything about the usages of the Senate, and the privileges of the Tribunes, in Coriolanus's time?"

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Coriolanus

[Macaulay's marginalia in his copy of Coriolanus, by a note by Warburton regarding the history of the Roman Consular Government]: "Well! but there had certainly been elective magistracies in Rome before the expulsion of the kings, and there might have been canvassing. Shakspeare [sic] cared so little about historical accuracy that an editor who notices expressions, which really are not grossly inaccurate, is unpardonable."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Coriolanus

[Macaulay's marginalia in his copy of Coriolanus, by a note by Warburton regarding the creation of the first Censor, which suggests that Shakespeare had misread his authorities]: "This undoubtedly was a mistake, and what DOES it matter?"

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Coriolanus

[Macaulay's marginalia in his copy of Coriolanus, on the last page]: "A noble play. As usual, Shakspeare [sic] had thumbed his translation of Plutarch to rags."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

Thomas Clarkson : letter to Mr Wakefield

Dorothy Wordsworth describing progress of electioneering in Kendal to Sara Hutchinson, 24 March 1818: 'This morning ... [William Crackenthorp] called ... just before he was setting off with [Henry] B[rougham] on his canvass [he] ran down to us in out-of-breath haste to read us a letter just received from Mr Clarkson to Mr Wakefield [refusing support to Lowthers in election] ... it was a beautiful, a delightful letter ... after he had read the letter he hurried off ... '

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Crackenthorp      

  

Thomas Clarkson : 

William Wordsworth to Viscount Lowther, [27 March 1818]: 'I should at this moment determine to go over to Lowther tomorrow, did I not think that I may be more useful to the cause, by remaining at home for the purpose of preparing an answer to a Letter of Mr Clarkson to the Kendal Comm: of Brougham, which will appear in the Chronicle tomorrow; and which I am sure will injure your interests ... The original of the Letter I have seen, but could not procure a copy. - It was shewn me by Mr Crackenthorp [of opposing party interest] with the high-flying expression, "We reckon it as good as 50 votes!"'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Manuscript: Letter

  

Thomas Clarkson : 

Dorothy Wordsworth to Catherine Clarkson, 30 March 1818: 'Mr Clarkson's letter [refusing support to Lowther interest in Westmorland elections] was published in yesterday's paper; and I have read it with delight, as an admirable letter and a faithful picture of his noble mind, but I feel assured that it will serve a cause which he would not wish to serve if he were acquainted with all its bearings.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Newspaper

  

William Wordsworth : letter to Revd. John Russell

William Wordsworth to Christopher Wordsworth, 1 January 1819: 'Mr Monkhouse will probably have shewn you the copy of Mr Russel's Letter [on Madras method of education], as I learn he has already done of mine to him ... '

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Christopher Wordsworth      Manuscript: Letter

  

Samuel Rogers : Human Life, A Poem

William Wordsworth to Francis Wrangham, 19 February 1819: '[Samuel] Rogers read me his Poem when I was in Town about 2 months ago; but I have heard nothing of it since.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Rogers      

  

William Wordsworth : River Duddon, A Series of Sonnets, The

Lord Lonsdale to William Wordsworth, 1 May 1820: 'I have read the Sonnets on the Duddon, and the notes annexed to them with great Pleasure ... the perusal of them afforded me infinite satisfaction.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Lord Lonsdale      Print: Book

  

Thomas Clarkson : sermon

Dorothy Wordsworth to Catherine Clarkson, 3 September [1820]: 'How admirable and to me astonishing the ardour and industry of your good husband - to think of writing a sermon to be read to his Family on the same evening!'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Clarkson      

  

Helen Maria Williams : The Charter; addressed to my nephew Athanase C. L. Coquerel, on his wedding day, 1819

William Wordsworth (visiting Paris) to Helen Maria Williams, [15 October 1820], 'I had the honour of receiving your letter yesterday Evening, together with the several copies of your tender and beautiful Verses ... Allow me this opportunity of expressing the pleasure I shall have in possessing this little tribute from yourself - as also, the gratification which the perusal of both the Poems [including 'The Charter'] has afforded me.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Samuel Rogers : Jacqueline

'Writing to D[orothy] W[ordsworth] on 19 Aug. 1814, W[ordsworth] describes an incident in a Perth bookshop: "I stepped yesterday evening into a Bookseller's shop with a sneaking hope that I might hear something about the Excursion ... on the contrary, inquiry of the Bookseller what a poetical parcel he was then opening consisted of, he said that it was a new Poem, called Lara ... supposed to be written by Lord Byron ... I took the book in my hand, and saw Jacqueline in the same column with Lara ... "'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

Thomas Clarkson : History of the Rise, Progress, and Accomplishment of the Abolition of the African Slave-Trade, The

'C[oleridge] read vol. 1 [of Thomas Clarkson, History ... of the Abolition of the African Slave-Trade] in proof in early Feb. 1808 ... '

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: proof

  

Guillaume de Saluste Dubartas : Dubartas his Second Weeke: Babylon. The Second Part of the Second Day of the II. Weeke

'C[oleridge]was ... reading ... [Dubartas his Second Weeke] in 1807.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Guillaume de Saluste Dubartas : Dubartas his Second Weeke: Babylon. The Second Part of the Second Day of the II. Weeke

'Southey had certainly read Dubartas by 2 March 1815 ... '

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey      Print: Book

  

M. G. Lewis : Felon, The

'In a letter to D[orothy] W[ordsworth] of 10 March 1801, J[ohn] W[ordsworth] added that "Mr Lewis's poem [The Felon] is the most funny one I ever read ... "'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Wordsworth      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Thomas Robert Malthus : Essay on the Principle of Population, An

'C[oleridge] had read the Essay [on the Principle of Population] shortly after its first appearance in 1798.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : 

'In 1898 Armstrong organised the Ashington Debating and Literary Improvement Society, and his reading broadened out to Shakespeare, Burns, Shelley, Keats, Tennyson, Byron, Whitman, Wordsworth, Scott, Robert Browning, Darwin and T.H. Huxley. Robertson Nicoll's British Weekly had introduced him to a more liberal Nonconformity that was hospitable to contemporary literature. The difficulty was that the traditional Nonconformist commitment to freedom of conscience was propelling him beyond the confines of Primitive Methodism, as far as Unitarianism, the Rationalist Press Association and the Independent Labour Party. His tastes in literature evolved apace: Ibsen, Zola. Meredith, and Wilde by the 1890s; then on to Shaw, Wells, and Bennett; and ultimately Marxist economics and Brave New World'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Chester Armstrong      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : 

'In 1898 Armstrong organised the Ashington Debating and Literary Improvement Society, and his reading broadened out to Shakespeare, Burns, Shelley, Keats, Tennyson, Byron, Whitman, Wordsworth, Scott, Robert Browning, Darwin and T.H. Huxley. Robertson Nicoll's British Weekly had introduced him to a more liberal Nonconformity that was hospitable to contemporary literature. The difficulty was that the traditional Nonconformist commitment to freedom of conscience was propelling him beyond the confines of Primitive Methodism, as far as Unitarianism, the Rationalist Press Association and the Independent Labour Party. His tastes in literature evolved apace: Ibsen, Zola. Meredith, and Wilde by the 1890s; then on to Shaw, Wells, and Bennett; and ultimately Marxist economics and Brave New World'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Chester Armstrong      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Pamela

[According to Flora Thompson], "Modern writers who speak of the booklessness of the poor at that time must mean books as possessions...there were always books to borrow"... One could borrow Pamela and the Waverley novels from a neighbour, Christies Old Organ from the Sunday School library. Her uncle, a shoemaker, had once carted home from a country-house auction a large collection of books that no-one would buy: novels, poetry, sermons, histories, dictionaries. She read him Cranford while he worked in his shop... Later she could borrow from her employer (the village postmistress) Shakespeare and Byron's Don Juan, as well as Jane Austen, Dickens and Trollope from the Mechanics' Institute library.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Flora THompson      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : 

[According to Flora Thompson], "Modern writers who speak of the booklessness of the poor at that time must mean books as possessions...there were always books to borrow"... One could borrow Pamela and the Waverley novels from a neighbour, Christies Old Organ from the Sunday School library. Her uncle, a shoemaker, had once carted home from a country-house auction a large collection of books that no-one would buy: novels, poetry, sermons, histories, dictionaries. She read him Cranford while he worked in his shop... Later she could borrow from her employer (the village postmistress) Shakespeare and Byron's Don Juan, as well as Jane Austen, Dickens and Trollope from the Mechanics' Institute library.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Flora Thompson      Print: Book

  

Ambrose Philips : Collection of Old Ballads, A

'D[orothy] W[ordsworth] made copies of extracts or complete texts from Philips' Collection in the Wordsworth Commonplace Book ... some time between 10 July 1807 and c.5 June 1808. The ballads were: Eighth Henry Ruling in this land; A Princely Song of the Six Queens that were married to Henry the 8th; Fitte of the Ballad of Lady Jane Grey and Lord Guilford Dudley; The Lady Arabella and Lord Seymour; The Suffolk Miracle; and the Lamentable Complaint of Queen Mary for the Unkind Departure of King Philip.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : The Correspondence of Samuel Richardson, a selection from the original manuscripts

"On 5 Jan 1806 D[orothy] W[ordsworth] told Lady Beaumont; "'My Brother chanced to meet with Richardson's letters at a Friend's house, and glancing over them, read those written by Mrs Klopstock, he was exceedingly affected by them and said it was impossible to read them without loving the woman.'"

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : The Correspondence of Samuel Richardson, a selection from the original manuscripts

'Robert Southey on "The Correspondence of Samuel Richardson" in letter to C. W. Williams Wynn, 27 November 1804: "Richardson's correspondence I should think worse than anything of any celebrity that ever was published ... The few letters of Klopstock's Wife must be excepted from this censure: they are ... very affecting; indeed the notice of her death, coming ... after that sweet letter in which she dwells upon her hopes of happiness from that child whose birth destroyed her, came upon me like an electric shock."'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey      Print: Book

  

William Roscoe : The Life and Pontificate of Leo the Tenth

'On 29 Nov. 1805, D[orothy] W[ordsworth] told Lady Beaumont: "I am reading Rosco's Leo the tenth - I have only got through the first Chapter which I find exceedingly interesting. The whole Book can scarcely be so interesting to me."'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Roscoe : The Life and Pontificate of Leo the Tenth

' ... by 11 Jan. 1806 ... [Southey] was reading ... [Roscoe, "Life and Pontificate of Leo the Tenth"] a second time [having read it to review it in 1805]: "I am come to Roscoe," he told Henry Herbert Southey, "whose book rises much in my estimation upon a second perusal."'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey      Print: Book

  

William Sotheby : I knew a gentle maid

'On 6 Feb. 1827 W[ordsworth] told Sotheby: "I was gratified the other day by meeting in Mr Alaric Watt's Souvenir with a very old acquaintance, a Sonnet of yours, whch I had read with no little pleasure more than 30 years ago. "I knew a gentle Maid".'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Sotheby : I knew a gentle maid

'On 6 Feb. 1827 W[ordsworth] told Sotheby: "I was gratified the other day by meeting in Mr Alaric Watt's Souvenir with a very old acquaintance, a Sonnet of yours, whch I had read with no little pleasure more than 30 years ago. "I knew a gentle Maid".'

Unknown
Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      

  

William Sotheby : Saul, a Poem

'On 18 April 1807, C[oleridge] told Sotheby: "I read yesterday in a large company, where W. Wordsworth was present, about 150 lines of your Saul, respecting your country, Nelson, & the admirable transition to the main subject, which follows it - and it was delightful to me, to observe that the enthusiasm which had given animation & depth to my own tones, manifested itself with at least equal strength in the faces & voices of all the auditors."'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      

  

Thomas Wilkinson : [poems]

'Two poems in [Thomas] Wilkinson's hand, "I Love to be Alone" and "Lines Written on a Paper Wrapt round a Moss-rose Pulled on New-years Day, and sent to M. Wilson," copied onto a duodecimo double sheet, have been pasted into the Wordsworth Commonplace Book.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Wordsworth Family     

  

Thomas Wilkinson : Lamentation on the Untimely Death of Roger, in the Cumberland Dialect, A

'... ["A Lamentation on the Untimely Death of Roger, in the Cumberland Dialect"], by [Thomas] Wilkinson, in his own hand, was pasted into the Wordsworth Commonplace Book ... after 19 Jan. 1801, the date of W[ordsworth]'s first known meeting with Wilkinson.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Wordsworth Family     

  

Thomas Wilkinson : Tours to the British Mountains

'W[ordsworth] copied from ... [Thomas Wilkinson's MS "Tours of the British Mountains"] the passage which had inspired the Solitary Reaper [about a female reaper singing in Erse], alongside another related to The Excursion, into his Commonplace Book [Dove Cottage MS 26, ie "Wordsworth Commonplace Book"] ... '

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Thomas Wilkinson : To My Thrushes, Blackbirds, etc.

'On 7 July 1809, W[ordsworth] told Thomas Wilkinson that "Mr Coleridge showed me a little poem of yours upon your Birds which gave us all very great pleasure."'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Wordsworth Family     

  

William Hutchinson : History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham, The

'At some time between late April and 17 Dec. 1799, D[orothy] W[ordsworth] copied the epitaph of Sir George Vane at the parish church of Long Newton, Durham, as published in [William] Hutchinson, [History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham] into D[ove] C[ottage] MS 20.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Harness : unknown

Byron to William Harness, 11 February 1808: 'I ... remember being favoured with the perusal of many of your compositions....'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron      

  

Edmund Spenser : The Faerie Queene

'Thomas Thompson, from a family of Lancashire weavers, grew up with tales of Robin Hood and the Black Hole of Calctta, as well as an abridged Faerie Queene and Pilgrim's Progress. So when a clergyman asked him why he read the Bible, he innocently replied "that I liked the battle scenes". That answer got him in serious trouble'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Thompson      Print: Book

  

James and Horace Smith : Horace in London; consisting of Imitations of the First Two Books of the Odes of Horace

Byron to John Murray, 20 January 1813; 'In "Horace in London" I perceive some stanzas on Ld. E[lgin] - in which ... I heartily concur. - I wish I had the pleasure of Mr. S[mith]'s acquaintance ... What I have read of this work seems admirably done ... '

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron      Print: Book

  

Madame Germaine de Stael-Holstein : De l'Allemagne

In postscript to letter written by Byron to John Murray, 3 am [29 November 1813]: 'I have got out of my bed (in which however I could not sleep ... ) & so Good Morning - I am trying whether De L'Allemagne will act as an opiate - but I doubt it.-'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon, Lord Byron      Print: Book

  

Madame Germaine de Stael-Holstein : De L'Allemagne

Byron to Madame de Stael, 30 November 1813, in praise of her De L'Allemagne: 'few days have passed since its publication without my perusal of many of its pages ... I should be sorry for my own sake to fix the period when I should not recur to it with pleasure.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon, Lord Byron      Print: Book

  

Madame Germaine de Stael-Holstein : unknown

In Byron's Journal (14 November 1813-19 April 1814): '... [Madame de Stael] writes octavos, and talks folios. I have read her books - like most of them, and delight in the last ... '

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon, Lord Byron      Print: Book

  

Madame Germaine de Stael-Holstein : unknown

Byron's Journal (14 November 1813-19 April 1814), 5 December 1813, on Madame De Stael: 'I read her again and again ... I cannot be mistaken (except in taste) in a book I read and lay down, and take up again ... '

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron      Print: Book

  

Matthew Gregory Lewis : The Monk

Byron's Journal (14 November 1813-19 April 1814), 6 December 1813: "Redde a good deal, but desultorily ... It is odd that when I do read, I can only bear the chicken broth of - any thing but Novels. It is many a year since I looked into one, (though they are sometimes ordered, by way of experiment, but never taken) till I looked yesterday at the worst parts of the Monk. These descriptions .. are forced - the philtred ideas of a jaded voluptuary."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron      Print: Book

  

Leonard Simonde de Sismondi : unknown

Byron's Journal (14 November 1813-19 April 1814), 20 March 1814: 'Redde Machiavel, parts of Chardin, and Sismondi, and Bandello - by starts.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron      Print: Book

  

William Blackstone : Commentaries on the Laws of England

I now read Blackstone, Hale's Common Law, several other Law Books, and much biography. This course of reading was continued for several years until the death of my landlady.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

Adam Smith : Wealth of Nations

The whole or nearly the whole of the eight months when I was not employed was not lost. I read many volumes in history, voyages, and travels, politics, law and Philosophy. Adam Smith and Locke and especially Humes Essays and Treatises, these latter I read two or three times over, this reading was of great service to me, it caused me to turn in upon myself and examine myself in a way which I should not otherwise have done. It was this which laid the solid foundation of my future prosperity, and completed the desire I had always had to acquire knowledge.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

John Cam Hobhouse : [packet]

Byron to John Cam Hobhouse, 26 January 1815: 'Your packet hath been perused ...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron      Manuscript: Letter

  

Giambattista Casti : Novelle Amorose

Byron to Pryce Gordon, [?June 1816]: '... I cannot tell you what a treat your gift of Casti has been to me; I have almost got him by heart. I had read his "Animali Parlanti," but I think these "Novelle" much better ...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron      Print: Book

  

Giambattista Casti : Animali Parlante

Byron to Pryce Gordon, [?June 1816]: '... I cannot tell you what a treat your gift of Casti has been to me; I have almost got him by heart. I had read his "Animali Parlanti," but I think these "Novelle" much better ...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron      Print: Book

  

Benjamin Constant : Adolphe

Byron to Samuel Rogers, 29 July 1816: 'I have read "Glenarvon" ... & have also seen Ben. Constant's Adolphe ... a work which leaves an unpleasant impression ...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron      Print: Book

  

Margaret de Thomas : epitaph to Edmund Ludlow

Byron to Augusta Leigh, 17 September 1816 ("Alpine Journal"), on General Ludlow's monument at Vevey: 'black marble -- long inscription -- Latin -- but simple -- particularly the latter part -- in which his wife (Margaret de Thomas) records her long -- her tried -- and unshaken affection ...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron      Manuscript: tombstone epitaph

  

Salomon Gessner : The Death of Abel

My companions at the breakfast-table through this summer were many of our popular English Classics. Among these may be enumerated "The Death of Abel" which I read emphatically aloud. Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, Pope's Homer, Cicero's Letters, Elizabeth, or the Exile of Siberia, Dr Johnson's Rasselas, with many other works of established reputation.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Cole      Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : Rasselas

My companions at the breakfast-table through this summer were many of our popular English Classics. Among these may be enumerated "The Death of Abel" which I read emphatically aloud. Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, Pope's Homer, Cicero's Letters, Elizabeth, or the Exile of Siberia, Dr Johnson's Rasselas, with many other works of established reputation.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Cole      Print: Book

  

James Wedderburn Webster : Waterloo and Other Poems

Byron to John Murray, 5 October 1816: 'I have read the last E[dinburgh] R[eview] they are very severe on the Germans -- and their idol Goethe -- I have also read Wedderburne Webster -- and Ilderim -- and the Pamphleteer. -- --'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron      Manuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet

'During this Spring read Shakspeare [sic] regularly through, and studied the characters of Hamlet, Douglas, Osman in 'Zara', Sir Charles Racket &c and purchased & read a great number of pieces of dramatic biography and theatrical criticisms.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Cole      Print: Book

  

James Wedderburn Webster : Waterloo and Other Poems

Byron to Douglas Kinnaird, 24 February 1817: 'I saw in Switzerland in the autumn the poems of [James Wedderburn] Webster ... Amongst the ingredients of this volume I was not a little astonished to find an epitaph upon myself -- the desert of which I would postpone for a few years at least ...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon, Lord Byron      Print: Advertisement, Book, Serial / periodical

  

R.M. Milnes : 

One of my many visitors this summer, - R.M. Milnes, made earnest enquiry for you. I do hope you like his poetry almost as much as he likes yours. I keep a vol. of his always beside me, - & find some things there almost too beautiful. How wonderful, - almost miraculous is his sympathy, - his understanding of Evil in all its forms, - in combination with his robust cheerfulness of spirits & manners! I know it is the fashion among London people who despise speculative men to dislike Milnes. I cordially honour & like him.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Harriet Martineau      Print: Book

  

William Stewart Rose : The Court and Parliament of Beasts, freely translated from the Animali Parlanti of Casti

Byron to John Murray, 25 March 1818: 'Rose's Animali I never saw till a few days ago ...'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron      

  

John Cam Hobhouse : Historical Illustrations of the Fourth Canto of Childe Harold

Byron to John Cam Hobhouse, 30 September 1818: "' saw the other day by accident your "Historical &c." -- the Essay [on Italian literature, actually by Ugo Foscolo] is perfect ...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron      Print: Book

  

Madame Germaine de Stael-Holstein : Corinne

Byron to Countess Teresa Guiccioli, 23 August 1819, about her copy of Italian translation of Corinne: 'I have read this book in your garden ... you were absent -- or I could not have read it.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron      Print: Book

  

William Henry Giles Kingston : [novels]

'"The words I didn't understand I just skipped over, yet managed to get a good idea of what the story was about", wrote James Murray, the son of a Scottish shoemaker. "By the time I was ten or eleven years old I did not need to skip any words in any books because by then I had a good grounding in roots and derivations". Crusoe so aroused his appetite for literature that, when his schoolteacher asked the class to list all the books they had read, Murray rattled off titles by Ballantyne, Kingston and Dickens until "I realised the eyes of everyone in the room were on me..."'

Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: James Murray      Print: Book

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Old St Paul's

'During these early years [Daphne du Maurier] filled her head with tales of adventure, romances, histories and popular novels, including such books as Treasure Island, The Snow Queen, The Wreck of the Grosvenor, Old St Paul's, The Tower of London, Nicholas Nickleby, Mr Midshipman Easy, Bleak House, Robinson Crusoe, The Mill on the Floss, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, The Picture of Dorian Grey, Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre. The seeds of her own novels were planted during these intensive, sometimes acted-out, reading sessions. The fascination with the sea, the importance of an historical sense of place, the theme of the dual personality, are all reflected in her reading during these formative years'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Daphne du Maurier      Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : The Rambler

'[Janet Hamilton] had a heavy literary diet as a child - history by Rollin and Plutarch, Ancient Universal History, Pitscottie's Chronicles of Scotland, as well as the Spectator and Rambler. She could borrow books by Burns, Robert Fergusson and other poets from neighbours, and at age eight she found "to my great joy, on the loom of an intellectual weaver", Paradise Lost and Allan Ramsay's poems'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Janet Hamilton      Print: Book, Serial / periodical, might have been the serial versions or, more likely, bound as a book

  

[probably William] Robertson : 

'[Hugh Miller's] literary style was out of date: in 1834 he alluded to "my having kept company with the older English writers - the Addisons, Popes and Robertsons of the last century at a time when I had no opportunity of becoming acquainted with the authors of the present time". Growing up in Cromarty, Miller had access to the substantial personal libraries of a carpenter and a retired clerk, as well as his father (sixty volumes), his uncles (150 volumes) and a cabinet-maker poet (upwards of 100 volumes). These collections offered a broad selection of English essayists and poets - of the Queen Anne period.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Hugh Miller      Print: Book

  

Marino Sanuto : "Italian history of the Doges of Venice"

Byron to John Murray, 17 July 1820, on books used in research for Marino Faliero, Doge of Venice: 'I have consulted Sanuto -- Sandi -- Navagero -- & an anonymous Siege of Zara -- besides the histories of Laugier Daru -- Sismondi &c.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : 

[due to the fact that books in working class communities were generally cheap out of copyright reprints, not new works] Welsh collier Joseph Keating was able to immerse himself in Swift, Pope, Fielding, Richardson, Smollett, Goldsmith, Sheridan, Goldsmith, Keats, Byron, Shelley, Dickens and Greek philosophy, as well as the John Dicks edition of Vanity Fair in weekly installments. The common denominator among these authors was that they were all dead. "Volumes by living authors were too high-priced for me", Keating explained. "Our schoolbooks never mentioned living writers; and the impression in my mind was that an author, to be a living author, must be dead and that his work was all the better if he died of neglect and starvation".'

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

  

John Cam Hobhouse : [speeches]

Byron to Douglas Kinnaird, 26 October 1820: 'I have read lately several speeches of Hobhouse in taverns -- his Eloquence is better than his company.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron      

  

William Shakespeare : Twelfth Night

'Shakespeare provided a political script for J.R. Clynes, the son of an Irish farm labourer, who rose from the textile mills of Oldham to become deputy leader of the House of Commons. In his youth he drew inspiration from the "strange truth" he found in Twelfth Night: "Be not afraid of greatness". ("What a creed! How it would upset the world if men lived up to it, I thought") Urged on by a Cooperative Society librarian, he worked through the plays and discovered they were about people who "had died for their beliefs. Wat Tyler and Jack Cade seemed heroes". Reading Julius Caesar, "the realisation came suddenly to me that it was a mighty political drama" about class struggle, "not just an entertainment"... Elected to Parliament in 1906, he read A Midsummer Night's Dream while awaiting the returns'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: John Robert Clynes      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Julius Caesar

'Shakespeare provided a political script for J.R. Clynes, the son of an Irish farm labourer, who rose from the textile mills of Oldham to become deputy leader of the House of Commons. In his youth he drew inspiration from the "strange truth" he found in Twelfth Night: "Be not afraid of greatness". ("What a creed! How it would upset the world if men lived up to it, I thought") Urged on by a Cooperative Society librarian, he worked through the plays and discovered they were about people who "had died for their beliefs. Wat Tyler and Jack Cade seemed heroes". Reading Julius Caesar, "the realisation came suddenly to me that it was a mighty political drama" about class struggle, "not just an entertainment"... Elected to Parliament in 1906, he read A Midsummer Night's Dream while awaiting the returns'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: John Robert Clynes      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : A Midsummer Night's Dream

'Shakespeare provided a political script for J.R. Clynes, the son of an Irish farm labourer, who rose from the textile mills of Oldham to become deputy leader of the House of Commons. In his youth he drew inspiration from the "strange truth" he found in Twelfth Night: "Be not afraid of greatness". ("What a creed! How it would upset the world if men lived up to it, I thought") Urged on by a Cooperative Society librarian, he worked through the plays and discovered they were about people who "had died for their beliefs. Wat Tyler and Jack Cade seemed heroes". Reading Julius Caesar, "the realisation came suddenly to me that it was a mighty political drama" about class struggle, "not just an entertainment"... Elected to Parliament in 1906, he read A Midsummer Night's Dream while awaiting the returns'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: John Robert Clynes      Print: Book

  

Samuel Rogers : 

'orphanage boy Thomas Burke... devoured books until "my mind became a lumber room". Inevitably, "criticism was beyond me; the hungry man has no time for the fastidiousness of the epicure. I was hypnotised by the word Poet. A poem by Keats (some trifle never meant for print) was a poem by Keats. Pope, Cowper and Kirke White and Mrs Hemans and Samuel Rogers were Poets. That was enough."'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Burke      Print: Unknown

  

Samuel Pepys : unknown

'As one participant recalled, "Many exceptional debates come back to mind on such subjects as Jane Austen, Charles Lamb, Victorian Novelists, George Eliot, Meredith, Pepys and the Navy, Frederick the Great, Wordsworth, Shelley, Napoleon, where the speaking was of high level and the debating power considerable."'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Ladies' Edinburgh Debating Society     Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : unknown

'As one participant recalled, "Many exceptional debates come back to mind on such subjects as Jane Austen, Charles Lamb, Victorian Novelists, George Eliot, Meredith, Pepys and the Navy, Frederick the Great, Wordsworth, Shelley, Napoleon, where the speaking was of high level and the debating power considerable."'

Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Ladies' Edinburgh Debating Society     Print: Book

  

Amelia Hutchison Stirling : Monsieur le Comte

'Miss Hutchison Stirling is I believe about to submit to you a little story which I read at her request some time ago and in which I thought there was great promise especially in one character.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Margaret Oliphant      Manuscript: Book in MS

  

Graham Travers : Mona Maclean: Medical Student

'As for Mona Maclean I am afraid I could not say more than that it is a cleverish very youthful book, the author of which if she comes to anything will probably much regret having published it some years back. Marion Crawford's last novel is clever of course as are all his, but not pleasant and very long and dreary I think.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Margaret Oliphant      Print: Book, Serial / periodical

  

William Roscoe : The Life of Lorenzo de Medici, called the Magnificent OR The Life and Pontificate of Leo the Tenth

Byron's Ravenna Journal (4 January-27 February 1821), 7 January 1821: 'Read Spence, and turned over Roscoe, to find a passage I have not found. Read the 4th. vol. of W. Scott's second series of "Tales of my Landlord".'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron      Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : The Vanity of Human Wishes

Byron's Ravenna Journal (4 January-27 February 1821), 9 January 1821: 'Dined. Read Johnson's "Vanity of Human Wishes" ...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron      Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : unknown

Byron's Ravenna Journal (4 January-27 February 1821), 10 January 1821: 'Midnight. I have been turning over different Lives of the Poets. I rarely read their works, unless an occasional flight over the classical ones, Pope, Dryden, Johnson, Gray, and those who approach them nearest ...'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron      

  

Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel : History of Literature

Byron's Ravenna Journal (4 January-27 February 1821), 28 January 1821 entry: 'Past Midnight. One o' the clock. I have been reading W[ilhelm]. F[riedrich]. S[chlegel] ... till now, and I can make out nothing ... [two paragraphs later] Continuing to read Mr. F[rederick] S[chlegel]. He is not such a fool as I took him for ...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron      Print: Book

  

Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel : History of Literature

Byron's Ravenna Journal (4 January-27 February 1821), 29 January 1821 entry: 'Read S[chlegel].'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron      Print: Book

  

William Lisle Bowles : various

Byron's Ravenna Journal (4 January-27 February 1821), 5 February 1821: 'Read some of Bowles's dispute about Pope, with all the replies and rejoinders. Perceive that my name has been lugged into the controversy ...'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron      Print: Serial / periodical

  

John Cam Hobhouse : 

Byron to John Murray, 24 November 1821, regarding John Cam Hobhouse's offence at his MS Memoirs: "Is there anything in the M.S.S. that could be personally obnoxious to himself [John Cam Hobhouse]? ... If there were any ... even that would not sanction the tone of his letter, which I showed to one or two English & Irish friends of mine here -- who were perfectly astonished ..."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: friends of Byron     Manuscript: Letter

  

Benjamin Constant : Adolphe

Byron to the Countess of Blessington, on Benjamin Constant's Adolphe, 6 May 1823: 'The first time I ever read it ... was at the desire of Madame de Stael ...'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Henry V

'Later in the month (30 November), Grace writes that she is "reading Henry V to M. and R. [Margaret and Rose] in the evenings".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Grace Macaulay      Print: Book

  

Mary Louisa Molesworth : The Cuckoo Clock

'In September and October [Grace Macaulay] is reading aloud to Margaret (ill with scarlet fever) Mrs Molesworth's The Cuckoo Clock and Charlotte M. Yonge's Chaplet of Pearls and The Heir of Redclyffe'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Grace Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : 

'Rose... remembers her father reading to them - Dickens, Scott, Robinson Crusoe, Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Meredith, Tom Jones, The Three Musketeers, Don Quixote, and, curiously, The Origin of Species'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Macaulay      Print: Book

  

Miguel de Cervantes : Don Quixote

'Rose... remembers her father reading to them - Dickens, Scott, Robinson Crusoe, Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Meredith, Tom Jones, The Three Musketeers, Don Quixote, and, curiously, The Origin of Species'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Macaulay      Print: Book

  

Thomas a Kempis : On The Imitation of Christ

Rose Macaulay had a 'craze' 'for the ascetic Thomas a Kempis's meditations and rule of conduct, On The Imitation of Christ, which her godmother gave her when she was 13'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Rose Macaulay      Print: Book

  

John Cam Hobhouse : Historical Illustrations of the Fourth Canto of Childe Harold

Byron to Scrope Berdmore Davies, 7 December 1818: 'We have all here been very much pleased with Hobhouse's book on Italy -- some part of it the best he ever wrote ... '

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron      Print: Book

  

William Harness : unknown

Byron to Wililiam Harness, 11 February 1808: 'I ... remember being favoured [while at school] with the perusal of many of your compositions ...'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron      Manuscript: Unknown

  

James Thomson : The Seasons

'[J.M. Dent's] reading was marked by the autodidact's characteristic enthusiasm and spottiness. He knew Pilgrim's Progress, Milton, Cowper, Thomson's Seasons and Young's Night Thoughts; but...did not read Shakespeare seriously until he was nearly thirty'.

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

  

William Shakespeare : 

'[J.M. Dent's] reading was marked by the autodidact's characteristic enthusiasm and spottiness. He knew Pilgrim's Progress, Milton, Cowper, Thomson's Seasons and Young's Night Thoughts; but...did not read Shakespeare seriously until he was nearly thirty'.

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

  

William Morris : 

'[J.M. Dent's] cultural contacts broadened when he became an apprentice bookbinder in London, discovering the work of William Morris, Cobden-Sanderson and the Arts and Crafts Movement'

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

  

Samuel Johnson : Rasselas

'James Murray, a Glasgow woodcarver, represented the kind of reader Dent and Rhys were trying to reach. He credited Everyman magazine with "opening up an entirely new set of ideas to which I had previously been a stranger. I became familiar with the names and works of all the truly great authors and poets, and was now throughly convinced I had been misplaced in my life's work". His reading ranged from Rasselas to Looking Backward'.

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

  

William Shakespeare : 

'"Thinking back, I am amazed at the amount of English literature we absorbed in those four years", recalled Ethel Clark, a Gloucester railway worker's daughter, "and I pay tribute to the man who made it possible... Scott, Thackeray, Shakespeare, Longfellow, Dickens, Matthew Arnold, Harriet Beecher Stowe and Rudyard Kipling were but a few authors we had at our fingertips. How he made the people live again for us!".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Ethel Clark      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : 

'H.M. Tomlinson, a successful author and dockworker's son, credited his East End Board school with encouraging free expression in composition classes and giving him a solid literary footing in the Bible, Shakespeare and Scott'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: H.M. Tomlinson      Print: Book

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Rookwood

'"In my childhood, I never met another who could not read", [H.M. Tomlinson] recalled. "Some of them could be so excited by the printed page that they passed on the fun they had found, and thus... I was introduced to Mayne Reid, and again to Harrison Ainsworth, with "The Headless Horseman" and "Rookwood"".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: H.M. Tomlinson      Print: Book

  

Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche : 

'"One advantage of leaving school at an early age is that one can study subjects of your own choice", wrote Frank Argent, son of a Camberwell labourer. Taking advantage of the public library and early Penguins, he ranged all over the intellectual landscape: Freudian psychology, industrial administration, English literature, political history, Blake, Goethe, Mill,Nietzsche, The Webbs, Bertrand Russell's Essays in Scepticism, and Spengler's "The Decline of the West".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Frank Argent      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : Life of Johnson

'Jack Common recalled that his mother brought him a secondhand and severely abridged "Life of Johnson" for 1d., and he had to read it several times before he even partially absorbed it'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Jack Common      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [works]

'merchant seaman Lennox Kerr ditched overboard his early experiments in authorship:"... writing isn't for the working man. It sets him apart. He isn't such a toiler if he knows too much or does things like writing. Even reading Shakespeare and the Bible and my Cobbett's Grammar put me under suspicion."'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Lennox Kerr      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : A Midsummer Night's Dream

'Worked hard, and read Midsummer Night's Dream, [and] Ballads ...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Timon of Athens

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Monday 19 May 1800: 'Read Timon of Athens.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Macbeth

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Sunday 25 May 1800: 'Read Macbeth in the morning ...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : King John

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Thursday 29 May 1800: 'In the morning worked in the garden a little, read King John.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Richard the Second

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Tuesday 3 June 1800: 'I worked in the garden before dinner. Read R[ichar]d Second -- was not well after dinner ...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : [poems]

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Friday 1 August 1800: '... we [Dorothy and William Wordsworth, with S. T. Coleridge] all went together to Mary Point [in Bainriggs wood], where we sate in the breeze and the shade, and read Wm's poems.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth, William Wordsworth, S. T. Coleridge     

  

William Wordsworth : The Seven Sisters

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Sunday 17 August 1800: 'Wm read us The Seven Sisters on a stone.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      

  

William Wordsworth : Peter Bell

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Saturday 23 August 1800: '[after walk to Ambleside] Did not reach home till 7 o'clock -- mended stockings and Wm. read Peter Bell. He read us the poem of Joanna, beside the Rothay by the roadside.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      

  

William Wordsworth : To Joanna

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Saturday 23 August 1800: '[after walk to Ambleside] Did not reach home till 7 o'clock -- mended stockings and Wm. read Peter Bell. He read us the poem of Joanna, beside the Rothay by the roadside.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      

  

James Boswell : The Life of Samuel Johnson

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Saturday 30 August 1800: 'I read a little of Boswell's Life of Johnson.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : To Joanna

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Monday 1 September 1800: 'We walked in the wood by the Lake. W. read Joanna, and the Firgrove, to Coleridge ... The morning was delightful ...'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      

  

William Wordsworth : The Firgrove

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Monday 1 September 1800: 'We walked in the wood by the Lake. W. read Joanna, and the Firgrove, to Coleridge ... The morning was delightful ...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Manuscript: Sheet

  

James Boswell : The Life of Samuel Johnson

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Sunday 14 September 1800: 'Read Boswell in the house in the morning, and after dinner under the bright yellow leaves of the orchard.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : The Life of Samuel Johnson

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Sunday 14 September 1800: 'Read Boswell in the house in the morning, and after dinner under the bright yellow leaves of the orchard.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : The Pedlar

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Monday 6 October 1800: 'After tea read The Pedlar.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      

  

William Wordsworth : Ruth

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Wednesday 22 October 1800: 'Wm. read after supper, Ruth etc.; Coleridge Christabel.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      

  

William Wordsworth : Point Rash Judgement

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Thursday 6 November 1800: 'Wm. somewhat better [having been suffering from piles] -- read Point Rash Judgement.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Manuscript: Sheet

  

?James Thomson : unknown

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Sunday 15 November 1801: 'We sate by the fire and read Chaucer (Thomson, Mary read) and Bishop Hall.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Hutchinson      

  

Edmund Spenser : unknown

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Monday 16 November 1801: '... [William] is now, at 7 o'clock, reading Spenser.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : unknown

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Wednesday 18 November 1801: 'We sate in the house in the morning reading Spenser.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Wordsworth Family     Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : unknown

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Tuesday 24 November 1801: 'After tea Wm. read Spenser, now and then a little aloud to us.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : The Faerie Queene (Canto I)

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Sunday 6 December 1801: 'In the afternoon we sate by the fire: I read Chaucer aloud, and Mary read the first canto of The Fairy Queen.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Hutchinson      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : The Pedlar

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Monday 21 December 1801: '[while Mary Hutchinson walked to Ambleside] I stayed at home and clapped the small linen. Wm. sate beside me, and read The Pedlar.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Manuscript: Sheet

  

William Wordsworth : The Pedlar

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Monday 21 December 1801: 'In the afternoon ... I mended Wm.'s stockings while he was reading The Pedlar.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Manuscript: Letter

  

William Wordsworth : Descriptive Sketches

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, about how she spent Saturday, 23 January 1802: '[after walking in cold] O how comfortable and happy we felt ourselves, sitting by our own fire ... We talked about the Lake of Como, read in the Descriptive Sketches, looked about us, and felt that we were happy.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William and Dorothy Wordsworth     

  

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing : Fables

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Saturday 6 February, 1802: '... wrote ... after tea, and translated two or three of Lessing's Fables.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : The Pedlar

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Sunday 7 February, 1802: 'We sate by the fire, and ... read the Pedlar, thinking it done; but lo! though Wm. could find fault with no one part of it, it was uninteresting, and must be altered.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William and Dorothy Wordsworth     Manuscript: Sheet

  

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing : unknown

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Monday 8 February, 1802: 'It was very windy ... all the morning ... I read a little in Lessing and the grammar.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing : Fable

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Tuesday 9 February, 1802: 'We did a little of Lessing. I attempted a fable, but my head ached ...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : The Prelude

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Wednesday 10 February, 1802: '... we read the first part of the poem [ie The Prelude] and were delighted with it ...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy and William Wordsworth     Manuscript: Sheet

  

William Wordsworth : The Recluse

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Saturday 13 February, 1802: 'William read parts of his Recluse aloud to me.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Manuscript: Sheet

  

William Wordsworth : Peter Bell

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Monday 22 February, 1802: ' ... Mr. Simpson came in. Wm. began to read Peter Bell to him, so I carried my writing to the kitchen fire.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Manuscript: Sheet

  

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing : Essay

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Thursday 25 February, 1802: 'I reached home [from walk] just before dark ... got tea, and fell to work at German. I read a good deal of Lessing's Essay.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : Lyrical Ballads

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Thursday 4 March 1802: 'After Tea I worked and read the L[yrical]. B[allads]., enchanted with the Idiot Boy.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : Lyrical Ballads

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Friday 5 March 1802: '... read the L[yrical]. B[allads]., got into sad thoughts, tried at German, but could not go on. Read L[yrical]. B[allads]. '

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : Lyrical Ballads

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Friday 5 March 1802: '... read the L[yrical]. B[allads]., got into sad thoughts, tried at German, but could not go on. Read L[yrical]. B[allads]. '

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : The Pedlar

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Tuesday 9 March 1802: 'We sate by the fire in the evening, and read The Pedlar over.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William and Dorothy Wordsworth     Manuscript: Sheet

  

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing : unknown

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Friday 12 March 1802: ' ... I read the remainder of Lessing.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : The Butterfly (and other poems)

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Sunday 14 March 1802: 'Mr. Simpson came in just as [William Wordsworth] was finishing the Poem [The Butterfly]. After he was gone I wrote it down and the other poems, and I read them all over to him.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Manuscript: Sheet

  

William Wordsworth : poems

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Monday 15 March 1802: 'We sate reading the poems, and I read a little German.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William and Dorothy Wordsworth     

  

Edmund Spenser : unknown

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Tuesday 16 March 1802: 'After dinner I read him [William Wordsworth] to sleep. I read Spenser while he leaned upon my shoulder.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : [poem]

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Wednesday 17 March 1802: 'I went and sate with W. and walked backwards and forwards in the orchard till dinner time. He read me his poem.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Manuscript: Sheet

  

William Wordsworth : [poem]

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Wednesday 17 March 1802: '... we sate a while ... [in the orchard]. I left ... [William Wordsworth], and he nearly finished the poem ... I went to bed before him -- he came down to me, and read the Poem to me in bed.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Manuscript: Sheet

  

William Wordsworth : The Pedlar

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Saturday 20 March 1802: 'After tea Wm. read The Pedlar.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Manuscript: Sheet

  

William Wordsworth : The Robin and the Butterfly

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Sunday 18 April 1802: 'I went to drink tea at Luff's ... William met me at Rydale ... We sate up late ... He met me with the conclusion of the poem of the Robin [ie "The Robin and the Butterfly"]. I read it to him in bed. We left out some lines.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Manuscript: Sheet

  

Adam Ferguson : Life of Ferguson

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Wednesday 21 April 1802: I went to bed after dinner, could not sleep, went to bed again. Read Ferguson's life and a poem or two -- fell asleep for 5 minutes and awoke better.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : Prothalamium

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Sunday 25 April 1802: We spent the morning in the orchard -- read the Prothalamium of Spenser.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William and Dorothy Wordsworth     Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : verses

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Tuesday 4 May 1802, describing excursion to local river and waterfall: 'We [Dorothy and William Wordsworth, and S. T. Coleridge] ... rested upon a moss-covered rock, rising out of the bed of the river. There we lay ... and stayed there till about 4 o'clock. William and C[oleridge]. repeated and read verses.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Manuscript: Sheet

  

William Shakespeare : A Lover's Complaint

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Wednesday 5 May 1802, 'I read The Lover's Complaint to Wm. in bed, and left him composed.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Henry V

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Saturday 8 May 1802, 'We sowed the Scarlet Beans in the orchard, and read Henry V. there.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William and Dorothy Wordsworth     Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : unknown

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Saturday 15 May 1802, 'It is now 1/2 past 10 ... A very cold and chearless morning ... I read in Shakespeare.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : The Faerie Queene (Canto I)

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Wednesday 16 June 1802, 'I read the first Canto of the Fairy Queen to William.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : A Midsummer Night's Dream

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Tuesday 22 June 1802, 'I read the Midsummer Night's Dream, and began As You Like It.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : As You Like It

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Tuesday 22 June 1802, 'I read the Midsummer Night's Dream, and began As You Like It.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : As You Like It

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Wednesday 23 June 1802, 'It is now 20 minutes past 10 -- a sunshiny morning. I walked to the top of the hill and sate under a wall near John's Grove ... I read a scene or two in As You Like It.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : As You Like It

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Thursday 1 July 1802, 'In the evening ... we had a nice walk, and afterwards sate by a nice snug fire, and William read Spenser, and I read As You Like It.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : The Faerie Queene

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Thursday 1 July 1802, 'In the evening ... we had a nice walk, and afterwards sate by a nice snug fire, and William read Spenser, and I read As You Like It.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : A Winter's Tale

Dorothy Wordsworth's Grasmere Journal, Thursday 8 July 1802, 'In the afternoon ... I read the Winter's Tale ...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Pamela

Wee are much obliged to you for sending in Pamela, but I must tell you how it entertained us, Miss Jenny and I cryed most heartily at the Reading of it. I believ it is true, for I verely think I know the Gent. & Lady that occasioned it, indeed it is sweetly wrote & I hope will shew both sexes how right it is to marry upon a good foundation.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Anne Cust      Print: Book

  

William Emerson : The principle of mechanics

Had no time for Eudid but looked into Emerson's mechanics for 1/4 hour, as I wish to prepare myself a little for Dalton's lectures which are to begin on Wednesday and which I mean to attend.

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Anne Lister      

  

William Emerson : Mechanics or The Principles of Mechanics

had no time for Euclid but looked into Emerson's Mechanics for 1/4 hour as I wish to prepare myself a little for Dalton's lectures which are to begin on Wednesday.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Anne Lister      Print: Book

  

William Spence : Tracts on Political Economy: Viz I. Britain Indepe

I have been pleased with some tracts on political Economy by William Alias Entomology Spence esq. F.L.S. Just reprinted since 1806, or 1808, but the reasoning not out of date.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Anne Lister      Print: Book

  

Benjamin Disraeli : unknown

'[William Robertson] Nicoll's boyhood reading included Scott, Disraeli, the Brontes, Bulwer Lytton, Shelley, Johnson, Addison, Steele, Goldsmith, Emerson, Lowell, Longfellow ...' [Nicoll's father a Scottish clergyman who amassed library of 17,000 volumes.]

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: William Robertson Nicoll      Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : unknown

'[William Robertson] Nicoll's boyhood reading included Scott, Disraeli, the Brontes, Bulwer Lytton, Shelley, Johnson, Addison, Steele, Goldsmith, Emerson, Lowell, Longfellow ...' [Nicoll's father a Scottish clergyman who amassed library of 17,000 volumes.]

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: William Robertson Nicoll      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : unknown

Philip Gibbs in The Pageant of the Years (1946), on work as writer of series of articles under name "Self-Help" in early 1900s: "'All the reading I had done as a boy, all my youthful enthusiasm for Shakespeare, Milton, Scott, Thackeray, Dickens, George Eliot, and Hardy ... was a great source of supply now when I sat down to write aout great books ..."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Philip Gibbs      Print: Book

  

J. M. Robertson : unknown

Neville Cardus, on devising cultural self-improvement scheme, in Autobiography (1947): "'I came upon the works of J. M. Robertson, also once a poor boy who had made himself informed ... he was stimulating, and his books served as my encyclopedia ...'"

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Neville Cardus      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : The journal of a tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson

Began Dr Johnson's tour to the Hebrides, A journey to the western Isles of scotland... My aunt and I read aloud the evening service.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Anne Lister      Print: Book

  

William Robertson : The History of America

My father's large bookcase was stuffed with odd volumes of the Gentleman's Magazine and other miscellaneous matters. Anacharsis' 'travels in Greece', Robertson's 'America', Goldsmith's 'History of England', Adams' 'Rome', Wesley's sermons and Fletcher's controversial volumes. All these had been read by me, either for my own amusement, or aloud to my father, whose sight had been lost for years.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Anne Lutton      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : unknown

' ... [Elizabeth and Alice Thompson] used to go for picnics at Porto Fino, loaded with books of verse, and Mrs Thompson and Mr [Alfred] Strettell would read aloud to them from Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Keats, and Tennyson.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Christiana Thompson      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : unknown

' ... [Elizabeth and Alice Thompson] used to go for picnics at Porto Fino, loaded with books of verse, and Mrs Thompson and Mr [Alfred] Strettell would read aloud to them from Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Keats, and Tennyson.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Christiana Thompson      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : unknown

' ... [Elizabeth and Alice Thompson] used to go for picnics at Porto Fino, loaded with books of verse, and Mrs Thompson and Mr [Alfred] Strettell would read aloud to them from Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Keats, and Tennyson.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Alfred Baker Strettell      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : unknown

' ... [Elizabeth and Alice Thompson] used to go for picnics at Porto Fino, loaded with books of verse, and Mrs Thompson and Mr [Alfred] Strettell would read aloud to them from Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Keats, and Tennyson.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Alfred Baker Strettell      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : unknown

Alice Meynell recalls childhood reading: 'In quite early childhood I lived upon Wordsworth ... When I was about twelve I fell in love with Tennyson, and cared for nothing else until, at fifteen, I discovered Keats and then Shelley.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Alice Thompson      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : The Merchant of Venice

[A Sheffield Survey organised by Arnold Freeman in 1918, assessing 816 manual workers, gives the following case:] 'Engine tenter, age twenty-seven...Often attends operas...Methodically building up a personal library following the guidelines of Arnold Bennett's Literary Taste. Has read the Bible, Shakespeare (The Merchant of Venice, Julius Caesar, The Tempest, Much Ado about Nothing), Pope, Tennyson, Masefield, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Emerson, William Morris, most of Ruskin, Dickens (Nicholas Nickleby, David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, A Tale of Two Cities, The Old Curiosity Shop, A Christmas Carol), The Cloister and the Hearth, GK Chesterton, Bernard Shaw (Major Barbara, John Bull's Other Island, The Doctor's Dilemma, Man and Superman, The Shewing up of Blanco Posnet, The Devil's Disciple, You Never Can Tell, Socialism and Superior Brains, Fabian Essays, An Unsocial Socialist, The Irrational Knot), John Galsworthy, about a dozen books by H.G. Wells and perhaps twenty by Bennett, Sidney and Beatrice Webb's Industrial Democracy and other books on trade unionism, Sir Oliver Lodge, Edward Carpenter's Towards Democracy and The Intermediate Sex, J.A. Hobson and Alfred Marshall on Economics and Plato's Republic'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: questionaire respondent      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Julius Caesar

[A Sheffield Survey organised by Arnold Freeman in 1918, assessing 816 manual workers, gives the following case:] 'Engine tenter, age twenty-seven...Often attends operas...Methodically building up a personal library following the guidelines of Arnold Bennett's Literary Taste. Has read the Bible, Shakespeare (The Merchant of Venice, Julius Caesar, The Tempest, Much Ado about Nothing), Pope, Tennyson, Masefield, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Emerson, William Morris, most of Ruskin, Dickens (Nicholas Nickleby, David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, A Tale of Two Cities, The Old Curiosity Shop, A Christmas Carol), The Cloister and the Hearth, GK Chesterton, Bernard Shaw (Major Barbara, John Bull's Other Island, The Doctor's Dilemma, Man and Superman, The Shewing up of Blanco Posnet, The Devil's Disciple, You Never Can Tell, Socialism and Superior Brains, Fabian Essays, An Unsocial Socialist, The Irrational Knot), John Galsworthy, about a dozen books by H.G. Wells and perhaps twenty by Bennett, Sidney and Beatrice Webb's Industrial Democracy and other books on trade unionism, Sir Oliver Lodge, Edward Carpenter's Towards Democracy and The Intermediate Sex, J.A. Hobson and Alfred Marshall on Economics and Plato's Republic'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: questionaire respondent      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : The Tempest

[A Sheffield Survey organised by Arnold Freeman in 1918, assessing 816 manual workers, gives the following case:] 'Engine tenter, age twenty-seven...Often attends operas...Methodically building up a personal library following the guidelines of Arnold Bennett's Literary Taste. Has read the Bible, Shakespeare (The Merchant of Venice, Julius Caesar, The Tempest, Much Ado about Nothing), Pope, Tennyson, Masefield, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Emerson, William Morris, most of Ruskin, Dickens (Nicholas Nickleby, David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, A Tale of Two Cities, The Old Curiosity Shop, A Christmas Carol), The Cloister and the Hearth, GK Chesterton, Bernard Shaw (Major Barbara, John Bull's Other Island, The Doctor's Dilemma, Man and Superman, The Shewing up of Blanco Posnet, The Devil's Disciple, You Never Can Tell, Socialism and Superior Brains, Fabian Essays, An Unsocial Socialist, The Irrational Knot), John Galsworthy, about a dozen books by H.G. Wells and perhaps twenty by Bennett, Sidney and Beatrice Webb's Industrial Democracy and other books on trade unionism, Sir Oliver Lodge, Edward Carpenter's Towards Democracy and The Intermediate Sex, J.A. Hobson and Alfred Marshall on Economics and Plato's Republic'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: questionaire respondent      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Much Ado about Nothing

[A Sheffield Survey organised by Arnold Freeman in 1918, assessing 816 manual workers, gives the following case:] 'Engine tenter, age twenty-seven...Often attends operas...Methodically building up a personal library following the guidelines of Arnold Bennett's Literary Taste. Has read the Bible, Shakespeare (The Merchant of Venice, Julius Caesar, The Tempest, Much Ado about Nothing), Pope, Tennyson, Masefield, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Emerson, William Morris, most of Ruskin, Dickens (Nicholas Nickleby, David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, A Tale of Two Cities, The Old Curiosity Shop, A Christmas Carol), The Cloister and the Hearth, GK Chesterton, Bernard Shaw (Major Barbara, John Bull's Other Island, The Doctor's Dilemma, Man and Superman, The Shewing up of Blanco Posnet, The Devil's Disciple, You Never Can Tell, Socialism and Superior Brains, Fabian Essays, An Unsocial Socialist, The Irrational Knot), John Galsworthy, about a dozen books by H.G. Wells and perhaps twenty by Bennett, Sidney and Beatrice Webb's Industrial Democracy and other books on trade unionism, Sir Oliver Lodge, Edward Carpenter's Towards Democracy and The Intermediate Sex, J.A. Hobson and Alfred Marshall on Economics and Plato's Republic'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: questionaire respondent      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [works]

[analysis of a female respondent in Arnold Freeman's 1918 Sheffield Survey] 'Machinist in a shell factory, age twenty-four... Has read Shakespeare, Burns, Keats, Scott, Tennyson, Dickens, Vanity Fair, The Rubiyat of Omar Khayyam, Ella Wheeler Wilcox, biography and history'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: questionaire respondent      Print: Book

  

William Morris : [unknown]

[analysis of a female respondent in Arnold Freeman's 1918 Sheffield Survey] 'Cutlery worker, age seventy-two...Fond of Longfellow, Stevenson, Ruskin, William Morris and Charles Dickens'

Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: questionaire respondent      Print: Book

  

Marcus Aurelius : The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius

I had also read 'Paper Bag Cookery' -one of my father's fads -because I wanted to try it. Now I saw 'The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius' in leather: it defeated me. Wordsworth and Milton at least wrote in short lines with wide margins. I moved on to a book by Hall Caine called 'The Bondman'. It appeared to be about a marriage and I noticed that the men and women talked in the dangerous adult language which I associated with 'The bad girl of the family'. 'The Bondman' also suggested a doom -the sort of doom my mother sang about which was connected with Trinity Church and owing the rent.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Victor Sawdon Pritchett      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Shakespeare's Complete Works

I had a look at 'In tune with the infinite'. I moved on to my father's single volume, India paper edition of 'Shakespeare's Complete Works' and started at the beginning with the 'Rape of Lucrece' and the sonnets and continued slowly through the plays during the coming year. For relief I took up Marie Corelli's 'Master Christain' which I found more moving than Shakespeare and more intelligible than 'Thanatopsis'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Victor Sawdon Pritchett      Print: Book

  

Jas (James) Hastie : Journal

'By leave of the Colonial Office I have obtained copies of a MS journal, never published or edited, kept by Jas Hastie, the Civil Agent of Governor Farquhar at the court of Radama I. from 1817-1828. The authorities of the Record office have detained the copy a few days in order to authorize them. & I think the Journal would make (with editing) a good book.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: S.P. Oliver      Manuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : Julius Caesar

'Seventeen-year-old Ruth Bourne recorded disparaging remarks in her diary about the feeble renderings of Julius Caesar and Macbeth made by members of her [Shakespeare reading] circle in Worcestershire in 1883.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Shakespeare Reading Circle (local)     Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Macbeth

'Seventeen-year-old Ruth Bourne recorded disparaging remarks in her diary about the feeble renderings of Julius Caesar and Macbeth made by members of her [Shakespeare reading] circle in Worcestershire in 1883.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Shakespeare Reading Circle (local)     Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : plays

Ex-Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey in the Falloden Papers, on how he spent his time after being deposed from the Cabinet in 1916: ' ... I spent some weeks alone in the country. During that time I read, or re-read, several of Shakespeare's plays.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Sir Edward Grey      Print: Book

  

William Morris : The Haystack in the Floods (and other poems)

'When Wilfrid Blunt joined [William] Morris and his daughter at Kelmscott in 1891, Morris "read us out several of his poems ... including The Haystack in the Floods, but his reading is without the graces of elocution."'

Unknown
Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: William Morris      

  

William Watson : Wordsworth's Grave and Other Poems

'[William Watson] sent a copy [of "Wordsworth's Grave and Other Poems"] to [Thomas] Hardy, who replied appreciatively that he had already read it while staying with Edward Clodd ...'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Hardy      Print: Book

  

William Watson : Poems

On process of choosing a Poet Laureate from 1892: 'When Gladstone had read [William] Watson's Poems (1892), sent to him by R. H. Hutton, it was with a view to obtaining for him a Civil List pension, not the laureateship.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: William Ewart Gladstone      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [unknown]

'[Millicent, Duchess of Sutherland was] an omnivorous reader -- "she could begin the day with reports on technical education in Prussia, continue it with Huxley's 'Life' and Shakespeare, and ... polish off seven love-stories at the same time ..."'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Millicent, Duchess of Sutherland      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Richard II

Letter 8/2/1863 - "I'm so thin and hard and metallic that I think sometimes I'm going to turn into the pin that Death bores through the King's crowns - and 'farewell King'."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: John Ruskin      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : The Rambler

" I read to my beloved no 97 of the Rambler written by Richardson, author of those inimitable books Pamela, Clarissa and Sir Charles Grandison."

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Lady Eleanor Butler      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Samuel Richardson : [unknown]

'On learning that [Hall] Caine was to present twenty-four lectures in Liverpool on "Prose Fiction" ... [D. G. Rossetti] insisted that he read the works [of English novelists] aloud to him; hence "I read Fielding and Smollett, Richardson, Radcliffe, 'Monk' Lewis, Thackeray and Dickens, under a running fire of comment and criticism from Rossetti".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Hall Caine      Print: Book

  

Matthew Gregory Lewis : [unknown]

'On learning that [Hall] Caine was to present twenty-four lectures in Liverpool on "Prose Fiction" ... [D. G. Rossetti] insisted that he read the works [of English novelists] aloud to him; hence "I read Fielding and Smollett, Richardson, Radcliffe, 'Monk' Lewis, Thackeray and Dickens, under a running fire of comment and criticism from Rossetti".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Hall Caine      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spencer : The Faerie Queen

Letter B 24 - 20/10/1858 - "There was some nonsense in your long letter about Britomart and Una. Both of them were in love with the man they were to marry, and loved them."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: John Ruskin      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spencer : The Faerie Queen

Letter B 24 - 20/10/1858 - "There was some nonsense in your long letter about Britomart and Una. Both of them were in love with the man they were to marry, and loved them."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Anna Blunden      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : 

I always have a profound impression that human beings have been much more like each other than we fancy since they got rid of their tails & that the great outbursts of speculation or art imply some special excitement more than a radical difference in people themselves. I have even a belief that if Browning had lived 200 years ago he would have been a small Shakespeare & perhaps Tennyson a second rate Milton, though I agree that poor old Alfred has not quite the stuff in him.

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Leslie Stephen      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Venus and Adonis

'Then I woke up, switched on the light, & began to read Venus & Adonis. It's pretty stuff - rather like the Death of Procris'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Katherine Mansfield      Print: Book

  

Benjamin Disraeli : Endymion

"'I have finished Endymion with a painful feeling that the writer [Disraeli] considers all political life as mere play and gambling,' wrote the Archbishop of Canterbury, Tait ..."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: A. C. Tait      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [works]

'[R. L. Stevenson] ... nominated ["The Egoist"], together with a couple of Scott's novels, a Dumas, Shakespeare, Montaigne, and Moliere, as one of that handful of books which ... he read repeatedly -- four or five times in the case of "The Egoist", he declared in 1887.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Louis Stevenson      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Measure for Measure

'Britain was a mainly urban society...and soon an expanding range of sexual literature became available in the cities. Mark Grossek, the son of a Jewish immigrant tailor in Southwark, acquired his knowledge from grafitti, scandalous stories in the local press, 'Lloyd's Weekly News', 'Measure for Measure', the Song of Solomon, some old plays a fellow student had dug out of his father's library, General Booth's 'In Darkest England', Tobias Smollett, Quain's 'Dictionary of Medicine', as well as Leviticus ("For myself, the most subtle aura of enticement was wafted from the verb 'begat' and the noun 'concubine'")There was also Ovid, but unfortunately the popular translation published by Bohn "had left all the tasty chunks in Latin".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Mark Grossek      Print: Book

  

E.M. Forster : Howard's End

'Putting my weakest books to the wall last night I came across a copy of "Howard's End" and had a look into it. But it's not good enough. E.M.Forster never gets any further than warming the teapot. He's a rare fine hand at that. Feel this teapot. Is it not beautifully warm? Yes, but there ain't going to be no tea.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Katherine Mansfield      Print: Book

  

Marie Stopes : [unknown]

'Even those who read widely about sex often learned very little. In the 1920s Jennie Lee won a psychology degree from the University of Edinburgh... She went beyond the syllabus to read Ellis and Freud. While her collier father could not bring himself to discuss the subject, he was progressive enough to leave a book by Marie Stopes where she was likely to find it. All the same, Jennie was still capable of chatting with a prostitute on Princes Street without realizing what was going on. Stopes on sex "was all a bit remote and unattractive", she found'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Jennie Lee      Print: Book

  

Marie Stopes : [book on birth control]

'when Gladys [Teal] took a job at a draper's shop around 1930, a female assistant gave her a Marie Stopes book on birth control , which she gratefully read'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Gladys Teal      Print: Book

  

Marie Stopes : [book on sex]

'Houseservant Margaret Powell was unusually daring: she left Marie Stopes, along with the Kama Sutra and Havelock Ellis, on the bedside table for her husband. (Eventually, she was forced to conclude that the books went unread, or at least unheeded).'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Margaret Powell      Print: Book

  

William Morris : The Defence of Guenevere

Letter H.96 (Beginning of June 1861) ?The Defence of Guenevere by Morris is published by Bell & Daldy.?

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: John Ruskin      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : 

?Do you sympathise with me when I say that the only writer whom I have been able to read with pleasure through this nightmare is Wordsworth? I used not to care for him especially; but now I love him. He is so thoroughly manly & tender & honest as far as his lights go that he seems to me the only consoler. I despise most of your religious people, who cultivate their maudlin humours & despise even more your sentimentalist of the atheist kind; but old W. W. is a genuine human being, whom I respect.?

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Leslie Stephen      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Julius Caesar

"It was in my fifteenth year that I became again, this time intelligently, aquainted with Shakespeare. I got hold of a single play, The Tempest, in a school edition, prepared I suppose, for one of the university examinations which were then being instituted in the provinces...This book was my own hoarded possession; the rest of Shakespeare's works were beyond my hopes. But gradually I contrived to borrow a volume here and a volume there. I completed The Merchant of Venice, read Cymbeline, Julius Caesar, and Much Ado; most of the others, I think, remained closed to me for a long time. But these were enough to steep my horizon with all the colours of sunrise."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Edmund Gosse      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Much Ado about Nothing

" It was in my fifteenth year that I became again, this time intelligently, aquainted with Shakespeare. I got hold of a single play, The Tempest, in a school edition, prepared, I suppose, for one of the university examinations which were then being instituted in the provinces... This book was my own hoarded possession; the rest of Shakespeare's works were beyond my hopes. But gradually I contrived to borrow a volume here and a volume there. I completed The Merchant of Venice, read Cymbeline, Julius Caesar, and Much Ado; most of the others, I think, remained closed to me for a long time. But these were enough to steep my horizon with all the colours of sunrise."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Edmund Gosse      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : 

" But I read with unchecked voracity, and in several curious directions. Shakespeare now passed into my possession entire, in the shape of a reprint more hideous and more offensive to the eyesight than would in these days appear conceivable..."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Edmund Gosse      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : 

" But I read with unchecked voracity, and in several curious directions...I made aquaintance... with Wordsworth, for the exercise of whose magic I was still far too young."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Edmund Gosse      Print: Book

  

M.G. Lewis : The Monk

"I stayed at home this morning - not that there is anything new in that - until lunch, and did very little, very easy work - just finishing up a small life. It rained steadily and as I had been at home all yesterday, I could not stand it any longer. So I took a cab to the London Library where I read Lewis's 'Monk' 3 vols in 25 minutes."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Leslie Stephen      Print: Book

  

William James : The varieties of religious experience

"I have read your book with keen interest. I always read you with the pleasure of a literary critic recognising (and envying) mastery in the art of putting things."

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Leslie Stephen      Print: Book

  

Edmund Gosse : Life of Gray

'Dear Mr Gosse, I hope that I am not impertinent in telling you how heartily I have enjoyed your Gray. I think it one of the most charming biographies I ever read; & I would gladly subscribe to nearly all your criticism, if I had not a feeling that in some points wh. you touch, I am too much of an outsider for any subscription to have much value. The only criticism wh. I might cavil a bit would concern the Bard. I never could feel that the old gentleman ought to derive so much satisfaction from the advent of the Tudor destiny; & Gray?s desire to administer that bit of consolation seems to me to miss the point & rather spoil his design. Still I am fond of the Bard as one is fond of what one has already known by heart.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Leslie Stephen      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : unknown

'Dear Mr Gosse, I hope that I am not impertinent in telling you how heartily I have enjoyed your Gray. I think it one of the most charming biographies I ever read; & I would gladly subscribe to nearly all your criticism, if I had not a feeling that in some points wh. you touch, I am too much of an outsider for any subscription to have much value. The only criticism wh. I might cavil a bit would concern the Bard. I never could feel that the old gentleman ought to derive so much satisfaction from the advent of the Tudor destiny; & Gray?s desire to administer that bit of consolation seems to me to miss the point & rather spoil his design. Still I am fond of the Bard as one is fond of what one has already known by heart.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Leslie Stephen      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Henry VIII

"If it was not enough to have all the Catholic theology suddenly discharged upon one, I have suddenly taken a fancy to read some of the old dramatists, being prompted by Furnivall's society & to puzzle my head about 'stopt lines' as F. J. F. calls them & the share of Fletcher in Henry VIII and the Two Noble Kinsmen.?

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Leslie Stephen      Print: Book

  

Thomas Aquinas : 

?I bought the other day a copy of Aquinas & find him very good reading. Only to understand him one ought obviously to read a whole mass of contemporary stuff wh. would swamp me altogether. ? He is a kind of revelation to me ? but what interests one most is to find out how many things have been said over & over again for so many centuries.?

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Leslie Stephen      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : The Life of Samuel Johnson

?Boswell showed his genius in setting forth Johnson?s weaknesses as well as his strength. But if Boswell had been Johnson?s brother? I cannot be simply eulogistic if the portrait is to be lifelike; but I find it very hard to speak of defects without either concealing my opinion that they were defects. Or on the other hand, taking a tone of superiority & condescension.?

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Leslie Stephen      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : 

?To my mind Hugo is far more dramatic in spirit than Fielding, though his method involves (as you show exceedingly well) a use of scenery & background wh. would hardly be admissible in drama. I am not able ? I fairly confess ? to define the dramatic element in Hugo or to say why it is absent from Fielding & Richardson. Yet surely Hugo?s own dramas are a sufficient proof that a drama may be romantic as well as a novel.?

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Leslie Stephen      Print: Book

  

Germaine De Stael : Corinne

"I have read Corinne with my father, and I like it better than he does. In one word, I am dazzled by the genius, provoked by the absurdities, and in admiration of the taste and critical judgement of Italian literature displayed throughout the work. ... My father acknowledges he never read anything more pathetic."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Maria Edgeworth      Print: Book

  

Sir William Jones : Asiatic Miscellany. pieces and extracts from various publications consisting of translations, fugitive pieces

then pitied me [my father] for the ten-mile stage I had to go alone, but I did not pity myself, for I had Sir William Jones's and Sir William Chambers's Asiatic Miscellany. the metaphysical poetry of India, however, it is not to my taste."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Maria Edgeworth      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa

"By what unction of purity our great grand mothers were preserved when they studied Pamela without danger or disgust we know not. There are many points of Richardson?s writings more injurious, because less shocking, to virtue than the sonnets of Rochester. Clarissa is less objectionable, though many of the scenes at Mrs Sinclair?s are such as are wholly unfit for modern readers.?

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Charles Robert Maturin      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Pamela

"By what unction of purity our great grand mothers were preserved when they studied Pamela without danger or disgust we know not. There are many points of Richardson?s writings more injurious, because less shocking, to virtue than the sonnets of Rochester. Clarissa is less objectionable, though many of the scenes at Mrs Sinclair?s are such as are wholly unfit for modern readers.?

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Charles Robert Maturin      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Sir Charles Grandison

?In his Sir Charles Grandison, the inherent vulgarity, egotism and prolixity of Richardson?s character breakout with a latitude unexampled and uncontrolled. His personages, forever listening to or repeating their own eulogy, forever covering their own selfishness with arrogant humility, preaching forever in a monotonous key of maudlin morality, bowing on hands, and asking the benison of aunts and grandmothers, are now as flat and faded as the figures in an ancient tapestry but, like them, compensate in some measure for the dullness of the design by the fidelity of the costume.?

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Charles Robert Maturin      Print: Book

  

Matthew Gregory Lewis : The Monk

?The most extraordinary production of this period was the powerful and wicked romance of The Monk.?

Century:      Reader/Listener/Group: Charles Maturin      Print: Book

  

Thomas Southern : Complete Plays

"'Putting Shakespeare and his immediate followers out of the way, whom do you think the best dramatist?' 'Otway, Lee and Southern, unquestionably. I speak, perhaps, from an old feeling of attachment, but, nevertheless, from deep conviction? Southern was a sweet and natural poet; he was the Goldsmith of tragedy.'"

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Charles Maturin      Print: Book

  

William Nicholson : The First Principles of Chemistry

?I will tell you what is going on, that you may see whether you like your daily bill of fare. ? There is a balloon hanging up, and another going to be put on the stocks; there is soap made, and making from a recipe in Nicholson?s Chemistry; there is excellent ink made, and to be made by the same book.?

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Maria Edgeworth      Print: Book

  

Miguel de Cervantes : probably Don Quixote

The seventeenth-century waterman-poet John Taylor had read More's Utopia, Plato's Republic, Montaigne, and Cervantes in translation, but he never mastered a foreign language and he relentlessly satirised latinate prose: I ne'er used Accidence so much as now, Nor all these Latin words here interlaced I do not know if they with sense are placed, I in the book did find them".'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: John Taylor      Print: Book

  

Marcus Aurelius : Meditations

In the public library [Manny Shinwell] doggedly tackled volumes "whose contents I usually failed to understand": Paley's Evidences of Christianity, Haeckel's Riddle of the Universe, Herbert Spencer's Sociology, the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. Shinwell's whole intellectual career was an exciting but laborious exercise in decoding. All his life he used a dictionary to correct his pronunciation'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Emmanuel Shinwell (later Baron Shinwell)      Print: Book

  

James Sheridan Knowles : Virginius

?In May 1820 Sheridan Knowles produced ?Virginius?. The extraordinary success of that play naturally excited Maturin?s curiosity, and he was impatient to read it. ? When ?Virginius? was first published, a friend of Maturin?s purchased a copy, with which he was so pleased that it always lay on his table and he constantly devoted hours of relaxation to its perusal.?

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Charles Robert Maturin      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : 

'While his widowed mother... worked a market stall, Ralph Finn scrambled up the scholarship ladder to Oxford University. He credited his success largely to his English master at Davenant Foundation School: "When I was an East End boy searching for beauty, hardly knowing what I was searching for, fighting against all sorts of bad beginnings and unrewarding examples, he more than anyone taught me to love our tremndous heritage of English language and literature". And Finnn never doubted that it was HIS heritage: "My friends and companions Tennyson, Browning, Keats, Shakespeare, Francis Thompson, Donne, Housman, the Rosettis. All as alive to me as thought they had been members of my family". After all, as he was surprised and pleased to discover, F.T. Palgrave (whose Golden Treasury he knew thoroughly) was part-Jewish'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Ralph Finn      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : The Faerie Queene

[Bill Naughton was hurt that when he applied for conscientious objector status the tribunal was suspicious of his elevated vocabulary] '"I couldn't help feeling hurt", Naughton recalled, "that they should deny one the right to use the English language". That hit both ethnic and class nerves: he had been born in County Mayo of peasant stock. At any rate, he was using the language to read Locke, Nietzsche, Thoreau, Schopenhauer, Marx and The Faerie Queene. They were not easy to decipher at first, but as he pieced together an understanding of what he was reading, he became more critical and less deferential...'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Bill Naughton      Print: Book

  

Adam Smith : 

'[Davies said] "Before I was twelve I had developed an appreciation of good prose, and the Bible created in me a zest for literature", propelling him directly to Lamb, Hazlitt's Essays and Ruskin's The Crown of Wild Olives. Later... he joined the library committee of the Miners' Institute in Maesteg, made friends with the librarian, and advised him on acquisitions. Thus he could read all the books he wanted: Marx, Smith, Ricardo, Mill, Marshall, economic and trade union history, Fabian Essays, Thomas Hardy, Meredith, Kipling and Dickens'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: D.R. Davies      Print: Book

  

Maxmillian de Bethune Sully : Memoirs

?Now I do not know what you imagined in reading Sully?s Memoirs, but I always imagined the Arsenal was one large building, with a fa?ade to it like a very large hotel or a palace, and I fancied it was somewhere in the middle of Paris. On the contrary, it is quite in the suburbs.?

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Maria Edgeworth      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Sir Charles Grandison

'Sneyd and Charlotte have begun Sir Charles Grandison: I almost envy them the pleasure of reading Clementina?s story for the first time. It is one of those pleasures which is never repeated in life.'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Maria Edgeworth      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : 

'As a collier [Joseph Keating]... heard a co-worker sigh, "Heaven from all creatures hides the book of fate". Keating was stunned: "You are quoting Pope". "Ayh", replied his companion, "me and Pope do agree very well". Keating had himself been reading Pope, Fielding, Smollett, Goldsmith and Richardson in poorly printed paperbacks. Later he was reassigned to a less demanding job at a riverside colliery pumping station, which allowed him time to tackle Swift, Sheridan, Byron, Keats, Shelley and Thackeray'.

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

  

Miguel de Cervantes : Don Quixote

'Wil John Edwards...pursued Gibbon, Hardy, Swinburne and Meredith. His reading was suggested by the literary pages of the Clarion, the librarian at the Miners' Institute (who directed him to Don Quixote) and [guidance from fellow pit workers].'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Wil John Edwards      Print: Book

  

William Wymark Jacobs : 

'Percy Wall described his [colliery] institute as a "blatantly utilitarian" building with a "square cemented front" and a "drab, poorly lit" reading room, but it offered a wonderful escape from a dull Welsh village: "I could view the future through the words of H.G. Wells, participate in the elucidation of mysteries with Sherlock Holmes,... or penetrate darkest Africa with Rider Haggard as my guide. I could laugh at the comic frustrations of coaster seaman or bargee at the call of W.A. Jacobs. What a gloriously rich age it was for the storyteller!... When the stories palled there was always the illustrated weeklies with their pictures of people and conditions remote from my personal experience... I could laugh with Punch or Truth, although some of the humour was much too subtle for my limited education. Above all I could study the Review of Reviews and learn therein the complexities of foreign affairs.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Wall      Print: Book

  

Thomas Hobbes : 

'[Jack Ashley] was less prepared for Ruskin [College] than most of the students, having read only two books since leaving school: Jack London's The Iron Heel and the regulations of the Widnes Town Council. But principal Lionel Elvin "appreciated the profound dificulties facing working class students": "When I stumbled through the intricacies of the political theories of Marx, Hobbes, Rousseau, Locke and T.H. Green, he marked my work frankly yet gave encouragement... He was an excellent teacher, genuinely interested in discussing ideas and persuading students to express their own"

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Jack Ashley      Print: Book

  

James Harris : Diaries

"4/2/1845 - I have read two volumes (the last two, I think) of Lord Malmesbury's Diaries, and with intense interest. I knew so many of the men he writes about, and lived on the spot where they acted."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Amelia Opie      Print: Book

  

John Maynard Keynes : 

'Attending Oxford on a Cassel scholarship, John Allaway found that his WEA training, far from fitting him into a university mold, enabled him to criticize the conventional curriculum. Assigned the orthodox economics texts of Alfred Marshall, he read them "with deep suspicion" and made a point of going beyond the set books to study J.A. Hobson, Henry George, Hugh Dalton, and John Maynard Keynes'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: John Allaway      Print: Book

  

Mme de Genlis : 

?At home, she read with her mother, from Madame de Genlis and from William Hayley.?

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Amelia Opie      Print: Book

  

Adam Smith : Wealth of Nations

'For Dunfermline housepainter James Clunie, Das Kapital and the Wealth of Nations both demonstrated that industrialism inevitably increased economic inequality, the exploitation of labour and class conflict. To this The Descent of Man added "the great idea of human freedom... It brought out the idea that whether our children were with or without shoes was due to poverty arising from the administration of society".'

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

  

Benjamin Disraeli : Sybil

'[Helen Crawfurd] derived lessons in socialism and feminism from Carlyle, Shaw, Wells, Galsworthy, Arnold Bennett, Ibsen's Ghosts and A Doll's House, Dickens, Disraeli's Sybil, Mary Barton, Jude the Obscure, Tess of the d'Urbervilles, Under the Greenwood Tree, Tennyson's The Princess, Longfellow, Whitman, Burns, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, George Eliot, George Sand, the Brontes, Les Miserables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Helen Crawfurd      Print: Book

  

George (Amantine Lucille Aurore) Sand (Dupin) : 

'[Helen Crawfurd] derived lessons in socialism and feminism from Carlyle, Shaw, Wells, Galsworthy, Arnold Bennett, Ibsen's Ghosts and A Doll's House, Dickens, Disraeli's Sybil, Mary Barton, Jude the Obscure, Tess of the d'Urbervilles, Under the Greenwood Tree, Tennyson's The Princess, Longfellow, Whitman, Burns, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, George Eliot, George Sand, the Brontes, Les Miserables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Helen Crawfurd      Print: Book

  

William Smith Williams : letter to Charlotte Bronte

Charlotte Bronte postscript to letter to William Smith Williams, 12 May 1848: 'I find -- on glancing over yours, that I have forgotten to answer a question you ask respecting my next work ...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bronte      Manuscript: Letter

  

William Smith Williams : letter

Charlotte Bronte to William Smith Williams, 22 November 1848: 'I put your most friendly letter [recommending homeopathic treatments] into Emily's hands as soon as I had myself perused it ... after reading your letter she said "Mr Williams' intention was kind and good, but he was under a delusion -- Homeopathy was only another form of Quackery."'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bronte      Manuscript: Letter

  

William Smith Williams : letter

Charlotte Bronte to William Smith Williams, 22 November 1848: 'I put your most friendly letter [recommending homeopathic treatments] into Emily's hands as soon as I had myself perused it ... after reading your letter she said "Mr Williams' intention was kind and good, but he was under a delusion -- Homeopathy was only another form of Quackery."'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Emily Bronte      Manuscript: Letter

  

Mrs Smith : Note to Charlotte Bronte

Charlotte Bronte to Mrs Smith (mother of her publisher George Smith), 17 April 1851: 'Before I received your note, I was nursing a comfortable and complacent conviction that I had quite made up my mind not to go to London this year ... But Pride has its fall. I read your invitation and immediately felt a great wish to descend from my stilts.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bronte      Manuscript: Letter

  

Mr. Erskine : [spiritual autobiography]

Joseph Croswell, journal of readings: "'In the evening realized some [spiritual] quickenings in reading the believer's journey to the heavenly Canaan, by Mr. Erskine.'"

Unknown
Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Croswell      

  

Mr. Erskine : 

Joseph Croswell, journal of readings: "'In the evening realized some [spiritual] quickenings in reading the believer's journey to the heavenly Canaan, by Mr. Erskine.'"

Unknown
Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Croswell      

  

Thomas Hughes : Tom Brown's School Days

'After Dennis Marsden won an exhibition to St Catherine's College, Cambridge his parents, solid Labour supporters, "found supreme happiness sitting on the Backs looking over the river and towards King's College. For my father, Lord Maulever (of Billy Bunter and the Magnet) might have walked that lawn; Tom Brown must have been there, and the Fifth Form from St Dominic's. He had read The Adventures of Mr Verdant Green at Oxford, and saw that I had a "gyp" (as Verdant Green had a "scout"). He imagined how my gyp would shakes his head and say (as Verdant Green's scout always said), "College Gents will do anything". All I could say... couldn't convince my parents that that powerful Cambridge image of my father's schoolboy reading wasn't my Cambridge".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Marsden      Print: Book

  

Pelham Grenville Wodehouse : [short school story]

'Walter Citrine won, as a Sunday School prize, a volume of school stories from the Captain, including one by P.G. Wodehouse. "The lady who gave this prize awakened in me a thirst for good literature", eventually leading to the works of Karl Marx and his followers'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Walter Citrine      Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : Rasselas

'In 1768, Burney read in rapid succession Elizabeth and Richard Griffith's "A Series of Genuine Letters between Henry and Frances" (1757) ... Oliver Goldsmith's "The Vicar of Wakefield" (1766); and Samuel Johnson's "Rasselas" (1759).'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Frances Burney      Print: Book

  

Anne-Louise-Germaine baronne de Stael-Holstein : 

'[Frances] Burney's little diary of "Consolatory Extracts Daily collected or read in my extremity of Grief at the sudden & tragical loss of my beloved Susan on the instant of her liberation & safe arrival in England" ... [included] Extracts culled from the work of ... Mme. de Stael, Miss Talbot, Mrs. Chapone ...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Frances Burney      

  

Hermann Sudermann : [unknown]

'James Hanley's workmates laughed when he taught himself French by reading the Mercure de France...Working the night shift at a railway station, Hanley withdrew into the work of Moliere, Hauptmann, Calderon, Sudermann, Ibsen, Lie and Strindberg until he grew quite cozy in his literary shell. His parents were appalled that he had no friends. But I've hundreds of friends he protested. "Bazarov and Rudin and Liza and Sancho Panza and Eugenie Grandet". His father countered with Squeers, Nickleby, Snodgrass and Little Nell: "And they're a healthy lot I might say, whereas all your friends have either got consumption, or are always in the dumps".'

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

  

Miguel de Cervantes : Don Quixote

'James Hanley's workmates laughed when he taught himself French by reading the Mercure de France...Working the night shift at a railway station, Hanley withdrew into the work of Moliere, Hauptmann, Calderon, Sudermann, Ibsen, Lie and Strindberg until he grew quite cozy in his literary shell. His parents were appalled that he had no friends. But I've hundreds of friends he protested. "Bazarov and Rudin and Liza and Sancho Panza and Eugenie Grandet". His father countered with Squeers, Nickleby, Snodgrass and Little Nell: "And they're a healthy lot I might say, whereas all your friends have either got consumption, or are always in the dumps".'

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

  

William Shaw : When I was a Child, Recollections of an Old Potter

'. . . his reading of that remarkable book, "When I was a Child, Recollections of an Old Potter"'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Arnold Bennett      Print: Book

  

Monier Williams : work/s on Eastern religions

'When she was thirteen or fourteen, [Constance] Maynard's businessman father used to read Monier Williams on the religions of the East, William Law, and Jacob Boehme aloud to her.'

Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry Maynard      Print: Book

  

Thomas Hughes : Tom Brown's Schooldays

Octavia Hill found "Tom Brown's Schooldays" 'one of the noblest works I have read' ...

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Octavia Hill      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : 

'... [Dorothea Beale] learnt to love Shakespeare through her father reading it aloud ...'

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Miles Beale      Print: Book

  

Maria Charlesworth : Ministering Children

'As a child in the late 1860s and 1870s, the books ... [Florence White] used to read were "The Wide, Wide World", "Queechy", and "Ministering Children" ...'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Florence White      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : 

'Lucy Cavendish's diary, kept both before and after her marriage, provides one of the fullest accounts we have of the day-to-day reading of a Victorian girl and woman. It ranges from gift books ... bowdlerized Shakespeare, Longfellow, and Scott when she was still in the schoolroom, to the combination of religious debate, historical studies, and modern novels which characterised the literary consumption of her adult life.'

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Lucy Lyttelton      Print: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : 

'Mary Paley Marshall ... one of Newnham's first students, recalls her father in the 1860s reading aloud "The Arabian Nights", "Gulliver's Travels", the "Iliad" and "Odyssey", Shakespeare, and, above all, Scott's novels ...'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Paley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : 

'H. M. Swanwick, in the late 1870s, absorbed what she could from any available scientific books and medical journals, and puzzled over the Bible, Shakespeare, Chaucer, La Fontaine.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Helena Maria Lucy Swanwick      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Sonnets

"Prior to ... [her] marriage [in 1911], [Marie Stopes's] only sexual knowledge came from reading Browning, Swinburne, and -- ignoring her mother's advice -- Shakespeare's sonnets and 'Venus and Adonis', with the addition of novels, and ... Edward Carpenter's Love's Coming of Age."

Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Marie Stopes      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Venus and Adonis

"Prior to ... [her] marriage [in 1911], [Marie Stopes's] only sexual knowledge came from reading Browning, Swinburne, and -- ignoring her mother's advice -- Shakespeare's sonnets and 'Venus and Adonis', with the addition of novels, and ... Edward Carpenter's Love's Coming of Age."

Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Marie Stopes      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : The Prelude

Deborah Epstein Nord, The Apprenticeship of Beatrice Webb (1985) noted as "especially interesting ... in its discussion of Webb's ... reading of autobiographies (such as John Stuart Mill's Autobiography, Harriet Martineau's Autobiography, George Sand's Histoire de ma vie, and Wordsworth's Prelude ..."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Beatrice Webb      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : The Faerie Queene

" ... it was whilst at a frivolous, rote-learning girls' school that ... [Frances Power Cobbe] developed her determined, methodical aproach [to reading] ... She read all the Faerie Queene, all of Milton's poetry, the Divina Commedia and Gerusalemme Liberata in the originals, and in translation the Iliad, Odyssey, Aenied, Pharsalia, and ... [nearly all] of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripedes, Ovid, Tacitus, Xenophon, Herodotus and Thucydides."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Frances Power Cobbe      Print: Book

  

Sir William Jones : Institutes of Menu

"... [the young Frances Power Cobbe] ... read, in what translations were ... accessible, in Eastern sacred philosophy, such as Anquetil du Perron's Zend Avesta, and Sir William Jones's Institutes of Menu, and found out as much as she could about the Greek and Alexandrian philosophers from Diogenes Laertius and the old translators, as well as from a large Biographical Dictionary."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Frances Power Cobbe      Print: Book

  

Marcus Aurelius : 

"Deist" and "heathen" authors studied by the young Frances Power Cobbe: "Gibbon, Hume, Tindal, Collins, and Voltaire ... Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, Epictetus, Plutarch's Moralia, Xenophon's Memorabilia, and a little Plato."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Frances Power Cobbe      Print: Book

  

Mrs Jameson : Characteristics of Women

"At home, after leaving school in 1857 ... [Louisa Martindale's] reading was, at first, chiefly the Bible. On 16 September she started to take Fraser's Magazine, and her diary becomes full of references to this, and to articles in the Times on subjects as diverse as Fortification and The War in New Zealand. She read, and was charmed by, Symington on architecture, sculpture, and painting ... Further books which she read included Froude's History of England ... The Bible and Modern Thought, Butler's Analogy, Memorials of Fox, Bancroft's American Revolution, Rollin's Ancient History, Waddington's Church History, the Works of Paley, Locke on the Human Understanding, and Mrs Jameson's Characteristics of Women."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Louisa Martindale      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : poems

"One windfall came [to Hannah Mitchell] from a passing walker, who asked if the family liked reading poetry. Although only familiar with verse in the local paper, Mitchell quickly answered in the affirmative ... The walker (whom years later Mitchell recognised as the model Manchester employer Hans Renold) left her his copy of Wordsworth's poems, which Mitchell read and memorized until her mother removed them since they 'wasted' her time."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Hannah Mitchell      Print: Book

  

Emanuel Swedenborg : 

" ... Barbara Bodichon ... used to remember with delight the books whch James Buchanan, their father's friend and their own teacher, used to read them: 'the Bible, the Arabian Nights and Swedenborg'."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: James Buchanan      Print: Book

  

William Morris : poetry

"Before she came into contact with Suffragism ... [Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence] felt her political outlook ... had been conditioned by reading Morris, Carpenter, and Whitman's poetry."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence      Print: Unknown

  

Samuel Smiles : LIfe and Labour

"In Holloway ... ['General' Drummond] read Jane Porter's The Scottish Chiefs and Samuel Smiles's Life and Labour."

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: General Drummond      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : History plays

"Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence wrote of having read Shakespeare's history plays whilst in prison [as suffragette] ..."

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence      Print: Book

  

Thomas Boston : Human Nature in its Fourfold State

Had no company. Passed the afternoon reading part of Boston's Fourfold State.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Adam Mackie      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel

Books lately read: A Journal of a tour to the Hebrides with Dr Johnson, by James Boswell, Esq. J. Boswell does appear so wonderfully simple, so surprisingly ingenuous, that I cannot but smile as I read his work...

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Ellen Weeton      Print: Book

  

Philip Dormer Stanhope : Letters written by the Late Right Honourable Phili

'Books lately read' Lord Chesterfield's Letters to his son, 4 vols. It has been said of these letters... The first and 2nd vols appear to me unexceptionable. Of the others, I cannot say so much, there is a degree of libertinism expressed...

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Ellen Weeton      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Sonnets

'Though miners' MP Robert Smillie surreptitiously gorged on Dick Turpin and Three Fingered Jack as a boy, they... "led to better things": by fourteen he had seen RIchard III, read some of the Sonnets, discovered Burns, Scott and Dickens.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Smillie      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : 

'"[Penny dreadfuls] were thrilling, absolutely without sex interest, and of a high moral standard", explained London hatmaker Frederick Willis. "No boy would be any the worse for reading them and in many cases they encouraged and developed a love of reading that led him onwards and upwards on the fascinating path of literature. It was the beloved 'bloods' that first stimulated my love of reading, and from them I set out on the road to Shaw and Wells, Thackeray and Dickens, Fielding, Shakespeare and Chaucer".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Frederick Willis      Print: Book

  

William Hickling Prescott : [Spanish history]

'Barber John Paton remembered that the "Boys' Friend" "ran a serial which was an enormously exciting tale of Alba's oppression of the Netherlands, and gave as its source, Motley's 'Rise of the Dutch Republic'". He borrowed it from the public library and, with guidance from a helpful adult, also read J.R. Green, Macaulay, Prescott, Grote, and even Mommsen's multi-volume History of Rome by age fourteen. "There must have been, of course, enormous gaps in my understanding of what I poured into the rag bag that was my mind, particularly from the bigger works," he conceded, "but at least I sensed the important thing, the immense sweep and variety and the continuity of the historical process".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: John Paton      Print: Book

  

Christian Matthias Theodor Mommsen : History of Rome

'Barber John Paton remembered that the "Boys' Friend" "ran a serial which was an enormously exciting tale of Alba's oppression of the Netherlands, and gave as its source, Motley's 'Rise of the Dutch Republic'". He borrowed it from the public library and, with guidance from a helpful adult, also read J.R. Green, Macaulay, Prescott, Grote, and even Mommsen's multi-volume History of Rome by age fourteen. "There must have been, of course, enormous gaps in my understanding of what I poured into the rag bag that was my mind, particularly from the bigger works," he conceded, "but at least I sensed the important thing, the immense sweep and variety and the continuity of the historical process".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: John Paton      Print: Book

  

William Prescott : HIstory of the Conquest of Peru

'Growing up in Clapton during the Depression, Michael Stapleton needed a signature from his father (an Irish navvy) for a public library card, "but I asked him on the wrong evening and he merely shouted at me... So I... started examining every book in the house, ransacking forgotten cupboards and the hole under the stairs. I read everything I could understand, and begged twopenny bloods quite shamelessly from the boys at school who were fortunate enough to enjoy such things. I absorbed an immense amount of useless information, but occasionally a treasure came my way and I would strain my eyes under the twenty-watt bulb which lighted our kitchen. A month-old copy of the 'Wizard' would be succeeded by a handbook for vegetarians, and this in turn would be followed by 'Jane Eyre'. 'Tarzan and the Jewels of Ophir' was no sooner finished than I was deep in volumes three and four of a history of 'The Conquest of Peru' (the rest of the set was missing). I would go from that to 'Rip van Winkle' and straight on to a tattered copy of the Hotspur".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Michael Stapleton      Print: Book

  

William Prescott : Conquest of Peru, The

'James Williams admitted that, growing up in rural Wales, "I'd read anything rather than not read at all. I read a great deal of rubbish, and books that were too 'old', or too 'young' for me". He consumed the Gem, Magnet and Sexton Blake as well as the standard boys' authors (Henty, Ballantyne, Marryat, Fenimore Cooper, Twain) but also Dickens, Scott, Trollope, the Brontes, George Eliot, even Prescott's "The Conquest of Peru" and "The Conquest of Mexico". He picked "The Canterbury Tales" out of an odd pile of used books for sale, gradually puzzled out the Middle English, and eventually adopted Chaucer as his favourite poet'.

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

  

William Prescott : Conquest of Mexico, The

'James Williams admitted that, growing up in rural Wales, "I'd read anything rather than not read at all. I read a great deal of rubbish, and books that were too 'old', or too 'young' for me". He consumed the Gem, Magnet and Sexton Blake as well as the standard boys' authors (Henty, Ballantyne, Marryat, Fenimore Cooper, Twain) but also Dickens, Scott, Trollope, the Brontes, George Eliot, even Prescott's "The Conquest of Peru" and "The Conquest of Mexico". He picked "The Canterbury Tales" out of an odd pile of used books for sale, gradually puzzled out the Middle English, and eventually adopted Chaucer as his favourite poet'.

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

  

Anne-Louise-Germaine de Stael : Considerations sur les Principaux Evenements de la

Scott probably knew de Stael, he was certainly acquainted with her work, friends, lifestyle etc. Here is a brief excerpt: '...the tendency of the last of her productions, which, as a posthumous work, connects itself most immedately with her memory, is for the most part as excellent as its execution is brilliant and masterly. To speak first of its style: we cannot refrain from noticing the rarer occurrence of that appearance of straining after eloquence and philosophy which defaced ....'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Scott      Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : An account of the life of Mr. Richard Savage

I send you by George (who in Fred?s absence on business, is kind enough to be the bearer of this) the volume which contains the Life of Savage. I have turned down the leaf. Now do read it attentively; if you do, I know from your excellent understanding you will be delighted. If you slur it, you will think it dry.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Charles Dickens      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : poetry

David Bleich, "Gender Interests in Reading and Language": "I first 'understood' Wordsworth when I heard his poetry read by his descendent, Jonathan Wordsworth, some years ago."

Unknown
Century:      Reader/Listener/Group: Jonathan Wordsworth      

  

Adam Dickson : An essay on the causes of the present high price of provisions, as connected with the luxury, currency, taxes, and national debt

Marginal comments throughout the text, generally of the format of a key word within the text being indicated with a cross and the marginal comment then arguing a related point - e.g. P.5, in the printed sentence "But whether or not our lands, during the whole of this period, have produced much less than usual, requires very extensive knowledge to determine, more probably, than any private person has any opportunity of acquiring", there is a cross above "private person" and in the RH margin, the marginalia reads "It is not the opinion of a private person. It seems to be the general opinion that there have been seasons of the bad crops for 5 or 6 years." On p.6, in the printed sentence, "Now, when the price of provisions is raised by bad crops, land continues of the same value, and the farmer cannot afford a higher rent," "same" has a cross above it, and the marginalia beside reads "Land can't continue of the same value so long as the crops are bad and the price of provisions is raised thereby and both the value of the land and provisions hightened [sic] still more by the quantity of currency." Further marginalia throughout the text.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Drummond Erskine      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : The Life of Samuel Johnson

'I have been reading Boswell's Life of Johnson which is very entertaining; I never saw Johnson's Journey to the Hebrides or Western Islands, I suppose it is an amusing Book.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Sharp      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : The Life of Samuel Johnson

'Recd a parcel from William last night. I was at the time reading Boswell's Life of Johnson, but it was immediately laid down, for the entertainment I anticipated, from hearing how Cobbett stood...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Sharp      Print: Book

  

Thomas Secker : Lectures on the Catechism of the Church of England

'At church twice today as usual; the Parson at his work amongst the children, armed with a huge octavo which he called Archbishop Secker's Lectures on the Church Catechism which he fired off to the confusion of the understanding of the children... If he be not tired, I know I am with hearing him.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: 'The Parson'      Print: Book

  

Samuel Shuckford : The sacred and profane history of the world

'Read Shuckfords Connections, Galt's Life of West. The former is a work of a man of great learning and little judgement.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Benjamin Newton      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : The Rape of Lucrece

" ... [Sir John] Suckling, coming across what he called 'an imperfect Copy' of [Shakespeare's The Rape of] Lucrece, decided to compose his own 'Supplement.'"

Unknown
Century: 1500-1599 / 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Sir John Suckling      

  

William Wordsworth : poetry

Stephen Gill, "Copyright and the Publishing of Wordsworth, 1850-1900": "Many eminent Victorians -- George Eliot, Mill, Ruskin, and Tennyson ... read Wordsworth in the collections [of his poetry] published in his lifetime ..."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : poetry

Stephen Gill, "Copyright and the Publishing of Wordsworth, 1850-1900": "Many eminent Victorians -- George Eliot, Mill, Ruskin, and Tennyson ... read Wordsworth in the collections [of his poetry] published in his lifetime ..."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Stuart Mill      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : poetry

Stephen Gill, "Copyright and the Publishing of Wordsworth, 1850-1900": "Many eminent Victorians -- George Eliot, Mill, Ruskin, and Tennyson ... read Wordsworth in the collections [of his poetry] published in his lifetime ..."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Ruskin      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : poetry

Stephen Gill, "Copyright and the Publishing of Wordsworth, 1850-1900": "Many eminent Victorians -- George Eliot, Mill, Ruskin, and Tennyson ... read Wordsworth in the collections [of his poetry] published in his lifetime ..."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Alfred Tennyson      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : poetry

Stephen Gill, "Copyright and the Publishing of Wordsworth, 1850-1900": "In 1870 Moxon decided to launch a new edition [of Wordsworth's poetry] ... prefaced by an essay from William Michael Rossetti. When the Wordsworths saw it ... they were outraged. Not only had Rossetti made some factual errors, he had presented the poet in an unflattering light ..."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Wordsworth Family     Print: Book

  

William Michael Rossetti : Biographical essay on Wordsworth

Stephen Gill, "Copyright and the Publishing of Wordsworth, 1850-1900": "In 1870 Moxon decided to launch a new edition [of Wordsworth's poetry] ... prefaced by an essay from William Michael Rossetti. When the Wordsworths saw it ... they were outraged. Not only had Rossetti made some factual errors, he had presented the poet in an unflattering light ..."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Wordsworth Family     Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : The Excursion

Stephen Gill, "Copyright and the Publishing of Wordsworth, 1850-1900": "On a visit to the Quantocks... William Hale White, 'Mark Rutherford,' reread The Excursion, book 1, and commented, 'Much of the religion by which Wordsworth lives is very indefinite. [...]' ... What he quotes in his journal is the conclusion of the Pedlar's 'natural wisdom' in its pre-1845 version."

Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: William Hale White      Print: Book

  

Mary Finlay Cross : story

Catherine A. Judd, "Male Pseudonyms and Female Authority in Victorian England": "In 1877 [Mary Ann] Evans wrote to her future sister-in-law Mary Findlay Cross that 'I read your touching story aloud yesterday ...'"

Unknown
Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Ann Evans      

  

William Dean Howells : 

Elizabeth Morrison, "Serial Fiction in Australian Colonial Newspapers": " ... the short novel A Woman's Friendship ... owes much to [Ada] Cambridge's reading of George Eliot, George Meredith, Henry James, and William Dean Howells ..."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Ada Cambridge      Print: Unknown

  

Miguel de Cervantes : Don Quixote

'Bookbinder Frederick Rogers read Faust "through from beginning to end, not because I was able at sixteen to appreciate Goethe, but because I was interested in the Devil". Moving on to Don Quixote, "I did not realise its greatness till long after; but its stories of adventure and its romance and homour appealed to me strongly enough".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Frederick Rogers      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : 

'Growing up in Lyndhurst after the First World War, R.L. Wild regularly read aloud to his marginally literate grandmother and his completely illiterate grandfather - and it was his grandparents who selected the books... "I shall never understand how this choice was made. Until I started reading to them they had no more knowledge of English literature than a Malay Aborigine... I suppose it was their very lack of knowledge that made the choice, from "Quo Vadis" at eight, Rider Haggard's "She" at nine. By the time I was twelve they had come to know, intimately, a list of authors ranging from Shakespeare to D.H. Lawrence. All was grist to the mill (including Elinor Glyn). The classics, poetry, essays, belles lettres. We took them all in MY stride. At times we stumbled on gems that guided us to further riches. I well remember the Saturday night they brought home "The Essays of Elia". For months afterwards we used it as our roadmap...".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: R.L. Wild      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : 

'George Howell, bricklayer and trade unionist..."read promiscuously. How could it be otherwise? I had no real guide, was obliged to feel my way into light. Yet perhaps there was a guidance, although indefinite and without distinctive aim". Howell groped his way through literature "on the principle that one poet's works suggested another, or the criticisms on one led to comparisons with another. Thus: Milton - Shakespeare; Pope-Dryden; Byron-Shelley; Burns-Scott; Coleridge-Wordsworth and Southey, and later on Spenser-Chaucer, Bryant-Longfellow, and so on". By following these intertextual links, autodidacts could reconstruct the literary canon on their own'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: George Howell      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : 

'George Howell, bricklayer and trade unionist..."read promiscuously. How could it be otherwise? I had no real guide, was obliged to feel my way into light. Yet perhaps there was a guidance, although indefinite and without distinctive aim". Howell groped his way through literature "on the principle that one poet's works suggested another, or the criticisms on one led to comparisons with another. Thus: Milton - Shakespeare; Pope-Dryden; Byron-Shelley; Burns-Scott; Coleridge-Wordsworth and Southey, and later on Spenser-Chaucer, Bryant-Longfellow, and so on". By following these intertextual links, autodidacts could reconstruct the literary canon on their own'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: George Howell      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : 

'George Howell, bricklayer and trade unionist..."read promiscuously. How could it be otherwise? I had no real guide, was obliged to feel my way into light. Yet perhaps there was a guidance, although indefinite and without distinctive aim". Howell groped his way through literature "on the principle that one poet's works suggested another, or the criticisms on one led to comparisons with another. Thus: Milton - Shakespeare; Pope-Dryden; Byron-Shelley; Burns-Scott; Coleridge-Wordsworth and Southey, and later on Spenser-Chaucer, Bryant-Longfellow, and so on". By following these intertextual links, autodidacts could reconstruct the literary canon on their own'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: George Howell      Print: Book

  

Thomas Chalmers : A series of discourses on the Christian recelation

'Having lately read Chalmers Sermons on Astronomy in which he has expressed the highest admiration and respect for I. Newton's modest and firm faith in christianity.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Benjamin Newton      

  

Thomas Gisborne : The Testimony of Natural Theology

'Wrote part of a sermon from Gisborne's Natural Theology'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Benjamin Newton      Print: Book

  

Thomas Gisborne : The Testimony of Natural Theology

'I have also read Gisbourne's natural theology. The design and matter of the work are excellent but it is exceedingly deficient in that plainess and persipicuity in which an argument of so very popular a description should be pressed on the attention of common readers [... ] there is an imitation of Paley's manner of putting an argument but the manner very inferior [to]Paley.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Benjamin Newton      Print: Book

  

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus : Meditations

" ... to the coda of his copy of the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, 'depart, therefore, contented and in good humour ...' [Leigh] Hunt courteously adds, 'Thanks, and love to you, excellent Antoninus. L. H. Feb. 7th 1853. His second regular perusal.'"

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: James Henry Leigh Hunt      Print: Book

  

John Wilmot Earl of Rochester : poems

"The books in which Pope's annotations, though scanty, are undoubtedly authentic include a copy of the racy poems of the Earl of Rochester in which Pope filled in some of the concealed or deliberately omitted names."

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Alexander Pope      Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : Lives of the Poets

"After waiting a considerable period for the remittance, the box was forced, and found to contain a vast quantity of brickbats and an odd volume of Johnson's 'Lives of the Poets'. The poring over of that volume possibly helped to decide that I should turn versifier."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Bedford Leno      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : Sonnets

"I stayed for the night in Derby, visiting its various printing offices in search of a job, but without success, and, hugging the shore of the river Derwent, made for Matlock on the following morn. I had read the whole of Wordsworth's Sonnets and, penniless as I was, I enjoyed the journey."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: John Bedford Leno      Print: Book

  

Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, Marquise de Sevigne : Letters of Madame de Sevigne

'I have read some very delightful old books lately (for I now have just attained the wisdom to wish to make use of this ample library, and reject all borrowed or hired books) -Amongst others, two collections of letters, Sevigne's to her daughter, and Bussy Rabutin's to her and various others.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Sarah Harriet Burney      Print: Book

  

Roger de Rabutin, Comte de Bussy : Les Lettres de Messire Roger de Rabutin

'Rabutin de Bussy in his little way, is also delightful...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Sarah Harriet Burney      Print: Book

  

Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, Marquise de Sevigne : Letters of Madame de Sevigne

'I have finished all dear old Sevigne's Letters...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Sarah Harriet Burney      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [plays]

'I have been with a nice little party of college friends, to see King John, and for a week after, I could do nothing but read Shakespear.' [Siddings was performing in Covent Garden between 12.05.1810 and 21.06.1810]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Sarah Harriet Burney      Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : Letters

"For [Sir James] Fellowes, a prospective biographer ... [Hester Lynch Piozzi] annotated books by and about herself: Nathaniel Wraxall's Historical Memoirs of My Own Time (1815), the Johnson Anecdotes and Letters, and her own Observations and Retrospection."

Unknown
Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Hester Lynch Piozzi      

  

Samuel Johnson : Rasselas

H. J. Jackson discusses extensive annotations by Hester Lynch Piozzi in 1818 copy of Rasselas in the Houghton Library, Harvard (her marginalia include anecdotes and remembered quotes from Johnson, as well as comments on the text).

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Hester Lynch Piozzi      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : 

Rupert Brooke to Jacques Raverat, April 1909: "'I have done no 'work' for ages: and my tripos is in a few weeks ... Ths holidays I fled from my family for long ... in a hut by a waterfall on Dartmoor, a strange fat Johnian and I 'worked' for three weeks. He read -- oh! Aristotle, I think! And I read the Minority Report of the Poor Law Commission; and books on Metre (I'm a poet, you know!); and Shakespere! It was a great time.'"

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Rupert Brooke      Print: Book

  

Gerard Manley Hopkins : [religious poems]

'I?m also doing a series of four-part songs for Peter & his Round-table singers to "first-perform" at the Aeolian Hall on November 24th. I?ve done four so far ? fairly extended, all to religious words by Gerald [sic] Manley Hopkins - & there?ll probably be two more.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Benjamin Britten      Print: Book

  

Germaine de Stael : De l'Allemagne

'I am glad you have read Madame de Stael?s "Allemagne". The book is a foolish one in some respects; but it abounds with information, and shows great mental power. She was certainly the first woman of her age; Miss Edgeworth, I think, the second; and Miss Austen the third.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Hannah Macaulay      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Sir Charles Grandison

'In the year 1816 we were at Brighton for the summer holidays, and he read to us "Sir Charles Grandison". It was always habit in our family to read aloud every evening.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Babbington Macaulay      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Sonnets

"[in November 1803, when Coleridge was thirty-one] Wordsworth had been reading Shakespeare's sonnets in Coleridge's copy of a set of the Works of the British Poets, in which both he and Coleridge's brother-in-law Robert Southey had made manuscript notes."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : annotations on Shakespeare's sonnets in The Works of the British Poets

"[in November 1803, when Coleridge was thirty-one] Wordsworth had been reading Shakespeare's sonnets in Coleridge's copy of a set of the Works of the British Poets, in which both he and Coleridge's brother-in-law Robert Southey had made manuscript notes. Taking up the Shakespeare volume and coming upon a pencilled note of Wordsworth's critical of the sonnets, Coleridge answered with a long note of his own, in ink [disagreeing with Wordsworth's judgements]."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Manuscript: annotations in printed text

  

Thomas Malthus : Essay on the Principle of Population

"In January 1804 Coleridge annotated, heavily, in pencil, the first dozen or so pages of a copy of Thomas Malthus's Essay on the Principle of Population by way of assistance to Southey, who had to review it."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : Life of Johnson

H. J. Jackson discusses Leigh Hunt's responsive annotations, including personal reminiscences and observations, as well as critical remarks, to his copy of James Boswell's Life of Johnson.

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: James Leigh Hunt      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D

"Fulke Greville's copy of Boswell [Life of Johnson] stands out among individual copies annotated by readers who had known Boswell or Johnson or other members of their circle ... offering facts or interpretations of events that may be at odds with the text and that supplement it in useful ways."

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Fulke Greville      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D

H. J. Jackson discusses annotations of unidentified male reader in 1793 copy of Boswell's Life of Johnson; this reader, referred to in annotations as "Mr L", known to be from Lichfield, twenty years Johnson's junior, and also a pupil at Lichfield Grammar School and student at Pembroke College, Oxford; annotations date from 1793 to 1800.

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mr L.      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D

H. J. Jackson notes John Gibson Lockhart's annotations, including personal reminiscences in response to sections of text, in his copy of James Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson.

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: John Gibson Lockhart      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D

"An unknown reader inclined to be sarcastic at Boswell's expense in a British Library copy of the 1829 edition [of the Life of Johnson] ... goes to some pains to record a moment of agreement with Johnson's protest ' [...] What is climate to happiness? Place me in the heart of Asia, should I not be exiled?' This the reader confirms by his own example: '15th Novr on the Nile -- how often have I found this realised' (p.198)."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D

H. J. Jackson notes unknown reader's marginal contradiction of assertion of Samuel Johnson that a dog will be as likely to take a small piece of meat as a large one, when presented wth both, recorded in James Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson.

Century:      Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D

H. J. Jackson on readers' responses in annotations to Samuel Johnson's comment that the letter H seldom begins any but the first syllable of a word, recorded by James Boswell in the Life of Samuel Johnson: "A Cambridge University Library copy of the first edition annotated in at least four hands has in the margin at that point a list of words that would appear to refute Johnson's statement: 'Shepherd / Cowherd / Abhor / Behave / Uphold / Exhaust' (1: 166)."

Century:      Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book

  

Mrs Henry Sandford : Thomas Poole and His Friends

H. J. Jackson notes "extra illustration" ("prompted by the text") of a copy of Margaret Sandford, Thomas Poole and His Friends (1888), with inserts including letters and "a flower taken from Wordsworth's garden in 1844."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book

  

Edmund Gosse : Life of Philip Henry Gosse F.R.S.

H. J. Jackson notes "extra illustration" by Philip Gosse of his grandfather, Edmund Gosse's Life of Philip Henry Gosse F.R.S. (1890) with letters, drawings, photographs etc.

Unknown
Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Philip Gosse      

  

William Wordsworth : [unknown]

'I am reading Wordsworth with one of the younger classes but it is difficult to explain to people of purely Indian associations Wordsworth's love for nature.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Sir Walter Raleigh      Print: Book

  

Samuel Rogers : Pleasures of Memory

'I have read a good many things, a life of Scott, the "Pleasures of Memory" by S. Rogers, Roman History and other things.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Sir Walter Raleigh      Print: Book

  

William Wollaston : The Religion of Nature Delineated

[Transcript in Journal of Chapter One, in shorthand]

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: John Byrom      Print: Book

  

William Shakespereare : [various]

'I read a good deal of Shakespeares works. Item Ben Johnsons, & Return'd them to the library'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: John Henry Ott      Print: Book

  

Thomas a Kempis : The Imitation of Christ

'Gifford had read only some ballads, the black-letter romance Parismus and Parismenus, some odd loose magazines of his mother's, the Bible (which he studied with his grandmother) and "The Imitation of Christ" (read to his mother on her deathbed). He then learned algebra by surreptitiously reading Fenning's textbook: his master's son owned the book and had deliberately hidden it from him'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: William Gifford      Print: Book

  

Adam Smith : [unknown]

'After a miserable Catholic school education...periodic unemployment allowed [Joseph Toole] to study in the Manchester Reference Library. There he discovered, Adam Smith, Ricardo, Herbert Spencer, Huxley, Mill, Emerson, Dickens, Morris, Blatchford, Shaw and Wells, and of course John Ruskin..."Study always left me with a deep feeling that there was so much amiss with the world. It seemed that it had been started at the wrong end, and that it was everybody's business to put the matter right".'

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

  

William Morris : [unknown]

'After a miserable Catholic school education...periodic unemployment allowed [Joseph Toole] to study in the Manchester Reference Library. There he discovered, Adam Smith, Ricardo, Herbert Spencer, Huxley, Mill, Emerson, Dickens, Morris, Blatchford, Shaw and Wells, and of course John Ruskin..."Study always left me with a deep feeling that there was so much amiss with the world. It seemed that it had been started at the wrong end, and that it was everybody's business to put the matter right".'

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

  

Samuel Estwick : Considerations on the Negroe Cause, Commonly So Called

H. J. Jackson discusses Granville Sharp's "tenacious, rigorous, and expansive" argumentative annotations in anonymous 1772 pro-slavery pamphlet (by "a West Indian plantation owner named Estwick").

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Granville Sharp      

  

Samuel Johnson : Diary of a Journey into North Wales

H. J. Jackson notes exception to William Beckford's usual practice of "only occasionally" adding comments to his books: "His copy of an 1816 edition of Samuel Johnson's Diary of a Journey into North Wales follows the general pattern, but by the time he was through with it, Beckford was sufficiently annoyed to include a long summary note, signed with his initials."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Beckford      Print: Book

  

Helen Maria Williams : Sketches of the State of Manners and Opinions in the French Republic Towrds the Close of the Eighteenth Century

"Horatio Nelson's copy of Helen Maria Williams's Sketches of the State of Manners and Opinions in the French Republic Towards the Close of the Eighteenth Century (1801) ... has very little marking and only a few actual notes in it, but all his notes correct the author on matters of fact ..."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Horatio Nelson      Print: Book

  

James Sedgwick : Hints to the Public and Legislature, on the Nature and Effect of Evangelical Preaching

H. J. Jackson notes that Coleridge wrote "an extraordinary set of notes ... designed to help [Robert] Southey with a review" into a copy of James Sedgwick, Hints to the Public and Legislature, on the Nature and Effect of Evangelical Preaching (1810).

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [works]

'Lancashire journalist Allen Clarke (b.1863), the son of a Bolton textile worker, avidly read his father's paperback editions of Shakespeare and ploughed through the literature section (Chaucer, Marlowe, Jonson, Beaumont and Fletcher, Milton, Pope, Chatterton, Goldsmith, Byron, Shelley, Burns, Wordsworth, Leigh Hunt) of the public library. With that preparation, he was winning prizes for poems in London papers by age thirteen...[he] went on to found and edit several Lancashire journals'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Allen Clarke      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : [unknown]

'Lancashire journalist Allen Clarke (b.1863), the son of a Bolton textile worker, avidly read his father's paperback editions of Shakespeare and ploughed through the literature section (Chaucer, Marlowe, Jonson, Beaumont and Fletcher, Milton, Pope, Chatterton, Goldsmith, Byron, Shelley, Burns, Wordsworth, Leigh Hunt) of the public library. With that preparation, he was winning prizes for poems in London papers by age thirteen...[he] went on to found and edit several Lancashire journals'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Allen Clarke      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [works]

'A.E. Coppard, a laundrywoman's son who grew up in dire poverty, left school at nine, ascended the ranks of clerkdom and became (at age forty) a professional author. At fourteen he was still enjoying "Deadeye Dick", by twenty he was reading Henry James...He secured a literary education at the Brighton Public Library, and as a professional runner he used prize money to buy Hardy's poems, Shakespeare, Mackail's translation of "The Odyssey", and William Morris's "The Earthly Paradise". In an undemanding job... he read on company time, though there was a row when his supervisor found "Jude the Obscure" on his desk'.

Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Alfred Edgar Coppard      Print: Book

  

William Morris : The Earthly Paradise

'A.E. Coppard, a laundrywoman's son who grew up in dire poverty, left school at nine, ascended the ranks of clerkdom and became (at age forty) a professional author. At fourteen he was still enjoying "Deadeye Dick", by twenty he was reading Henry James...He secured a literary education at the Brighton Public Library, and as a professional runner he used prize money to buy Hardy's poems, Shakespeare, Mackail's translation of "The Odyssey", and William Morris's "The Earthly Paradise". In an undemanding job... he read on company time, though there was a row when his supervisor found "Jude the Obscure" on his desk'.

Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Alfred Edgar Coppard      Print: Book

  

Samuel Saunders : A Short and Easy Introduction to Scientific and Philosophic Botany

H. J. Jackson notes annotations (adding"information and explanations") made to copy of Samuel Saunders, Short and Easy Introduction to Scientific and Physical Botany (1792) by contemporary, possibly female reader.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book

  

William Oldys : annotations in Gerard Langbaine, An Account of the English Dramatic Poets (Oxford, 1691)

"One of the interleaved British Library copies of the 1691 edition [of Gerard Langbaine's Account of the English Dramatic Poets] graphically represents the circulation of annotated books in the eighteenth century and the early nineteenth, for it contains not only the notes of the current owner in 1813, John Haslemere, and those of his predecessor Richard Wright, but also notes transcribed from another copy that had been annotated by George Steevens who had himself collected notes from yet another annotated by Thomas Percy and William Oldys."

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: George Steevens      

  

James Boswell : The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D

H. J. Jackson discusses copious annotations made in 2-volume first-edition (1791) copy of James Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson, which signed "Scriblerus" (who Jackson identifies as Fulke Greville), commenting: "[Scriblerus] evidently read the Life, or at least dipped into it, more than once: a summary note from the end of his first reading is dated November 1791, but other notes include dates in 1792 and 1797."

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Fulke Greville      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D

H. J. Jackson discusses copious annotations made in 2-volume first-edition (1791) copy of James Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson, which signed "Scriblerus" (who Jackson identifies as Fulke Greville), commenting: "[Scriblerus] evidently read the Life, or at least dipped into it, more than once: a summary note from the end of his first reading is dated November 1791, but other notes include dates in 1792 and 1797."

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Fulke Greville      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D

H. J. Jackson discusses copious annotations made in 2-volume first-edition (1791) copy of James Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson, which signed "Scriblerus" (who Jackson identifies as Fulke Greville), commenting: "[Scriblerus] evidently read the Life, or at least dipped into it, more than once: a summary note from the end of his first reading is dated November 1791, but other notes include dates in 1792 and 1797."

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Fulke Greville      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [plays]

'Catharine MacAulay's daughter shared her mother's republican views, and read Shakespeare for her own purposes, confessing that far from being delighted by King John, she "never read the Kings".'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Macaulay      Print: Book, Unknown

  

Edmund Spenser : The Faerie Queene

'Mr Rishton read "The Faerie Queene" to Frances Burney and her sisters, "in which he is extremely delicate, omitting whatever, to the poet's great disgrace, has crept in that is improper for a woman's ear".'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Rishton      Print: Book

  

Thomas Malthus : Essay on Population

[Sedgwick read the 'Essay' twice in 1811]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Adam Sedgwick      Print: Book

  

Marie de Sevigne : letters

Burney's reading group reading two books - 'the last voyage of Captain Cook and the letters of Madame de Sevigne. She makes little progress with Cook because of her fascination with Sevigne, a 'siren' who 'seduces me from all other reading'; she feels such an intense response to the letters that it is as if Sevigne 'were alive and even now in my room and permitting me to run into her arms.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Frances Burney      Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : Life of Waller

'Burney haunted the Thrales' library at Streatham, hiding her book when a man appeared: "she instantly put away [her] book", in this instance a translation of Cicero, when Mr Seward entered the library, or hid under her gloves his "Life of Waller" when Johnson approached.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Frances Burney      Print: Unknown

  

Samuel Richardson : Sir Charles Grandison

'[Harriet Grove] enjoyed novels and plays: in 1809-10, she read with pleasure in a family group a number of popular bestsellers (which in the period means largely novels by women), including Lady Morgan's "The Novice of Saint Dominick", Agnes Maria Bennett's "The Beggar Girl and her Benefactors", Edgeworth's "Tales of Andrews", "Sir Charles Grandison" and "A Sentimental Journey"'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Harriet Grove      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : Vindication of the Rights of Woman

[Shelley encouraged her to read] 'some key Romantic texts (Coleridge, Scott, Southey, Volney's "Les ruines"), radical politics ("The Rights of Man" and "The Age of Reason") and radical sexual politics (Wollstonecraft's "Vindication of the Rights of Woman" and James Lawrence's anti-marriage utopia, "The Empire of the Nairs").'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Harriet Westbrook      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : 

'she read much Shakespeare.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

William Mason : Caractacus

'[opinion of William Mason's play, "Caractacus", entered in diary]: 'My soul melted into every pleasing sensation, the language charming! divine harmony, beams in every line such a love of virtue! such examples of piety, resignation and fortitude! raise the soul to an ecstatic height. Sweet Evelinda how my heart throbbed for her!'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Anna Larpent      Print: Book

  

Matthew G. Lewis : The Monk

'The evening until one was [frittered?] away in reading the 'Monk' for the fourth time at least.... In the second volume are some beautiful lines that often delights one ...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Upcott      Print: Book

  

Marie-Henri Beyle (Stendhal) : 

''"My masters... in poetry, were Swinburne and Meredith among the living, Rossetti, Matthew Arnold and Robert Browning among the lately dead. To these I would add Edward Fitzgerald... In prose, the masters were Stendhal, Flaubert, Villiers del'Isle-Adam, Guy de Maupassant, Prosper Merimee and Walter Pater".'

Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: John Masefield      Print: Book

  

Jean-Marie-Mathias-Philippe-Auguste comte de Villiers de l'Isle-Adam : 

''"My masters... in poetry, were Swinburne and Meredith among the living, Rossetti, Matthew Arnold and Robert Browning among the lately dead. To these I would add Edward Fitzgerald... In prose, the masters were Stendhal, Flaubert, Villiers de l'Isle-Adam, Guy de Maupassant, Prosper Merimee and Walter Pater".'

Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: John Masefield      Print: Book

  

William Morris : 

'Before his departure for his native land he had read some of Dickens and Stevenson... and William Morris. John Masefield's debt to William Morris as a constructive thinker is considerable. It may be that Morris has been the formative influence, in his limitations as well as his liberations, on Masefield's view of life'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: John Masefield      Print: Book

  

James Thomson : Edward and Elinora

[opinion of Thomson's Edward and Elinora, entered in diary]: 'A most affecting tale, pleasingly tender - fraught with virtuous sentiments.'

Unknown
Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Anna Larpent      

  

Wiliam Butler Yeats : [unknown]

'Masefield was already a well-read man when, at the age of twenty-one, he came across the works of Yeats, whose disciple he became, and whom he shortly met'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: John Masefield      Print: Book

  

James Mackintosh : Vindiciae Galliciae

[note in diary upon finishing Mackintosh's "Vindiciae Gallicae"]: 'As far as I am a Judge I think this work very well understood. The author is master on his subject & has the art of rendering others. HE is not scurrilous. He argues well, he seldom begs the question. He narrates what has passed in France, traces causes with precision - perhaps he speaks too strongly in the latter part. I gained much information from his work.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Anna Larpent      Print: Book

  

Edward Morgan Forster : 

[the 'intellectual' clique within the Clarion Scouts, including Edwin Muir] "followed the literary and intellectual development of the time, discovering such writers as Bergson, Sorel, Havelock Ellis, Galsworthy, Conrad, E.M. Forster, Joyce and Lawrence, the last two being contributed by me, for I had seen them mentioned in the New Age by Ezra Pound".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Edwin Muir      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa

'In the month of April 1792... Anna read Richardson's "Clarissa" for the second time - "the style is prolix, the manners obsolete, & I felt fidgeted at the repetitions not being 15, yet surely it is wonderfully wrought."'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Anna Larpent      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : Prelude, The

'Soon Pritchett was reading Penny Poets editions of "Paradise Regained", Wordsworth's "Prelude", Cowper, and Coleridge. He formulated plans to become Poet Laureate by age twenty-one'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Victor Sawdon Pritchett      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : The Tempest

'Bernard Kops, the son of an immigrant leather worker, had a special understanding of the transition from from autodidact culture to Bohemia to youth culture, because he experienced all three. He grew up in the ferment of the Jewish East End... read "The Tempest" at school, and cried over "The Foresaken Merman". At fifteen he became a cook at a hotel, where the staff gave him Karl Marx, Henry Miller and "Ten Days that Shook the World". A neighbor presented him with the poems of Rupert Brooke, and "Grantchester" so resonated with the Jewish slum boy that he went to the library to find another volume from the same publisher, Faber and Faber. Thus he stumbled upon T.S. Eliot. "This book changed my life", he remembered. "It struck me straight in the eye like a bolt of lightning... I had no preconceived ideas about poetry and read 'The Waste Land' and 'Prufrock' as if they were the most acceptable and common forms in existence. The poems spoke to me directly, for they were bound up with the wasteland of the East End, and the desolation and lonelines of people and landscape. Accidentally I had entered the mainstream of literature".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Bernard Kops      Print: Book

  

Emily Dickinson : [unknown]

'After Stalingrad, [Bernard Kops] immersed himself in Russian literature. A GI dating his sister introduced him to Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Bernard Kops      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : The Faerie Queene

"In 1617 the Countess [of Dorset, Pembroke, and Montgomery] noted recreational books that she was reading: "'Began to have Mr. Sandy's book read to me about the Government of the Turks. "'Rivers used to read to me in Montaigne's Plays [Essays] and Moll Neville in the Fairy Queen. "'I sat and read much in the Turkish History and Chaucer. "'The 12th and 13th I spent most of the time in playing Glecko and hearing Moll Neville read the Arcadia.'"

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Moll Neville      Print: Book

  

Thomas Sorocold : Supplications of Saints; A booke of prayers: ... Wherein are three most excellent prayers made by Queene Elizabeth

" ... Lady Anne [Clifford] ... read Robert Parsons's Resolutions, Thomas Sorocold's Supplications of Saints, a 'lady's book of praise of a solitary life,' and a 'book of the preparation to the sacrament.'"

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Lady Anne Clifford      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : King Lear

'There were some problems which I never solved in all my youth. For instance, there was Gloucester's Natural Son in King Lear. For if bad Edmund was a Natural Son, presumably Good Edgar must have been an Un-natural son; and what on earth could that be?'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Gwen Raverat      Print: Book

  

William Morris : 

'Uncle Richard had adored Ruskin, and worshipped Morris, and had slept for years with a copy of "In Memoriam" under his pillow. He told me once how he and his friends used to wait outside the bookshops in the early morning, when they heard that a new volume of Tennyson was to come out. He had read all Browning too, and all Wordsworth, and Carlyle, in fact nearly everything contemporary; and he constantly re-read the Classics in their own classic tongues... a triumph of timing occurred once when he was listening to the Thunderstorm in the Pastoral Symphony, and reading the thunderstorm in "Oedipus at Colonus", and a real thunderstorm took place!'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Richard Litchfield      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : 

'Uncle Richard had adored Ruskin, and worshipped Morris, and had slept for years with a copy of "In Memoriam" under his pillow. He told me once how he and his friends used to wait outside the bookshops in the early morning, when they heard that a new volume of Tennyson was to come out. He had read all Browning too, and all Wordsworth, and Carlyle, in fact nearly everything contemporary; and he constantly re-read the Classics in their own classic tongues... a triumph of timing occurred once when he was listening to the Thunderstorm in the Pastoral Symphony, and reading the thunderstorm in "Oedipus at Colonus", and a real thunderstorm took place!'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Richard Litchfield      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : Excursion, The

'One would be called upon to read aloud, say, Wordsworth's "Excursion" with her - Wordsworth was her religion - but one was never able to read more than two or three consecutive lines without stopping to discuss exactly what the words meant; or, alternatively, for her to give messages to Janet.'

Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Gwen Raverat      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Macbeth

'After supper read the "Tragedy of Macbeth", which I like very well.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Turner      Print: Book

  

William Rothenstein : Men and Memories

'He even found time to be as courteous and helpful as ever to old friends, reading through, for instance, William Rothenstein's 'Men and Memories in typescript, with many encouraging and critical comments'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Arnold Bennett      Manuscript: typescript

  

William Roscoe : Life of Lorenzo Di Medici, 2 vols

'You will readily believe that I have not read much since I wrote to you. Roscoe's life of Lorenzo di'Medici - a work concerning which I shall only observe, in the words of the Auctioneer that it is "well worth any gentleman's perusal" - is the only thing almost that I recollect aught abo[ut.]'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carlyle      Print: Book

  

William Smellie : Philosophy of Natural History

[in April 1792 Larpent read] 'Smellie's "Philosophy of Nature" [sic] which she considered poorly organized but of sufficient value to transcribe extracts for her children.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Anna Larpent      Print: Book

  

Thomas Gisborne : [conduct books]

[Anna Seward on Thomas Gisborne's conduct books]: 'too strict'; they 'might have been more generally useful upon a less rigid plan of admonition, especially the volume dedicated to females.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Anna Seward      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa

'in the even I wrote my London letters... also read the News paper... as I was a writing all the even my wife read "Clarissa Harlowe" to me.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Peggy Turner      Print: Unknown

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa

'My wife read part of "Clarissa Harlowe" to me in the even as I sat a-posting my book.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Peggy Turner      Print: Book

  

Germaine de Stael : Delphine

'Maria Josepha Holroyd in her teens was "enchanted" with the "all for Love" of de Stael's "Delphine", which in mature years she viewed more critically (if still with enjoyment, although her husband was "disgusted" by it).'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Maria Josepha Holroyd      Print: Book

  

James Thomson : Seasons, The

[Marginalia]: a few pencil marginal marks (in form of bracketed lines of text eg p 79 has lines 203-7 bracketed), plus some ms notes in ink on binding page. The ink notes read 'Envy-Love 78'; 'Hope - Grief 78'; 'The Deluge 79'; 'Effects of changing weather 80'.

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa

[while he was doing his accounts Turner's wife read aloud to him] 'the moving Scene of the Funeral of Miss Clarissa Harlowe' - "Oh: may the Supreme Being give me Grace to lead my life in such a manner as my Exit may in some respect be like that Divine Creature."

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Peggy Turner      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : 

" ... Abraham Cowley ... found that reading Spenser in his mother's parlor 'made [him] a Poet as immediately as a Child is made an Eunuch.'"

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Abraham Cowley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : The Merry Wives of Windsor

'Read "The Merry Wives of Windsor" wherein I think the genius of the author shows itself in a very conspicuous manner as to humour. But I cannot find in my heart to say I think there is one good moral character.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Turner      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa

'In the even my wife finished reading of "Clarissa Harlowe", which I look upon as a very well-wrote thing though it must be allowed it is too prolix. I think the author keeps up the character of every person in all places; and as to the manner of its ending, I like it better than if it had terminated in more happy circumstances.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Peggy Turner      Print: Book

  

Helen Maria Williams : various books

'[Carter] is sympathetic to women of different views, like Charlotte Smith or Helen Maria Williams whose books she finds "too democratical" but praises as "exprest with decency and moderation" and "very prettily written".'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Carter      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : Letters written during a short residence in Sweden, Norway and Denmark

'Even during their elopement in Switzerland and Germany in 1814, Shelley read to her: "The Siege of Jerusalem" from Tacitus is read by Lake Lucerne, and as they sail to Mainz he "read to us Mary Wollstonecraft's 'Letters from Norway'."'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

James Thomson : Seasons, The

[Maud Montgomery] 'wrote her first poem after reading "Seasons", a book of poems by James Thomson, written in blank verse. Maud was so enraptured by them that she had to sit down at once to write one of her own.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Lucy Maud Montgomery      Print: Book

  

William Sherlock : A practical discourse concerning death

'In the even and the day read 2 of Tillotson's sermons and part of Sherlock upon death. I this day completed reading of Tillotson's sermons over the second time, and so far as I am a judge I think them to be a complete body of divinity, they being wrote in a plain familiar style, but far from what may be deemed low.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Turner      Print: Book

  

William Sherlock : A practical discourse concerning death

'...in the even read part of Sherlock upon death.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Turner      Print: Book

  

Abraham Sharp : shorthand writings

" ... when he (and all other readers) had failed to decipher the shorthand of [John] Flamsteed's most informed correspondent, Abraham Sharp, [Francis] Baily turned to Charles Babbage ... Babbage agreed to assist, and eventually succeeded in decoding Sharp's text."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Charles Babbage      Manuscript: Unknown

  

William Sherlock : A practical discourse concerning death

'This day completed the reading of Sherlock on death and which I esteem a very plain, good book, proper for every Christain to read; that is, rich and poor, men and women, young and old.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Turner      Print: Book

  

William Sherlock : A practical discourse concerning death

'Tho. Davy at our house in the latter part of the even to whom I read the last of "The Complaint" and part of Sherlock on death. I now having read "The Complaint" through, think it an extreme good book, the author having treated many parts of religion in a very noble and spiritual manner wherein I think every deist, free-thinker, as also every irreligious person may read himself a fool. For what is wit or wisdom (without religion) but foolishness?'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Turner      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [Histories]

'The books [Uncle George] read to us were all in the romantic vein: Shakespeare's "Histories", Chaucer, Percy's "Reliques", Scott's novels'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Darwin      Print: Book

  

William Sherlock : A practical discourse concerning death

'In the day read part of the "New Whole Duty of Man". And in the even Tho. Davy at our house to whom I read part of Sherlock on death.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Turner      Print: Book

  

Edward Morgan Forster : 

'Aunty Etty wrote of E.M. Forster, "His novel is really NOT good; and it's too unpleasant for the girls to read. I very much hope he will turn to something else".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Henrietta Darwin      Print: Book

  

Thomas Salmon : A critical essay concerning marriage

'Read part of Salmon "On Marriage".'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Turner      Print: Book

  

Thomas Salmon : A critical essay concerning marriage

'In the even finished reading Salmon "On Marriage", which I think to be a very indifferent thing, for the author appears to me to be a very bad logician.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Turner      Print: Book

  

Edmund Gosse : biographies

Leon Edel, introducing vol 1 of Henry James's Letters: "[Edmund Gosse] had written biographies which James had criticized but read with lively interest."

Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Print: Book

  

William James : Review of Herman Grimm, Unuberwundliche Machte

Henry James to William James, 22 November 1867: "I recd. about a fortnight ago -- your letter with the review of Grimm's novel ... I liked your article very much ... It struck me as ... very readable. I copied it forthwith and sent it to the Nation."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Manuscript: Letter

  

William Morris : The Earthly Paradise

Henry James to Alice James, in letter begun 10 March 1869 (continued on 12 March), on evening spent at home of William Morris: "After dinner (we stayed to dinner, Miss Grace, Miss S. S. and I,) Morris read us one of his unpublished poems, from the second series of his 'un-Earthly Paradise,' and his wife having a bad toothache, lay on the sofa, with her handkerchief to her face."

Unknown
Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: William Morris      

  

Samuel Richardson : Pamela

'While I was writing the two volumes [of Pamela], my worthy-hearted wife, and the young lady who is with us, when I had read them some part of the story, which I had begun without their knowing it, used to come in to my little closet every night with - "Have you any more of Pamela, Mr R...?"'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Richardson      Manuscript: Unknown, manuscript of his novel

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa

'The Persons who have seen [the manuscript of "Clarissa"], and whom I could not deny, are Dr Heylin, and his Lady, both excellent Judges and fond of Writings of Amusement: Miss Cheyne, Daughter of my late dear Friend the Doctor; a young Lady of Taste and Reading. Mr Freke, the Surgeon, whom once I mentioned to you, and who read it with a Friend of his. Dr Young has seen a great Part of it; and Mr Cibber Senior, having heard of it, and liking "Pamela", was very desirous to see it; and I being put in hope, that he would not spare it, was desirous he should'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: John Heylin      Manuscript: Unknown, early MS version

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa

'The Persons who have seen [the manuscript of "Clarissa"], and whom I could not deny, are Dr Heylin, and his Lady, both excellent Judges and fond of Writings of Amusement: Miss Cheyne, Daughter of my late dear Friend the Doctor; a young Lady of Taste and Reading. Mr Freke, the Surgeon, whom once I mentioned to you, and who read it with a Friend of his. Dr Young has seen a great Part of it; and Mr Cibber Senior, having heard of it, and liking "Pamela", was very desirous to see it; and I being put in hope, that he would not spare it, was desirous he should'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Mrs Heylin      Manuscript: Unknown, early MS version

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa

'The Persons who have seen [the manuscript of "Clarissa"], and whom I could not deny, are Dr Heylin, and his Lady, both excellent Judges and fond of Writings of Amusement: Miss Cheyne, Daughter of my late dear Friend the Doctor; a young Lady of Taste and Reading. Mr Freke, the Surgeon, whom once I mentioned to you, and who read it with a Friend of his. Dr Young has seen a great Part of it; and Mr Cibber Senior, having heard of it, and liking "Pamela", was very desirous to see it; and I being put in hope, that he would not spare it, was desirous he should'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Miss Cheyne      Manuscript: Unknown, early MS version

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa

'The Persons who have seen [the manuscript of "Clarissa"], and whom I could not deny, are Dr Heylin, and his Lady, both excellent Judges and fond of Writings of Amusement: Miss Cheyne, Daughter of my late dear Friend the Doctor; a young Lady of Taste and Reading. Mr Freke, the Surgeon, whom once I mentioned to you, and who read it with a Friend of his. Dr Young has seen a great Part of it; and Mr Cibber Senior, having heard of it, and liking "Pamela", was very desirous to see it; and I being put in hope, that he would not spare it, was desirous he should'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: John Freke      Manuscript: Unknown, early MS version

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa

'The Persons who have seen [the manuscript of "Clarissa"], and whom I could not deny, are Dr Heylin, and his Lady, both excellent Judges and fond of Writings of Amusement: Miss Cheyne, Daughter of my late dear Friend the Doctor; a young Lady of Taste and Reading. Mr Freke, the Surgeon, whom once I mentioned to you, and who read it with a Friend of his. Dr Young has seen a great Part of it; and Mr Cibber Senior, having heard of it, and liking "Pamela", was very desirous to see it; and I being put in hope, that he would not spare it, was desirous he should'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Edward Young      Manuscript: Unknown, early MS version

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa

'The Persons who have seen [the manuscript of "Clarissa"], and whom I could not deny, are Dr Heylin, and his Lady, both excellent Judges and fond of Writings of Amusement: Miss Cheyne, Daughter of my late dear Friend the Doctor; a young Lady of Taste and Reading. Mr Freke, the Surgeon, whom once I mentioned to you, and who read it with a Friend of his. Dr Young has seen a great Part of it; and Mr Cibber Senior, having heard of it, and liking "Pamela", was very desirous to see it; and I being put in hope, that he would not spare it, was desirous he should'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Colley Cibber      Manuscript: Unknown, early MS version

  

Edmund Spenser : 

'I don't wonder that you are in such raptures with Spenser! What an imagination! What an invention! What painting! What colouring displayed throughout the works of that admirable author! and yet, for want of time, or opportunity, I have not read his "Fairy Queen" through in series, or at a heat, as I may call it'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Susanna Highmore      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : 

'I don't wonder that you are in such raptures with Spenser! What an imagination! What an invention! What painting! What colouring displayed throughout the works of that admirable author! and yet, for want of time, or opportunity, I have not read his "Fairy Queen" through in series, or at a heat, as I may call it'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Richardson      Print: Book

  

James Steuart : An inquiry into the principles of political oeconomy

[Marginalia]: some marginal and text pencil annotations to pp 408-438 only, e.g: p. 408 'Prop.1 Prices are in proportion to the plenty of money ...' has a vertical marginal line; p.416 text line 'This reasoning is consistent with the principles we have examined, and humbly rejected in the preceding chapter ...' has the ms note 'Mr Hume's reasoning is correct'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Drummond Erskine      Print: Book

  

Thomas Sherlock : Sermons on various subjects, moral and theological, now first published

'In the even and the day read 6 of Bishop Sherlock's sermons, which I think extremely good, there being sound reasoning in them and seem wrote with an ardent spirit of piety, being mostly levelled against the deists.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Turner      Print: Book

  

Edmund Gibson : The evil and danger of lukewarmness in religion

'In the even read Gibson on lukewarmness in religion, and a sermon of his entitled "Trust in God, the best remedy against fears of all kinds", both of which I look upon as extreme good things.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Turner      Print: Book

  

Edmund Gibson : Trust in God the best remedy against fears of all kinds

'In the even read Gibson on lukewarmness in religion, and a sermon of his entitled "Trust in God, the best remedy against fears of all kinds", both of which I look upon as extreme good things.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Turner      Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : Rambler, The

'Though I have constantly been a purchaser of the Ramblers from the first five that you were so kind as to present me with, yet I have not had time to read any farther than those first five, till within these two or three days past. But I can go no further than the thirteenth, now before me, till I have acquainted you, that I am inexpressibly pleased with them. I remember not a thing in the Spectators, in those Spectators that I read, for I never found time... to read them all, that half so much struck me; and yet I think of them highly.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Richardson      Print: Serial / periodical

  

William Dean Howells : "A Pedestrian Tour"

Henry James to Henry James Sr, 14 January 1870: "I read in the last Atlantic Lowell's poem and Howells's Article."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Print: Serial / periodical

  

William James : Review of Hippolyte Taine, "On Intelligence"

Henry James to William James, 28 September 1872 (letter begun 22 September): "I read your Taine and admired, though but imperfectly understood it."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Print: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : A Midsummer Night's Dream

Henry James to William James, 8 January 1873, on meeting with Mrs Kemble on previous evening: "She is very magnificent, and was very gracious, and being draped (for an evening call) in lavender satin lavishly decollete, reminded me strangely, in her talk and manner, of the time when as infants, in St. John's Wood, we heard her read the Midsummer Night's Dream."

Unknown
Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Frances Anne Kemble      

  

William James : "criticism of Middlemarch"

Henry James to William James, 9 April 1873: "Your letter was full of points of great interest. Your criticism on Middlemarch was excellent and I have duly transcribed it into that note-book which it will be a relief to your mind to know I have at last set up."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Manuscript: Letter

  

William Shakespeare : As you like it

'In the evening wrote my London letters and read Shakespeare's "As you Like It" and "Taming a Shrew", both of which I think good comedies.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Turner      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : The taming of the shrew

'In the evening wrote my London letters and read Shakespeare's "As you Like It" and "Taming a Shrew", both of which I think good comedies.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Turner      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Works

'After the fatigue of the day was over, I read part of Shakespeare's "Works".'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Turner      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Works

'In the even read part of Shakespeare's "Works", which I think extreme good in their kind.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Turner      Print: Book

  

William Dean Howells : A Chance Acquaintance (fifth part)

Henry James to William Dean Howells, 22 June 1873: "I heard from my mother a day or two since that your book is having a sale -- bless it! I haven't yet seen the last part ... Your fifth part I extremely relished ... Kitty [character] is a creation. I have envied you greatly, as I read, the delight of feeling her grow so real and complete ..."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Print: Book

  

William Dean Howells : A Chance Acquaintance

Henry James to William Dean Howells, 9 September 1873, regarding Howells's A Chance Acquaintance (just published): "I had great pleasure in reading it over ... [goes on to praise in detail]"

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Print: Book

  

William Dean Howells : review of Henry James, A Passionate Pilgrim

Henry James to William Dean Howells, 19 or 26 March 1875: "I read this morning your notice of A Passionate Pilgrim ... If kindness could kill I should be safely out of the reach of ever challenging your ingenuity again."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Print: Serial / periodical

  

William Shakespeare : [unknown]

'1943 My Favourite: Books: "How Green Was my Valley", "Witch in the Wood". Authors: T.H.White, Hugh Walpole Poems: "Christabel", "Lotus Eaters" Writers: Shaw, Shakespeare'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding      Print: Book

  

Hammond Innes : Attack Alarm

[List of books read in 1943, in diary for 1943]: 'The Farthing Spinster; Guy Mannering; Whereas I was Blind; And So to Bath; The Story of San Michele; Attack Alarm; The Murders in Praed Street; Lover's Meeting; The Secret Battle; Witch Wood; MD - Doctor of Murder; Murder at the Keyhole; That Girl Ginger; Ten Minute Alibi; Diary of a District Officer; Tarzan the Untamed; Peter Abelard; Pip; Pied Piper; A Man Lay Dead; Random Harvest; Madame Curie; Stalky and Co; Bellarion; Down the Garden Path; The Three Musketeers vol 1; The House in Cornwall; A Tall Ship; The Two Saplings; Farewell Victoria; Quinneys; House of Terror; Penguin Parade 4; Guy Mannering[presumably a re-reading]; The Man Born to be King; Casterton Papers; Old Saint Paul's; The Moon is Down; 1066 and all That; My Brother Jonathon; Gulliver's Travels; Ensign Knightley; Men Against Death; Fame is the Spur; Gone with the Wind; Mesmer; First Nights; The Hound of the Baskervilles; Little Gidding; Beau Geste; Beau Sabreur; The Amazing Theatre; The Pleasure of Your Company; Dandelion Days; Humour and Fantasy; Juno and the Paycock; The Beautiful Years; Teach Yourself to Think; Salar the Salmon; The Cathedral; The Mysterious Mr I; The Picts and the Martyrs; The Dream of Fair Women; The Star-born; Three Short Stories; A Thatched Roof; The Surgeon's Log; The Healing Knife; Nine Ghosts; While Rome Burns; The Star Spangled Manner; The Day Must Dawn; The Tower of London; Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde; The Old Man's Birthday; A little Princess; Ego 5; The Lighter Side of School Life; Kidnapped; The Trail of the Sandhill Stag; Ballet Lover's Notebook; Lorna Doone; The Plays of JM Barrie; Jane Eyre; I'll Leave it to You; Henry Fifth; Longer Poems; Antony and Cleopatra; The Man in Grey; The House in Dormer Forest; The Writing of English; Miss Mapp; The Song of Bernadette; Happy and Glorious; Sixty Poems; The Birth of Romance; The Comedy of Life; Some Little Tales; Dream Days; Royal Flush.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding      Print: Book

  

Anne Louise Germaine de Sta?l-Holstein : 'Considerations on the French Revolution'

'There is also Madame de Stael on the French revolution - first volume only finished - remarks (if any) in the next letter.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carlyle      Print: Book

  

Anne Louise Germaine de Sta?l-Holstein : Considerations Sur La Revolution Francaise

'In conformity with ancient custom, I ought now to transmit you some account of my studies- But I have too much conscience to dilate upon this subject. Besides, it is not so easy to criticise the brilliant work of Madame de Stael-considerations sur quelques evenemen[t]s de la revolution - as to tell you, what I learnt from a small Genevese attending Jameson's class, that she was very ugly and very immoral- yet had fine eyes, and was very kind to the poor people of Coppet & the environs.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carlyle      Print: Book

  

Thomas Edwards : [letter relating story of a real life 'Pamela']

'I am very charmed, my dear Mr Edwards, with your sweet Story of a Second Pamela. Had I drawn mine from the very Life, I should have made a much more perfect Piece of my first Favourite.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Richardson      Manuscript: Letter

  

William Shakespeare : [illustrated, edited version]

'I have nothing to say in favour or disfavour of the Shakespeare illustrated. Some pieces are not calculated for more than the present Age, or Time, I should rather say. But this, endeavouring to rob Shakespeare of his Invention, proposes possibly a more durable Existence. Yet, I would not wish to be the Author of so invidious a Piece.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Richardson      Print: Book

  

William Mason : Elfrida

'You did not tell me before, that you had read the Hermit and Alfrida. There are charming Things in both. I read them when they first came out, having a great opinion of the poetical capacity of both gentlemen. I was not disappointed. I forget the story of the Hermit, and its management: But in general I was pleased with it. Mr Mason has a fine genius... But I thought his piece was rather too poetical. - A strange censure of a fine piece of poetry. In other words, that he was too lavish, in other words. of his poetical talents...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Richardson      Print: Book

  

William Mason : Elfrida

'You did not tell me before, that you had read the Hermit and Alfrida. There are charming Things in both. I read them when they first came out, having a great opinion of the poetical capacity of both gentlemen. I was not disappointed. I forget the story of the Hermit, and its management: But in general I was pleased with it. Mr Mason has a fine genius... But I thought his piece was rather too poetical. - A strange censure of a fine piece of poetry. In other words, that he was too lavish, in other words of his poetical talents...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Lady Bradshaigh      Print: Book

  

Marie de Rabutin-Chantal Marquise de Sevigne : Letters

'Have you read Mad. Sevigne's Letters from the [French]? Fine passages and Sentiments there are in it, & a notion given of the French manner tho' written in the middle reign of Louis XIV. What are the Two volumes called the History of Man from the French also. There is a volume which is not chaste enough to be recommended to your Ladiship. It is truly French. Its language good. But for the knowledge of the hearts of people given up to what is called Gallantry, particularly French Gallantry, I have not seen its equal. It is called Letters of Ninon de Lenclos to the marquis of Sevigne. Son of the above-named Lady, and her contemporary. It will not offend the Ear. But I would not by any means recommend it to a very young Lady'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Richardson      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Henry the Fifth

[List of books read in 1943, in diary for 1943]: 'The Farthing Spinster; Guy Mannering; Whereas I was Blind; And So to Bath; The Story of San Michele; Attack Alarm; The Murders in Praed Street; Lover's Meeting; The Secret Battle; Witch Wood; MD - Doctor of Murder; Murder at the Keyhole; That Girl Ginger; Ten Minute Alibi; Diary of a District Officer; Tarzan the Untamed; Peter Abelard; Pip; Pied Piper; A Man Lay Dead; Random Harvest; Madame Curie; Stalky and Co; Bellarion; Down the Garden Path; The Three Musketeers vol 1; The House in Cornwall; A Tall Ship; The Two Saplings; Farewell Victoria; Quinneys; House of Terror; Penguin Parade 4; Guy Mannering[presumably a re-reading]; The Man Born to be King; Casterton Papers; Old Saint Paul's; The Moon is Down; 1066 and all That; My Brother Jonathon; Gulliver's Travels; Ensign Knightley; Men Against Death; Fame is the Spur; Gone with the Wind; Mesmer; First Nights; The Hound of the Baskervilles; Little Gidding; Beau Geste; Beau Sabreur; The Amazing Theatre; The Pleasure of Your Company; Dandelion Days; Humour and Fantasy; Juno and the Paycock; The Beautiful Years; Teach Yourself to Think; Salar the Salmon; The Cathedral; The Mysterious Mr I; The Picts and the Martyrs; The Dream of Fair Women; The Star-born; Three Short Stories; A Thatched Roof; The Surgeon's Log; The Healing Knife; Nine Ghosts; While Rome Burns; The Star Spangled Manner; The Day Must Dawn; The Tower of London; Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde; The Old Man's Birthday; A little Princess; Ego 5; The Lighter Side of School Life; Kidnapped; The Trail of the Sandhill Stag; Ballet Lover's Notebook; Lorna Doone; The Plays of JM Barrie; Jane Eyre; I'll Leave it to You; Henry Fifth; Longer Poems; Antony and Cleopatra; The Man in Grey; The House in Dormer Forest; The Writing of English; Miss Mapp; The Song of Bernadette; Happy and Glorious; Sixty Poems; The Birth of Romance; The Comedy of Life; Some Little Tales; Dream Days; Royal Flush.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Antony and Cleopatra

[List of books read in 1943, in diary for 1943]: 'The Farthing Spinster; Guy Mannering; Whereas I was Blind; And So to Bath; The Story of San Michele; Attack Alarm; The Murders in Praed Street; Lover's Meeting; The Secret Battle; Witch Wood; MD - Doctor of Murder; Murder at the Keyhole; That Girl Ginger; Ten Minute Alibi; Diary of a District Officer; Tarzan the Untamed; Peter Abelard; Pip; Pied Piper; A Man Lay Dead; Random Harvest; Madame Curie; Stalky and Co; Bellarion; Down the Garden Path; The Three Musketeers vol 1; The House in Cornwall; A Tall Ship; The Two Saplings; Farewell Victoria; Quinneys; House of Terror; Penguin Parade 4; Guy Mannering[presumably a re-reading]; The Man Born to be King; Casterton Papers; Old Saint Paul's; The Moon is Down; 1066 and all That; My Brother Jonathon; Gulliver's Travels; Ensign Knightley; Men Against Death; Fame is the Spur; Gone with the Wind; Mesmer; First Nights; The Hound of the Baskervilles; Little Gidding; Beau Geste; Beau Sabreur; The Amazing Theatre; The Pleasure of Your Company; Dandelion Days; Humour and Fantasy; Juno and the Paycock; The Beautiful Years; Teach Yourself to Think; Salar the Salmon; The Cathedral; The Mysterious Mr I; The Picts and the Martyrs; The Dream of Fair Women; The Star-born; Three Short Stories; A Thatched Roof; The Surgeon's Log; The Healing Knife; Nine Ghosts; While Rome Burns; The Star Spangled Manner; The Day Must Dawn; The Tower of London; Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde; The Old Man's Birthday; A little Princess; Ego 5; The Lighter Side of School Life; Kidnapped; The Trail of the Sandhill Stag; Ballet Lover's Notebook; Lorna Doone; The Plays of JM Barrie; Jane Eyre; I'll Leave it to You; Henry Fifth; Longer Poems; Antony and Cleopatra; The Man in Grey; The House in Dormer Forest; The Writing of English; Miss Mapp; The Song of Bernadette; Happy and Glorious; Sixty Poems; The Birth of Romance; The Comedy of Life; Some Little Tales; Dream Days; Royal Flush.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding      Print: Book

  

Thomas Hughes : Tom Brown's Schooldays

'I am reading "Tom's Brown's Schooldays", which is awfully nice.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet

[List of books read during 1944]: 'The Specialist; All This and Heaven Too; Antony; Uncle Tom's Cabin; Roper's Row; Tom Brown's Schooldays; Life's a Circus; The Keys of the Kingdom; Two Survived; Hamlet; King's Nurse, Beggar's Nurse; The Snow Goose; Gerald; Early Stages; Cross Creek; Footnotes to the Ballet; The Great Ship; Hungry Hill; Hiawatha; Captain Blood; Scaramouche; Heartbreak House; Fortune's Fool; Fifth Form at St Dominic's; Cold Comfort Farm; The Lost King; The count of Monte Cristo; Diary of a Provincial Lady; Frenchman's Creek; Song of Bernadette; Romeo and Juliet; Rebecca; The Surgeon's Destiny; The Killer and the Slain; Anna; King Solomon's Mines; The Black Moth; Have His Carcase; Peacock Pie; Alice in Wonderland; The Citadel; Good Companions; Our Hearts were Young and Gay; Memoirs of a Fox-hunting Man; The Healing Knife; First Year Out; Saint Joan; Stars Look Down; Bridge of San Luis Rey; Rogue Herries; Caesar and Cleopatra; Xmas at Cold Comfort Farm; Dark Lady of the Sonnets; The Velvet Deer; Leaves from a Surgeon's Case Book; A Christmas Carol; Craft of Comedy; As You Like It; Lottie Dundass; Plays of John Galsworthy; Provincial Lady in America; She Shanties; Peter Abelard; Actor, Soldier, Poet; The Best of Lamb; Some Essay of Elia; Poems, Plays etc; The White Cliffs; Three Men in a Boat; Confessions of an Opium Eater; In Search of England; Wuthering Heights; Pericles, Prince of Tyre; Poems of Contemporary Women; Crime at the Club; Quality Street; Villette; Major Barbara; Pygmalion; You Never Can Tell; King John; Doctor's Dilemma'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding      Print: Book

  

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings : Cross Creek

[List of books read during 1944]: 'The Specialist; All This and Heaven Too; Antony; Uncle Tom's Cabin; Roper's Row; Tom Brown's Schooldays; Life's a Circus; The Keys of the Kingdom; Two Survived; Hamlet; King's Nurse, Beggar's Nurse; The Snow Goose; Gerald; Early Stages; Cross Creek; Footnotes to the Ballet; The Great Ship; Hungry Hill; Hiawatha; Captain Blood; Scaramouche; Heartbreak House; Fortune's Fool; Fifth Form at St Dominic's; Cold Comfort Farm; The Lost King; The count of Monte Cristo; Diary of a Provincial Lady; Frenchman's Creek; Song of Bernadette; Romeo and Juliet; Rebecca; The Surgeon's Destiny; The Killer and the Slain; Anna; King Solomon's Mines; The Black Moth; Have His Carcase; Peacock Pie; Alice in Wonderland; The Citadel; Good Companions; Our Hearts were Young and Gay; Memoirs of a Fox-hunting Man; The Healing Knife; First Year Out; Saint Joan; Stars Look Down; Bridge of San Luis Rey; Rogue Herries; Caesar and Cleopatra; Xmas at Cold Comfort Farm; Dark Lady of the Sonnets; The Velvet Deer; Leaves from a Surgeon's Case Book; A Christmas Carol; Craft of Comedy; As You Like It; Lottie Dundass; Plays of John Galsworthy; Provincial Lady in America; She Shanties; Peter Abelard; Actor, Soldier, Poet; The Best of Lamb; Some Essay of Elia; Poems, Plays etc; The White Cliffs; Three Men in a Boat; Confessions of an Opium Eater; In Search of England; Wuthering Heights; Pericles, Prince of Tyre; Poems of Contemporary Women; Crime at the Club; Quality Street; Villette; Major Barbara; Pygmalion; You Never Can Tell; King John; Doctor's Dilemma'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Romeo and Juliet

[List of books read during 1944]: 'The Specialist; All This and Heaven Too; Antony; Uncle Tom's Cabin; Roper's Row; Tom Brown's Schooldays; Life's a Circus; The Keys of the Kingdom; Two Survived; Hamlet; King's Nurse, Beggar's Nurse; The Snow Goose; Gerald; Early Stages; Cross Creek; Footnotes to the Ballet; The Great Ship; Hungry Hill; Hiawatha; Captain Blood; Scaramouche; Heartbreak House; Fortune's Fool; Fifth Form at St Dominic's; Cold Comfort Farm; The Lost King; The count of Monte Cristo; Diary of a Provincial Lady; Frenchman's Creek; Song of Bernadette; Romeo and Juliet; Rebecca; The Surgeon's Destiny; The Killer and the Slain; Anna; King Solomon's Mines; The Black Moth; Have His Carcase; Peacock Pie; Alice in Wonderland; The Citadel; Good Companions; Our Hearts were Young and Gay; Memoirs of a Fox-hunting Man; The Healing Knife; First Year Out; Saint Joan; Stars Look Down; Bridge of San Luis Rey; Rogue Herries; Caesar and Cleopatra; Xmas at Cold Comfort Farm; Dark Lady of the Sonnets; The Velvet Deer; Leaves from a Surgeon's Case Book; A Christmas Carol; Craft of Comedy; As You Like It; Lottie Dundass; Plays of John Galsworthy; Provincial Lady in America; She Shanties; Peter Abelard; Actor, Soldier, Poet; The Best of Lamb; Some Essay of Elia; Poems, Plays etc; The White Cliffs; Three Men in a Boat; Confessions of an Opium Eater; In Search of England; Wuthering Heights; Pericles, Prince of Tyre; Poems of Contemporary Women; Crime at the Club; Quality Street; Villette; Major Barbara; Pygmalion; You Never Can Tell; King John; Doctor's Dilemma'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding      Print: Book

  

Norman Collins : Anna

[List of books read during 1944]: 'The Specialist; All This and Heaven Too; Antony; Uncle Tom's Cabin; Roper's Row; Tom Brown's Schooldays; Life's a Circus; The Keys of the Kingdom; Two Survived; Hamlet; King's Nurse, Beggar's Nurse; The Snow Goose; Gerald; Early Stages; Cross Creek; Footnotes to the Ballet; The Great Ship; Hungry Hill; Hiawatha; Captain Blood; Scaramouche; Heartbreak House; Fortune's Fool; Fifth Form at St Dominic's; Cold Comfort Farm; The Lost King; The count of Monte Cristo; Diary of a Provincial Lady; Frenchman's Creek; Song of Bernadette; Romeo and Juliet; Rebecca; The Surgeon's Destiny; The Killer and the Slain; Anna; King Solomon's Mines; The Black Moth; Have His Carcase; Peacock Pie; Alice in Wonderland; The Citadel; Good Companions; Our Hearts were Young and Gay; Memoirs of a Fox-hunting Man; The Healing Knife; First Year Out; Saint Joan; Stars Look Down; Bridge of San Luis Rey; Rogue Herries; Caesar and Cleopatra; Xmas at Cold Comfort Farm; Dark Lady of the Sonnets; The Velvet Deer; Leaves from a Surgeon's Case Book; A Christmas Carol; Craft of Comedy; As You Like It; Lottie Dundass; Plays of John Galsworthy; Provincial Lady in America; She Shanties; Peter Abelard; Actor, Soldier, Poet; The Best of Lamb; Some Essay of Elia; Poems, Plays etc; The White Cliffs; Three Men in a Boat; Confessions of an Opium Eater; In Search of England; Wuthering Heights; Pericles, Prince of Tyre; Poems of Contemporary Women; Crime at the Club; Quality Street; Villette; Major Barbara; Pygmalion; You Never Can Tell; King John; Doctor's Dilemma'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : As You Like It

[List of books read during 1944]: 'The Specialist; All This and Heaven Too; Antony; Uncle Tom's Cabin; Roper's Row; Tom Brown's Schooldays; Life's a Circus; The Keys of the Kingdom; Two Survived; Hamlet; King's Nurse, Beggar's Nurse; The Snow Goose; Gerald; Early Stages; Cross Creek; Footnotes to the Ballet; The Great Ship; Hungry Hill; Hiawatha; Captain Blood; Scaramouche; Heartbreak House; Fortune's Fool; Fifth Form at St Dominic's; Cold Comfort Farm; The Lost King; The count of Monte Cristo; Diary of a Provincial Lady; Frenchman's Creek; Song of Bernadette; Romeo and Juliet; Rebecca; The Surgeon's Destiny; The Killer and the Slain; Anna; King Solomon's Mines; The Black Moth; Have His Carcase; Peacock Pie; Alice in Wonderland; The Citadel; Good Companions; Our Hearts were Young and Gay; Memoirs of a Fox-hunting Man; The Healing Knife; First Year Out; Saint Joan; Stars Look Down; Bridge of San Luis Rey; Rogue Herries; Caesar and Cleopatra; Xmas at Cold Comfort Farm; Dark Lady of the Sonnets; The Velvet Deer; Leaves from a Surgeon's Case Book; A Christmas Carol; Craft of Comedy; As You Like It; Lottie Dundass; Plays of John Galsworthy; Provincial Lady in America; She Shanties; Peter Abelard; Actor, Soldier, Poet; The Best of Lamb; Some Essay of Elia; Poems, Plays etc; The White Cliffs; Three Men in a Boat; Confessions of an Opium Eater; In Search of England; Wuthering Heights; Pericles, Prince of Tyre; Poems of Contemporary Women; Crime at the Club; Quality Street; Villette; Major Barbara; Pygmalion; You Never Can Tell; King John; Doctor's Dilemma'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Pericles

[List of books read during 1944]: 'The Specialist; All This and Heaven Too; Antony; Uncle Tom's Cabin; Roper's Row; Tom Brown's Schooldays; Life's a Circus; The Keys of the Kingdom; Two Survived; Hamlet; King's Nurse, Beggar's Nurse; The Snow Goose; Gerald; Early Stages; Cross Creek; Footnotes to the Ballet; The Great Ship; Hungry Hill; Hiawatha; Captain Blood; Scaramouche; Heartbreak House; Fortune's Fool; Fifth Form at St Dominic's; Cold Comfort Farm; The Lost King; The count of Monte Cristo; Diary of a Provincial Lady; Frenchman's Creek; Song of Bernadette; Romeo and Juliet; Rebecca; The Surgeon's Destiny; The Killer and the Slain; Anna; King Solomon's Mines; The Black Moth; Have His Carcase; Peacock Pie; Alice in Wonderland; The Citadel; Good Companions; Our Hearts were Young and Gay; Memoirs of a Fox-hunting Man; The Healing Knife; First Year Out; Saint Joan; Stars Look Down; Bridge of San Luis Rey; Rogue Herries; Caesar and Cleopatra; Xmas at Cold Comfort Farm; Dark Lady of the Sonnets; The Velvet Deer; Leaves from a Surgeon's Case Book; A Christmas Carol; Craft of Comedy; As You Like It; Lottie Dundass; Plays of John Galsworthy; Provincial Lady in America; She Shanties; Peter Abelard; Actor, Soldier, Poet; The Best of Lamb; Some Essay of Elia; Poems, Plays etc; The White Cliffs; Three Men in a Boat; Confessions of an Opium Eater; In Search of England; Wuthering Heights; Pericles, Prince of Tyre; Poems of Contemporary Women; Crime at the Club; Quality Street; Villette; Major Barbara; Pygmalion; You Never Can Tell; King John; Doctor's Dilemma'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : King John

[List of books read during 1944]: 'The Specialist; All This and Heaven Too; Antony; Uncle Tom's Cabin; Roper's Row; Tom Brown's Schooldays; Life's a Circus; The Keys of the Kingdom; Two Survived; Hamlet; King's Nurse, Beggar's Nurse; The Snow Goose; Gerald; Early Stages; Cross Creek; Footnotes to the Ballet; The Great Ship; Hungry Hill; Hiawatha; Captain Blood; Scaramouche; Heartbreak House; Fortune's Fool; Fifth Form at St Dominic's; Cold Comfort Farm; The Lost King; The count of Monte Cristo; Diary of a Provincial Lady; Frenchman's Creek; Song of Bernadette; Romeo and Juliet; Rebecca; The Surgeon's Destiny; The Killer and the Slain; Anna; King Solomon's Mines; The Black Moth; Have His Carcase; Peacock Pie; Alice in Wonderland; The Citadel; Good Companions; Our Hearts were Young and Gay; Memoirs of a Fox-hunting Man; The Healing Knife; First Year Out; Saint Joan; Stars Look Down; Bridge of San Luis Rey; Rogue Herries; Caesar and Cleopatra; Xmas at Cold Comfort Farm; Dark Lady of the Sonnets; The Velvet Deer; Leaves from a Surgeon's Case Book; A Christmas Carol; Craft of Comedy; As You Like It; Lottie Dundass; Plays of John Galsworthy; Provincial Lady in America; She Shanties; Peter Abelard; Actor, Soldier, Poet; The Best of Lamb; Some Essay of Elia; Poems, Plays etc; The White Cliffs; Three Men in a Boat; Confessions of an Opium Eater; In Search of England; Wuthering Heights; Pericles, Prince of Tyre; Poems of Contemporary Women; Crime at the Club; Quality Street; Villette; Major Barbara; Pygmalion; You Never Can Tell; King John; Doctor's Dilemma'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : [poems]

?The gentle Cowper was my earliest favourite, a small second-hand copy of his poems, which I bought for eighteen pence, being the first book I bought for myself. It emptied my pocket, but I walked home, as I had walked to Newcastle (a distance some eighteen miles to and fro) with a light head, now and then reading as I fared along. Longfellow, Pope, Milton, Wordsworth and other poets were soon afterwards added to my little collection. I read them all. Many passages have clung to my memory, a life-long possession, giving, with their music, sometimes inspiration, sometimes solace in the conflicts and sorrows of life.?

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Burt      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : The Tempest

?I now read for the first time "The Tempest", "Measure for Measure", "Love?s Labour?s Lost", and many other of Shakespeare?s comedies, besides the supreme tragedies, among [them] the greatest creations of the human intellect ? "Hamlet", "Macbeth", "Othello" and "Lear". From no "edition de luxe" did I read. The plays were published by Dick, cost me one penny each, a sum well suited to my means. No matter that the price was small and the paper poor; no matter that there were neither theatre nor stage, neither actors or orchestra. All the more scope was given to fancy and imagination.?

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Burt      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Measure for measure

?I now read for the first time "The Tempest", "Measure for Measure", "Love?s Labour?s Lost", and many other of Shakespeare?s comedies, besides the supreme tragedies, among [them] the greatest creations of the human intellect ? "Hamlet", "Macbeth", "Othello" and "Lear". From no "edition de luxe" did I read. The plays were published by Dick, cost me one penny each, a sum well suited to my means. No matter that the price was small and the paper poor; no matter that there were neither theatre nor stage, neither actors or orchestra. All the more scope was given to fancy and imagination.?

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Burt      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Love's Labour's Lost

?I now read for the first time "The Tempest", "Measure for Measure", "Love?s Labour?s Lost", and many other of Shakespeare?s comedies, besides the supreme tragedies, among [them] the greatest creations of the human intellect ? "Hamlet", "Macbeth", "Othello" and "Lear". From no "edition de luxe" did I read. The plays were published by Dick, cost me one penny each, a sum well suited to my means. No matter that the price was small and the paper poor; no matter that there were neither theatre nor stage, neither actors or orchestra. All the more scope was given to fancy and imagination.?

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Burt      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet

?I now read for the first time "The Tempest", "Measure for Measure", "Love?s Labour?s Lost", and many other of Shakespeare?s comedies, besides the supreme tragedies, among [them] the greatest creations of the human intellect ? "Hamlet", "Macbeth", "Othello" and "Lear". From no "edition de luxe" did I read. The plays were published by Dick, cost me one penny each, a sum well suited to my means. No matter that the price was small and the paper poor; no matter that there were neither the theatre nor stage, neither actors or orchestra. All the more scope was given to fancy and imagination.?

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Burt      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Othello

?I now read for the first time "The Tempest", "Measure for Measure", "Love?s Labour?s Lost", and many other of Shakespeare?s comedies, besides the supreme tragedies, among [them] the greatest creations of the human intellect ? "Hamlet", "Macbeth", "Othello" and "Lear". From no "edition de luxe" did I read. The plays were published by Dick, cost me one penny each, a sum well suited to my means. No matter that the price was small and the paper poor; no matter that there were neither theatre nor stage, neither actors or orchestra. All the more scope was given to fancy and imagination.?

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Burt      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : King Lear

?I now read for the first time "The Tempest", "Measure for Measure", "Love?s Labour?s Lost", and many other of Shakespeare?s comedies, besides the supreme tragedies, among [them] the greatest creations of the human intellect ? "Hamlet", "Macbeth", "Othello" and "Lear". From no "edition de luxe" did I read. The plays were published by Dick, cost me one penny each, a sum well suited to my means. No matter that the price was small and the paper poor; no matter that there were neither theatre nor stage, neither actors or orchestra. All the more scope was given to fancy and imagination.?

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Burt      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : Lucy Gray

?In one of my early schoolbooks, indeed, I had read "Lucy Gray" and "We are seven". The music of these simple lays had charmed my boyish fancy and lingered in my memory.?

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Burt      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : We are seven

?In one of my early schoolbooks, indeed, I had read "Lucy Gray" and "We are seven". The music of these simple lays had charmed my boyish fancy and lingered in my memory.?

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Burt      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : The Daffodils

?Joe was never tired of expatiating on the beauties and grandeur of Wordsworth, and my lack of responsiveness must have occasionally surprised him. When he selected some of the shorter poems ? "The Daffodils", "The Highland Girl", "The Solitary Reaper" and other gems ? and invited me to read them aloud, Joe?s quick ear soon detected that I read with the spirit as well as with the understanding, and, thus tutored, I quickly became a devoted Wordsworthian.?

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Burt      Print: Book

  

William Dean Howells : The Minister's Charge

Henry James to Wiliam Dean Howells, 7 December 1886: "The last thing I did before leaving London three days and a half ago was to purchase 'Lemuel Barker' ... and though I laid him down twenty-four hours ago I am still full of the sense of how he beguiled and delighted and illumined my way. The beauties of nature passed unheeded and the St. Gotthard tunnel, where I had a reading lamp, was over in a shriek. The book is so awfully good that my perusal of it was one uninterrupted Bravo."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Print: Book

  

William Dean Howells : article

Henry James to William James, 5 October 1887 (in letter begun 1 October 1887): "I hadn't seen ... [W. D. Howells's] 'tribute' in the September Harper, but I have just looked it up."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Edmund Gosse : Life of Congreve

Henry James to Robert Louis Stevenson, 31 July 1888: "Edmund Gosse has sent me his clever little life of Congreve, just out, and I have read it ..."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Print: Book

  

William Mason : [items in Dodsley's Miscellanies]

'In Dodsley's "Miscellanies" there are two or three pretty pieces of Mr Mason. Bacon's "Life by Mr Mallet" perhaps you have seen. He is not near so good a Man, I fear, as Mr Mason'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Richardson      Print: Book

  

May Sinclair : Life and Death of Harriet Frean

[Lehmann's novel "Dusty Answer" has a structure] 'possibly derived from May Sinclair's bleak and brilliant portrait of misguided self sacrifice, "Life and Death of Harriet Frean", which Rosamond read on its publication in 1922 and much admired'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Rosamond Lehmann      Print: Book

  

William Jones : Grammar of the Persian Language, A

[Marginalia]: some pencil marks and marginal ms notes throughout the text. Generally they highlight points of grammar or translation, mostly in English but at least one is in Persian (p. 132). Examples: title page "x While the nightingale, oh Hafiz, makes a boast [?] of his eloquence, do thou lessen [?] the value of his life, by singing thy Persian strains" [translation of Persian quote on title page, similarly marked ie 'x'?]; p.100/101 is bookmarked with a scrap of contemporary newspaper and the text line 'By the approach of Spring, and the return of December, the leaves of our life are continually folded' is annotated with underlines and alternative translations above words.

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Drummond Erskine      Print: Book

  

Adam Smith : Wealth of Nations

?There were other books which I then read and studied with care, including Adam Smith?s "Wealth of Nations" and Mill?s "Political Economy". This was not a kind of literature to borrow from public libraries, but to have in one?s possessions.?

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Burt      Print: Book

  

James Douglas : 

'If Machen?s onslaught is worse than Jimmy Douglas?s in the ?Star?, it will be a treat.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Arnold Bennett      Print: Newspaper

  

Madame de Genlis : Letters on Education

'While at Mitchelstown she brushed up on her French by reading Madame de Genlis's Letters on Education, Louis Sebastien Mercier's comedy "Mon Bonnet de Nuit", and the Baroness de Montoliere's novel "Caroline de Litchfield". The first she pronounced "wonderfully clever", and it may well have proved helpful to her as a teacher; the last she described as "One of the prettiest things I have ever read", and it perhaps suggested that her own life could serve as the basis of a sentimental novel'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Wollstonecraft      Print: Book

  

William Dean Howells : A Hazard of New Fortunes vol 1

Henry James to William Dean Howells, from Milan, 17 May 1890: " ... I have been reading the Hazard of New Fortunes ... it has filled me with communicable rapture ... I read the first volume just before I left London -- and the second, which I began the instant I got into the train at Victoria, made me wish immensely that both it and the journey to Bale and thence were formed to last longer."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Print: Book

  

William Dean Howells : A Hazard of New Fortunes vol 2

Henry James to William Dean Howells, from Milan, 17 May 1890: " ... I have been reading the Hazard of New Fortunes ... it has filled me with communicable rapture ... I read the first volume just before I left London -- and the second, which I began the instant I got into the train at Victoria, made me wish immensely that both it and the journey to Bale and thence were formed to last longer."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Print: Book

  

William James : Principles of Psychology

Henry James to William James, 6 February 1891: " ... I blush to say I haven't had freedom of mind or cerebral freshness ... to tackle -- more than dipping in here and there -- your mighty and magnificent book ..."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Print: Book

  

Mary Hays : Cursory Remarks

'I have just cast my eye over your sensible little pamphlet, and found fewer of the superlatives, exquisite, fascinating &c, all of the feminine gender, than I expected. Some of the sentiments, it is true, are rather obscurely expressed; but if you continue to write you will imperceptibly correct this fault...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Wollstonecraft      Manuscript: Unknown, MS version of pamphlet

  

Edmund Gosse : Preface to Vol 1 of Ibsen, Works

Henry James to Edmund Gosse, 28 April 1891: "I return the Ibsenite volume with many thanks -- especially for the opportunity to read your charming preface which is really ... more interesting than Ibsen himself ... I think you make him out a richer phenomenon than he is. The perusal of the dreary Rosmersholm and even the reperusal of Ghosts has been rather a shock to me -- they have let me down, down."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Print: Book

  

Mary Hays : Memoirs of Emma Courtney

'Mrs Robinson... has read your novel, and was very much pleased with the main story; but did not like the conclusion. She thinks the death of Augustus the end of the story and that the husband should have been suffered to die a natural death.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Mrs Robinson      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

Thomas Armstrong : Crowthers of Bankdam

[In bed recovering from gastro-enteritis] 'I read "Crowthers" all day, and loved it.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Sonnets

[Sunday, on a bike picnic] 'It began to pour down just as B [unidentified] and I reached a barn... so we stayed there to eat, and curled up on rugs on mouldy straw, and I read "Jerusalem under the High Priests"! Arrived in at 6:30 totally soaked! Maccy [later the cookery writer Jane Grigson] has a tiny book of Shakespeare's Sonnets which I must try and get - they are most lovely and very interesting and soothing.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Pericles

'I revised "Pericles" [for Elocution exam] and wrote notes on it. It's a horrid play, completely unlikely but quite fast moving.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding      Print: Book

  

Naomi Michison : Conquered, The

'I finished "The Conquered", and wrote to Uncle John, who sent me a really wizard book - 10/ - called "People and Places"'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : The Merchant of Venice

'I read Wilhelm Meister aloud, and then G. read part of the Merchant of Venice'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Henry Lewes      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing : Laocoon: An Essay on the Limits of Painting and Poetry

'Read Laocoon'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing : Laocoon: An Essay on the Limits of Painting and Poetry

'Finished Lessing's Laocoon - the most un-German of all German books that I have ever read.The style is strong clear and lively, the thoughts acute and pregnant. It is well adapted to rouse an interest both in the classics and in the study of art'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : Romeo and Juliet

'Ill all day and unable to go out. G. finished Romeo and Juliet'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Henry Lewes      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing : Nathan der Weise

'Home for half an hour and read Nathan der Weise'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

Marguerite Steen : Sun is my Undoing, The

'I read "The Sun is My Undoing" - fast and very meaty. Intensely interesting - till 12 pm'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Julius Caesar

'G. read Julius Caesar aloud, as far as Caesar's appearance in the senate house. Very much struck with the masculine style of this play and its vigorous moderation compared with Romeo and Juliet'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Henry Lewes      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : Antony and Cleopatra

''Finished Minna von Barnhelm... G. began Antony and Cleopatra'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Henry Lewes      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing : Minna von Barnhelm

''Finished Minna von Barnhelm... G. began Antony and Cleopatra'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : Twelfth Night

'Spent afternoon reading "Twelfth Night"... read more of "England their England" which is a scream.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Henry IV

'Read Italianische Reise - Residence in Naples. Pretty passage about a star seen through a chink in the ceiling as he lay in bed. G. read Henry IV'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Henry Lewes      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : unknown

'Had a really wizard lecture from [Prof.] Renwick on Milton, in which he read a good lot of Milton and Shakespeare to us, and he certainly can read.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding      Print: Book

  

Edmund Gosse : "paper on Pater"

Henry James, in letter of 13 December 1894 to Edmund Gosse, returns, and discusses reading (with enthusiasm) Gosse's article on Pater.

Unknown
Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      

  

William Shakespeare : Richard III

'went to dine at the Hotel de l'Europe. I took Iphigenia to read. Italianische Reise until Dessoir came. He read us the opening of Richard the 3rd and the scene with Lady Anne. Then Shylock, which G. afterwards read... Finished 1st act of Iphigenia'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Dessoir      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : The Merchant of Venice

'went to dine at the Hotel de l'Europe. I took Iphigenia to read. Italianische Reise until Dessoir came. He read us the opening of Richard the 3rd and the scene with Lady Anne. Then Shylock, which G. afterwards read... Finished 1st act of Iphigenia'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Henry Lewes      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : Henry IV, Part II

'Read Hermann and Dorothea - 4 first books. G read 2nd Part of Henry IV'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Henry Lewes      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : As You Like It

'Began Tasso aloud. G. read two acts of As You Like It'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Henry Lewes      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : King Lear

'Read aloud Heine's "Gotter im Exil" and some of his poems. G. read aloud Lear'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Henry Lewes      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : The Taming of the Shrew

'Christmas day. Miserably wet... Taming of the Shrew'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : Coriolanus

'Began Stahr's "Torso"... G read "Coriolanus". I read some of "Stahr" to him, but we found it too long wided a style for reading aloud'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Henry Lewes      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : Twelfth Night

'G. read some of "Twelfth Night", but his head got bad and he was obliged to leave off'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Henry Lewes      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet

'Read Goethe's "Maxims in the Wanderjahre". Then we compared several scenes of "Hamlet" in Schlegel's translation with the original. It is generally very close and often admirably done but Shakespeare's strong concrete language is almost always weakened'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet, translated into German by Schlegel

'Read Goethe's Maxims in the Wanderjahre. Then we compared several scenes of Hamlet in Schlegel's translation with the original. It is generally very close and often admirably done but Shakespear's strong concrete language is almost always weakened'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : Twelfth Night

'Staid at home this evening and read G's M.S. Book 3. Took a little walk under the Linden and afterwards read Twelfth Night'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : Measure for Measure

'Read Hamburgische Briefe at dinner about Voltaire's Merope. Read G's MS. Measure for Measure'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : A Midsummer Night's Dream

'Not well. G began Midsummer Night's Dream. I went to bed early.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Henry Lewes      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : A Winter's Tale

'Read the wondrously beautiful "Romische Elegien" again and some of the Venetian epigrams. G. began Winter's Tale'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Henry Lewes      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : unknown

'we went to hear the reading of Gruppe's Ferdusi. But the reading was bad and the room insufferably hot. So we came away and read Shakspeare (sic) at home'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot and G.H. Lewes     Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : Richard III

'G. read Richard III'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Henry Lewes      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet

'In the evening Dessoir came and read Hamlet'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: [M.] Dessoir      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : Venus and Adonis

'read... Shakspeare's (sic) Venus and Adonis'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare (and others) : The Passionate Pilgrim

'I read Shakspeare's (sic) "Passionate Pilgrim" at breakfast and found a sonnet in which he expresses admiration of Spenser (Sonnet VIII)... I must send word of this to G. who has written in his Goethe that Shakspeare has left no line in praise of a contemporary. [inserted later: (G. writes that this sonnet is Barnwell's)]'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : Two Gentlemen of Verona

'After dinner read "Two Gentlemen of Verona" and some of the "Sonnets". That play disgusted me more than ever in the final scene where Valentine on Proteus' mere begging pardon where he has no longer any hope of gaining his ends, says: "All that was mine in Silvia I give the"! - Silvia standing by'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : Sonnets

'After dinner read "Two Gentlemen of Verona" and some of the "Sonnets". That play disgusted me more than ever in the final scene where Valentine on Proteus' mere begging pardon where he has no longer any hope of gaining his ends, says: "All that was mine in Silvia I give the"! - Silvia standing by'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : The Tempest

'Read Shakspeare's (sic) Sonnets and part of "Tempest"'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : Macbeth

'Read "Macbeth".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : Romeo and Juliet

'Read "Romeo and Juliet"'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Jones : Poeseos Asiaticae commentariorum libri sex, cum appendice; subjicitur Limon seu miscellaneorum liber: auctore Gulielmo Jones

[Marginalia]: substantially annotated throughout usually in the form of marks (| or *) in the text, to highlight points or sections of interest - usually points of translation - with ms notes, usually in English but some in Persian (ex. p. 436/7) in the margins: eg. p. 301 text = 'Alii in collibus congregati sunt, alii in vallibus', has ms note = 'incorrect in the original as well as in the translation'; p. 381 a line of Persian is marked and in the margin is the translation 'In battle he is a lion-fighting dragon'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Drummond Erskine      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Henry V

'Read Henry V and Henry VIII'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud.]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : Henry VIII

'Read Henry V and Henry VIII'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud.]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : Henry VI, parts 1, 2 and 3

'Still feverish and unable to fix my mind steadily on reading or writing. Read the 1st, 2nd and 3rd parts of Henry VI, and began Richard II'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud.]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : Richard II

'Still feverish and unable to fix my mind steadily on reading or writing. Read the 1st, 2nd and 3rd parts of Henry VI, and began Richard II'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud.]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

James Boswell : probably Life of Johnson

'We are reading in the evenings now, Sydney Smith's letters, Boswell, Whewell's History of Inductive Sciences, the Odyssey and occasionally Heine's Reisebilder. I began the second Book of the Iliad in Greek this morning'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot and G.H. Lewes     Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William James : article on "Brute and Human Intellect"

Henry James to Mrs Henry James Sr., 18 January 1879: "I have just been reading ... [William James's] two articles -- the Brute and Human Intellect and the one in Mind ... I perused them with great interest, sufficient comprehension, and extreme profit."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Print: Serial / periodical

  

William James : article

Henry James to Mrs Henry James Sr., 18 January 1879: "I have just been reading ... [William James's] two articles -- the Brute and Human Intellect and the one in Mind ... I perused them with great interest, sufficient comprehension, and extreme profit."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Print: Serial / periodical

  

William Dean Howells : The Lady of the Aroostook

Henry James to W. D. Howells, 7 April 1879: "The amazingly poor little notice of your novel in the last (at least my last) Nation, makes me feel that I must no longer delay to ... tell you with what high relish and extreme appreciation I have read it. (I wish you had sent it to me ... I have had to go and buy it -- for eight terrible shillings ...)"

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Print: Book

  

Wiliam Dean Howells : The Undiscovered Country

Henry James to William Dean Howells, 18 April 1880: "I read your current novel with pleasure, but I don't think the subject fruitful, and I suspect that much of the public will agree with me."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Print: Unknown

  

William Dean Howells : The Undiscovered Country

Henry James to Wiliam Dean Howells, 20 July 1880; "I am much obliged to you for the pretty volume of the Undiscovered, which I immediately read with greater comfort and consequence than in the magazine."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Print: Book

  

Wiliam Dean Howells : Dr. Breen's Practice

Henry James to William Dean Howells, 4 October 1881, on Howells's new story, Dr Breen's Practice: "I won't forego the pleasure of letting you know ... what satisfaction the history of your Doctress gives me. I came back last night from a month in Scotland, and found the October Atlantic on my table; whereupon, though weary with travel I waked early this morning on purpose to read your contribution in bed -- in my little London-dusky back-bedroom, where I can never read at such hours without a pair of candles."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Print: Serial / periodical

  

William James : letter to Henry James Sr

Henry James to William James, 1 January 1883, on having received William's farewell letter to their father too late for Henry James Sr to see it before he died: "I went out yesterday (Sunday) morning, to the Cambridge cemetary ... and stood beside his grave a long time and read him your letter of farewell -- which I am sure he heard somewhere out of the depths of the still, bright winter air."

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Manuscript: Letter

  

William Shakespeare : [works]

?Whilst in Mr W?s employ, I combined my poetic readings at all leisure moments. I procured and read speedily a complete "Iliad" in English. Some of Shakespeare?s works having fallen in my way, I read them with avidity, as I did almost every other book, and though deeply interested by his historical characters and passages, I never either then or since relished his blank verse, or that of any other poet.?

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Bamford      Print: Book

  

William Robertson : History of Scotland

?As spring and autumn were our only really busy seasons, I had occasionally , during other parts of the year, considerable leisure, which, if I could procure a book that I considered at all worth the reading, was spent with such a book on my desk, in the little recess of the packing room. Here, therefore, I had opportunities for reading many books of which I had only heard the names before, such as Robertson?s "History of Scotland", Goldsmith?s "History of England", Rollin?s "Ancient History", Hume?s "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire", Anachaises? "Travels in Greece"; and many other works on travels, geography, and antiquities.?

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Bamford      Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : Lives of the poets

'... I also enlarged my acquaintance with English literature, read Johnson's "Lives of the Poets", and, as a consequence, many of their productions also. Macpherson's "Ossain", whilst it gave me a glimpse of our most ancient love, interested my feelings and absorbed my attention. I also bent my thoughts on more practical studies, and at one time had nearly the whole of Lindsey Murray's Grammar stored in my memory, although I never so far benefited by it as to become ready at pausing.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Bamford      Print: Book

  

James Macpherson : Ossian

'... I also enlarged my acquaintance with English literature, read Johnson's "Lives of the Poets", and, as a consequence, many of their productions also. Macpherson's "Ossain", whilst it gave me a glimpse of our most ancient love, interested my feelings and absorbed my attention. I also bent my thoughts on more practical studies, and at one time had nearly the whole of Lindsey Murray's Grammar stored in my memory, although I never so far benefited by it as to become ready at pausing.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Bamford      Print: Book

  

Mostyn John Armstrong : Scotch Atlas; or description of the kingdom of Scotland: divided into counties, with the subdivisions of sherifdoms; shewing their respective boundaries and extent, soil, produce, ... also their cities, chief towns, seaports, mountains, ...

[Marginalia]: Three entries (Perth, Haddington and Fife & Kinross) have been annotated with some extra information ex. from the Perth entry 'At a small village calld [sic] Pitcaithly within a mile of Dumbarny, 25 miles from Perth, is a well whose water is remarkable for curing sore eyes. Near Loch Dochart in Breadalbane, is Ben More, among the highest hills in Scotland.'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Wemyss      Print: Book

  

G.W.M. Reynolds : Reynolds's Miscellany

?There was and is so judicious a blending of light and heavy literature in "Chambers?s Journal" that their periodical has helped to educate, inform and entertain many generations of the British public. Whenever it came in my way, as it did sometimes, I revelled in its pages. The "Penny Magazine" also was a great delight on the rare occasions that I saw it. But I remember best the "Family Herald", "Reynolds?s Miscellany", and Lloyd?s penny dreadfuls.?

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Edwin Adams      Print: Serial / periodical

  

William Shakespeare : [plays]

?Great was our delight, too, when chance opportunities came in the way of such of us as could read. An opportunity of this kind arrived when a firm of printers in London brought out a penny Shakespeare ? a play of Shakespeare?s for a penny! Well do I remember this cheap treasure. It was my first introduction to the great bard. Gracious! How I devoured play after play as they came out. I was a poor errand boy at the time. When on my errands I used to steal odd moments to read my penny Shakespeare.?

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Edwin Adams      Print: Book

  

James Thomson : The Seasons

'I had been made the more anxious to get some spare time, because several books which I had not before seen now fell in my way. This was through the courtesy of my young master whose kindly feelings I have already noticed. He now gave me free access to his little library, in which were Enfield's "Speaker", Goldsmith's "Geography", an abridged "History of Rome", a "History of England", Thomson's "Seasons", "The Citizen of the World", "The Vicar of Wakefield", and some other books the titles of which I do not now remember. These books furnished me with a large amount of amusing and instructive reading.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carter      Print: Book

  

James Thomson : Seasons, The

'I pursued each of them with much interest, but especially the "Seasons". I found this to be just the book I had wanted. It commended itself to my warmest approbation, immediately on my perceiving its character and design...'[continues to describe impact of the book at length]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carter      Print: Book

  

Rev. Thomas Scott : [various essays]

'Nor must I omit to mention the obligations I owe to some essays written by the late Rev. Thomas Scott and which were given me by my master. I do not remember their exact titles, nor can I recollect much of more than one of them. This was, if I err not, a kind of exposition on the tenth commandment...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carter      Print: Book

  

Emanuel Swedenborg : unknown

'Began the Antigone, read Von Bohlen on Genesis, and Swedenborg'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud.]      Print: Book

  

Jean Louis Armand de Quatrefages de Breau : [zoology]

'have now taken up Quatrefages again.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot (pseud)      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : The Life of Samuel Johnson

'In the course of my very desultory readings, I perused "Boswell's Life of Dr Johnson"; which I still consider to be a very amusing and very instructive piece of biography.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carter      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : 

'I have begun the Eumenides, having finished the Choephorae. We are reading Wordsworth in the evenings - at least G. is reading him to me'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Henry Lewes      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : Excursion, The

'G. has finished "the Excursion", which repaid us for going to the end by an occasional fine passage even to the last.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Henry Lewes      Print: Book

  

Maurice Barres : Du Sang, de la Volupte et de la Mort

Henry James writes (in French) to Maurice Barres, in praise of "Du Sang, de la Volupte et de la Mort", a copy of which had been sent to him, 7 September 1896.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Print: Book

  

Barthelemy Faujais de Saint-Frond : Voyage en Angleterre, en Ecosse et aux Iles Hebrides...

'I know not if there be a Goddess of Sloth - tho' considering that this of all our passions is the least turbulent and most victorious, it could not without partiality be left destitute - But if there be, she certainly looks on with an approving smile - when in a supine posture, I lie for hours with my eyes fixed upon the pages of Lady Morgan's France or the travels of Faujas St Fond - my mind seldom taking the pains even to execrate the imbecile materialism, the tawdry gossipping of the former, or to pity the infirm speculations and the already antiquated mineralogy of the latter.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carlyle      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [extracts in school textbook]

'Despite his grandmother's strictures on reading, Davies read widely. His first attraction was to the penny dreadfuls of his day, which he read in secret... The school books he read contained poems that stirred him deeply. One of the school texts he used contained long passages from "The Lady of the Lake" with a prose commentary attached. And then there was a favourite schoolboy poem starting with the resounding line: "The Soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers", with a refrain that the boys loved to chant at play. There were extracts from Shakespeare, the usual lyrics, and a few heavily didactic poems intended to inculcate morality in the boyish heart'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: William Henry Davies      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [works not reproduced in schoolbooks]

'In the [italics]Autobiography[end italics] he tells us of the impact of Byron on him and his friend Dave: "His influence on Dave was so great that it was publicly shown to all the boys and girls in the chapel's schoolroom... While we were playing kiss in the ring, singing and laughing... Dave would lean his figure... against a pillar, biting his lips and frowning at our merrymaking"... His friend soon tired of this Byronic posing, but Davies marks the occasion as the first time he was really attracted to poetry with enjoyment and serious purpose. He went on to read Shelley, Marlowe's plays, and some further Shakespeare. Wordsworth failed to attract him, though he later studied him very diligently'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: William Henry Davies      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : 

'In the [italics]Autobiography[end italics] he tells us of the impact of Byron on him and his friend Dave: "His influence on Dave was so great that it was publicly shown to all the boys and girls in the chapel's schoolroom... While we were playing kiss in the ring, singing and laughing... Dave would lean his figure... against a pillar, biting his lips and frowning at our merrymaking"... His friend soon tired of this Byronic posing, but Davies marks the occasion as the first time he was really attracted to poetry with enjoyment and serious purpose. He went on to read Shelley, Marlowe's plays, and some further Shakespeare. Wordsworth failed to attract him, though he later studied him very diligently'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: William Henry Davies      Print: Book

  

Matilda Serao : [unidentified novel]

Henry James writes (in French) in letter of 26 September 1898 to Paul Bourget of having read and admired a novel by Matilda Serao, in a copy apparently sent to him by Bourget's wife.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Print: Book

  

Mrs Everard Cotes : His Honour and a Lady

Henry James to Mrs Everard Cotes, 26 January 1900, on (published) novel she has written and sent to him: 'Your book is extraordinarily keen and delicate and able [...] One or two things my acute critical intelligence murmured to me as I read. I think your drama lacks a little, [italics] line [end italics] [...] on which to string the pearls of detail.'

Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Print: Book

  

William Dean Howells : Ragged Lady

Henry James to William Dean Howells, 29 June 1900: '[...] I've been, of late, reading you again as continuously as possible [...] the result of "Ragged Lady", the "Silver Journey", the "Pursuit of the Piano" and two or three other things (none wrested from your inexorable hand, but paid for from scant earnings) has been, ever so many times over, an impulse of reaction, of an intensely cordial sort'.

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

  

William Dean Howells : Their Silver Wedding Journey

Henry James to William Dean Howells, 29 June 1900: '[...] I've been, of late, reading you again as continuously as possible [...] the result of "Ragged Lady", the "Silver Journey", the "Pursuit of the Piano" and two or three other things (none wrested from your inexorable hand, but paid for from scant earnings) has been, ever so many times over, an impulse of reaction, of an intensely cordial sort'.

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

  

William Dean Howells : 'Pursuit of the Piano' (short story)

Henry James to William Dean Howells, 29 June 1900: '[...] I've been, of late, reading you again as continuously as possible [...] the result of "Ragged Lady", the "Silver Journey", the "Pursuit of the Piano" and two or three other things (none wrested from your inexorable hand, but paid for from scant earnings) has been, ever so many times over, an impulse of reaction, of an intensely cordial sort'.

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

  

William Dean Howells : A Pair of Patient Lovers

Henry James to William Dean Howells, 10 August 1901: 'Ever since receiving and reading your elegant volume of short tales ["A Pair of Patient Lovers"]-- the arrival of which from you was affecting and delightful to me -- I've meant to write to you [...] I read your book with joy [...] The thing that most took me was that entitled "A Difficult Case"'.

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

  

Thomas Hughes : Tom Brown's School Days

'We have just finished reading aloud "Pere Goriot" - a hateful book... I have been reading lately and have nearly finished Comte's "Catechism". We have also read aloud "Tom Brown's School Days" with much disappointment. It is an unpleasant, unveracious book'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot (pseud) and G.H. Lewes     Print: Book

  

Thomas a Kempis : Imitation of Christ, The (?)

'I am reading Thomas a Kempis.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot (pseud)      Print: Book

  

William James : [Unidentified recently published writings]

Henry James to William James, 23 November 1905: 'I can read [italics]you[end italics] with rapture -- having three weeks ago spent three or four days with Manton Marble at Brighton and found in his hands ever so many of your recent papers and discourses, which having margins of mornings in my room, through both breakfasting and lunching there [...] I found time to read several of'.

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

  

William James : Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking

Henry James to William James, 17 October 1907: 'Why the devil I didn't write to you after reading your "Pragmatism" [...] I can't now explain save by the very fact of the spell itself (of interest and enthralment) that the book cast upon me'.

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

  

William James : journal articles on psychology

Henry James to William James, 17 October 1907: 'Why the devil I didn't write to you after reading your "Pragmatism" [...] I can't now explain save by the very fact of the spell itself (of interest and enthralment) that the book cast upon me [...] I have been absorbing a number more of your followings-up of the matter in the American (Journal of Psychology[?]) which your devouring devotee Manton Marble of Brighton [...] plied'.

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

  

Edmund Gosse : life of Swinburne

Henry James to Edmund Gosse, whilst suffering from illness, 10 October 1912: 'I receive with pleasure the small Swinburne [biographical essay by Gosse, originally intended for the DNB] [...] the perusal of which lubricated yesterday two or three rough hours.'

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

  

Edmund Gosse : Portraits and Sketches

Henry James to Edmund Gosse, 9 November 1912: 'I received longer ago than I quite lke to give chapter and verse for your so-vividly interesting volume of literary "Portraits" [...] I read your book, with lively "reactions," within the first week of its arrival [goes on to praise it in detail]'.

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

  

James Thomson : Liberty, a Poem

'It was about this time that I first read that very beautiful poem, "The Pleasures of Hope". I also repersued a large portion of Cowper's Poems; and, in spite of the unfavourable accounts of it given by critics, resolved upon reading Thomson's "Liberty". This resolution I carried into effect, to my very considerable amusement, if not instruction. As to its poetical merits, I did not venture to sit in judgement upon them.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carter      Print: Book

  

William Giles : Guide to Domestic Happiness, The

'I read a volume which was called "The Guide to Domestic Happiness", but found that it had no direct bearing upon the case of a working man - all its reasonings, counsels, and encouragements being based on upon the supposition of the reader's being a person of substance and education. the only publication I met with which at all came up to my wishes was one called "Letters on the Marriage State"; but even this bore only in a distant way upon the case in question.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carter      Print: Book

  

Samuel Rogers : Human Life, a Poem

'When [winter] was over, I began to steal a few moments occasionally for the purpose of looking upon the fair and sweet face of nature. It was at this time, I think, that I read Mr. Rogers's very beautiful poem called "Human Life" and also a history of the recent wars.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carter      Print: Book

  

Mark Akenside : Pleasures of the Imagination, The

'In the course of the ensuing spring (1821), I read Mr. Washington Irving's "Sketch-Book". I thought it very beautiful, and only wished that he had more fully carried his fine imaginative powers beyond "this visible diurnal sphere". By the way, I must observe a similar defect exists in Akenside's "Pleasures of the Imagination"; a poem which in every other respect gives me very great satisfaction. I also read some volumes of the "London Magazine", which I thought to be a very cleverly conducted publication.'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carter      Print: Book

  

J.-C.-L. Simonde de Sismondi : Historical View of the Literature of the South of Europe

'By favour of my friendly draper I also had the satisfaction of looking over the elegantly written and very entertaining "Letters" of Mr. Gray together with M. Sismondi's "History of the Literature of the South of Europe".'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carter      Print: Book

  

James Arminius : [works on theology and account of his life]

?As to reading, I had neither time not strength for more than a very little, yet I did something; as I looked through a translation of the works of that eminent divine, James Arminius, with which I was well satisfied, but especially so with the prefixed memoir of his life. I had also, for a few days, the loan of Mr. Montgomery?s ?Lectures on poetry?, a book which I should have been glad to read thoroughly.?

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carter      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [plays]

?In my leisure hours during this year, and the years 1838 and 1839, I read the whole of Shakespeare?s dramatic works, Mr. Sharon Turner?s ?Sacred History of the Creation?, the ?Memoirs of Mr. Samuel Drew? and Dr. Stilling?s ?Theory of Pneumatology?, together with same odd volumes of the Edinburgh and Quarterly Reviews.?

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carter      Print: Book

  

Margot Asquith : Diary

Henry James to Margot Asquith, 9 April 1915, thanking her for sending him her diary to read ('a few days ago'): 'I have absorbed every word of every page with the liveliest appreciation [...] I have read the thing intimately, and I take off my hat to you as the Balzac of diarists.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Manuscript: Codex

  

Margot Asquith : Diaries

Margot Asquith in footnote to letter to her from Henry James of 9 April 1915, in praise of her diary, in Margot Asquith: An Autobiography (1922), 70-73: 'Out of all my diaries I have hardly been able to quote fifty pages, for on re-reading them I find they are not only full of Cabinet secrets but jerky, disjointed and dangerously frank.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Margot Asquith      Manuscript: Codex

  

Molly V Hughes : London Child of the Seventies, A

'Long before I heard of Freud I was interested in reading accounts of first memories and impressions. My own experience had taught me that the roots of life were there but it was never certain, and that was the adventure, how they would emerge. It was partly because of this belief and partly because of a poem with that title by Robert Browning that I called my first book Development. The two volumes I now discovered were linked to this interest and not only gave me great pleasure but won me lasting friendships. They were A London Child of the Seventies (and its sequels) by Molly V. Hughes and Within the City Wall by Margaret Phillips.'

Unknown
Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Bryher      

  

Margaret Phillips : Within the City Wall

'Long before I heard of Freud I was interested in reading accounts of first memories and impressions. My own experience had taught me that the roots of life were there but it was never certain, and that was the adventure, how they would emerge. It was partly because of this belief and partly because of a poem with that title by Robert Browning that I called my first book Development. The two volumes I now discovered were linked to this interest and not only gave me great pleasure but won me lasting friendships. They were A London Child of the Seventies (and its sequels) by Molly V. Hughes and Within the City Wall by Margaret Phillips.'

Unknown
Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Bryher      

  

Molly V Hughes : A London Child of the Seventies

'If I enjoy a book I often write to its author. It seems to me a matter of politeness between one artist and another. Having read A London Child I wrote to Molly [Hughes] at once. I had been born thirty years later but the Victorians disliked change and our memories touched at many points.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Bryher      Print: Book

  

Molly V Hughes : London Child of the Seventies, A

'We belong to our time and the most we can achieve as a rule is to be a generation ahead of it; if we tear up our roots how many can exist merely on air? Yet if people want to know what life was like for a poor scholar in one of the most opulent centuries England has known, they cannot do better than to study Molly?s [Hughes, A London Child of the Seventies] books. They are a record of an almost hopeless fight against prejudice when there was little chance for a woman, however brilliant her intellect, to get even a reasonably paid job. Today people find the Victorian age picturesque and amusing without understanding its cruelty. If they want a true photograph of part of it, they should consider what Molly had recorded.'

Unknown
Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Bryher      

  

William Shakespeare : Macbeth

?I now read for the first time "The Tempest", "Measure for Measure", "Love?s Labour?s Lost", and many other of Shakespeare?s comedies, besides the supreme tragedies, among [them] the greatest creations of the human intellect ? "Hamlet", "Macbeth", "Othello" and "Lear". From no "edition de luxe" did I read. The plays were published by Dick, cost me one penny each, a sum well suited to my means. No matter that the price was small and the paper poor; no matter that there were neither theatre nor stage, neither actors or orchestra. All the more scope was given to fancy and imagination.?

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Burt      Print: Book

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Our Village

'The title is, The Neighbours ? just a title for Miss Austen you see! ? And for Miss Austen, you shall praise her as much as you please. She is delightful exquisite in her degree! ? only I wdnt have one of your dear hands "cut off" that you shd "write one page like her?s with the other", - because, really & earnestly, your Village and Belford Regis are more charming to me than her pages in congregation. She wants (admit it honestly, because you know she wants it) she wants a little touch of poetry. Her "neighbours" walk about & gossip, all unconscious of the sunshine & the trees & the running waters ? to say nothing of the God of nature & providence. "Persuasion" (ah! You are cunning to bring "Persuasion" to me!) is the highest & most touching of her works ? and I agree with you gladly that it is perfect in its kind, & with touches of a higher impulse in it than we look generally to receive from her genius.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett      Print: Book

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Belford Regis

'The title is, The Neighbours ? just a title for Miss Austen you see! ? And for Miss Austen, you shall praise her as much as you please. She is delightful exquisite in her degree! ? only I wdnt have one of your dear hands "cut off" that you shd "write one page like her?s with the other", - because, really & earnestly, your Village and Belford Regis are more charming to me than her pages in congregation. She wants (admit it honestly, because you know she wants it) she wants a little touch of poetry. Her "neighbours" walk about & gossip, all unconscious of the sunshine & the trees & the running waters ? to say nothing of the God of nature & providence. "Persuasion" (ah! You are cunning to bring "Persuasion" to me!) is the highest & most touching of her works ? and I agree with you gladly that it is perfect in its kind, & with touches of a higher impulse in it than we look generally to receive from her genius.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett      Print: Book

  

Samuel Pepys : Journal

[editor's narrative] 'A visit to Dresden was richly rewarded by the acquisition of six valuable fans to add to Lady Charlotte's collection, but it was a regret to have reached the end of the reading of Walpoliana and Pepys' Journal.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Lady Charlotte Schreiber      Print: Book

  

Mariano Vasi : Itineraire instructif de Rome ancienne et moderne ?

[Marginalia]: marginal marks (*) and dates throughout the guidebook, with v.2 more heavily marked than v.1.: eg. p.376-7 against the text line 'L'Eglise de St. Francois' is the ms note 'Jan 30 again'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Magdalene Erskine      Print: Book

  

Mariano Vasi : Itineraire instructif de Rome a Naples ou description generale ? de cette ville celebre et de ses environs, antiquaire Romain

[Marginalia]: marginal marks (++) throughout, one date (p. 68 'Feb, 18.19'), and very occasional comments; eg. longest example is p. 83 at the end of the section 'Tombeau de Virgile' is the ms note 'little doubt but that the Poet was buried on the other side of the bay'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Erskine      Print: Book

  

William Blackstone : Commentaries on the laws of England

?The day after this being the last of the year, I managed to finish reading Blackstone?s Commentaries and Goldsmith?s History of England, both for the 2d time over & in the evening danced out the year at the Assembly.?

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: John Marsh      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa

?On our coming home & Candles being brought in he took up a volume of "Clarissa Harlowe" (w?ch we happen?d then all to be reading) but having sat about 10 minutes without turning over a leaf, suddenly clos?d the book & went off to bed.?

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: John Marsh      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : The Highland Girl

?Joe was never tired of expatiating on the beauties and grandeur of Wordsworth, and my lack of responsiveness must have occasionally surprised him. When he selected some of the shorter poems ? "The Daffodils", "The Highland Girl", "The Solitary Reaper" and other gems ? and invited me to read them aloud, Joe?s quick ear soon detected that I read with the spirit as well as with the understanding, and, thus tutored, I quickly became a devoted Wordsworthian.?

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Burt      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : The Solitary Reaper

?Joe was never tired of expatiating on the beauties and grandeur of Wordsworth, and my lack of responsiveness must have occasionally surprised him. When he selected some of the shorter poems ? "The Daffodils", "The Highland Girl", "The Solitary Reaper" and other gems ? and invited me to read them aloud, Joe?s quick ear soon detected that I read with the spirit as well as with the understanding, and, thus tutored, I quickly became a devoted Wordsworthian.?

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Burt      Print: Book

  

James Ferguson : His Astronomy explained on Sir Isaac Newton's Principles

'Having been lately interested in astronomical studies & been reading Ferguson and Bonnycastle on that science; I on Monday the 15th began making a planetorium upon a stand which I completed in the following week.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: John Marsh      Print: Book

  

Benjamin Disraeli : Contarini Fleming (one of multiple volumes)

Fanny Kemble, 3 December 1832: 'After breakfast [on board steamboat] returned to my crib. As I was removing "Contarini Fleming" [a novel by Disraeli], in order to lie down, a lady said to me, "Let me look at one of those books," and without further word of question or acknowledgement, took it from my hand, and began reading. I was a [italics]little surprised[end italics], but said nothing, and went to sleep.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: unknown      Print: Book

  

Benjamin Disraeli : Contarini Fleming (second volume)

Fanny Kemble, 3 December 1832: 'After breakfast [on board steamboat] returned to my crib. As I was removing "Contarini Fleming" [a novel by Disraeli],in order to lie down, a lady said to me, "Let me look at one of those books," and without further word of question or acknowledgement, took it from my hand, and began reading [...] Arrived at the Delaware, we took boat again; and, as I was sitting very quietly reading "Contarini Fleming", with the second volume lying on the stool by my feet, the same unceremonious lady who had [italics]borrowed[end italics] it before, snatched it up without addressing a single syllable to me, read as long as she pleased, and threw it down again in the same style before she went to dinner.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: unknown      Print: Book

  

Benjamin Disraeli : Contarini Fleming (one of multiple volumes)

Fanny Kemble, 3 December 1832: 'After breakfast [on board steamboat] returned to my crib. As I was removing "Contarini Fleming" [a novel by Disraeli],in order to lie down, a lady said to me, "Let me look at one of those books," and without further word of question or acknowledgement, took it from my hand, and began reading [...] Arrived at the Delaware, we took boat again; and, as I was sitting very quietly reading "Contarini Fleming", with the second volume lying on the stool by my feet, the same unceremonious lady who had [italics]borrowed[end italics] it before, snatched it up without addressing a single syllable to me, read as long as she pleased, and threw it down again in the same style before she went to dinner.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Fanny Kemble      Print: Book

  

Benjamin Disraeli : Contarini Fleming

Fanny Kemble, 3 December 1832: 'Arrived at the Mansion House [in Philadelphia], which I was quite glad to gain [after coach and steamboat journey]. Installed myself in a room, and while they brought in the packages, finished "Contarini Fleming". It reminded me of Combe's [George Combe, Scottish phrenologist] book'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Fanny Kemble      Print: Book

  

Miguel de Cervantes : Don Quixote

Fanny Kemble, 10 July 1833: 'Mr. [Edward Trelawny, writer and friend of Byron and Shelley] read Don Quixote to us [on board boat travelling up 'valley of the Mohawk']: he reads very peculiarly; slowly, and with very marked emphasis.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Edward Trelawny      Print: Book

  

William Jackson : Thirty letters on various subjects

'To amuse ourselves at the inns on this road we brought with us Jackson's "30 Letters" & Moritz's "Travels in England" (both in our Society) but having finish'd the latter (w'ch John was now reading) & Mrs M being reading the other, I got Mrs Radcliffe's novel of the "Sicilian Romance" from the Library there, which I this day began reading & was much pleased with.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Marsh      Print: Book

  

Matthew Lewis : The Monk

'On Monday the 30th we went in the coach with... Mr Norman, with whom we dined at the Bolt & Tun, where John & I spent the evening & slept, in the course of which evening I began reading the popular novel of the "Monk".'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: John Marsh      Print: Book

  

Sir Samuel Egerton Brydges : Arthur Fitz-Albani

'During my late visit to the Hammonds, they had acquainted me with the names of the principal characters amongst our former neighbours in East Kent, pointed at in Mr E Bridges then late popular novel of "Arthur Fitzalbini" w'ch we on that account had lately read.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: John Marsh      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Antony and Cleopatra

[List of books read in 1945]: 'For Whom the Bell Tolls; Henry Brocken; Doctor Faustus; Life of the Bee; The Screwtape Letters; Modern Short Stories; Letters of People in Love; Men and Women; The Headmistress; The People's Government; The Art of Writing; Speech and Sound; Background to the Life of Christ; The House of Prayer; Eleanor in the Fifth; Adventures of Jig and Co; Rendezvous with Fear; Antony and Cleopatra; Hamlet; The Poetry of James Elroy Flecker; Escape; Hangman's Holiday; The Body Behind the Bar; Strong Poison; The Critic; Magic Lantern; Listening Valley; Emma; Dragon Seed; Crowthers of Bankdam; The Rat Trap; The Vortex; Fallen Angels; The Spanish House; O the Brave Music; The Light that Failed; Ghosts; The Antiquary; The Knightes Tale; Luria; The Best of Hazlitt; Pericles; The Rivals; Hamlet [again]; Antony and Cleopatra [again]; Knightes Tale [again]; Julius Caesar; Merchant of Venice; The Critic; The Rivals; Cymbeline; Adventures of a Young Soldier in Search of a Better World; The Nine Tailors; The Conquered; The Professor; Peter Abelard; Then They Pulled Down the Blind; The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club; Portrait of a Man with Red Hair; Winnie-the-Pooh; The House at Pooh Corner; Mrs Parkinson; Adele and Co; Frossia; Cluny Brown; Four Gardens; The World is Square; Being Met Together; Best Sporting Stories; Selected stories by Q; And Five were Foolish; Campaspe; Endimion [by Lyly]; Midas; Dr Faustus [again]; Twelfth Night; Mrs Warrent's Proffession [sic]; The Spanish Tragedy; The Jew of Malta; Galathea; Tambourlaine; Sun is my Undoing; By Greta Bridge; Utopia; England, their England; The Art of Poetry; Old Wives Tale; The Reader is Warned; Long, Long Ago; Friar Bacon & Friar Bungay; James IV of Scotland; The Handsome Langleys; The Dog Beneath the Skin; Death Comes for the Archbishop; The Island of Youth; I'll Say She Does; The Forsyte Saga; In Youth is Pleasure; On Forsyte Change; Genesis to Nehemiah.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet

[List of books read in 1945]: 'For Whom the Bell Tolls; Henry Brocken; Doctor Faustus; Life of the Bee; The Screwtape Letters; Modern Short Stories; Letters of People in Love; Men and Women; The Headmistress; The People's Government; The Art of Writing; Speech and Sound; Background to the Life of Christ; The House of Prayer; Eleanor in the Fifth; Adventures of Jig and Co; Rendezvous with Fear; Antony and Cleopatra; Hamlet; The Poetry of James Elroy Flecker; Escape; Hangman's Holiday; The Body Behind the Bar; Strong Poison; The Critic; Magic Lantern; Listening Valley; Emma; Dragon Seed; Crowthers of Bankdam; The Rat Trap; The Vortex; Fallen Angels; The Spanish House; O the Brave Music; The Light that Failed; Ghosts; The Antiquary; The Knightes Tale; Luria; The Best of Hazlitt; Pericles; The Rivals; Hamlet [again]; Antony and Cleopatra [again]; Knightes Tale [again]; Julius Caesar; Merchant of Venice; The Critic; The Rivals; Cymbeline; Adventures of a Young Soldier in Search of a Better World; The Nine Tailors; The Conquered; The Professor; Peter Abelard; Then They Pulled Down the Blind; The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club; Portrait of a Man with Red Hair; Winnie-the-Pooh; The House at Pooh Corner; Mrs Parkinson; Adele and Co; Frossia; Cluny Brown; Four Gardens; The World is Square; Being Met Together; Best Sporting Stories; Selected stories by Q; And Five were Foolish; Campaspe; Endimion [by Lyly]; Midas; Dr Faustus [again]; Twelfth Night; Mrs Warrent's Proffession [sic]; The Spanish Tragedy; The Jew of Malta; Galathea; Tambourlaine; Sun is my Undoing; By Greta Bridge; Utopia; England, their England; The Art of Poetry; Old Wives Tale; The Reader is Warned; Long, Long Ago; Friar Bacon & Friar Bungay; James IV of Scotland; The Handsome Langleys; The Dog Beneath the Skin; Death Comes for the Archbishop; The Island of Youth; I'll Say She Does; The Forsyte Saga; In Youth is Pleasure; On Forsyte Change; Genesis to Nehemiah.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Julius Caesar

[List of books read in 1945]: 'For Whom the Bell Tolls; Henry Brocken; Doctor Faustus; Life of the Bee; The Screwtape Letters; Modern Short Stories; Letters of People in Love; Men and Women; The Headmistress; The People's Government; The Art of Writing; Speech and Sound; Background to the Life of Christ; The House of Prayer; Eleanor in the Fifth; Adventures of Jig and Co; Rendezvous with Fear; Antony and Cleopatra; Hamlet; The Poetry of James Elroy Flecker; Escape; Hangman's Holiday; The Body Behind the Bar; Strong Poison; The Critic; Magic Lantern; Listening Valley; Emma; Dragon Seed; Crowthers of Bankdam; The Rat Trap; The Vortex; Fallen Angels; The Spanish House; O the Brave Music; The Light that Failed; Ghosts; The Antiquary; The Knightes Tale; Luria; The Best of Hazlitt; Pericles; The Rivals; Hamlet [again]; Antony and Cleopatra [again]; Knightes Tale [again]; Julius Caesar; Merchant of Venice; The Critic; The Rivals; Cymbeline; Adventures of a Young Soldier in Search of a Better World; The Nine Tailors; The Conquered; The Professor; Peter Abelard; Then They Pulled Down the Blind; The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club; Portrait of a Man with Red Hair; Winnie-the-Pooh; The House at Pooh Corner; Mrs Parkinson; Adele and Co; Frossia; Cluny Brown; Four Gardens; The World is Square; Being Met Together; Best Sporting Stories; Selected stories by Q; And Five were Foolish; Campaspe; Endimion [by Lyly]; Midas; Dr Faustus [again]; Twelfth Night; Mrs Warrent's Proffession [sic]; The Spanish Tragedy; The Jew of Malta; Galathea; Tambourlaine; Sun is my Undoing; By Greta Bridge; Utopia; England, their England; The Art of Poetry; Old Wives Tale; The Reader is Warned; Long, Long Ago; Friar Bacon & Friar Bungay; James IV of Scotland; The Handsome Langleys; The Dog Beneath the Skin; Death Comes for the Archbishop; The Island of Youth; I'll Say She Does; The Forsyte Saga; In Youth is Pleasure; On Forsyte Change; Genesis to Nehemiah.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Merchant of Venice

[List of books read in 1945]: 'For Whom the Bell Tolls; Henry Brocken; Doctor Faustus; Life of the Bee; The Screwtape Letters; Modern Short Stories; Letters of People in Love; Men and Women; The Headmistress; The People's Government; The Art of Writing; Speech and Sound; Background to the Life of Christ; The House of Prayer; Eleanor in the Fifth; Adventures of Jig and Co; Rendezvous with Fear; Antony and Cleopatra; Hamlet; The Poetry of James Elroy Flecker; Escape; Hangman's Holiday; The Body Behind the Bar; Strong Poison; The Critic; Magic Lantern; Listening Valley; Emma; Dragon Seed; Crowthers of Bankdam; The Rat Trap; The Vortex; Fallen Angels; The Spanish House; O the Brave Music; The Light that Failed; Ghosts; The Antiquary; The Knightes Tale; Luria; The Best of Hazlitt; Pericles; The Rivals; Hamlet [again]; Antony and Cleopatra [again]; Knightes Tale [again]; Julius Caesar; Merchant of Venice; The Critic; The Rivals; Cymbeline; Adventures of a Young Soldier in Search of a Better World; The Nine Tailors; The Conquered; The Professor; Peter Abelard; Then They Pulled Down the Blind; The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club; Portrait of a Man with Red Hair; Winnie-the-Pooh; The House at Pooh Corner; Mrs Parkinson; Adele and Co; Frossia; Cluny Brown; Four Gardens; The World is Square; Being Met Together; Best Sporting Stories; Selected stories by Q; And Five were Foolish; Campaspe; Endimion [by Lyly]; Midas; Dr Faustus [again]; Twelfth Night; Mrs Warrent's Proffession [sic]; The Spanish Tragedy; The Jew of Malta; Galathea; Tambourlaine; Sun is my Undoing; By Greta Bridge; Utopia; England, their England; The Art of Poetry; Old Wives Tale; The Reader is Warned; Long, Long Ago; Friar Bacon & Friar Bungay; James IV of Scotland; The Handsome Langleys; The Dog Beneath the Skin; Death Comes for the Archbishop; The Island of Youth; I'll Say She Does; The Forsyte Saga; In Youth is Pleasure; On Forsyte Change; Genesis to Nehemiah.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Cymbeline

[List of books read in 1945]: 'For Whom the Bell Tolls; Henry Brocken; Doctor Faustus; Life of the Bee; The Screwtape Letters; Modern Short Stories; Letters of People in Love; Men and Women; The Headmistress; The People's Government; The Art of Writing; Speech and Sound; Background to the Life of Christ; The House of Prayer; Eleanor in the Fifth; Adventures of Jig and Co; Rendezvous with Fear; Antony and Cleopatra; Hamlet; The Poetry of James Elroy Flecker; Escape; Hangman's Holiday; The Body Behind the Bar; Strong Poison; The Critic; Magic Lantern; Listening Valley; Emma; Dragon Seed; Crowthers of Bankdam; The Rat Trap; The Vortex; Fallen Angels; The Spanish House; O the Brave Music; The Light that Failed; Ghosts; The Antiquary; The Knightes Tale; Luria; The Best of Hazlitt; Pericles; The Rivals; Hamlet [again]; Antony and Cleopatra [again]; Knightes Tale [again]; Julius Caesar; Merchant of Venice; The Critic; The Rivals; Cymbeline; Adventures of a Young Soldier in Search of a Better World; The Nine Tailors; The Conquered; The Professor; Peter Abelard; Then They Pulled Down the Blind; The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club; Portrait of a Man with Red Hair; Winnie-the-Pooh; The House at Pooh Corner; Mrs Parkinson; Adele and Co; Frossia; Cluny Brown; Four Gardens; The World is Square; Being Met Together; Best Sporting Stories; Selected stories by Q; And Five were Foolish; Campaspe; Endimion [by Lyly]; Midas; Dr Faustus [again]; Twelfth Night; Mrs Warrent's Proffession [sic]; The Spanish Tragedy; The Jew of Malta; Galathea; Tambourlaine; Sun is my Undoing; By Greta Bridge; Utopia; England, their England; The Art of Poetry; Old Wives Tale; The Reader is Warned; Long, Long Ago; Friar Bacon & Friar Bungay; James IV of Scotland; The Handsome Langleys; The Dog Beneath the Skin; Death Comes for the Archbishop; The Island of Youth; I'll Say She Does; The Forsyte Saga; In Youth is Pleasure; On Forsyte Change; Genesis to Nehemiah.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding      Print: Book

  

Margery Sharp : Cluny Brown

[List of books read in 1945]: 'For Whom the Bell Tolls; Henry Brocken; Doctor Faustus; Life of the Bee; The Screwtape Letters; Modern Short Stories; Letters of People in Love; Men and Women; The Headmistress; The People's Government; The Art of Writing; Speech and Sound; Background to the Life of Christ; The House of Prayer; Eleanor in the Fifth; Adventures of Jig and Co; Rendezvous with Fear; Antony and Cleopatra; Hamlet; The Poetry of James Elroy Flecker; Escape; Hangman's Holiday; The Body Behind the Bar; Strong Poison; The Critic; Magic Lantern; Listening Valley; Emma; Dragon Seed; Crowthers of Bankdam; The Rat Trap; The Vortex; Fallen Angels; The Spanish House; O the Brave Music; The Light that Failed; Ghosts; The Antiquary; The Knightes Tale; Luria; The Best of Hazlitt; Pericles; The Rivals; Hamlet [again]; Antony and Cleopatra [again]; Knightes Tale [again]; Julius Caesar; Merchant of Venice; The Critic; The Rivals; Cymbeline; Adventures of a Young Soldier in Search of a Better World; The Nine Tailors; The Conquered; The Professor; Peter Abelard; Then They Pulled Down the Blind; The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club; Portrait of a Man with Red Hair; Winnie-the-Pooh; The House at Pooh Corner; Mrs Parkinson; Adele and Co; Frossia; Cluny Brown; Four Gardens; The World is Square; Being Met Together; Best Sporting Stories; Selected stories by Q; And Five were Foolish; Campaspe; Endimion [by Lyly]; Midas; Dr Faustus [again]; Twelfth Night; Mrs Warrent's Proffession [sic]; The Spanish Tragedy; The Jew of Malta; Galathea; Tambourlaine; Sun is my Undoing; By Greta Bridge; Utopia; England, their England; The Art of Poetry; Old Wives Tale; The Reader is Warned; Long, Long Ago; Friar Bacon & Friar Bungay; James IV of Scotland; The Handsome Langleys; The Dog Beneath the Skin; Death Comes for the Archbishop; The Island of Youth; I'll Say She Does; The Forsyte Saga; In Youth is Pleasure; On Forsyte Change; Genesis to Nehemiah.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding      Print: Book

  

Margery Sharp : Four Gardens

[List of books read in 1945]: 'For Whom the Bell Tolls; Henry Brocken; Doctor Faustus; Life of the Bee; The Screwtape Letters; Modern Short Stories; Letters of People in Love; Men and Women; The Headmistress; The People's Government; The Art of Writing; Speech and Sound; Background to the Life of Christ; The House of Prayer; Eleanor in the Fifth; Adventures of Jig and Co; Rendezvous with Fear; Antony and Cleopatra; Hamlet; The Poetry of James Elroy Flecker; Escape; Hangman's Holiday; The Body Behind the Bar; Strong Poison; The Critic; Magic Lantern; Listening Valley; Emma; Dragon Seed; Crowthers of Bankdam; The Rat Trap; The Vortex; Fallen Angels; The Spanish House; O the Brave Music; The Light that Failed; Ghosts; The Antiquary; The Knightes Tale; Luria; The Best of Hazlitt; Pericles; The Rivals; Hamlet [again]; Antony and Cleopatra [again]; Knightes Tale [again]; Julius Caesar; Merchant of Venice; The Critic; The Rivals; Cymbeline; Adventures of a Young Soldier in Search of a Better World; The Nine Tailors; The Conquered; The Professor; Peter Abelard; Then They Pulled Down the Blind; The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club; Portrait of a Man with Red Hair; Winnie-the-Pooh; The House at Pooh Corner; Mrs Parkinson; Adele and Co; Frossia; Cluny Brown; Four Gardens; The World is Square; Being Met Together; Best Sporting Stories; Selected stories by Q; And Five were Foolish; Campaspe; Endimion [by Lyly]; Midas; Dr Faustus [again]; Twelfth Night; Mrs Warrent's Proffession [sic]; The Spanish Tragedy; The Jew of Malta; Galathea; Tambourlaine; Sun is my Undoing; By Greta Bridge; Utopia; England, their England; The Art of Poetry; Old Wives Tale; The Reader is Warned; Long, Long Ago; Friar Bacon & Friar Bungay; James IV of Scotland; The Handsome Langleys; The Dog Beneath the Skin; Death Comes for the Archbishop; The Island of Youth; I'll Say She Does; The Forsyte Saga; In Youth is Pleasure; On Forsyte Change; Genesis to Nehemiah.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hilary Spalding      Print: Book

  

Thomas Skinner : Splendid misery

'On presenting ourselves at a little shop in the Market Place, a popular circulating library, the old spectacle-nosed keeper told us, that his invariable rule was, before boys [underlined] were entrusted with his books, to have some one as surety for the payment - he accepted my father as such, and registered my name. The old man now asked what book I would like, but being unacquainted with works of fiction, I could not tell him; he handed to us a catalogue which only made the choice more bewildering. I at length selected one, which from its title I thought would be very mysterious - it was "Splendid Misery". This I took home; it was on a Saturday evening. With the first broad light of morning, I arose and greedily devoured several chapters of the first volume.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Christopher Thomson      Print: Book

  

Matthew Lewis : The Monk

'For three years I continued a regular subscriber to the circulating library, during which time I read various works, including Milton's, Shakespeare's, Sterne's, Dr Johnson's, and many others. It was a usual practice for me to sit up to read after the family had retired for the night. I remember it was on one of these occasions that I read Lewis's "Monk". On rising from my seat to go to bed, I was so impressed with dongeon horror, that I took the candle and stole up stairs, not daring to look either right or left, lest some Lady Angela should plunge a dagger into me!'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Christopher Thomson      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [various titles]

'For three years I continued a regular subscriber to the circulating library, during which time I read various works, including Milton's, Shakespeare's, Sterne's, Dr Johnson's, and many others. It was a usual practice for me to sit up to read after the family had retired for the night. I remember it was on one of these occasions that I read Lewis's "Monk". On rising from my seat to go to bed, I was so impressed with dongeon horror, that I took the candle and ? up stairs, not daring to look either right or left, lest some Lady Angela should plunge a dagger into me!'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Christopher Thomson      Print: Book

  

[Samuel?] Johnson : [unknown]

'For three years I continued a regular subscriber to the circulating library, during which time I read various works, including Milton's, Shakespeare's, Sterne's, Dr Johnson's, and many others. It was a usual practice for me to sit up to read after the family had retired for the night. I remember it was on one of these occasions that I read Lewis's "Monk". On rising from my seat to go to bed, I was so impressed with dongeon horror, that I took the candle and ? up stairs, not daring to look either right or left, lest some Lady Angela should plunge a dagger into me!'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Christopher Thomson      Print: Book

  

Samuel Smiles : [biographies of men]

'As an apprentice I was a subscriber to the Mechanic's Library, from which I borrowed a great supply of books - my tastes lying largely in the direction of biography ... series of books of Mr Smiles, is still worth the attention of young men in search of wholesome reading.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: James Glass Bertram      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : Mary, a fiction

Journals of Mary Shelley "We go out on the rocks & Shelley & I read part of Mary a fiction"

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : 

'the diverse collection of literature that Christopher Thomson, a sometime shipwright, actor and housepainter, worked his way through [...] included adventure stories such as "Robinson Crusoe" and the imitative "Philip Quarll", books of travel, such as Boyle's "Travels", some un-named religious tracts, a number of "classics" including Milton and Shakespeare, some radical newspapers, particularly Cobbett's "Register" and Wooller's "Black Dwarf", mechanics' magazines, and some occasional items of contemporary literature, including the novels of Scott and the poetry of Byron.'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Christopher Thomson      Print: Book

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Jack Sheppard

'I pursued a similar plan with others of the magazines whenever I got a chance, especially "Bentley's Miscellany", which contained in my young days "Jack Sheppard".'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: James Glass Bertram      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Mrs Johnstone : The Schoolmaster

'When, in the course of a year or two, we removed to the vicinity of Edinburgh, matters in respect of books brightened a little. I then obtained access to a greater variety, and, as I well remember, greatly enjoyed reading some numbers of a periodical called "The Schoolmaster", edited by Mr Johnstone, or, to speak more correctly, by Mrs Johnstone.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: James Glass Bertram      Print: Serial / periodical

  

James Thomson : The Seasons

'Thomas Carter [a nineteenth-century Colchester and London tailor] wrote of "The Seasons" that, "With the exception of the Bible, I know not that I ever read any other book so attentively and regularly. Its beautiful descriptions of nature were delightful to my imagination, while its fine moral reflections [...] were, as I believe, greatly instrumental in promoting my best interests"'.

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carter      Print: Book

  

Marco Lastri : L'Osservatore Fiorentino

'Desultory morning, from feebleness of head. Osservatore Fiorentino and Tenneman's Manual of Philosophy'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot      Print: Book

  

Girolamo Savonarola : [Sermons]

'Savonarola's Sermons'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

Girolamo Savonarola : Discourse on Government

'Before breakfast I have been reading Savonarola's "Discourse on Government", and have looked into his Sermons on the Epistle of John and the Psalm Quam Bonus'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: Book

  

Girolamo Savonarola : [Sermon on the Epistle of John]

'Before breakfast I have been reading Savonarola's "Discourse on Government", and have looked into his Sermons on the Epistle of John and the Psalm Quam Bonus'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: Book

  

Girolamo Savonarola : [Sermon on Psalm Quam Bonus]

'Before breakfast I have been reading Savonarola's "Discourse on Government", and have looked into his Sermons on the Epistle of John and the Psalm Quam Bonus'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: Book

  

Marco Lastri : L'Osservatore Fiorentino

'Began Lastri - "Osservatore Fiorentino" - this morning, intending to go regularly through it'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: Book

  

William Roscoe : Life of Lorenzo de Medici

'Read Roscoe's Life of Lorenzoi de Medici. Headache still. Read some of Sachetti's stories and spent the evening alone with G.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud.]      Print: Book

  

William Roscoe : Life of Lorenzo de Medici

'Continued Roscoe, with much disgust at his shallowness and folly'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud.]      Print: Book

  

Girolamo Tiraboschi : [probably] Storia della letteratura italiana

'Read Tiraboschi and Rock's Hierurgia'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud.]      Print: Book

  

Girolamo Tiraboschi : [probably] Storia della letteratura italiana

'Read Tiraboschi on the Discovery of Ancient MSS., and Manni, Vite etc.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot      Print: Book

  

Marco Lastri : Osservatore Fiorentino

'Read Epictetus, and the sixth satire of Juvenal, with part of a vol. of the Osservatore Fiorentino'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: Book

  

Girolamo Savonarola : De Veritate Profetica

'Read half through the dialogue de Veritate Profetica'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: Book

  

Girolamo Savonarola : Compendium Revelationum

'Read the "Compendium Revelationum"'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : 

"As to what they read [at the Gower Street School in the 1880s] -- and [...] Lucy Harrison [headmistress] read aloud to them untiringly -- it must be what went deepest and lifted highest -- Shakespeare, Dante in Cary's translation, Blake, Wordsworth, and [...] [Miss Harrison's] own favourites, Emily Bronte, Christina Rossetti, the Brownings, Coventry Patmore [...] A reading which all [...] [Miss Harrison's] pupils heard often, and never forgot, was from Alice Meynell's "Preludes" of 1875 -- the sonnet "To a Daisy"'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Lucy Harrison, headmistress, Charlotte Mew, and other pupils at Gower Street school     Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : 

'As to what they read [at the Gower Street School in the 1880s] -- and [...] Lucy Harrison [headmistress] read aloud to them untiringly -- it must be what went deepest and lifted highest -- Shakespeare, Dante in Cary's translation, Blake, Wordsworth, and [...] [Miss Harrison's] own favourites, Emily Bronte, Christina Rossetti, the Brownings, Coventry Patmore [...] A reading which all [...] [Miss Harrison's] pupils heard often, and never forgot, was from Alice Meynell's "Preludes" of 1875 -- the sonnet "To a Daisy"'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Lucy Harrison, headmistress, Charlotte Mew, and other pupils at Gower Street school     Print: Book

  

May Sinclair : The Combined Maze

Charlotte Mew 'felt stunned' by May Sinclair's novel "The Combined Maze" (published February 1913), telling Mrs Catherine Dawson Scott, '"it has completely got and kept hold of me"'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Mew      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Plays including Richard III and King Lear

'Then we write a part of the romance and read some Shakespears [sic]'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : Letters written during a short residence in Sweden, Norway and Denmark

'Shelley reads aloud the letters from Norway'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : Mary, a fiction

'Shelley finishes Mary a fiction'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : unknown

'We read Shakespeare'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : The Excursion, being a portion of the Recluse, a poem

'Calls on Hookham and brings home Wordsworths Excursion of which we read a part - much disappointed - he is a slave'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Unknown

  

William Wordsworth : The excursion, being a portion of the recluse, a poem

'Mary reads the "Excursion" all day & reads the "History of Margeret" to PBS'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Jean Marie Napol?on D?sir Nisard : Poetes Latins de la Decadence

'Read Juvenal this morning, and Nisard - "Poetes Latins de la Decadence" in the evening'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

Girolamo Savonarola : Processi

'Reading once again the "Processi" of Savonarola and Vol. III of Boccaccio'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

Girolamo Savonarola : Compendium Revelationum

'Reading the "Purgatorio" again, and the "Compendium Revelationum" of Savonarola'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Wetmore Story : Roba di Roma

'Reading Mommsen and Story's "Roba di Roma". Also Liddell's "Rome", for a narrative to accompany Mommsen's analysis'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: Book

  

[probably] William Prescott : [unknown]

'I read Prescott again and made notes'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

[possibly] William Blackstone : [Commentaries on the laws of England?]

'Finished "Annual Register" for 1832. Reading Blackstone'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : King John

'Reading English History, Reign of George III. Shakespeare's King John.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud.]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

Catherine Maria Sedgwick : Hope Leslie

In introductory note to Felicia Hemans, "The American Forest-Girl": 'F[elicia]H[emans] [...] read Catherine Maria Sedgwick's "Hope Leslie" [...] a novel published in 1827 about the Pequod War in 17th-c. New England.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Felicia Hemans      Print: Book

  

Stephanie Felicite de Crest de St-Aubin, comtesse de Genlis : Le Siege de la Rochelle

Felicia Browne to her aunt, Miss Wagner, 19 December 1808: 'I have been reading a most delightful French romance, by Madame de Genlis, "Le Siege de la Rochelle".'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Felicia Browne      Print: Book

  

Germaine de Stael : De L'Allemagne

Felicia Hemans to the Reverend Samuel Butler, 19 February 1828: 'I do not know whether you are at all a Lover of German Literature, but there is a poem in that Language, a beautiful nuptial benediction pronounced by a Father over his child [...] which some parts of your letter [about his daughter's forthcoming marriage] recalled to my mind. I have copied Madame de Stael's translation of it, and take the liberty of including it for you.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Felicia Hemans      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : The white doe of Rylstone

'This is to let you know that I am at present in the classiz neighbourhood of Bolton Abbey whither I was led the other day by some half-remembrance of a note to one of Wordsworth's poems which told with me (to speak the truth) more than the poem itself: said Wordsworth having stated ... that everything which the eyes of man could desire in a lordship was to be found at and about the Abbey aforesaid.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Alfred Tennyson      Print: Book

  

Miguel de Cervantes : Don Quixote (probably)

Another great source of amusement as well as knowledge, I have met with in reading almost all the best novels (Cervantes, Fielding, Smollet, Richardson, Miss Burney, Voltaire, Sterne, Le Sage, Goldsmith and others).?

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: James Lackington      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : unknown

Another great source of amusement as well as knowledge, I have met with in reading almost all the best novels (Cervantes, Fielding, Smollet, Richardson, Miss Burney, Voltaire, Sterne, Le Sage, Goldsmith and others).?

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: James Lackington      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa

'Well,? at the Lower Rooms we saw this Woman, ? whose Face carries an affirmation of all this account, ? it is bold, hardened, painted, snuft, leering & impudent! Just such a face as I should Draw for Mrs. Sinclear ? Her Dress, too, was of the same cast, a thin muslin short sacque & Coat lined throughout with Pink, ? a [ital] modesty bit [close ital.] [xxxxx 2 words] ? & something of a [ital.] very [ital.] short cloak half concealed about half of her old wrinkled Neck? the rest was visible to disgust the beholders, ? red Bows and Ribbons in abundance, a Gauze Bonnet tipt on to the top of her Head, & a pair of Mittens! ? We were all curious to see this Queen of Bath, as she is called, on account of the expensive Entertainments she makes, & therefore we got very near to her. . . . a Wretch notorious for all manner of evil: a wretch who, Miss Bowdler has told me, endeavours as much , by dispersing obscene Books, to corrupt youth, as to assist already corrupted maturity in the prosecution of vice!'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Frances Burney      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa

'Ask Miss Trimmer when it is have you done Clarissa you will be surprised to see so many little dabs of Letters, but it's silly wit'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Lady Caroline Lamb      Print: Book

  

Thomas Sherlock : Sermons

'I have been keeping rather different hours--though the Priory is far from a late place [...] Wm. [Lady Caroline's husband William Lamb] & I get up about ten or 1/2 after or later [...] have our breakfasts, talk a little, read Newton on the Prophecies with the Bible--having finished Sherlock [...] he goes to eat & walk--I finish dressing & take a drive or little walk [...] then come up stairs where William meets me, & we read Hume with Shakespear till ye dressing bell, then hurry & hardly get dressed by dinner time'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Lady Caroline Lamb      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : unknown

'I have been keeping rather different hours--though the Priory is far from a late place [...] Wm. [Lady Caroline's husband William Lamb] & I get up about ten or 1/2 after or later [...] have our breakfasts, talk a little, read Newton on the Prophecies with the Bible--having finished Sherlock [...] he goes to eat & walk--I finish dressing & take a drive or little walk [...] then come up stairs where William meets me, & we read Hume with Shakespear till ye dressing bell, then hurry & hardly get dressed by dinner time'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Lady Caroline Lamb      Print: Book

  

William Robertson : History of Scotland

'I have really been so occupied with the sorrows of Mary Queen of Scots you must excuse my not have written before. I had always read the other side except in Hume, & was surpised at the conviction Robertson seems to carry in every line of her guilt. His must be a very immoral book for in spight [sic] of that one always feels so very much interested for her.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Lady Caroline Lamb      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : unknown

Felicia Hemans to ?H. F. Chorley, 24 June 1830, describing visit to Wordsworth's home Rydal Mount: 'The whole of this morning, he [Wordsworth] kindly passed in reading to me a great deal from Spenser, and afterwards his own "Laodamia," my favourite "Tintern Abbey," and many of those noble sonnets which you, like myself, enjoy so much.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : Laodamia

Felicia Hemans to ?H. F. Chorley, 24 June 1830, describing visit to Wordsworth's home Rydal Mount: 'The whole of this morning, he [Wordsworth] kindly passed in reading to me a great deal from Spenser, and afterwards his own "Laodamia," my favourite "Tintern Abbey," and many of those noble sonnets which you, like myself, enjoy so much.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      

  

William Wordsworth : Lines. Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey, On Revisiting the Banks of the Wye During a Tour, 13th July 1798

Felicia Hemans to ?H. F. Chorley, 24 June 1830, describing visit to Wordsworth's home Rydal Mount: 'The whole of this morning, he [Wordsworth] kindly passed in reading to me a great deal from Spenser, and afterwards his own "Laodamia," my favourite "Tintern Abbey," and many of those noble sonnets which you, like myself, enjoy so much.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      

  

William Wordsworth : sonnets

Felicia Hemans to ?H. F. Chorley, 24 June 1830, describing visit to Wordsworth's home Rydal Mount: 'The whole of this morning, he [Wordsworth] kindly passed in reading to me a great deal from Spenser, and afterwards his own "Laodamia," my favourite "Tintern Abbey," and many of those noble sonnets which you, like myself, enjoy so much.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth      

  

William Shakespeare : plays

Henry Chorley, in Memorials of Mrs Hemans (1836): 'She [Felicia Hemans, nee Browne] was early a reader of Shakespeare; and, by way of securing shade and freedom from interruption, used to climb an apple tree, and there study his plays'.

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Felicia Browne      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : A Vindication of the Rights of Woman

'I have read the rights of Woman, am become a convert think dissipation great folly & shall remain the whole year discreetly & quietly in the Country.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Caroline Lamb      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : A Vindication of the Rights of Woman

'[L]ittle else travels down to me my Cousins & Virtuous friends not being over addicted to scribbling--do not think I put you in the other class [...] it is only an appellation I give them out of Contrast to myself & other more liberal minded women who like Mary Wollstonecraft stand up for the rights of the Sex & wear our shackles with dignity.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Lady Caroline Lamb      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa

'Miss Clarissa Harlowe is just dead & I really am so much discomposed at it & at Lovelaces grief to whom I do not think she behaved quite handsomely that I can prate no more nonsense [...] I have been 3 years & 7 months reading "Clarissa" and have now half another volume to finish'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Lady Caroline Lamb      Print: Book

  

Samuel Rogers : unknown

'Sometimes I try if I can talk in that Jargon I us'd to hear but I cannot endure it & the remembrance of what you said puts all they say out--so that men hate me--today at Murrays I heard one read--& it made me sick so did the poem-it is Rogers's. I wish I thought it pretty it affects to [simplicite villagoise?] & the lines about thrushes & love love love--or the manner in which it was read vex'd me--because I wish to admire it'.

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Lady Caroline Lamb      

  

Edmund Spenser : unknown

'[B]e not thrown into wild delight because his genius has shone forth--misfortune & rage have occasioned this & whenever he may speak himself [underlined] Lord Byron will succeed--self is the sole inspirer of his genius he cannot like Homer Dante Virgil Milton Dryden Spencer Gray--Goldsmith [underlined] Tasso write on other subjects well[--]but what he feels he can describe extravagantly well--& therefore I never did doubt that he would one day or other write again as at first--but for God sake do not let this circumstance make you forget what a Rogue he is'.

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Lady Caroline Lamb      Print: Book

  

Mathew (Monk) Lewis : The Monk

'I have made it [the plot of a novel she is writing] two stories--principle or the Brothers is full of events rather terrific & in Monk Lewis's style--all the people whether the Daemons or the angels male or female act from determination'.

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Lady Caroline Lamb      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : The Excursion, Being a portion of the Recluse, a poem

'Read the Excursion & Madoc.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Unknown

  

Samuel Johnson : Rasselas

'Mary reads greek & Rassalas in the evening Hookham calls.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Unknown

  

William Shaw : When I was a child, recollections from an old potter

'The description of his [the character Darius Clayhanger in Clayhanger] labours as a child, and his days in the workhouse, are not drawn from Enoch's own past, but largely from a book by William Shaw published in 1903, called When I was a Child, Recollections of an Old Potter [title in italics]. But Arnold Bennett's knowledge of such matters cannot have been gleaned wholly from books. It must have been in the air.'

Century:      Reader/Listener/Group: Arnold Bennett      Print: Book

  

William Henry Prescott : History of Ferdinand and Isabella, The

'Began again Prescott's Ferdinand and Isabella'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud.]      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

Marcus Aurelius : unknown

'Reading; First book of Lucretius, 6th book of the Iliad; Samson Agonistes, Warton's History of English Poetry; Grote 2nd vol; Marcus Aurelius; Vita Nuova; vol IV, Chapter 1 of the Politique positive; Guest on English Rhythms, Maurice's Lectures on Casuistry'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : Faerie Queene, The

'have been reading a little on philology, have finished the 24th book of the Iliad, the first book of the Faery Queene, Clough's poems, and a little about Etruscan things in Mrs Grey and Dennis. Aloud to G. I have been reading some Italian, Ben Jonson's Alchemist and Volpone, and Bright's speeches, which I am still reading - besides the first four cantos of Don Juan'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud.]      Print: Book

  

Jean Marie Napol?on D?sir Nisard : Histoire de la litt?rature fran?aise

'Began Nisard's History of French Literature - Villehardouin, Joinville, Froissart, Christine de Pisan, Philippe de Comines, Villon'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: Book

  

Samuel Dickson : Fallacies of the Faculty: With the Chrono-Thermal System of Medicine

'[in the past week I have read] part of 22nd Idyll of Theocritus, Sainte Beuve aloud to G. two evenings... Monday evening [was occupied] with looking through Dickson's Fallacies of the Faculty'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Sonnets

'Yesterday, sitting in Thornie's room I read through all Shakespeare's sonnets'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Macbeth

'I have achieved little during the last week except reading on medical subjects - Encyclopaedia about the medical colleges - Cullen's life - Russell's Heroes of Medicine etc. I have also read Aristophaes Ecclesiazusae, and Macbeth'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet

Mary Berry to Bertie Greathead, 2 August 1798, on having got to know Mrs Siddons the previous winter: 'She read "Hamlet" to us one evening, in N. Audley-street, which was to me a great treat.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Sarah Siddons      Print: Book

  

Thomas Robert Malthus : Essay on the Principle of Population

Mary Berry to a friend, 19 November 1798: 'Don't let me forget to advise you to to read the "Natural Son," or "Lovers' Vows;" it is the entire and literal translation of the play which is now acting with such success at Covent Garden, but [italics]not[end italics] as it is acted; you can get it at Todd's [bookseller's], where I did, to read in the chaise [...] Another book which I purchased at Todd's and read in my chaise was the "Essay on Population" which Mr. Wrangham left with you. It is uncommonly clearly thought and written, and contains much curious and uncontrovertible reasoning on the subject in question.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Berry      Print: Book

  

Thomas Robert Malthus : Essay on the Principle of Population

Mary Berry to a friend, 14 December, 1798: 'During my illness I have finished the 2nd vol. of Wraxhall which I had just begun at Brandsby, and which I like better and better the farther I go. I have consulted, too, one of his authorities for many things in the age of Henry the Third, Montaigne's Essays, a very curious and an [italics]astonishing[end italics] book, considering the times in which it was written, and which one never consults without entertainment. I have re-read, too, Condorcet's book, and compared his ideas and arguments on the subject of population with those of the Essay [by Malthus] we have been reading, and certainly the Essay has not only the best of the argument [...] but is absolute [italics]conviction[end italics]on the subject of the different ratios in which population, and the means of subsisting that population, increase'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book

  

Thomas Somerville : History of Great Britain During the Reign of Queen Anne; with a Dissertation concerning the Danger of the Protestant Succession

Mary Berry to Mrs Cholmeley, 12 January 1799: 'Somerville's "Anne" is, I think, more dry than his "William," but clear, distinct, impartial, and wonderfully informing; his chapters on the Union of Scotland are particularly so [goes on to note aspects of Scottish situation during Queen Anne's reign, including rebellious elements ('of none of which circumstances I had before any just idea') and to compare this with current situation in Ireland]'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Berry      Print: Book

  

Thomas Belsham : A Review of Mr. Wilberforce's Practical View of the Prevailing Religious Systems of Professed Christians

Mary Berry to Mrs Cholmeley, 3 February 1799: 'In compliance with your request and my own wishes, I have been and am reading with much attention Mr. Wilberforce's book, and likewise strictures on it, in a series of letters by Mr. Belsham'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Berry      Print: Unknown

  

William Sotheby : "The Battle of the Nile"

Mary Berry to Mrs Cholmeley, 19 February 1799: 'Mr. Sotheby sent me his "Battle of the Nile." [...] There seems to be a number of good lines in the poem, but the conduct of it is not to me clear'.

Unknown
Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Berry      

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : unknown

Mary Berry to Mrs Cholmeley, 2 April 1799: 'In the many hours I have spent alone this week, I have been able, though by very little bits at a time, to go entirely through Hannah More [whose "Strictures on the Modern System of Female Education" she writes of receiving on 21 March 1799], and Mrs. Woolstonecroft [sic] immediately after her.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Berry      Print: Book

  

William Mason : Poems (third volume)

The Dowager Lady Spencer to Mary Berry, from Nuneham (seat of George Simon, second Earl of Harcourt), 21 August 1799: 'Have you ever seen the 3d vol. of Mason's Poems, published two years ago? I never did till I came here; and I have found some sweet things in them, which I have been reading this morning in the flower-garden facing the cinerary urn Lord Harcourt has erected to his memory [goes on to transcribe final six lines of sonnet written by Mason 'in his 70th year'].'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: G., Dowager Lady Spencer      Print: Book

  

Madame de Sevigne : Letters

Mary Berry to Mrs Cholmeley, 5 October 1799: 'Mentioning [...] [Madame de Coigny] puts me in mind of a book which I am now [italics]devouring[end italics] with delight, though no new one, and I am now reading it for the third time. I mean Madme de Sevigne's Letters.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Berry      Print: Book

  

Matthew Gregory Lewis : The Monk: a romance

'Shelley draws & Mary reads the monk all evening.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin      Print: Book

  

Robert Smith Surtees : [probably] Jorrocks's Jaunts and Jollities

'on his eighth birthday, 27 February 1920, an ox-cart drew up outside Everleas Lodge with a present for him - a huge parcel of books. His father had bought him a complete set of Dickens which had belonged to a recently expired tea-planter. Durrell claimed later that he never got beyond the Pickwick Papers (sometimes he said that he got through about ten of them), but Dickens gave him a vision of merrie England... supplemented later by reading Thackeray and R.S. Surtees. In Surtees' convivial tales of the hunting, shooting, sporting Mr Jorrocks and his pursuitful adventures, there was something ruddy, jolly and rumbustious, which appealed to the perky youngster'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Lawrence Durrell      Print: Book

  

Thomas Nashe : [unknown]

'Durrell's studies at the British Museum turned even further towards the Elizabethans. He took in Sidney, Marlowe, Nashe, Greene, Peel and Tourneur, as well as Shakespeare'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Lawrence Durrell      Print: Book

  

William Butler Yeats : [unknown]

'He was also interesting himself in poets such as Keats, Fitzgerald and Yeats'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Lawrence Durrell      Print: Book

  

Percy Wyndham Lewis : [unknown]

'He consumed works of western philosophy, from Rousseau to Wyndham Lewis. All this he added to his diet of sexology - Freud, Remy de Gourmont, de Sade and Krafft-Ebing. And with the Mediterranean in mind, he read D.H. Lawrence's "Sea and Sardinia" and Norman Douglas's "South Wind"'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Lawrence Durrell      Print: Book

  

George Norman Douglas : South Wind

'He consumed works of western philosophy, from Rousseau to Wyndham Lewis. All this he added to his diet of sexology - Freud, Remy de Gourmont, de Sade and Krafft-Ebing. And with the Mediterranean in mind, he read D.H. Lawrence's "Sea and Sardinia" and Norman Douglas's "South Wind"'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Lawrence Durrell      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : The Wrongs of Woman; or Maria

'Read the wrongs of woman.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : Posthumous Works of the Author of a Vindication of the rights of woman

'Read Posthumous works.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin      Print: Book

  

William Robertson : Histories

'Much of it [ie. 'the daily instruction I received'] consisted in the books I read by myself, and my father's discourses to me, chiefly during our walks. From 1810 to the end of 1813 we were living in Newington Green, then an almost rustic neighbourhood. My father's health required considerable and constant exercise, and he walked habitually before breakfast, generally in the green lanes towards Hornsey. In these walks I always accompanied him, and with my earliest recollections of green fields and wild flowers, is mingled that of the account I gave him daily of what I had read the day before. To the best of my remembrance, this was a voluntary rather than a prescribed exercise. I made notes on slips of paper while reading, and from these, in the morning walks, I told the story to him; for the books were chiefly histories, of which I read in this manner a great number: Robertson's histories, Hume, Gibbon; but my greatest delight, then and for long afterwards, was [Robert] Watson's Philip the Second and Third. The heroic defence of the Knights of Malta against the Turks, and of the revolted provinces of the Netherlands against Spain, excited in me an intense and lasting interest. Next to Watson, my favourite historical reading was Hooke's History of Rome. Of Greece I had seen at that time no regular history, except school abridgments and the last two or three volumes of a translation of Rollin's Ancient History, beginning with Philip of Macedon. But I read with great delight Langhorne's translation of Plutarch. In English history, beyond the time at which Hume leaves off, I remember reading Burnett's History of his Own Time, though I cared little for anything in it except the wars and battles; and the historical part of the Annual Register, from the beginning to about 1788, where the volumes my father borrowed for me from Mr Bentham left off. In these frequent talks about the books I read, he used, as opportunity offered, to give me explanations and ideas respecting civilization, government, morality, mental cultivation, which he required me afterwards to restate to him in my own words.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Stuart Mill      Print: Book

  

William Sewell : The History of the Rise, Increase, and Progress, of the Christian People Called Quakers

'He [?my father?] also made me read, and give him a verbal account of, many books which would not have interested me sufficiently to induce me to read them of myself: among others, Millar?s Historical View of the English Government, a book of great merit for its time, and which he highly valued; Mosheim?s Ecclesiastical History, McCrie?s Life of John Knox, and even Sewell?s and Rutty?s Histories of the Quakers.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Stuart Mill      Print: Book

  

Michael Foster :  Textbook of Physiology

'Homer IV. Foster, Physiology'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: Book

  

Mark Akenside : [poems]

'It was at this time that I read the remaining seven volumes of the "Spectator"; to which I added the "Rambler", the "Tatler", and some others of the "British Essayists". I also read the poetical works of Milton, Addison, Goldsmith, Gray, Collins, Falconer, Pomfret, Akenside, Mrs. Rowe, with others which I cannot now clearly call to mind. I remember, however, to have read Gay's poems. These gave me more than usual satisfaction. I was much amused with his "Trivia, or the Art of Walking London Streets" but I was especially pleased with his admirably burlesque "pastorals". These just squared with my humour, for I had then, as I have ever had, an utter dislike to the sickening stuff that is called the pastoral poetry...I must not omit to mention the pleasure I derived from reading a poem called "The Village Curate", which, I think, has fallen into unmerited oblivion.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carter      Print: Book

  

Germaine De Stael : Delphine (three volumes)

Mary Berry to Anne Damer, from Nice, January 1803: 'In spite of my headaches yesterday, I contrived to read nearly three volumes of Madame de Stael's Delphine [...] It is certainly interesting [...] It is well written, too'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Berry      Print: Book

  

Madame De Sevigne : Letters

Mary Berry to a friend, from Nice, March 1803: 'I am reading over for the fiftieth time, I believe, the letters of Madame de Sevigne. They always improve on me, and are [italics]here[end italics] particularly interesting.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Berry      Print: Book

  

William Spence : England Independent of Commerce

Mary Berry, Journal, 31 January 1808: 'Read through Roscoe's pamphlet and Spence's "England Independent of Commerce."'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Berry      Print: Unknown

  

Thomas Ashe : Travels in America

Mary Berry, Journal, 21 April 1808: 'In the evening began reading Ashe's "Travels in America", in the north-western settlements, behind the United States.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Berry      Print: Book

  

Thomas Ashe : Travels in America

Mary Berry, Journal, 22 April 1808: 'In the evening Ashe's Travels [in America] again. They are, I think, very entertaining in spite of an abominable style, which aims at being [italics]fine writing[end italics], without being grammar and without being English. But the wonderful country he describes makes every account of it which one sees and feels is written on the spot, very interesting.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Berry      Print: Book

  

Thomas Ashe : Travels in America

Mary Berry, Journal, 24 April 1808: 'In the evening, after dinner, I read aloud the sketch of my preface [to the letters of Mme du Deffand], and finished the evening with Ashe's Travels, which are very entertaining.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Berry      Print: Book

  

Thomas Ashe : Travels in America

Mary Berry, Journal, 27 April 1808: 'In the evening Mrs. D[?amer], and [Thomas] Ashe's Travels [in America].'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Berry      Print: Book

  

Thomas Ashe : Travels in America

Mary Berry, Journal, 1 May 1808: 'In the evening, [Thomas] Ashe's Travels [in America] as usual.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Berry      Print: Book

  

Thomas Ashe : Travels in America

Mary Berry, Journal, 6 May 1808: 'Mrs D[?amer] and I finished [Thomas] Ashe's Travels [in America].'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Berry and [?Anne Damer]     Print: Book

  

Monier Monier Williams : [presumably work on Sanskrit]

'Finished Monier Williams'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: Book

  

Thomas Malthus : unknown

'Finished Prose Edda, etc. Akkadians. Malthus.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: Book

  

Miguel de Cervantes : Don Quixote

'after dinner began Duffield's translation of Don Quixote and Myers' Wordsworth'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: Book

  

Frederic William Henry Myers : Wordsworth

'after dinner began Duffield's translation of Don Quixote and Myers' Wordsworth'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: George Eliot [pseud]      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa

'My lamp is burning out, and it is time I was going to my chamber fireside, - there to finished the last 1/2 vol of "Clarissa Harlowe" which I have borrowed from Lambton. What a very bad book it is! - and I expected quite the contrary, tho' hating Grandison. Clarissa herself is odious, - with her rash actions suiting so ill with her passionless, reasoning, self-possessed character...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Harriet Martineau      Print: Book

  

James Esdaile : Mesmerism in India and its Practical Application in Surgery and Medicine [probably]

'you must see Esdaile's book. If there are any sane persons who still doubt "the truth of Mesmerism", that book must cure them, or show them incurable. But you ought to know that it is terribly surgical'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Harriet Martineau      Print: Book

  

Samuel Lucas : Secularia; or, Surveys on the Mainstream of History

'Have you read [Mr Lucas's book]? "Secularia; Surveys on the Main Stream of History"... It altogether changes my impressions about the man I correspond with almost every week, and with whom I had lot of conversation here 2 years ago. I have always found him gentlemanly and agreeable, cultivated and liberal &c. &c: but this volume shows him to be (it seems to me) so much more that I am perplexed at not having found it out sooner. It is so fresh, so suggestive, so exceedingly pleasant! and I wanted, as soon as I had done, to begin it again, and read every word twice'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Harriet Martineau      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [unknown]

'[Anna Seward's] training was not necessarily less rigorous for being informal and solitary. Seward scoffed at a male contemporary who claimed never to have read or studied poetry. "If Shakespeare's talents were miracles of uncultured intuition, we feel, that neither Milton's, Pope's, Akenside's, Gray's or Darwin's were such, but that poetic investigation, and long familiarity with the best writers in that line, cooperated to produce their excellence".'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Anna Seward      Print: Book

  

Mark Akenside : [unknown]

'[Anna Seward's] training was not necessarily less rigorous for being informal and solitary. Seward scoffed at a male contemporary who claimed never to have read or studied poetry. "If Shakespeare's talents were miracles of uncultured intuition, we feel, that neither Milton's, Pope's, Akenside's, Gray's or Darwin's were such, but that poetic investigation, and long familiarity with the best writers in that line, cooperated to produce their excellence".'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Anna Seward      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : The Merchant of Venice

'A Reverend Mr Darnell followed in this January of 1812. He too read Milton. This time it was Comus, and the whole party joined in, Annabella and her guests taking the various parts. They did the Trial-Scene from the Merchant of Venice too, and she "never heard anyone read with more discriminating judgment than Mr Darnell".'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Anne Isabella (Annabella) Milbanke, Rev. Darnell and other house guests     Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : The Merchant of Venice

'A Reverend Mr Darnell followed in this January of 1812. He too read Milton. This time it was Comus, and the whole party joined in, Annabella and her guests taking the various parts. They did the Trial-Scene from the Merchant of Venice too, and she "never heard anyone read with more discriminating judgment than Mr Darnell".'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Rev. Darnell      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : [unknown]

'Annabella was now reading Cowper's "Iliad" and annotating evey second line; she was studying Alfieri with the family-solicitor's daughter; for relaxation condescending to "Evelina". In "Evelina" she was disappointed, like a good many more of its readers - more perhaps than make the confession. There was study of Southey, Wordsworth, and Coleridge as well, for everyone was reading them... Annabella waded through "Madoc". She found some passages wearisome but was convinced that Southey would one day be ranked high "among the ancient poets".'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Anne Isabella (Annabella) Milbanke      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : The Faerie Queene

'She read enormously, finding time and energy we wonder how. A list of her books makes the unregenerate blood run cold, though she did include some novels - Miss Edgeworth's and Beckford's sensation-making "Vathek", in which she detected the source of some passages in the Book of the Season, Lord Byron's "Childe Harold". "Childe Harold's" only rival in her poetic reading was "The Faerie Queene". That was a reckless undertaking for the height of the London season; she may not, like so many of us, have quite finished "The Faerie Queene".'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Anne Isabella (Annabella) Milbanke      Print: Book

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : [works]

'By the age of ten he had gone through E.W. Lane's three-volume translation of "The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night", Scott's Waverley novels, Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass", the adventure stories of Captain Marryat, everything of Harrison Ainsworth, and other, now forgotten, works'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: William Somerset Maugham      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : Mary, A Fiction

'We go out on the rocks & Shelley & I read part of Mary a fiction'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : Excursion, The

'Shelley... brings home Wordsworth's Excursion of which we read a part - much disapointed - He is a slave'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin and Percy Bysshe Shelley     Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : Rasselas

'Mary reads greek and Rassalas in the evening Hookham calls - M. reads the Sorcerer'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : Wrongs of Woman; or, Maria

'We walk out - when we return Shelley talks with Jane and I read Wrongs of woman'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Germaine de Stael : L'Allemagne (vol.3)

Sir Uvedale Price to Mary Berry, 29 March 1814: 'Since I wrote to you last, I have read "L'Allemagne," not in the usual way of reading, [italics]car je ne commencais pas, par le commencement[end italics]. My neighbour Peploe, who has read it, called upon me just as I had received it. He told me the first volume was highly entertaining; the second less so [...] the third very abstruse [...] He liked, however, particular parts [...] He told me, at the same time, that the subject of the third volume was distinct from those of the other two, being entirely on German philosophy. Upon this information, Lady Caroline [Carpenter] and my daughter having eagerly seized on the first volume, I began with the third, in which I found so many new and striking thoughts and reflections that, in order to recollect and dwell upon them again, I marked them as I went on'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Sir Uvedale Price      Print: Book

  

Germaine de Stael : L'Allemagne

Sir Uvedale Price to Mary Berry, 29 March 1814: 'Since I wrote to you last, I have read "L'Allemagne," not in the usual way of reading, [italics]car je ne commencais pas, par le commencement[end italics]. My neighbour Peploe, who has read it, called upon me just as I had received it. He told me the first volume was highly entertaining; the second less so [...] the third very abstruse [...] He liked, however, particular parts [...] He told me, at the same time, that the subject of the third volume was distinct from those of the other two, being entirely on German philosophy. Upon this information, Lady Caroline [Carpenter] and my daughter having eagerly seized on the first volume, I began with the third, in which I found so many new and striking thoughts and reflections that, in order to recollect and dwell upon them again, I marked them as I went on'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Peploe      Print: Book

  

Germaine de Stael : L'Allemagne (vols 1-3)

Sir Uvedale Price to Mary Berry, 29 March 1814: 'Since I wrote to you last, I have read "L'Allemagne," not in the usual way of reading, [italics]car je ne commencais pas, par le commencement[end italics]. My neighbour Peploe, who has read it, called upon me just as I had received it. He told me the first volume was highly entertaining; the second less so [...] the third very abstruse [...] He liked, however, particular parts [...] He told me, at the same time, that the subject of the third volume was distinct from those of the other two, being entirely on German philosophy. Upon this information, Lady Caroline [Carpenter] and my daughter having eagerly seized on the first volume, I began with the third, in which I found so many new and striking thoughts and reflections that, in order to recollect and dwell upon them again, I marked them as I went on [...] I have now returned again to the first, and am reading the whole through [italics]de suite[end italics], and I find great pleasure in reading on without interruption, and great pleasure also in observing, [italics]en passant[end italics], the passages I had marked'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Sir Uvedale Price      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Othello

Mary Berry, Journal, 2 January 1822, during stay at Guy's Cliff: 'Mrs Siddons read "Othello," the two parts of Iago and Othello quite [italics]a merveille[end italics].'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Sarah Siddons      Print: Book

  

Hon Mrs C. Scott : MS

Mary Berry, Journal, 28 August 1823: 'Loitered in the garden with Car. [Hon. Mrs Scott, novelist], and read the MS. which she gave me.'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Berry      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : Elements of Morality, for the use of children

'read Elements of Morality and Smellie'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

William Smellie : The Philosophy of Natural History

'read Elements of Morality and Smellie'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Mrs Somerville : [work on astronomy]

Mary Berry to 'Mrs Somerville', from Bellevue, September 1834: 'I have just finished reading your book [apparently on astronomy], which has [italics]entertained[end italics] me extremely, and at the same time, I hope, improved my moral character in the Christian virtue of humility [...] Humbled I must be, by finding my own intellect unequal to following, beyond a first step, the explanations by which you seek to make easy to comprehension the marvellous phenomena of the universe'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Berry      Print: Book

  

Audomarus Talaeus : Academia

'About 1570 [Gabriel] Harvey purchased and read the [italics]Academia[end italics] of Audomarus Talaeus, a close associate and disciple of [Peter] Ramus in his programme of teaching reform.'

Century: 1500-1599 / 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Gabriel Harvey      Print: Book

  

Thomas Wilson : The arte of Rhetorike, for the use of all such as are studious of Eloquence

'In the preface to Thomas Wilson's "The arte of Rhetorike, for the use of all such as are studious of Eloquence" (1567), the text recounts God's granting the gift of eloquence [to men] [...] Next to this passage Harvey inscribes his symbol for eloquence, the planetary sign of Mercury.'

Century: 1500-1599 / 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Gabriel Harvey      Print: Book

  

Guillaume de Saluste du Bartas : unknown

'The marginalia [dating from late 1570s-c.1608] on fol.3v [of Lodovico Domenichi, "Facetie, motti et burle, di diversi signori et persone private" (1571)] record Eutrapelus's [i.e Gabriel Harvey's] reading: '"What kinds of unique authors does Eutrapelus read daily? Eunapius, with Tacitus, Philostratus with Julian, Zwinger's "Theatre" with Gandino, Bartas with Rabelais, Theocritus's "Idyll I" with the epitaphs of Bion and Adonis. Three heroic shields (Homer, Hesiod, Virgil) with the "seventh day" of Bartas, Solomon's "Song of Songs" with the Behemoth of Job and the Leviathan"' (translated from Latin).

Century: 1500-1599 / 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Gabriel Harvey      Print: Book

  

Mary Roberts : Annals of my Village

'Read "Annals of my village" - the month.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Cole      Print: Book

  

James [?] Edmeston : The penny magazine

'On looking over "The Penny magazine" I met with the following useful piece by my friend James' [?Edmeston].

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Cole      Print: Serial / periodical

  

William Shakespeare : unknown

'My beloved hour of the day was when the [table] cloth was drawn, and I stole away from the dessert, and read Shakspere by firelight in winter in the drawing-room. My mother was kind enough to allow this breach of good family manners; and again at a subsequent time when I took to newspaper reading very heartily [...] Our newspaper was the Globe'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Harriet Martineau      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : Fairie Queene, The

'Shelley reads the Fairy Queen aloud'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : [poems]

'In the room is a library to which we can at any time resort, consisting of Tillotson, Blair, Howe and Watt's Sermons, Sherlock on Death, Watts' world to come, Rollin's "Ancient History", Josephur, Hervey's "Meditations", Hervey's letters, Edwards on the religions, Affections, Pope, Kirke White, Cowper, Milton, Henry + Scott's Commentary, Sherlock on a Future state, etc, etc. Of these made some use of Blair, Rollin, Hervey, Sherlock on Death, Dr Johnson's poems, etc.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Cole      Print: Book

  

William Sherlock : Meditations and A practical discourse concerning death

'In the room is a library to which we can at any time resort, consisting of Tillotson, Blair, Howe and Watt's Sermons, Sherlock on Death, Watts' world to come, Rollin's "Ancient History", Josephur, Hervey's "Meditations", Hervey's letters, Edwards on the religions, Affections, Pope, Kirke White, Cowper, Milton, Henry + Scott's Commentary, Sherlock on a Future state, etc, etc. Of these made some use of Blair, Rollin, Hervey, Sherlock on Death, Dr Johnson's poems, etc.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Cole      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet

'[Robert Owen] told me [Harriet Martineau] that he knew the Bible so well as to have been heartily sick of it in his early youth. He owned that he had never read it since. He promised to read the four Gospels carefeully, if I would read "Hamlet" with a running commentary of Necessarian doctrine in my own mind [...] I fulfilled the engagement'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Harriet Martineau      Print: Book

  

Miguel de Cervantes : Don Quixotte

To Miss Hunt, April 7, 1794 'At present I am puzzling at Persian and Arabic, and I mean to begin Hebrew. I get on at least with Spanish, for I have been able to meet with only one book since I read Don Quixotte, which was the "History of the Incas" by Garcillaso de la Vega. I was very pleased with it, though it is very long and in some parts tedious.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Smith      Print: Book

  

Thomas James Mathias : The Pursuits of Literature

To Lady Isabella King, Bath March 8th 1798 'Have you read "The Pursuits of Literature"? It is a satirical poem. I dislike satire in general, but this appears to me one of the cleverest books I ever met with, and indeed this is the general opinion respecting it... I have read Robinson on the "Illuminati". It is said by people wel-informed on the subject to be a true representation.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Smith      Print: Book

  

Thomas Gisbourne : An enquiry into the duties of men in the higher and middle classes of society in Great Britain

To Miss Hunt Shirley, July 28, 1795 'We have read Mr Gisborne's book aloud ["On the duties of Man"] and all the party was extremely pleased with it.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Smith      Print: Book

  

R. Monckton Milnes : poems

'My [Harriet Martineau's] pleasure in [R. Monckton Milnes's poems] was greatest when I read them in my Tynemouth solitude. My copy is marked all over with hieroglyhics involving the emotions with which I read them.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Harriet Martineau      Print: Book

  

Mrs Marsh : The Admiral's Daughter

'I [Harriet Martineau] was spending a couple of days at Mrs. Marsh's, when she asked me whether I would let her read to me "one or two little stories" which she had written. From her way of speaking of them, and from her devotion to her children [...] I concluded these to be children's stories. She ordered a fire in her room, and there we shut ourselves up for the reading. What she read was no child's story, but "The Admiral's Daughter." My amazement may be conceived. We were going to dine at the Wedgwoods': and a strange figure we must have cut there; for we had been crying so desperately that there was no concealing the marks of it.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mrs Marsh      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Mrs Marsh : Two Old Men's Tales (including The Admiral's Daughter)

'Mrs. Marsh asked me what I thought of getting her tales published. I offered to try if, on reading the manuscript at home, I thought as well of it ["The Admiral's Daughter"] as after her own most moving delivery of it. A second reading left no doubt in my mind; and I had the pleasure of introducing the "Two Old Men's Tales" to the world through Messrs. Saunders and Otley'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Harriet Martineau      Manuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : [works]

'At other times we studied Shakespeare, Milton and some other English poets as well as some of the Italians. We took long walks and often drew from nature. We read with great attention the whole of the New Testament, Secker's lectures on the Catechism and several other books on the same important subjects.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Smith      Print: Book

  

Thomas Secker : Lectures on Catechism

'At other times we studied Shakespeare, Milton and some other English poets as well as some of the Italians. We took long walks and often drew from nature. We read with great attention the whole of the New Testament, Secker's lectures on the Catechism and several other books on the same important subjects.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Smith      Print: Book

  

Mr Atkinson : Letter on "distribution of the brain"

'When "Currer" [Charlotte Bronte] and I [Harriet Martineau] came home, there were proof-sheets [of Martineau's correspondence with Atkinson] lying; and I read her Mr. Atkinson's three letters about the distribution of the brain.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Harriet Martineau      Print: In proof

  

William Shakespeare : A Midsummer Night's Dream

Harriet Martineau, Journal, 16 December 1837: 'Read Midsummer Night's Dream in the evening. Surprised to find how completely I remembered it.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Harriet Martineau      Print: Book

  

Samuel Rosewell : The Arraignment and Tryal of T. Rosewell, for High Treason

'Read over Rosewell's "Life 7 Tryal" 8vo 17[18]'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Anthony Hammond      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : [Poems]

'I do not claim that I understood all Wordsworth's poems but I liked the descriptive parts and committed to memory all the more simple poems, thinking myself like his Lucy: "A maid whom there was none to praise, And very few to love." But I spent so much time, which my mother called "wasted", over the book that she took it away, threatening to burn it.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Hannah Mitchell      Print: Book

  

Emmeline Pankhurst : My Own Story

'I have just read "Mrs. Pankhurst's Own Story" and Mrs. Swanwick's autobiography, "I have been Young". Both books show that by this time there was a tremendous demand on the part of women for the franchise'.

Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hannah Mitchell      Print: Book

  

James Edward Austen-Leigh : A Memoir of Jane Austen

"Jane Austen herself, the Queen of novelists, the immortal creator of Anne Elliott, Mr Knightley, and a score or two more of unrivalled intimate friends of the whole public, was compelled by the feelings of her family to cover up her manuscripts with a large piece of muslin work."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Harriet Martineau      Print: Book

  

[James?] Beresford : [On vaccination]

[Item transcribed into a commonplace book]: Title = 'On vaccination'; Text [prose followed by verse] = 'A Mr Stewart writing on the Cowpax talks/ gravely of a most horrible case of vaccination/ viz, of a child who in consepquence of it, ran upon/ all fours, bellowing like a cow and butting/ like a bull thus reallizing (says the author/ who quotes the above) the apprehensions of/ the author of Vaccine Phantasmogoria and who exclaims/ O Mosely thy books mighty phantasies rousing/ Full oft make me quake for my heart's dearest treasures/ ...' [total = 2 x 4 line verses]

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Magdalene Sharpe- Erskine      Print: Unknown

  

James Hyslop : The Cameronian's Dream

'I came across a piece of verse which exercised a lasting influence on my taste. It was called "The Cameronian's Dream" and it had been written by a certain James Hyslop...' [ more for 2 paras]

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Edmund Gosse      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet

?for Hamlet & the trifling of his favour Hold it a fashion and a Toy in blood; A violet in the youth of primy nature Forward not permanent ? sweet not lasting The perfume and suppliance of a minute No more ?.. [Lamb?s own ellipses] Rest not perturb?d spirit? [writing in another direction on the other half of the sheet she continues] ?O dear Ophelia wherefore doubt me --I have not art to win thee but this I know I love thee best O most best ? believe it adieu. Hamlet?

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Lady Caroline Lamb      

  

William Shakespeare : Othello

'I did not move from my chair but reached for a book. Picked up a Shakespeare and read the closing scene, "Othello".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book

  

William Robert Spencer : Urania

[transcribed in what seems to be Lady Caroline's hand]: 'If guardian Powers preside above Who still extend to virtuous Love A tutelary care The Virgins bosom?s earliest dole The first born Passion of the soul Must find protection there. Never can noon's maturer ray That charm of orient light display, Which morning suns impart So can no later passion prove That glow which gilds the dawn of Love The day spring of the hearts?

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Lady Caroline Lamb      

  

William Wordsworth : [The force of prayer; or, the founding of Bolton Abbey]

[Item transcribed into a commonplace book]: [Untitled] ; [Text] 'And the lady prayed in heaviness/ That looked not for relief/ But slowly did her succour come/ And a patience to her grief? Wordsworth'; [8 lines ie last 2 verses only]

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Magdalene Sharpe- Erskine      Print: Unknown

  

Emile Burns : Handbook of Marxism

' I am disappointed that it is not raining, but bethought myself that it might rain at the time of the procession. I washed, dressed and shaved in an even more leisurely manner than usual; for I dislike hurrying over this operation, since I often feel worried at the beginning of the day, and I feel the need of time to brood on my worries. I prepared and ate my breakfast, over which I read part of the Communist Manifesto from Emile Burns' "Handbook of Marxism".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book

  

E. M. Forster : A Passage to India

'I gave her E. M. Forster's "A Passage to India". She- "I'm not sure, but I believe I've read it. I don't really remember." Rest of conversation not recorded, above remarks noted an hour later.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book

  

Peter Simon Pallas : Miscellanea Zoologia

'While botanising to-day I had the good fortune to take an animal of the opossum ("Didelphis") tribe; it was a female, and with it I took two young ones. It was not unlike that remarkable one which De Buffon has described by the name of "Phalanger" as an American animal. It was, however, not the same. M. de Buffon is certainly wrong in asserting that this tribe is peculiar to America, and in all probability, as Pallas has said in his "Zoologia" the "Phalanger" itself is a native of the East Indies, as my animals and that agree in the extraordinary conformation of their feet, in which particular they differ from all the others.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Banks      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : Life of Johnson

' ... he [ie George III] paid attention when books were read to him, and asked for excerpts from Boswell's "Life of Johnson" ...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: King George III      Print: Book

  

M.L. Molesworth : Cuckoo Clock

'So in time she was able to read Grimms' "Fairy Tales", "Gulliver's Travels", "The Daisy Chain" and Mrs. Molesworth's "Cuckoo Clock" and "Carrots".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Flora Thompson      Print: Book

  

M.L. Molesworth : Carrots

'So in time she was able to read Grimms' "Fairy Tales", "Gulliver's Travels", "The Daisy Chain" and Mrs. Molesworth's "Cuckoo Clock" and "Carrots".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Flora Thompson      Print: Book

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Old St Paul's

'Laura, who by this time was reading "Old St Paul's" at home, simply romped through this Little-Go'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Laura Thompson      Print: Book

  

Maria Charlesworth : Ministering Children

'... and the spare hour or two was passed pleasantly enough over "Ministering Children", or "Queechy" or "The Wide Wide World".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Flora Thompson      Print: Book

  

Thomas Jonathan Jackson : [Military History]

'I will not tell you my exact state of health day by day, but will give you a diary of my reading, which is perhaps a good index of my physical state. Friday morning. Full of buck. "Tartarin sur les Alpes". Friday afternoon. Wanted soothing. "Letters from a Silent Study". Saturday morning. Very depressed. "Pickwick Papers". Saturday afternoon. A little better. "Esmond". Sunday morning. Quite well thank you! "Butler's Analogy". Sunday afternoon. Quite well thank you! "Esmond and Stonewall Jackson". As a guide I may point out that "Pickwick" cheers me up when I am most depressed, while "Butler's Analogy" taxes all my strength.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Donald William Alers Hankey      Print: Book

  

Dimitri Merejkowski : The Forerunner, the romance of Leonardo da Vinci

'I would like you to read a little book called "The Forerunner", by Merejkowski, published by Constable. It is about Leonardo da Vinci, and though there is a lot of bosh in it, I think there is a fine idea running through it - half formed, and somewhat elusive, but nevertheless to a certain extent true.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Donald William Alers Hankey      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : The Life of Samuel Johnson

'I have been reading the "Life of Dr. Johnson", and in a letter of his to a friend on the death of his mother I found the following passage, which reminded me of a resolve made some time ago, but forgotten.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Donald William Alers Hankey      Print: Book

  

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli : The Spiritual Combat

'Curiously enough I arrived at this result by the aid of an R. C. book, called "The Spiritual Combat". The motto of many of the chapters might be written: "Attack all your faults. Smite them by the virtue of the Holy Cross. You know your own weakness, you are full of distrust in yourself. Very well. Now is the time to put your trust in God, and where your own weakness has failed, God's strength will prevail." 'It is a magnificent doctrine. I am trying to attach all my carelessness, and unpractical habits, and am endeavouring to perform most carefully those duties which are most irksome to me. 'I am trying to earn my pay as a soldier. 'I hope you will have no more livery letters. To the author of "The Spiritual Combat", a liver is a Heaven-sent opportunity for conquering one's lower nature.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Donald William Alers Hankey      Print: Book

  

Madame de Genlis : les Veillees du Chateau

'Having just finished the first volume of les Veillees du Chateau, I think it a good opportunity of beginning a letter to you while my mind is stored with Ideas worth transmitting.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Austen      Print: Book

  

Jean Charles Leonard Simonde de Sismondi : unknown history

'Having just concluded the first volume of Sismondi's history, and the other not being yet arrived from Edinr, I think I cannot better employ the hour of leisure, which necessarily intervenes between the end of this and the beginning of a fresh employment, than in returning you my thanks for the kind and good-humoured letter which I received last Saturday.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carlyle      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Sir Charles Grandison

'He [James, the Austens' servant] has that the laudable thirst I fancy for Travelling, which in poor James Selby was so much reprobated.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Austen      Print: Book

  

Thomas Gisborne : An Enquiry into the Duties of the Female Sex

'I am glad you recommended "Gisborne", for having begun, I am pleased with it, and I had quite determined not to read it.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Austen      Print: Book

  

Madame de Genlis : Alphonsine, or Maternal Affection

'"Alphonsine" did not do. We were disgusted in twenty pages, as, independent of a bad translation, it has indelicacies which disgrace a pen hitherto so pure; and we changed it for the "Female Quixotte", which now makes our evening amusement; to me a very high one, as I find the work quite equal to what I remembered it. Mrs F.A., to whom it is new, enjoys it as one could wish; the other Mary, I believe, has little pleasure from that or any other book.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Austen family     Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : Letter to Boswell, 4 July 1774

'There, I flatter myself I have constructed you a Smartish Letter, considering my want of Materials. But like my dear Dr Johnson I beleive [sic] I have dealt more in Notions than Facts.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Austen      Print: Book

  

Mrs S. Sykes : Margiana, or Widdrington Tower

'The American Lady improved as we went on - but still the same faults in part recurred. - We are now in Margiana, & like it very well indeed. - We are just going to set off for Northumberland to be shut up in Widdrington Tower, where there must be two or three sets of Victims already immured under a very fine Villain.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Austen Family     Print: Book

  

William Nicholson : A Journal of Natural Philosophy, Chemistry

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Moses Mendelssohn : Morgenstunden oder Vorlesungun uber das Daseyn Got

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Emanuel Swedenborg : Prodomus Philosophiae

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Hugh James Rose : Prolusio in Curia Cantabrigiensi recitata

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

William Charles Wells : Two essays: one upon single vision with two eyes

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

James Foster : The Usefulness, Truth, and Excellency of the Christian Revelation

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Mariana Starke : Travels on the continent

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Emanuel Swedenborg : The Nature of the Intercourse between the Soul and the body

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Thomas Thomson : A System of Chemistry

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Moses Mendelssohn : Philosophische Schriften

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Thomas Jefferson : Memoirs, Correspondence, and Private Papers

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Von Schelling : Philosophische Schrifte[n]

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Von Schelling : Philosophische Schrifte[n]

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

James Sedgwick : Hints to the Public and the Legislature on the nature and effect of evangelical preaching

[Marginalia]

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

William Sedgwick : Justice upon the Armie Remonstrance

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Works

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Stockdale's Edition of Shakespeare

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Dramatic Works

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Dramatic Works

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : The Excursion, being a portion of the Recluse,

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Von Schelling : System des transcendentalen Idealismus

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Von Schelling : System des transcendentalen Idealismus

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Von Schelling : Ueber die Gottheiten von Samothrace

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

August Wilhelm Schlegel : Gedichte

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

August Wilhelm Schlegel : Ueber dramatische Kunst und Litteratur

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

James Abraham Hillhouse : Hadad

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Thomas Hobbes : Leviathan

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus : The Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

[Marginalia] mainly 1804-1811; a few notes added up to 1818-1819, one note is as late as 1826 or later

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

M Lodovico Ariosto : Orlando Furioso

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Jean Baptiste de Boyer, Marquis d'Argens : Kabbalistische Briefe

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

William Collins : Poetical Works

[Marginalia]

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

William Lisle Bowles : Sonnets, and other poems

[Marginalia]

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : The Works of the Late Reverend Mr Samuel Johnson

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing : Gotthold Ephraim Lessings Leben, nebst seinem noch ubrigen litterarischen Nachlasse

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing : Gotthold Ephraim Lessings samm Hiche Schriften

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Moses Mendelssohn : Jerusalem oder uber religiose Macht und Judenthum

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

William Steele : Mr Recorder's Speech to the Lord Protector

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Thomas Stanley : The History of Philosophy

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

William Sherlock : A Vindication of the Doctrine of the Holy and Ever

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Schelling : Jahrbucher der Medicin als Wissenschaft

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Thomas Robert Malthus : An Essay on the Principle of Population

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Thomas Robert Malthus : The Grounds of an Opinion on the Policy of Restricting the importation of foreign corn

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Samuel O'Sullivan : The Agency of Divine Providence Manifested in the

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Sir William Stewart : Outlines of a Plan for the General Reform of the British Land Forces

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand Solger : Philosophische Gesprache

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Thomas Swinburne : A Letter to the Right Honourable Robert Peel

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : Posthumos Works, Vol IV: Letters and Miscellaneous

'Brought from the library for Miss Haynes the 4 [th] vol. of Mrs Godwin's Posthumous Works. It contains Letters, one on the Management of Infants, Several to Mr Johnson the Book-seller, one on the character of the French Nation, [?]of Fancy, & on Poetry & Hints. Finished it that night!'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Hunter      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : Letters Written During a Short Residence in Sweden

'Took "Letters from Norway & c" back to the Vestry Library. I did not read them, but Mr E. said they were very entertaining & instructive; brought Mrs Wollstonecraft "View of the French Revolution".'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Evans      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : An Historical and Moral View of the Origin and Progress of the French Revolution

'Finished Wollstoncraft's "View of the French Revolution" Vol I. It appears to rather a panegyric upon the actions of the national assembly than a just history. She thinks the Duke of Orleans was the cause of that Riot, when the women went to Versailles.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Hunter      Print: Book

  

James Thomson : The Seasons

'Began to read Thomson's "Seasons".'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Hunter      Print: Book

  

Helen Maria Williams : A Tour in Switzerland

'Thought the following remarks in Miss Williams was exceeding applicable to the manufacturers of Sheffield: "There is a spirit in that class, in all countries more favourable to inquiry & consequently more hostile to unconditional submission" Vol 2 p.227.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Hunter      Print: Book

  

Helen Maria Williams : A Tour in Switzerland

'Miss Williams "Tour" is very entertaining; besides describing the scenery (which she does in a masterly manner) she gives short sketches of the government of the different cantons & compares the state of Switzerland to Paris.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Hunter      Print: Book

  

Samuel Rogers : 'The Pleasures of Memory' in Poems by Samuel Rogers

"Silent appears a strange epithat for dust- it is in truth what is called at school a botch, brick dust or even saw-dust would have been better- RB" [He has also starred * the offending phrase in the body of the text.]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: R Bowyer      Print: Book

  

Samuel Rogers : 'The Pleasures of Memory' in Poems by Samuel Rogers

'Silent appears a strange epithat for dust- it is in truth what is called at school a botch, brick dust or even saw-dust would have been better- RB' [He has also starred * the offending phrase in the body of the text.] 'Gray uses the same epithat in his church-yard Elegy:"Can Honour's voice provoke the silent dust"'. [Title page signed] 'Charlotte Susannah Fry From Mr R.Bowyer 1815.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Sussannah Fry      Print: Book

  

Samuel Rogers : An Epistle to a Friend, with Other Poems

'Finished the "Epistle to a Friend". I do not so much admire it as I did the "Pleasures of Memory".'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Hunter      Print: Book

  

Thomas Mathias : A Translation of the Passages from Greek, Latin, French and Italian in the Pursuits of Literature

'Brought...a translation of the Greek, Latin, French and Italian quotations in the "Pursuits of Literature" which I had rather felt the want of in pursuing the work... I began with this preface but it was so dull that I gave it up after reading about a dozen pages of it. [The Pursuits] needs no apologist. It will stand with posterity on the same shelf as Juvenal, Boileau and Pope.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Hunter      Print: Book

  

Thomas James Mathias : The Pursuits of Literature [...] A Satirical Poem

'She [Mrs Montagu] is characterised in this manner in the first part of the "Pursuits of Literature"; comparing the commentators upon Shakespeare [transcribes note on Montagu's essay]. I shall perhaps be accused of want of taste in sending Campbell's "Pleasures of Hope" home unread & indeed I can give no good reason why I did so.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Hunter      Print: Book

  

Thomas James Mathias : The Pursuits of Literature [...] A Satirical Poem

'Read the first 3 parts of the "Pursuits of Literature", of these the first I admire the most. There are people who will not allow that the author has either wit or learning, or is capable of writing good poetry. I think that wit & learning may be found in every page & that in some parts the poetry is excellent. I will give an example. Page 19. [Two pages of commentary and extracts]'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Hunter      Print: Book

  

Samuel Rogers : Pleasures of Memory

'In the evening read principally papers in the "Adventurer" and Rogers' "Pleasures of memory"; thought less of the papers in the "Adventurer" than I had done formerly, i.e. forty years ago or more, and less than I had been led to expect of Rogers. Went to bed about one, after begining "Spanish grammar".'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Windham      Print: Book

  

William Blackstone : Commentaries on the laws of England [?]

'Search in Blackstone and Goldsmith's "History"; much struck with style of latter; deserving [I] think, to be more talked of'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Windham      Print: Book

  

Samuel Wesley ('the Younger') : On the Setting up of Mr Butler's Monument

'On WM Butler's monument in Westminster Abbey Whilst Butler needy wretch! was yet alive, ...'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Molineux group, including Mrs Molineux     

  

Mary Robinson : Lines To Him Who Will Understand Them

'Lines - To him that will understand them' 'Thou art no more my bosom's Friend;/...' 'Mrs Robinson'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Molineux group, including Mrs Molineux     

  

Samuel Rogers : On A Tear

'A Tear' 'Oh! That the chemist's magic art/ Could crystalise [sic] this sacred treasure/... ['Chloe' of Rogers's text changed to 'Anna' in manuscript]'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Molineux group, including Mrs Molineux     

  

William Robert Spencer : Beth Gelert, or the Grave of the Greyhound

'Poetry Composed by Llewelyn on the Death of his Greyhound' 'The Spearman [spearmen in original] heard the bugle sound/...'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Molineux group, including Mrs Molineux     

  

Samuel Rogers : The Pleasures of Memory Part II

'"When the last breath, ere nature sink to rest Thy meek submission to they God express'd/..."'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Molineux group, including Mrs Molineux     

  

Samuel Rogers : The Pleasures of Memory Part II

'"When the last breath, ere nature sink to rest, Thy meek submission to thy God express'd/..."'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Molineux group, including Mrs Molineux     

  

James Thomson : The Castle of Otranto OR To Fortune

'To Fortune' 'I care not fortune what you deny me, ... J. Thompson'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Beanlands group     

  

Anne Maria Sargent : The Isle of Wight

'Isle of Wight by Anne Maria Sargeant A light so varied bursts upon my view, ...'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Bowly group     

  

William Sotheby : To His Majesty's Ship Barham

'To His Majesty's Ship Barham, appointed by the King to convey Sir Walter Scott to Naples. By William Sotheby Esq.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Bowly group     

  

William Shakespeare : The Works of Mr William Shakespeare; in six volumes

'I do not care for a First Folio ofShakespeare. I rather prefer the common editions of Rowe and Tonson, without notes, and with plates, which, being so execrably bad, serve as maps, or modest remembrancers, to the text; and without pretending to any supposable emulation with it, are so much better than the Shakespeare gallery engravings, which did. [...] Winter evenings-the world shut out-with less of ceremony the gentle Shakespeare. At such a season, the Tempest, or his own Winter's Tale- These two poets [Shakespeare and Milton] youcannot avoid reading aloud-to your-self or (as it chances) to some single person listening. More than one-and it degenerates into an audience.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Charles Lamb      Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets

'a wet day have finished the life of savage in Johnsons "lives of the poets"'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Clare      Print: Book

  

James Beresford : The Miseries of Human Life

'I have been dipping into "the miserys of human life" here & there'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Clare      Print: Book

  

Thomas Erskine : Remarks on the Internal Evidence for the Truth

'Got a parcel from London "Eltons Brothers" "Allins Grammar" gifts of the authors: and Esrkines "internal evidences of religion" the gift of Lord Radstock [...] a very sensible book this passage struck me which I first opend - "to walk without God in the world is to walk in sin & sin is the way of danger..."'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Clare      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Midsummer Night's Dream

'Read in Shakspear "The Midsummer Nights Dream" for the first time - I have still got 3 parts out of 4 plays to read yet and hope I shall not leave the world without reading them'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Clare      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Henry The Fifth

'read Shakspears "Henry The Fifth" of which I have always been very fond from almost a boy I first met with it in an odd vol which I got for 6d [...] I can never lay it down till I see the end of it'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Clare      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Macbeth

'Read "Macbeth" what a soul thrilling power hovers about this tragedy I have read it over about twenty times'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Clare      Print: Book

  

Thomas Erskine : Remarks on the Internal Evidence

'Read in the afternoon Erskines "Evidence of Revealed Religion" and find in it some of the best reasoning in favour of its object I have ever read...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Clare      Print: Book

  

James Thomson : The Seasons (Winter)

'Lookd into Thompsons Winter there is a freshness about it I think superior to the others [...] the following minute descriptions are great favourites of mine [...] [he misquotes ll 104-5, 130-31]'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Clare      Print: Book

  

Thomas Tusser : Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry

'Read in old Tusser with whose quaint ryhmes I have often been entertaind [...] he seems to have felt a taste for inclosures and Mavor that busy notemaker and book compiler [...] has added an impertinent note [...] as an echo of feint praise'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Clare      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [unknown]

'read some pages in Shakspear - turnd over a few leaves of knoxes essays'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Clare      Print: Book

  

Matthew Habershon : [unknown]

'It was the explanation, the perfectly prosaic and positive explanation, of all these wonders which drew them to study the Habershons and the Newtons whose books they so much enjoyed.'

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Philip and Emily Gosse     Print: Book

  

Michael Scott : Tom Cringle's Log

'climbing to the top of a bookcase, [he] brought down a thick volume and presented it to me. "You'll find all about the Antilles there", he said, and left me with "Tom Cringle's Log" in my possession. [explains mother's attitude to fiction and why he'd never read any till now] So little did I understand what was allowable in the way of literary invention that I had began the story without a doubt that it was true, and I think it was my Father himself who, in answer to an inquiry, explained to me that it was "all made up". He advised me to read the descriptions of the sea, and of the mountains of Jamaica, and "skip" the pages which gave imaginary adventures and conversations. But I did not take his counsel; these latter were the flower of the book to me.' [more account on pp.143-4]

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Edmund Gosse      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Merchant of Venice

'Accordingly, it was announced that the reading of Shakespeare would be one of our lessons, and on the following afternoon we began "The Merchant of Venice". There was one large volume, and it was handed about the class; I was permitted to read the part of Bassanio, and I set forth, with ecstatic pipe ... I was in the seventh heaven of delight, but alas! We had only reached the second act of the play, when the readings mysteriously stopped. I never knew the cause, but I suspect it was at my Father's desire. He prided himself on never having read a page of Shakespeare...'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Edmund Gosse      Print: Book

  

Samuel Boyse : The Deity

'...a small thick volume, bound in black morocco, and comprising four reprinted works of the eighteenth century. Gloomy, funeral poems of an order as wholly out of date as are the cross-bones an druffled cherubim on the gravestones in a country churchyard. The four - and in this order, as I never shall forget - were "The Last Day" of a Dr. Young, "Blair's Grave", "Death" by Bishop Beilby Porteus, and "The Deity" of Samuel Boyse ... How I came to open this solemn volume is explained by the oppressive exclusiveness of our Sundays ... [explains how this reading matter was approved, and how it was taken into the garden] Thither then I escaped with my grave-yard poets, and who shall explain the rapture with which I followed their austere morality?' Later, 'In the "Deity" I took a kind of persistant penitential pleasure.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Edmund Gosse      Print: Book

  

Samuel Boyse : The Deity

'On the day in question, I was unable to endure the drawing-room meeting to its close, but, clutching my volume of the Funeral Poets, I made a dash for the garden...Then I opened my book for consolation, and read a great block of pompous verse out of "The Deity", in the midst of which exercise, yielding to the softness of the hot and aromatic air, I fell fast asleep.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Edmund Gosse      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : The Tempest

'It was in my fifteenth year that I became again, this time intelligently, aquainted with Shakespeare. I got hold of a single play, "The Tempest", in a school edition, prepared, I suppose, for one of the university examinations which were then being instituted in the provinces. This I read through and through, not disdaining the help of the notes, and revelling in the glossary. I studied "The Tempest" as I had hitherto studied no classic work, and it filled my whole being with music and romance. This book was my own hoarded possession; the rest of Shakespeare's works were beyond my hopes.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Edmund Gosse      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : The Merchant of Venice

'It was in my fifteenth year that I became again, this time intelligently, aquainted with Shakespeare. I got hold of a single play, "The Tempest", in a school edition, prepared, I suppose, for one of the university examinations which were then being instituted in the provinces...This book was my own hoarded possession; the rest of Shakespeare's works were beyond my hopes. But gradually I contrived to borrow a volume here and there. I completed "The Merchant of Venice", read "Cymbeline", "Julius Caesar", and "Much Ado"; most of the others, I think, remained closed to me for a long time. But these were enough to steep my horizon with all the colours of sunrise.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Edmund Gosse      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Cymbeline

'It was in my fifteenth year that I became again, this time intelligently, aquainted with Shakespeare. I got hold of a single play, "The Tempest", in a school edition, prepared, I suppose, for one of the university examinations which were then being instituted in the provinces...This book was my own hoarded possession; the rest of Shakespeare's works were beyond my hopes. But gradually I contrived to borrow a volume there. I completed "The Merchant of Venice", read "Cymbeline", "Julius Caesar", and "Much Ado"; most of the others, I think, remained closed to me for a long time. But these were enough to steep my horizon with all the colours of sunrise.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Edmund Gosse      Print: Book

  

M. de Secondat, Baron de Montequieu : Spirit of Laws

Two very long quotations: 1. 'Speech is as subject to interpretation there is so great a difference between indescretion and malice...' 2. 'Mythology. The promiscuous assemblage of truth and fiction would long since have been universally exploded...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Frances Hamilton      Print: Book

  

Rev William Smith : Poetic Works including his version of Longinus on the Sublime

24 Oct 1788: 'Smith's version of Longinus on the Sublime, a translation with notes and observations - is a credit to the author and reflects lustre on Longinus himself. [Long quotation]: "to the unlearned also it may be of use ... an inclination to literature"'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Frances Hamilton      Print: Book

  

Rev William Smith : Poetic Works including his version of Longinus on the Sublime

13 Dec 1788 Another long quotation from Smith's translation: 'The Sublime is a certain force in discourse... from these three particulars joined together.' Also listed Longinus's five sources of the sublime.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Frances Hamilton      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : The Excursion

'Then, when I was twelve we had a really good poetry book which contained extracts from "The Excursion", part of "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage", "The Eve of Saint Agnes", "Adonais", "The Pied Piper of Hamelin", and Mathew Arnold's "Tristram and Iseult". We were given "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage" and "The Pied Piper" to learn by heart in consecutive years. I never liked "The Pied Piper", which, being written consciously as a child's poem, made me feel conscious, and most of "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage" seemed unreal to me... The poems in the book which I liked best were "The Eve of Saint Agnes" and "Tristram and Iseult"...'

Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Edwin Muir      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : As You Like It

'one day in Kirkwall my brother Johnnie, who had gone to work in a shop there, gave me three pennies to spend, and I went at once to the bookseller's which sold "The Penny Poets" and bought "As You Like It", "The Earthly Paradise", and a selection of Matthew Arnold's poems. ...I did not get much out of the selection of Arnold's poems... "As You Like It" delighted me, but it was "The Earthly Paradise" that I read over and over again.'

Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Edwin Muir      Print: Book

  

William Morris : The Earthly Paradise

'one day in Kirkwall my brother Johnnie, who had gone to work in a shop there, gave me three pennies to spend, and I went at once to the bookseller's which sold "The Penny Poets" and bought "As You Like It", "The Earthly Paradise", and a selection of Matthew Arnold's poems. ...I did not get much out of the selection of Arnold's poems... "As You Like It" delighted me, but it was "The Earthly Paradise" that I read over and over again.'

Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Edwin Muir      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Julius Caesar

'When, a year or two later, we read "Julius Caesar" at school, I recognised the scene immediately... I did not find it very funny, but I recognised its authenticity. Shakespeare knew what he was talking about: he had met people like my Uncle Tom.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Norman Nicholson      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [plays]

'Our syllabus was large, covering at least twelve set books: two plays of Shakespeare's, two volumes of Milton and two of Keats; Chaucer, Sheridan, Lamb, Scott's "Old Mortality" and the first book of "The Golden Treasury", with its marvellous pickings of Coleridge, Shelly, Byron and, especially, Wordsworth, which excited me, at that age, more than any other poetry written.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Norman Nicholson      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : [poems extracts]

'Our syllabus was large, covering at least twelve set books: two plays of Shakespeare's, two volumes of Milton and two of Keats; Chaucer, Sheridan, Lamb, Scott's "Old Mortality" and the first book of "The Golden Treasury", with its marvellous pickings of Coleridge, Shelly, Byron and, especially, Wordsworth, which excited me, at that age, more than any other poetry written.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Norman Nicholson      Print: Book

  

Pelham Grenville Wodehouse : [unknown]

'On the wall at the side of the chimney Dad put up the bookshelves which Dodie began to fill with secondhand penny books. Over the years we had Conrad and Wodehouse, Eric Linklater and Geoffrey Farnol, Edgar Wallace, Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy, Mark Twain, Arnold Bennett, Robert Louis Stevenson, John Buchan, and a host of others, good, bad and awful, and we read the lot, some of them over and over.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: family of Rose Gamble     Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : [unknown]

'It [central London] was truly a wonder world, for I seeing it not merely with my eyes of flesh but with the eyes of heightened imagination; -seeing it not only through spectacles manufactured by an optician, but through glasses supplied by magicians names Charles Dickens, Walter Scott, William Makepeace Thackeray, Joseph Addison, Daniel Defoe, Henry Fielding, Toby Smollett, Sam Johnson and Will Shakespeare himself. Had I scraped an acquaintance with all these before I was fifteen? I knew them well! -and that was the trouble. I was book hungry, and I found a land where books were accessible in a quantity and variety sufficient to satisfy even my uncontrolled voracity.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas A. Jackson      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [unknown]

'It [central London] was truly a wonder world, for I seeing it not merely with my eyes of flesh but with the eyes of heightened imagination; -seeing it not only through spectacles manufactured by an optician, but through glasses supplied by magicians names Charles Dickens, Walter Scott, William Makepeace Thackeray, Joseph Addison, Daniel Defoe, Henry Fielding, Toby Smollett, Sam Johnson and Will Shakespeare himself. Had I scraped an acquaintance with all these before I was fifteen? I knew them well! -and that was the trouble. I was book hungry, and I found a land where books were accessible in a quantity and variety sufficient to satisfy even my uncontrolled voracity.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas A. Jackson      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [plays]

'Later on I found at the bottom of a cupboard some of volumes -Addison's "Spectator", Pope's "Homer", and a few other things. My grandmother -who also devoured books in great gulps -gave me a "Robinson Crusoe", and lent me volumes containing four "Waverley Novels" apiece. Much about the same time my father got bound up a set of Dickens's novels he had bought in weekly parts. They were in the popular quarto edition with drawings by Fred Barnard, John Mahony and others. These were a real treasure -and all the more so as my father was an ardent Dickens "fan" who rather despised Scott as a "romantic" and a "Tory". His mother (born in 1815, so old enough to have read the "Waverley Novels" when they were still comparatively new things) rather sniffed at Dickens, and definitely preferred both Scott and Thackeray. She gave me "Vanity Fair" as an antidote to "David Copperfield" and added a Shakespeare, and a bundle of "paperback" editions -Fielding, Smollett, Fennimore Cooper and Captain Marryatt.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas A. Jackson      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : Faery Queene

'This preoccupation with the sensuous form I experienced most obviously and acutely when I read with mounting excitement Spenser's "Faery Queen".'

Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas A. Jackson      Print: Book

  

Anne Louise Germaine de Sta?l-Holstein : De l'Allemagne

'Those latter volumes of the Allemagne will perplex you, I fear. The third in particular is very mysterious; now and then quite absurd. Do not mind it much.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carlyle      Print: Book

  

Sir Charles William Pasley : Essay on the Military Policy and Institutions of the British Empire

'We quite run over with Books. She [JA's mother] has got Sir John Carr's Travels in Spain from Miss B. & I am reading a Society-Octavo, an Essay on the Military Police & Institutions of the British Empire, by Capt. Pasley of the Engineers, a book which I protested against at first, but which upon trial I find delightfully written & highly entertaining. I am as much in love with the Author as I ever was with Clarkson or Buchanan, or even the two Mr Smiths of the city. The first soldier I ever sighed for; but he does write with extraordinary force & spirit.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Austen      Print: Book

  

Thomas Clarkson : History of the Abolition of the African Slave Trade

'We quite run over with Books. She [JA's mother] has got Sir John Carr's Travels in Spain from Miss B. & I am reading a Society-Octavo, an Essay on the Military Police & Institutions of the British Empire, by Capt. Pasley of the Engineers, a book which I protested against at first, but which upon trial I find delightfully written & highly entertaining. I am as much in love with the Author as I ever was with Clarkson or Buchanan, or even the two Mr Smiths of the city. The first soldier I ever sighed for; but he does write with extraordinary force & spirit.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Austen      Print: Book

  

James and Horatio Smith : Rejected Addresses; or the new Theatrum Poetarum

'Upon Mrs Digweed's mentioning that she had sent the Rejected Addresses to Mr Hinton, I began talking to her a little about them & expressed my hope of their having amused her. Her answer was, "Oh! dear, yes, very much; - very droll indeed; - the opening of the House! - & the striking up of the Fiddles!" What she meant, poor woman, who shall say? - I sought no farther.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Austen      Print: Book

  

James and Horatio Smith : Rejected Addresses; or the new Theatrum Poetarum

'Upon Mrs Digweed's mentioning that she had sent the Rejected Addresses to Mr Hinton, I began talking to her a little about them & expressed my hope of their having amused her. Her answer was, "Oh! dear, yes, very much; - very droll indeed; - the opening of the House! - & the striking up of the Fiddles!" What she meant, poor woman, who shall say? - I sought no farther.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mrs Digweed      Print: Book

  

James and Horatio Smith : Rejected Addresses; or the new Theatrum Poetarum

'The Papillons have now got the Book [J & H Smith's "Rejected Addresses"] and like it very much; their niece Eleanor has recommended it most warmly to them. - [italics] She [end italics] looks like a rejected Addresser.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Papillon Family     Print: Book

  

James and Horatio Smith : Rejected Addresses; or the new Theatrum Poetarum

'The Papillons have now got the Book [J & H Smith's "Rejected Addresses"] and like it very much; their niece Eleanor has recommended it most warmly to them. - [italics] She [end italics] looks like a rejected Addresser.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Eleanor Papillon      Print: Book

  

Benjamin Disraeli : Coningsby; or, The new generation

'there has been so much motion that it has been next to impossible for a person to work. I have read lately the "Newcomes" by Thackeray "Stuart of Dunleath" by Mrs Norton & "Coningsby" by Disraeli'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Albert Battiscombe      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Julius Caesar

'Finished the "Epicurean" by Moore, it is a sad story but very prettily written; began to read the play of "Julius Caesar" by Shakespeare as I had all night, I was able to stay up till late - learning by heart "Paradise & the Peri"'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Albert Battiscombe      Print: Book

  

William Morris : [prose works]

'These artless idealists had their favourite authors, which I now proceeded to read...Their piece de resistance was Sir Thomas More's "Utopia", closely followed by the prose works of William Morris, "The Story of the Unknown Church", and the like. There was quite a spate of novels with this ideology, but the only one that has come down to the present day is Edward Bellamy's "Looking Backward".'

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

  

William Morris : The Story of the Unknown Church

'These artless idealists had their favourite authors, which I now proceeded to read...Their piece de resistance was Sir Thomas More's "Utopia", closely followed by the prose works of William Morris, "The Story of the Unknown Church", and the like. There was quite a spate of novels with this ideology, but the only one that has come down to the present day is Edward Bellamy's "Looking Backward".'

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

  

William Shakespeare : Measure for Measure

"Been reading Shakespeare's plays. viz "Measure for Measure" "Much Ado About Nothing" -'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Albert Battiscombe      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Much Ado About Nothing

'Been reading Shakespeare's plays. viz "Measure for Measure" "Much Ado About Nothing" -'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Albert Battiscombe      Print: Book

  

Madeleine de Scuderi : Artamene, ou Le grand Cyrus

'I fell a-reading in Fuller's "history of Abbys" and my wife in "Grand Cyrus" till 12 at night, and so to bed.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Pepys      Print: Book

  

Emanuel Tesauro : Patriarche, sive Christi servatoris genealogia, per mundi aetates traducta

'I in my chamber all the evening, looking over my Osborns works and new Emanuel Thesaurus's "Patriarchae".'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Print: Book

  

Thomas Cross : Sternhold and Hopkins Psalms

'So soon as word was brought me that Mr Coventry was come with the barge to the Tower, I went to him and find him reading of the psalmes in short-hand (which he is now busy about); and had good sport about the long marks that are made there for sentences in Divinity, which he is never like to make use of.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Sir William Coventry      Print: Book

  

Mary Roberts : Annals of my Village

'Read November in "Annals of my Village".'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Cole      Print: Book

  

Thomas Hobbes : Of libertie and necessitie

'So to bed, with my mind cheery upon it; and lay long reading Hobbs his "liberty and necessity", and a little but a very shrewd piece.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Print: Book

  

Thomas Sherlock : Several Discourses Preached at the Temple Church

'I am very fond of Sherlock's Sermons, prefer them to almost any.'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Austen      Print: Book

  

Laetitia Matilda Hawkins : Rosanne; or, a Father's Labour Lost

'We have got "Rosanne" in our Society, and find it much as you describe it; very good and clever, but tedious. Mrs Hawkins' great excellence is on serious subjects. There are some very delightful conversations and reflections on religion: but on lighter topics I think she falls into many absurdities; and, as to love, her heroine has very comical feelings. There are a thousand improbabilities in the story. Do you remember the two Miss Ormesdens, introduced just at last? Very flat and unnatural. - Mlle Cossart is rather my passion.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Austen      Print: Book

  

Laetitia Matilda Hawkins : Rosanne; or, a Father's Labour Lost

'We have got "Rosanne" in our Society, and find it much as you describe it; very good and clever, but tedious. Mrs Hawkins' great excellence is on serious subjects. There are some very delightful conversations and reflections on religion: but on lighter topics I think she falls into many absurdities; and, as to love, her heroine has very comical feelings. There are a thousand improbabilities in the story. Do you remember the two Miss Ormesdens, introduced just at last? Very flat and unnatural. - Mlle Cossart is rather my passion.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Anna Lefroy      Print: Book

  

James Edward Austen : unpublished story

'Edward is writing a Novel - we have all heard what he has written - it is extremely clever; written with great ease & spirit; - if he can carry it on in the same way, it will be a firstrate work, & in a style, I think, to be popular.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Austen      Manuscript: Sheet

  

Guillaume de Salluste du Bartas : Divine weekes and workes

'My wife and I spent a good deal of this evening in reading Du' Bartas's "Imposture" and other parts, which my wife of late have taken up to read, and is very fine as anything I meet with.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Print: Book

  

Guillaume de Salluste du Bartas : Divine weekes and workes

'My wife and I spent a good deal of this evening in reading Du' Bartas's "Imposture" and other parts, which my wife of late have taken up to read, and is very fine as anything I meet with.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Pepys      Print: Book

  

Mary Roberts : Annals of my Village

'Looked over Rhind's "Studies in Natural History", read a portion of the month in "Annals of my Village".'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Cole      Print: Book

  

Ruby M Ayres : unknown

'"I like books by Ruby M Ayres and Anne Duffield. The young lady usually chooses the books for me - she knows what I want. Something light to take my mind off the war - a straight romantic tale.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book

  

Samuel Pepys : [Sea Manuscript]

'So to the office till 10 at night upon business, and numbering and examining part of my Sea=manuscript with great pleasure - my wife sitting working by me.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Manuscript: Sheet

  

William Shakespeare : unknown

'January 18. No letters: strike still on. A fine day. But what is that to me? I am an invalid. I spend my life in bed. Read Shakespeare in the morning. I feel I cannot bear this silence to-day. I am haunted by thoughts.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Katherine Mansfield      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : All's Well that Ends Well

'Shakespeare Notes. All's Well that Ends Well. The First Lord is worth attending to.... Hamlet: ...But I could write a thousand pages about Hamlet...Miranda and Juliet: To say that Juliet and Miranda might very well be one seems to me to show a lamentable want of perception... Romeo and Juliet ...When the old nurse cackles of leaning against the dove-house wall it's just as though a beam of sunlight struck through the curtains and discovered her sitting there in the warmth with a tiny staggerer...Twelfth Night...Oh, doesn't that reveal the thoughts of all those strange creatures who attend upon the lives of others! Antony and Cleopatra...Marvellous words!...A creature like Cleopatra always expects to be paid for things.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Katherine Mansfield      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet

'Shakespeare Notes. All's Well that Ends Well. The First Lord is worth attending to.... Hamlet: ...But I could write a thousand pages about Hamlet...Miranda and Juliet: To say that Juliet and Miranda might very well be one seems to me to show a lamentable want of perception... Romeo and Juliet ...When the old nurse cackles of leaning against the dove-house wall it's just as though a beam of sunlight struck through the curtains and discovered her sitting there in the warmth with a tiny staggerer...Twelfth Night...Oh, doesn't that reveal the thoughts of all those strange creatures who attend upon the lives of others! Antony and Cleopatra...Marvellous words!...A creature like Cleopatra always expects to be paid for things.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Katherine Mansfield      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : The Tempest

'Shakespeare Notes. All's Well that Ends Well. The First Lord is worth attending to.... Hamlet: ...But I could write a thousand pages about Hamlet...Miranda and Juliet: To say that Juliet and Miranda might very well be one seems to me to show a lamentable want of perception... Romeo and Juliet ...When the old nurse cackles of leaning against the dove-house wall it's just as though a beam of sunlight struck through the curtains and discovered her sitting there in the warmth with a tiny staggerer...Twelfth Night...Oh, doesn't that reveal the thoughts of all those strange creatures who attend upon the lives of others! Antony and Cleopatra...Marvellous words!...A creature like Cleopatra always expects to be paid for things.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Katherine Mansfield      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Romeo and Juliet

'Shakespeare Notes. All's Well that Ends Well. The First Lord is worth attending to.... Hamlet: ...But I could write a thousand pages about Hamlet...Miranda and Juliet: To say that Juliet and Miranda might very well be one seems to me to show a lamentable want of perception... Romeo and Juliet ...When the old nurse cackles of leaning against the dove-house wall it's just as though a beam of sunlight struck through the curtains and discovered her sitting there in the warmth with a tiny staggerer...Twelfth Night...Oh, doesn't that reveal the thoughts of all those strange creatures who attend upon the lives of others! Antony and Cleopatra...Marvellous words!...A creature like Cleopatra always expects to be paid for things.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Katherine Mansfield      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Twelfth Night

'Shakespeare Notes. All's Well that Ends Well. The First Lord is worth attending to.... Hamlet: ...But I could write a thousand pages about Hamlet...Miranda and Juliet: To say that Juliet and Miranda might very well be one seems to me to show a lamentable want of perception... Romeo and Juliet ...When the old nurse cackles of leaning against the dove-house wall it's just as though a beam of sunlight struck through the curtains and discovered her sitting there in the warmth with a tiny staggerer...Twelfth Night...Oh, doesn't that reveal the thoughts of all those strange creatures who attend upon the lives of others! Antony and Cleopatra...Marvellous words!...A creature like Cleopatra always expects to be paid for things.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Katherine Mansfield      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Antony and Cleopatra

'Shakespeare Notes. All's Well that Ends Well. The First Lord is worth attending to.... Hamlet: ...But I could write a thousand pages about Hamlet...Miranda and Juliet: To say that Juliet and Miranda might very well be one seems to me to show a lamentable want of perception... Romeo and Juliet ...When the old nurse cackles of leaning against the dove-house wall it's just as though a beam of sunlight struck through the curtains and discovered her sitting there in the warmth with a tiny staggerer...Twelfth Night...Oh, doesn't that reveal the thoughts of all those strange creatures who attend upon the lives of others! Antony and Cleopatra...Marvellous words!...A creature like Cleopatra always expects to be paid for things.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Katherine Mansfield      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : The Tempest

'January 3...I read "The Tempest". The papers came. I over-read them. Tell the truth. I did no work. In fact I was more idle and hateful than ever..."The Tempest" seems to me astonishing this time. When one reads the same play again, it is never the same play.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Katherine Mansfield      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : unknown

'January 4...I have read a good deal of "Cosmic Anatomy" and understood it far better. Yes, such a book does fascinate me. Why does J. [Middleton Murry] hate it so? To get a glimpse of the relation of things - to follow that relation and find it remains true through the ages enlarges my little mind as nothing else does. It's only a greater view of psychology....Read Shakespeare.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Katherine Mansfield      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : unknown

'January 6... Read Shakespeare, read "Cosmic Anatomy", read The Oxford Dictionary.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Katherine Mansfield      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : unknown

'January 7... I read "Cosmic Anatomy", Shakespeare and the Bible. Jonah.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Katherine Mansfield      Print: Book

  

Naomi Jacobs : [early works]

'I like good modern books - I'm very fond of American books - or Dorothy Conyer's - good racy stories. I hate detective stories, I like Naomi Jacobs' early ones. I read 'props' three times - I do like well written books. I hate anything in the first person....I won't read war books...I like 'How Green was My Valley"...and 'Conflict' by Faith Baldwin - it was really interesting: I read it about the time China came in the war with us.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book

  

John Monk Saunders : A Yank at Oxford

'I've read one book since the war "A Yank At Oxford". I liked that.....'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book

  

James Ussher : A body of divinitie

'Thence to the Temple and sat there till one a-clock, reading at Playford's in Dr Ushers "Body of Divinity" his discourse of the Scripture; which is as much, I believe, as is anywhere said by any man, but yet there is room to cavill, if a man would use no faith to the tradition of the Church in which he is born; which I think to be as good as any argument as most is brought for many things, and it may be for that, among others.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Print: Book

  

[Thomas] [Southland] : Love a la mode

'So home to dinner alone. And then to read a little and so to church again, where the Scott made an ordinary sermon; and so home to my office and there read over my vowes, and encreased them by a vow against all strong drink till November next, of any sort of Quantity... Then I fell to read over a silly play, writ by a person of Honour (which is, I find, as much to say a coxcombe) called "Love a la mode".'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Print: Book

  

Adam Olearius : The voyages and travels of the ambassadors from the Duke of Holstein, to the Great Duke of Muscovy, and the King of Persia

'I went to the Temple and there spent my time in a bookseller's shop, reading in a book of some Embassages into Moscovia, &c., where was very good reading.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Print: Book

  

Samuel Pepys : Love a Cheate

'This evening, being in an humour of making all things even and clear in the world, I tore some old paper; among others, a Romance which (under the title of "Love a Cheate") I began ten year ago at Cambridge; and at this time, reading it over tonight, I liked it very well and wondered a little at myself at my vein at that time when I wrote it, doubting that I cannot do so well now if I would try.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Manuscript: Sheet

  

William Shakespeare : unknown

'February 5. Wrote at my story, read Shakespeare, Read Goethe, thought, prayed.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Katherine Mansfield      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [works]

'I was repelled at home, rather than encouraged to read, and I never remember to have seen a book in my elders' hands. Literature was limited to the "Daily Telegraph". To read in secret I escaped to the washhouse, and I well remember during my early apprentice days at Spitalfields, my grandfather, catching a sight of me reading there a copy of Dicks's shilling edition of Shakespeare - the whole, a marvellous feat of cheap publishing -sternly reproachful, exclaimed: "Ah, Tom, that'll never bring you bread and cheese!"'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Okey      Print: Book

  

[Thomas Peckett] [Prest] : Sweeney Todd the Barber

'The favourite literary pabulum of us boys at school, however, was less classical: "penny bloods" and other Weeklies issued in penny sheets, such as "Sweeny Todd the Barber". Romantic stories of highwaymen circulated freely from boy to boy until reduced to rags: Dick Turpin, Spring-heeled Jack, the gallant Claude Duval, gracefully dancing on the greensward with the ladies he had robbed, Edith the Captive, Edith Heron, with what impatience we awaited the issue of the next number, with what absorbing interest we followed the thrilling adventure!... What it did was to evoke the reading habit, and to one boy at least that was a valuable endowment. Nor did the "Boys of England" proffer a much healthier pabulum to the hunger of the young barbarian for extra-lawful adventure. I can even today visualise the number I read with the lovely alliterate title of its opening story, "Alone in the Pirates' Lair" - and the front page illustration - Jack Harkaway, sitting before the pirate on the island, open-eyed, drinking in the recital of his hazardous deeds;...'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Okey      Print: Serial / periodical

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Rookwood

'I should have written to you to-day to thank you for your flattering and kind-hearted mention of myself in the new Preface to Rookwood; if the weather had been finer I intended riding out to tell you how warmly I felt it, and how much sincere delight your friendship affords me.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Charles Dickens      Print: Book

  

Miss Reynolds : unknown

'Madam, I have read the paper you were kind enough to forward to me, and very much regret that I cannot avail myself of it. It is not in a style of composition which would be serviceable to the Miscellany of which I am the Editor, neither is it in my power to commence any new series of papers just now. I trust you will not feel hurt by this communication; be assured that I am perfectly sensible both of the kind womanly feeling which pervades your little tale, and of the excellence of the motive which prompted you to write it.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Charles Dickens      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Thomas Gaspey : The Grand Juror

'My Dear Sir, As you have long since ceased to be ?a colt? in the periodical paddock, you will not be surprised at my not having been able to find room in the next No. for that same paper. If you will leave it in my good keeping until the 28th. (February is a short month) we will astonish the Grand Jurors with it. I have laughed very heartily over it, and although I have never served (for I always pay my taxes when they won?t call any longer, in order to get a bad name in the parish and so escape all honors) I can see it is true to the life.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Charles Dickens      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Samuel Pepys : [contract]

'And after dinner to the Change a little and then to Whitehall, where anon the Duke of York came and a Committee we had of Tanger; where I read over my rough draft of the contract for Tanger Victualling and acquainted them with the death of Mr Alsopp...'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Manuscript: Sheet

  

Samuel Pepys : [contract]

'We read over the contract together and discoursed it well over and so parted'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Manuscript: Sheet

  

Samuel Pepys : [contract]

'We read over the contract together and discoursed it well over and so parted'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Mr Andrews      Manuscript: Sheet

  

Miguel de Cervantes : Don Quixote

'Coming upon a copy of "Don Quixote" in a warder's house, he thought it was "the most wonderful book [he] had ever seen". When he refused to give it up, the warder said he might keep it... "Don Quixote" awakened in Arthur a "passion for reading", and before long, he had read Scott, then Byron, who, he had been told was" a very, very great poet, and a very, very wicked man, an atheist, a writer whom it was dangerous to read".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Arthur Symons      Print: Book

  

William Dean Howells : A Modern Instance

'In another letter Arthur praises William Dean Howells's "A Modern Instance" as "a owerful novel - bare, blank, utterly unidealised realism, not by any means the ideal 'imaginative realism', but still, in its lower sphere, what mastery!"'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Arthur Symons      Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : Prayers and Meditations [?]

J.H. Ewing's diary entry, July 23: 'Johnson's Meditations'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Juliana Horatia Ewing      Print: Book

  

Stephanie Felicite, Comtesse de Genlis : L'amour maternelle

'After supper [Mama] read us "L'amour maternelle" of Mde. de Genlis.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Agathe Wynne      Print: Unknown

  

Stephanie Felicite, Comtesse de Genlis : Zelie

'Mama read the story of Mde. de Genlis to us that is called "Zelie" or the "Ingenue" it is very fine. I like it the best of all the pieces by that author.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Agathe Wynne      Print: Unknown

  

Stephanie Felicite, Comtesse de Genlis : Olympe et Theophile

'This evening we read "Olympe and Theophile" (by Mde. de G.) We all cried so much there was not one of us that was capable of reading. [Eugenia says: 'Mesdames de Bombelles and de Regis, Mde. de B, Lou Bitche and Betsi all wept there wass but me that was firm']' [square bracketed text added by editor]

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: the Wynne family and friends, including Betsey, Eugenia and several women     Print: Unknown

  

Marguerite de Valois : Memoires de la Reyne Marguerite

'I have read your Reyne Margerite and will retourne it you when you please. If you will have my opinion of her, I think she has a good deale of witt . . . But the storry of Mademoisell de Tournon, is soe sad that when I had read it I was able to goe noe further, and was faine to take up something else to divert my self withall'.

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Osborne      Print: Book

  

Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle : (?) Poems and Fancies

'You need not send mee Lady Newcastles book at all for I have seen it, and am sattisfyed that there are many soberer People in Bedlam, i'le swear her friends are much to blame to let her goe abroade.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Osborne      Print: Book

  

Madeleine de Scudery : Artamene; ou, Le Grand Cyrus

'I know you will pitty Poore Amestris strangly when you have read her Stoory[.] i'le swear I cryed for her when I read it first though shee were an imaginary person, and sure if any thing of that kinde can deserve it her misfortunes may.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Dorothy Osborne      Print: BookManuscript: Letter

  

Maurice Barres : Le Jardin de Berenice

'Thanks for your letter & the book. A word in reference to the former. I can?t boast that I discovered what purports to be the "central idea" of the novel for myself. I first heard of Barr?s in an article bY Edward Delille in the "Fortnightly." Next I read a criticism of this very book in the latest volume issued of Anatole France?s "La Vie Litteraire". Lastly there was a rather striking article in a recent "Scribner" on new ideas in French Literature generally in which the name of Barr?s was prominent. So when I actually bought the book I knew just what to expect. As I understand the thing, the author is at direct variance with Flaubert, Zola & Guy de Maupassant, who at all costs aim at an impartial, impersonal presentment of life. He prefers to take a character & describe events and men solely in relation to their effect on that character. In a word his novel is all hero. He cares nothing for absolute perspective. He interests himself in nothing but what affects his hero. Everything is described through the hero?s eyes, & consequently everything is intentionally coloured & distorted. He utterly despises the "one-eyed apathetic insight of the camera". You mention his symbolism. I believe that the presence of numerous symbols & analogies in the actual writing is only a minor & unimportant manifestation of the symbolist theory. The whole book in its main outlines is a congeries of symbols. . . '

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Arnold Bennett      Print: Book

  

Thomas a Kempis : The Imitation of Jesus Christ

'I spent the evening reading with Mama "the Imitation of Jesus Christ" until supper'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth (Betsey) Wynne      Print: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet

'Sunday, 14th March, Discussion Group ? ?Stunt? rehearsal. Also 1st rehearsal of ?Good Friday? which will draw half our members. Reading ?Hamlet" ? the first time I have read it with any attempt at real comprehension.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Gerald Moore      Print: Book

  

Edmond Holmes : The Tragedy of Education

'Monday, 29th March, A 21st birthday party at the Roberts?. Pleaded illness and got off. My clothes will hardly do. Bought Ira ?Far from the Madding Crowd?. Wrote Adana people re printing press. Have decided on a course for the Club next year ? ?The English Historical Novel??a study of English history, manners and institutions. A lot can be done with this if the books are carefully chosen. Read -- ?the Tragedy of Education (Edmond Holmes)'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Gerald Moore      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : As you Like it

'Monday, 5th April, I am cast for Amieus in ?As you like it?. I was looking over my script today. Not very much but nice. ?Under the Greenwood Tree? and ?Blow, blow thou Winter Wind? are my songs. I shall enjoy it.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Gerald Moore      Print: Book

  

May Sinclair : Mr Waddington of Wyck

'Tuesday 6th July. ?Mr Waddington of Wyck? ? (May Sinclair). Back to the office today and find that young Reid has done pretty well. Kept my work fairly up-to-date. He has also kept quiet re-meeting my family last week. Smith is back too, after a quiet fortnight and he recommends Louis Golding to me. He (Smith) is reading ?Sicilian Noon?. I must try also that thing I have heard so much about ?Lolly Willowes? by Sylvia Townsend Warner. '

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Gerald Moore      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Henry IV

'Saturday 10th July ?Henry IV? ? (Shakespeare ? bought it yesterday, Temple 2 vols)'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Gerald Moore      Print: Book

  

Benjamin Disraeli : Sybil

'Thursday 29th July ?Sybil? ? (Disraeli) [...] I went to see Mother tonight and completed the preliminary draft for my syllabus on the Historical novel.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Gerald Moore      Print: Book

  

[Mr] de Salis : L'Ecole aux Maris Malhonnetes

'I played the harpsichord most part of the evening. Then we began to read a play of Mr de Salis (made by him) entitled "L'Ecole aux Maris Malhonnetes". It is very badly wrote, in a very bad style, and not pretty at all it is so very ridiculous that we could not help laughing at hearing it read. I only heard two acts, we shall finish it tomorrow'. [the next day] 'We finished the play of Mr de Salis the end is worse than the beginning and it is very stupid'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Wynne and others     Print: Unknown

  

Benjamin Disraeli : Sybil

'Monday 16th August ?John Inglesant? ? (J.H. Shorthouse). I finished Sybil and think it certainly is a fine book for our syllabus purposes.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Gerald Moore      Print: Book

  

Thomas Pearson : Infidelity; its Aspects, Causes and Agencies

'We found some of the prisoners here engaged in reading, while waiting till the officers returned from their breakfast. One was perusing a treatise on "Infidelity; its Aspects, Causes and Agencies"; another the "Home Friend - a weekly miscellany"; a third, the "Saturday Magazine"; a fourth, the "History of Redemption"; and a fifth, the "Family Quarrel - an humble story".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book

  

May Sinclair : The Tree of Heaven

'Saturday 6th November. ?The Tree of Heaven? - (May Sinclair). Bad day on the Round, but Dad has done well. Mother is ill and expect to have to go to hospital. We yarned about the Aldermania elections. If the Labour Party in Birkenhead watch their step they will have a majority after the Alderman elections.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Gerald Moore      Print: Book

  

J. Maynard Keynes : The End of Laissez Faire

Monday 6th November. ?The End of Laissez-Faire? - J. M. Keynes. Busy today as usual. My latest book,[Keynes] is very interesting; it is quite a declaration of belief and gives some typically tentative and nervous signs of Keynes position. I think he realises that his attitude requires considerable modification. He has found and knows the truth, but is afraid to realise it. He tries to cover it up from himself by ineffectual qualifications.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Gerald Moore      Print: Book

  

Mary Johnston : By Order of the Company

'Monday 27th December. ?By Order of the Company? (Johnston)'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Gerald Moore      Print: Book

  

Thomas Vladesco : [article on Henrik Ibsen]

'28th September 1928 (Friday). I have been reading an article on Ibsen by Thomas Vladesco in the ?Mercure de France?. The writer sets out to prove Ibsen a bon bourgeois, a person with a wholesome respect for human institutions who merely created ?characters? and balanced individualisms. Whilst to my mind, thus denuding Ibsen of all the greatness, which the world has attributed to him, the writer claims rather to be clearing him of false and foul charges of anarchism, so heightening his renown by a purification of his ideas and intentions. The article is a rank failure. The writer proves nothing, ?clears? Ibsen of all sorts of ?charges? which no thinking reader makes against him, and gives him a philosophy, small, and shallow, which a most superficial acquaintance with his work would show to be untrue of the dramatist. Even the oft repeated claim that he belauds individualism is unsound. What Ibsen does do is to show in ?Peer Gynt? and in ?Brand? that both by individualistic and by self-effacing methods of life man fails to attain the goal. Man?s end is failure (though perhaps a great failure). He sets the question and there leaves it. Ibsen is a questioner. In that, Shaw goes beyond him, for Shaw has always an answer though it is Shaw?s answer.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Gerald Moore      Print: Newspaper

  

Ibrahim Pasha : Turkish Verses

'They have what they call the [italics] sublime [italics], that is, a style proper for poetry, and which is the exact Scripture style. I believe you would be pleased to see a genuine example of this; and I am very glad I have it in my power to satisfy our curiosity, by sending you a faithful copy of the verses that Ibrahim Pasha, the reigning favourite, had made for the young princess, his contracted wife...Thus the verses may be looked upon as a sample of their finest poetry...I have taken abundance of pains to get these verses in a literal translation'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary, Lady Wortley Montagu      Manuscript: Sheet

  

Samuel Richardson : Sir Charles Grandison

Elizabeth Missing Sewell on her mother, Jane Sewell (nee Edwards; married 1802): 'She must have been naturally very clever; for, although she had received little or no education, her knowledge of books, and her memory for poetry and apt quotations, were quite remarkable. She often talked to us of her studies as a girl; how she used not only to devour novels, and read Sir Charles Grandison every winter, but how she also taught herself a little French, learned by heart long passages from the great poets, sometimes read history, and especially delighted in Bayley's Dictionary, with its long meanings and rules for pronunciation.'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Edwards      Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : The Rambler

'My chief acquaintance with the writers of the eighteenth century is derived from reading to Aunt Lyddy papers in the [italics]Spectator[end italics] and [italics]The Rambler[end italics], Mason's plays, Addison's [italics]Cato[end italics], etc. This we were often called to do when we were invited to dine with Aunt Clarke [reader's great-aunt, to whom "Lyddy," Sewell's father's unmarried sister, a companion].'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

William Russell : History of Modern Europe

Elizabeth Missing Sewell on her reading at home in the Isle of Wight, after leaving her Bath boarding school in 1830: 'I used to study by myself, for I knew that I was woefully ignorant. Such books as Russell's "History of Modern Europe" and Robertson's "Charles the Fifth", I read, and also Watts on the "Improvement of the Mind", and I plodded through an Italian history of the Venetian Doges, lent me by an intimate and valued friend of my father, Mr. Turnbull [...] I taught myself besides to read Spanish -- for having found a Spanish "Don Quixote" lying about, which no one claimed, I took possession of it, bought a grammar and dictionary, and set to work to master the contents of the books which I knew so well by name. The elements of botany on the Linnean system was another of my attempted acquirements, but I am afraid my studies were very superficial: I knew nothing perfectly, but I read everything that came in my way. There was an excellent town library in Newport, from which I could get any good modern works; and, beside the graver literature, I had always some lighter book on hand, and especially delighted in Walter Scott's novels and poetry. Byron, too was a great favourite.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

William Robertson : History of Charles the Fifth

Elizabeth Missing Sewell on her reading at home in the Isle of Wight, after leaving her Bath boarding school in 1830: 'I used to study by myself, for I knew that I was woefully ignorant. Such books as Russell's "History of Modern Europe" and Robertson's "Charles the Fifth", I read, and also Watts on the "Improvement of the Mind", and I plodded through an Italian history of the Venetian Doges, lent me by an intimate and valued friend of my father, Mr. Turnbull [...] I taught myself besides to read Spanish -- for having found a Spanish "Don Quixote" lying about, which no one claimed, I took possession of it, bought a grammar and dictionary, and set to work to master the contents of the books which I knew so well by name. The elements of botany on the Linnean system was another of my attempted acquirements, but I am afraid my studies were very superficial: I knew nothing perfectly, but I read everything that came in my way. There was an excellent town library in Newport, from which I could get any good modern works; and, beside the graver literature, I had always some lighter book on hand, and especially delighted in Walter Scott's novels and poetry. Byron, too was a great favourite.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

Miguel de Cervantes : Don Quixote

Elizabeth Missing Sewell on her reading at home in the Isle of Wight, after leaving her Bath boarding school in 1830: 'I used to study by myself, for I knew that I was woefully ignorant. Such books as Russell's "History of Modern Europe" and Robertson's "Charles the Fifth", I read, and also Watts on the "Improvement of the Mind", and I plodded through an Italian history of the Venetian Doges, lent me by an intimate and valued friend of my father, Mr. Turnbull [...] I taught myself besides to read Spanish -- for having found a Spanish "Don Quixote" lying about, which no one claimed, I took possession of it, bought a grammar and dictionary, and set to work to master the contents of the books which I knew so well by name. The elements of botany on the Linnean system was another of my attempted acquirements, but I am afraid my studies were very superficial: I knew nothing perfectly, but I read everything that came in my way. There was an excellent town library in Newport, from which I could get any good modern works; and, beside the graver literature, I had always some lighter book on hand, and especially delighted in Walter Scott's novels and poetry. Byron, too was a great favourite.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : works

'In 1835, [James] Edwards [Sewell, reader's brother] [...] had the curacy of Hursley. Mr. Gilbert Heathcote held the living, and Ellen [reader's sister] and I were sent to Hursley [...] whilst Lucy [reader's friend] was ill. We were at the old vicarage [...] [Mr. Heathcote's books] were very kindly left for our use, and I made an acquaintance with Sir Walter Scott's "Paul's Letters to his Kinsfolk", and read Shakespeare to Ellen, and led a quiet life, seeing no one.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

Laetitia Matilda Hawkins : The Countess and Gertrude

Elizabeth Missing Sewell on a stay at her aunt Mrs Hanbury's London house during late 1835: 'The house and the situation [John Street, Bedford Row] were alike dreary [...] The only gleam of romance I had in connection with the place was derived from the fact that the large bare house reminded me of a description of one like it in an old novel by Miss Hawkins --"The Countess and Gertrude".'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

Mrs. Mary Sherwood : Tales

Elizabeth Missing Sewell, on the start of her writing career: 'I began "Amy Herbert"-- I scarcely know why -- only I had been reading some story of Mrs. Sherwood's, which struck me as having pretty descriptions, and I fancied I could write something of the same kind; and as a matter of curiosity I determined to make the attempt. I read both the few chapters of the intended tract ["Stories on the Lord's Prayer"], and the beginning of "Amy Herbert"to my sisters, and they liked them'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : Stories on the Lord's Prayer

Elizabeth Missing Sewell, on the start of her writing career: 'I began "Amy Herbert"-- I scarcely know why -- only I had been reading some story of Mrs. Sherwood's, which struck me as having pretty descriptions, and I fancied I could write something of the same kind; and as a matter of curiosity I determined to make the attempt. I read both the few chapters of the intended tract ["Stories on the Lord's Prayer"], and the beginning of "Amy Herbert"to my sisters, and they liked them'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : Amy Herbert

Elizabeth Missing Sewell, on the start of her writing career: Elizabeth Missing Sewell, on the start of her writing career: 'I began "Amy Herbert"-- I scarcely know why -- only I had been reading some story of Mrs. Sherwood's, which struck me as having pretty descriptions, and I fancied I could write something of the same kind; and as a matter of curiosity I determined to make the attempt. I read both the few chapters of the intended tract ["Stories on the Lord's Prayer"], and the beginning of "Amy Herbert"to my sisters, and they liked them'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : Stories on the Lord's Prayer

Elizabeth Missing Sewell, on the anonymity of her first publication ("Stories on the Lord's Prayer", serialised in "The Cottager's Monthly Visitor" in 1840): 'I did not give my name, and no one knew anything about it, except my mother and sisters. I have often vexed myself since -- thinking that I did not tell my father -- but I had a dread of any person talking to me about my writing, and I knew that if he was pleased he would not be able to keep himself from telling me so. I was reading the little book aloud to my mother one evening when he was in the room, and not being well was lying on the sofa half asleep, as I thought; but he listened, and I think was interested, for he asked me what I was reading. I forget exactly what answer I made, but it certainly was not that I was reading anything of my own, and so I lost the opportunity of giving him pleasure.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Unknown

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : Amy Herbert

Elizabeth Missing Sewell, on her mother's admiration for her writings: 'After my father's death, the only reading, except the Bible, which, for weeks, she would listen to, was "Amy Herbert"'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Sewell      Print: Unknown

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : Amy Herbert

Elizabeth Missing Sewell, on her family's encouragement of her writing: 'William [Sewell's brother] had arranged to have the "Stories from the Lord's Prayer" published as a little book [...] This made Ellen [Sewell's sister] speak to him about "Amy Herbert". He looked at the first chapters, and liked them, and begged me to finish the story.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Sewell      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : 'little history of the early Church'

Elizabeth Missing Sewell on support received in the face of criticisms of her novel [italics]Margaret Percival[end italics] for its supposedly Roman Catholic sympathies: 'My one consolation, when criticised, was, and is, that the statement of the historical grounds on which the English Church rests were [sic] privately approved by [...] the Rev. Samuel Rickards, rector of Stowlangtoft, Essex [...] Mr. Rickards also advised me to write a little history of the early Church, which I afterwards did. He saw part of it, and liked it.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Rickards      

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : The Earl's Daughter

'[italics]The Earl's Daughter[end italics] was [...] begun before my mother's death, and I read part of it to her, but she saw from the beginning that it was likely to be sad, and I think it rather oppressed her. [italics]Margaret Percival[end italics] I read to her entirely, and also a portion of [italics]Laneton Parsonage[end italics], and I remember being obliged to assure her that Alice Lennox (in the latter tale) when taken ill would not die, she took such a vivid interest in the story -- which was only completed after her death.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : Margaret Percival

'[italics]The Earl's Daughter[end italics] was [...] begun before my mother's death, and I read part of it to her, but she saw from the beginning that it was likely to be sad, and I think it rather oppressed her. [italics]Margaret Percival[end italics] I read to her entirely, and also a portion of [italics]Laneton Parsonage[end italics], and I remember being obliged to assure her that Alice Lennox (in the latter tale) when taken ill would not die, she took such a vivid interest in the story -- which was only completed after her death.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : Laneton Parsonage

'[italics]The Earl's Daughter[end italics] was [...] begun before my mother's death, and I read part of it to her, but she saw from the beginning that it was likely to be sad, and I think it rather oppressed her. [italics]Margaret Percival[end italics] I read to her entirely, and also a portion of [italics]Laneton Parsonage[end italics], and I remember being obliged to assure her that Alice Lennox (in the latter tale) when taken ill would not die, she took such a vivid interest in the story -- which was only completed after her death.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Manuscript: Unknown

  

William Russell : History of Modern Europe

'We finished today to read Russels "Modern History", which is perfectly well wrote and in a very intertaining [sic] manner'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth (Betsey) Wynne      Print: Book

  

James Thomson : [a tragedy]

'I read today an English Tragedy by Thomson that pleased me much and made me like that author's works'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth (Betsey) Wynne      Print: Unknown

  

Samuel Richardson : Sir Charles Grandison

'I staid at home and read "Charles Grandison" that we have in French a charming book'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth (Betsey) Wynne      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Sir Charles Grandison

'The Day was beautifull and I enjoyed the sweetness of the weather in riding walking and sitting out in the fields with a book - "Charles Grandisson" I am but at the second volume much amuses me I have begun to read also in English Robertsons history of America and Blairs lectures on Rhetoric and belles lettres - We have bought these books at Basle where they are well printed and cheap'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth (Betsey) Wynne      Print: Book

  

William Robertson : The History of America

'The Day was beautifull and I enjoyed the sweetness of the weather in riding walking and sitting out in the fields with a book - "Charles Grandisson" I am but at the second volume much amuses me I have begun to read also in English Robertsons history of America and Blairs lectures on Rhetoric and belles lettres - We have bought these books at Basle where they are well printed and cheap'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth (Betsey) Wynne      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Sir Charles Grandison

'I read of "Grandisson" - That Book pleases and interests me very much'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth (Betsey) Wynne      Print: Book

  

[Mr] de Bressac : [account of French Rebellion]

'This evening I heard a lecture of a work made by Mr de Bressac which is the description of all the murders and horrors committed in France during the Rebellion. It is easily supposed that such a lecture is not at all agreeable especially to young folks. Indeed I found it well wrote but it was cruel to oblige to hear all them massacres'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth (Betsey) Wynne      Print: Unknown

  

Samuel Richardson : Sir Charles Grandison

'I have done to read "Grandisson" that book has amused me vastly'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth (Betsey) Wynne      Print: Book

  

William Robertson : The History of Scotland during the Reigns of Queen Mary and of King James VI till his Accession to the Crown of England

'Rain again and rain forever. I read a great deal of Robertson's "History of Scotland". I cannot forgive Elizabeth's behaviour and though Mary's is very shameful yet I cannot help feeling a sort of partiality for her, a partiality which is a tribute that I pay to her endless misfortunes and which prompts me to think that if Elizabeth had sought protection in Mary's arms she would have found a sure azylum and a hasty succour there. Robertson in giving Mary's character, perfectly expressed what you must feel in reading her history. "You throw a veil over her frailties and faults, and approve of your tears as if they were shed for an object who drew much nearer to protection".'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Eugenia Wynne      Print: Book

  

Mr Sandys : Unknown

'One of my countrymen, Mr. Sandys (whose book I do not doubt you have read, as one of the best of its kind), speaking of these ruins, supposes them to have been the foundation of a city begun by Constantine, before his building Byzantium.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary, Lady Wortley Montagu      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [works]

'I have read the whole of Shakespeare several times and the character with whom I have most sympathy is poor Hamlet, the introvert, the dreamer!'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Stuart Wood [pseud?]      Print: Book

  

Thomas [?] Hughes : [unknown]

'As I began to mend, the Governor, to keep me from brooding too much, gave orders that I was to have all the reading matter I wanted within the limits of the prison library, and my book changed just as often as I liked and at any hour of the day. To a man eager to improve his acquaintance with standard literature such a privilege was immeasurably great, and for the next six weeks or so I browsed among the Victorian novelists - Austin [sic?], the Brontes, Dickens, Thackeray, George Eliot, Meredith, Lytton, Kingsley, Reade, Hughes, Trollope and others.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Stuart Wood [pseud?]      Print: Book

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : Katherine Ashton

Elizabeth Missing Sewell on the model for the domineering husband Colonel Forbes, in her novel [italics]Katherine Ashton[end italics]: 'Colonel Forbes has not in appearance, position and surroundings the least resemblance to his prototype; yet that the character is in the main true was shown to me strangely by the fact that the gentleman who gave me the idea of it came to me after he had read [italics]Katherine Ashton[end italics] and owned that Colonel Forbes resembled himself, though no one else ever suggested the likeness.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book

  

Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph von Schelling : [unknown]

'At Maidstone, both on this occasion and subsequently when I served several months in separate confinement as a convict preparatory to going to Parkhurst, I was able, through the chaplain's kindness, to study not only Greek philosophy, but also Locke, Hume, Berkeley, Kant, Hegel, Fichte, Schelling, Schopenhauer, Fechner, Lotze, etc. Being a very rapid reader and having some ability in getting at the gist of a book I got through a fair amount of really interesting reading. ... In the summer I grabbed a book as soon as it was light enough to read, say, four o'clock, read till and during breakfast, dinner, supper and continued till 9:30 or 10 o'clock at night, an average of 8 to 10 hours a day. There were times, of course, when the burden of prison life bred a spirit of discontent and restlessness which books could not assuage.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Stuart Wood [pseud?]      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : Life of Johnson

'It was about noon, and the officers had all gone home to their dinners, when, as I sat on my stool munching my loaf and reading Boswell's "Life of Dr Johnson", I heard a shuffling of feet outside and my cell-door was thrown open by the patrol'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Merry Wives of Windsor

'Drew my chair to the door, sat down in the sun, and spent an hour or two in reading the "Merry Wives of Windsor". Thank God for Shakespeare at any rate. Baron Lefroy cannot sentence Shakespeare to death, nor so much as mulct him for damages, though I am told he deserves it for defamation of character, in the case of Sir John Falstaff.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Mitchel      Print: Book

  

Mary Schweidler : The Amber Witch

'The routine of the "Scourge" has grown familiar; and one tires of unbroken fine weather and smooth seas. No resource for me but the officers' little library. Therefore I must have been sleepily pouring over Dana's "Two Years before the Mast": a pleasant, rough kind of book, but with something too much hauling of ropes and "handing" of sails it in. ...I have been reading also "The Amber Witch", a most beautiful German story, translated into English, by Lady Duff Gordon.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Mitchel      Print: Book

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Windsor Castle

'Three weeks of sickness, sleepness nights, and dismal days: and the "light" reading that I have been devouring I find to weigh very heavy. Yet the "Three Mousquetaires" of Dumas is certainly the best novel that creature has made. How is it that the paltriest feuilletoniste in Paris can always turn out something at least readable (readable, I mean, by a person of ordinary taste and knowledge) and that the popular providers of that sort of thing in London - save only Dickens - are also so very stupid, ignorant and vicious a herd? Not but the feuilleton-men are vicious enough; but then vice wrapped decently in plenty of British cant, and brutified by cockney ignorance, is triply vicious. Dumas's "Marquis de Letoriere", too, is a pleasant enough little novelette: but I have tried twice, and tried in vain, to get through a mass of letterpress called "Windsor Castle", by Ainsworth; and another by one Douglas Jerrold, entitled "St Giles and St James".'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Mitchel      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [various titles]

'With Shakespeare also I hold much gay and serious intercourse; and I have read, since coming here, three or four dialogues of Plato, with the critical diligence of a junior sophister. The "Politeia", indeed, as a gentle exercise of my mind, I am writing out in literal bald English; which I do chiefly with a view to compel myself to read Greek accurately, and not to gobble it, bones and all.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Mitchel      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Antony and Cleopatra

'Read "Antony and Cleopatra".'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Mitchel      Print: Book

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : Laneton Parsonage

From letter to Elizabeth Missing Sewell reproduced in [italics]The Autobiography of Elizabeth Missing Sewell[end italics], written in 1889 by the Rev. J. J. Lias, to accompany a copy of one of his own published writings: 'I am sending this book in recognition of invaluable help rendered by you to me nearly half a century ago [...] When I first fell in with [italics]Laneton Parsonage[end italics] I was in a stage of sentimental evangelicalism in which the reading of good works and thinking of (perhaps) good thoughts was to me the whole of religion. When my tutor gave me [italics]Laneton Parsonage[end italics], its doctrine of baptismal grace and privileges at once inspired me [...] I never became an advanced High Churchman, but my sympathies have been with the common-sense practical Churchmanship you have taught in your books -- a Catholic Christianity which holds fast the Word of God and the Creeds, and honours the Sacraments.'

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: J. J. Lias      Print: Unknown

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : Preparation for the Holy Communion

From letter to Eleanor L. Sewell reproduced in [italics]The Autobiography of Elizabeth Missing Sewell[end italics], written on 15 December 1906 by Miss [E.] Wordsworth , in response to appeal for thoughts and reminiscences regarding Sewell and her works: 'We are all apt to forget how much good there was in England before "Tractarianism" had become a potent influence in the Church. There is one little book [of Sewell's] that I should like to name [...] [italics]Preparation for the Holy Communion[end italics] by the author of [italics]Amy Herbert[end italics] [sic]. It was given me years ago, and I have found it very helpful. There is an earnestness and sobriety [...] in its tone, which makes it very suitable for many who would shrink from making use of the less restrained phraseology of more modern manuals.'

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Wordsworth      Print: Book

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : works

Eleanor L. Sewell, niece of Elizabeth Missing Sewell, in chapter 20 of [italics]The Autobiography of Elizabeth Missing Sewell[end italics]: 'I think I had read all her books when at the age of fifteen [...] I was drifted under her [personal] influence.'

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Eleanor L. Sewell      Print: Unknown

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : works

Eleanor L. Sewell, niece of Elizabeth Missing Sewell, in chapter 20 of [italics]The Autobiography of Elizabeth Missing Sewell[end italics]: 'Among many casual instances [of Elizabeth Missing Sewell's influence] is that of a girl who was detained at the foot of the Lollards' Tower, Lambeth, and showing her impatience of delay, was addressed by a little lady, who was also waiting her turn with a party, and asked to spend the time in learning more about the Lollards and the locality. The girl afterwards saw the lady's name in the visitors' book, was led to read her works and learnt for life the love of study, though she never met Miss Sewell again.'

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Unknown

  

Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, Marquise de Sevigne : [Letters]

'I spent the whole afternoon reading some of Mde. de Sevigne's letters'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Harriet Wynne      Print: Book

  

Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, Marquise de Sevigne : [Letters]

'I read Mde. de Sevigne until I was quite tired'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Harriet Wynne      Print: Book

  

William Watson : Ode on the Day of the Coronation of King Edward VII

`My dear Watson: Who would have supposed that I should write to thank you for your considerateness in sending the Ode, in such circumstances as the present. If the Coronation should never come off, future generations will add a footnote to the verses - then no longer copywright! - to remind readers of their remarkable history; which though it will not increase the value of what is intrinsially so fine, will lend a curious secondary intersst to them. However, as the Coronation will probably happen after all, it is useless to speculate in this way. I will not attempt to criticise. All I can say is that the Ode struck me on a first reading & still impresses me, as being a piece of your very highest work; & to reach the level of your former productions is no mean achievement. Ideas & execution are singularly sustained throughout. I cannot find any place where they dip or falter: & my regret at coming to the last page was that there was no more of the poem. Believe me Sincerely yours Thomas Hardy`

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Hardy      Print: Unknown, Probably a pamphlet or book

  

William Forbes-Mitchell : Reminiscences of the Great Mutiny 1857-9

'I have just returned from reading a chapter of your book to my wife and her daughter. There was not a dry eye at the table, and the reader had to suspend operations, choking upon sobs. They were tears of pride and sympathy. I beg to offer you this family anecdote as a testimony to the success of your reminiscences. Of making books there is said to be no end, and I have made many. But if I could only think once, before I died, that I had given so much and such noble pleasure to a reader, I should be more than rewarded. You have made me proud and glad to be a Scotsman.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Louis Stevenson      Print: Book

  

Thomas Skinner Surr : A Winter in London, or Sketches of Fashion

'I have finished "A Winter in Town", and think that if it was written in two volumes instead of three it would be a very good Novel - Some of the characters such as the Duchess of Devonshire, Duchess of Girdon, and Sir Walter Farquhar are admirably delineated in it'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Eugenia Wynne      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Measure for Measure

'Sat alone all the evening and read two Shakespeare's plays, "Measure for Measure" and "Henry the 6th".'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Fremantle      Print: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : Henry VI

'Sat alone all the evening and read two Shakespeare's plays, "Measure for Measure" and "Henry the 6th".'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Fremantle      Print: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : [Works]

'Have you read Shakespear? If you have not, then I desire you, read it directly, and tell me what you think of him -which is his masterpiece. He is always excellent'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carlyle      Print: Serial / periodical, Unknown

  

James Beresford : Miseries of Human Life

'What are you reading? I am waiting for an account of "Waverl[e]y" from you. - The principal part of my reading in addition to Mathematics &c has been "the Exiles of Siberia", "Hoole's Tasso['s] Jerusalem", "Oberon" translated from the German by Southeby, "Beatties Minstrel", Savage's poems, Fenelons "lives of ancient Philosophers" and "the Miseries of Human life" 2 vols. If there is any of these that you have not seen - and want my sentiments about - you shall have them in my next'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carlyle      Print: Book

  

Philip Dormer Stanhope, Fourth Earl of Chesterfield : Letters to his Son

'As an extraordinary instance of perseverance, I must mention my having read "Cicero de officiis". You must read it too Bob - You will get thro' it in a week - and cannot think your time mis[s]pent. It consists of letters addressed to his son - and if we compare the steady, affectionate, unbending precepts of the venerable Roman - with the only work of a similar kind in our own times - Chesterfield's advice - we shall blush for the eighteenth century!'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carlyle      Print: Book

  

Mark Akenside : Night Thoughts

'Have you seen the last Edinr review? There are several promising articles in it - Scotts "Lord of the Isles," Standard Novels, Lewis' & Clarke's travels up the Missouri, (of which a most delectable account is given in the Quarterly), Joanna Southcott, &c &c. I have been revising Akenside, since I saw you. - He pos[s]esses a warm imagination & great strength & beauty of diction. His poem, you know, does not like Campbell's "Hope" consist of a number of little incidents told in an interesting manner - & selected to illustrate his positions - it is little else than a moral declamation. Nevertheless I like it. Akenside was an enthusiastic admirer of the ancient republics and of the ancient philosophers - He thought highly of Lord Shaftesbury's principles & had a bad opinion of Scotsmen. For this last peculiarity, he has been severely caricatured by Smollet[t] in his Peregrine Pickle - under the character of the fantastic English Doctor in Franc[e] - When we mention Shaftesbury - is his book in your pos[s]ession, and can you let me have a reading of it?'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carlyle      Print: Book

  

Adam Smith : The Wealth of Nations

'I was re[a]ding lately, Stewart's "life of Robertson", Smith's "wealth of nations", and Kames' "Essays on the principles of morality". The first is a sensible sort of book - unworthy, however, of Stewart. Dr Smith is a man of much research, & appears to understand completely all the bearings of his complicated subject. I have read his first and second volumes with much pleasure. He always writes like a philosopher. With regard to Lord Kames - his works are generally all an awkward compound of ingenuity and absurdity and in this volume the latter quality it appears to me, considerably preponderates. It is Metaphysical; upon Belief, identity, Necessity &c &c and I devoutly wish that no friend of mine may ever come to study it - unless he wish to learn - To weave fine cobwebs fit for scull That's empty when the moon is full. - and in that case he cannot study under a more proper master.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carlyle      Print: Book

  

Henry Home, Lord Kames : Essays on the Principles of Morality and Natural Religion

'I was re[a]ding lately, Stewart's "life of Robertson", Smith's "wealth of nations", and Kames' "Essays on the principles of morality". The first is a sensible sort of book - unworthy, however, of Stewart. Dr Smith is a man of much research, & appears to understand completely all the bearings of his complicated subject. I have read his first and second volumes with much pleasure. He always writes like a philosopher. With regard to Lord Kames - his works are generally all an awkward compound of ingenuity and absurdity and in this volume the latter quality it appears to me, considerably preponderates. It is Metaphysical; upon Belief, identity, Necessity &c &c and I devoutly wish that no friend of mine may ever come to study it - unless he wish to learn - To weave fine cobwebs fit for scull That's empty when the moon is full. - and in that case he cannot study under a more proper master.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carlyle      Print: Book

  

Thomas Simpson : A Treatise of Fluxions

'When I returned to Annan, it occurred to me, that it would be proper to see what was become of my Hall discourses. It occurred to me, much about the same time, that it would be proper to study Rumfords essays, Mackenzies travels, Humboldts New Spain, Berkeley's principles of knowledge, Stewarts essays, Simson's fluxions &c &c &c - It was some great man's advice, to every person in a hurry - never to do more than one thing at a time. Judge what progress I must have made - when I engaged in half-a-dozen. - Manufacturing theses - wrestling with lexicons, Chemical experiments, Scotch philosophy and Berkeleian Metaphysics - I have scarcely sufficient strength left, to write you even now. Upon consideration, therefore, of these egregious labours - I hope, you cannot refuse to forgive me.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carlyle      Print: Book

  

Thomas or William Belsham : [either Elements of the Philosophy of Mind or Essays in Philosophical Morality]

'I return always to the study of Physics with more pleasure - after trying "The Philosophy of Mind". It is delightful, after wandering in the thick darkness of metaphysics?to behold again the fair face of truth. When will there arise a man who shall do for the science of mind - what Newton did for that of matter - establish its fundamental laws on the firm basis of induction - and discard forever those absurd theories - that so many dreamers have devised? - I believe this is a foolish question - for its answer is - never. - I am led to talk in this manner - by having lately read M[r.] Sweart's [Stewart's] "History of Philosophy" in the supplement to the "Encyclopedia Britannica"[.] I doubt I am going to displease you - but I must say - that I do not recollect of ever having bestowed as much attention with so little effect - upon any author as upon Profr Stewart. Let me study his writings as I like - my mind seems only to turn on its axis - but without progressive or retrograde motion at all.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carlyle      Print: Book

  

Thomas Chalmers : A Series of Discourses on the Christian Revelation, Viewed in Connection with Modern Astronomy

'But Dr Chalmers, it would seem, is fearful lest these speculations [on the nature of the universe] lead us away from Christianity and has written a volume of discourses to prove that the insignificance of our planet in the universe is no argument against the truth of religion. Orthodox men declare, of course, that he has completely discomfited his opponents - I read it sometime ago - It abounds in that fiery thoroughgoing stile of writing for which the Author is so remarkable: nevertheless his best argument seems to be, that as it is in the scriptures, we have no business to think about it [at] all - an argument which was well enough known to be a panacea in cases of that nature - before his volume saw the light. '

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carlyle      Print: Book

  

Thomas Chalmers : [article on paperism in Edinburgh Review]

'This same Doctor [Chalmers], as you will know wr[i]tes the first article in the late "Edinr review" - on the causes & cure of mendicity. After expatiating at considerable length on the evils of pauperism, he proposes as a remedy to increase the number of clergymen. They who know the general habits of Scottish ministers will easily see how sovereign a specific this is. The remainder of the review is good reading; but as you will have seen it before this time, I will not trouble you farther on the matter - I have seen the last Number of the "Quarterly review". It seems to be getting into a very rotten frothy vein. Mr Southey is a most unblushing character; & his political lucubrations are very notable. He has been sorely galled by "the Caledonian Oracle" poor man - I know nothing about Mr Duncan's controversy except thro the "Scotsman"; and they assign him the victory'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carlyle      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Anne Louise Germaine, Madame de Stael : De l'Allemagne

'What I deplore is that laziness and dissipation of mind to which I am still subject. At present I am quieting my conscience with the thought that I shall study very diligently this winter. Heaven grant it be so! for without increasing in knowledge what profits it to live? Yet the commencement has been inauspicious. Three weeks ago I began to read Wallace's "Fluxions" in the Encyclopaedia, and had proceeded a little way, when the "Quarterly Review", some problems in a very silly Literary and Statistical Magazine of which the the schoolmasters are supporters, Madm de Sta?l's "Germany", etc. etc., have suspended my operations these ten days. After all I am afraid that this winter will pass as others have done before it - unmarked by improvement; and what is to hinder the next, & its followers till the end of the short season allotted me to do so likewise?'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carlyle      Print: Book

  

Matthew Lewis : The Monk

'The other night I sat up till four o'clock, reading Matthew Lewis's "Monk". It is the most stupid & villainous novel that I have read for a great while. Considerable portions of it are grossly indecent[,] not to say brutish - one does not care a straw about one of the characters - and tho' "little Mat" has legions of ghosts & devils at his bidding - one views their movements with profound indifference.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carlyle      Print: Book

  

Mrs H. H. Penrose : The Unequal Yoke

'I feel conscious of sin in regard to your manuscripts. With reference to An Unequal Yoke I knew that Young was bitten by it, & so asked him to supper & whiskey just in order to finish the matter up. Unfortunately some other men took it into their heads also to call that night & we couldn?t say a word together. . . . Touching Toddles: A Nuisance I have read this with great pleasure, & if Toddles is Claude, I want to know him instantly, forthwith, and immediately. . . . This book will sell all right: Constables; Hutchinsons; A.D. Innes? A. & C. Black ; J.M. Dent & Co; might be tried.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Arnold Bennett      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Mrs H. H. Penrose : Chubby, A Nuisance, A Study of Child-life

'I feel conscious of sin in regard to your manuscripts. With reference to An Unequal Yoke I knew that Young was bitten by it, & so asked him to supper & whiskey just in order to finish the matter up. Unfortunately some other men took it into their heads also to call that night & we couldn?t say a word together. . . . Touching Toddles: A Nuisance I have read this with great pleasure, & if Toddles is Claude, I want to know him instantly, forthwith, and immediately. . . . This book will sell all right: Constables; Hutchinsons; A.D. Innes? A. & C. Black ; J.M. Dent & Co; might be tried.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Arnold Bennett      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Robert James Mackintosh : Memoirs of the Life of the Right Honourable Sir James Mackintosh

'I think you will like Sir James Mackintosh's Life; it is full of his own thoughts upon men, books and events, and I derived from it the greatest pleasure. He makes most honourable mention of your mother, whom I only know by one of her productions, - enough to secure my admiration'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Sydney Smith      Print: Book

  

William, Baron Stowell Scott : [reports of cases in the Admiralty Court]

'I am very deep in Lord Stowell's "Reports", and if it were wartime I should officiate as Judge of the Admiralty Court. It was a fine business to make a public law for all nations, or to confirm one; and it is rather singular that so sly a rogue should have done it so honestly'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Sydney Smith      Print: Unknown

  

Mountstuart Elphinstone : History of India

'Pray Read the first Vol of Elphinstone's India - the News from China gives me the greatest pleasure. I am for bombarding all the exclusive Asiatics who shut up the Earth and will not let me walk civilly and quietly through it, doing no harm, and paying for all I want'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Sydney Smith      Print: Book

  

William Roscoe : The life of Lorenzo de' Medici, called the Magnificant

'Began with eagerness, and read, with increasing avidity, the first four Chapters of Roscoe's "Life of Lorenzo de Medici"...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : Life of Johnson

'Pursued Boswell's "life of Johnson"....'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green      Print: Book

  

Thomas Sheridan : Life of Swift

'Finished Sheridan's "Life of Swift"....'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green      Print: Book

  

William Robertson : History of Scotland

'Finished Robertson's "History of Scotland"...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green      Print: Book

  

William Robertson : History of Charles V.

'Finished Robertson's "History of Scotland"....'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green      Print: Book

  

William Robertson : History of America

'Finished the first three Books of Robertson's "America"...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green      Print: Book

  

Adam Smith : Essays on philosophical subjects

'Read Adam Smith's "History of Astronomy", in his posthumous tracts, published by Dugald Stewart...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green      Print: Book

  

Thomas James Mathias : Pursuits of Literature

'Finished, with much interest, the "Pursuits of Literature"...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green      Print: Book

  

William Wollaston : Religion of Nature delineated

'Began, and read the first section of, Wollaston's "Religion of Nature"...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green      Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : London

'Perused Johnson's "London", and "Vanity of Human Wishes". His Numbers are strong in sense, and smooth in flow; but want that varied grace, and inextinguishable spirit, which constitute the essential charm of Pope's...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green      Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : Vanity of Human Wishes

'Perused Johnson's "London", and "Vanity of Human Wishes". His Numbers are strong in sense, and smooth in flow; but want that varied grace, and inextinguishable spirit, which constitute the essential charm of Pope's...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green      Print: Book

  

William Roscoe : Life of Lorenzo de Medici

'Concluded a second reading of Roscoe's "Lorenzo de Medici", which fades considerably on a reperusal...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green      Print: Book

  

William Russell : The History of Modern Europe

'Finished the 2d. Vol. of Russell's "History of Modern Europe"...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green      Print: Book

  

Frances Chamberlaine Sheridan : The History of Nourjahad

'Finished the 'Novel of "Nourjahad" in the evening. Nothing, I think, can be more happily conceived for its purpose, than the plan of this little romance...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green      Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : Preface to Shakespeare

'Looked over Johnson's vigorous defence of Shakespear against the charge of violating, whether from neglect or disdain, the Unities of Time and Place in his Dramas...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green      Print: Book

  

Philip Dormer Stanhope : Characters of eminent personages of his own time

'Looked over Lord Chesterfield's "Characters": all of which are neatly, and some very finely, drawn...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green      Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : Lives of the Poets

'Finished a cursory perusal of Johnson's "Lives of the Poets", with a view to the principles on which his critical decisions are founded...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green      Print: Book

  

Sir James Mackintosh : A discourse on the study of the law of nature, and nations

'Perused, with delight and admiration, Mackintosh's "Preliminary Discourse on the Study of the Law of Nature and Nations"...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green      Print: Book

  

Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, marquise S?vign : Lettres choisies de Mesdames de Sevign? et de Main

'Looked over a Volume of "Lettres Choisies de Mesdames Sevigne et Maintenon"...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green      Print: Book

  

James Ussher : An introduction to the theory of the human mind

'Read with much interest, in a Collection of Fugitive Pieces, an "Introduction to the Theory of the Human Mind", by J. Usher, author of Clio....'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green      Print: Book

  

Sir James Mackintosh : Vindiciae Gallicae

'Read Mackinosh's "Vindiciae Gallicae". His style and manner in the Piece are magnificent, but uniformly cumbrous, and occasionally coarse...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green      Print: Book

  

Soame Jenyns : A free inquiry into the nature and origin of evil

'Read Soame Jenyns' "Origin of Evil". His grand solution of the introduction of evil is, that it could not have been prevented, by Omnipotence, without the loss of some superior good...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green      Print: Book

  

William Richardson : A philosophical analysis and illustration of some of Shakespeare's characters

'Read Richardson's "Philosophical Analysis" of some of Shakespear's Characters. The design is happy, and, upon the whole, ingeniously executed...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green      Print: Book

  

William Jackson of Exeter : The four ages; together with essays on various subjects

'Read Jackson's (of Exeter) "Four Ages". He inverts the usual order; and promises halycon days, from the improvement of every art and every science, in the golden age to which we are rapidly advancing...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green      Print: Book

  

Marguerite de Launay, Baronne de Staal : Memoires

'With Madame de Staal's Memoirs, so strongly praised by the excellent Baron Grimm, I was a good deal disappointed: she has nothing to tell and does not tell it very well. She is neither important, nor admirable for talents or virtues. Her life was not worth recording.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Sydney Smith      Print: Book

  

Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, Marquise de Sevigne : [Letters]

'I have now read three volumes of Madame de Sevigne - with a conviction that her letters are very much overpraised. Mr Thomas Grenville says he has made seven vigorous attacks on Madame de Sevigne and been as often repulsed'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Sydney Smith      Print: Book

  

Soame Jenyns : The works of Soame Jenyns, Esq

'Finished the two first Volumes of Soame Jenyns "Works", edited by Cole...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : The life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.

'Dipped into Boswell's "Life of Johnson". Johnson pronounces Hume either mad or a liar...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green      Print: Book

  

William Thomson : The New Testament. Translated from the Greek, 3 vols

'I received about a month ago the Revd Willm Thomson of Ochiltree's new translation of the Testament. Of course I am no judge of his 'new renderings'; but the stile both of writing & thinking displayed in those parts which I have looked at, is dull & sluggish as the clay itself. He brags of having altered the expressions of the old translation - every body I suppose will readily admit this - and be ready to wish him joy of all the honour than [that] can arise from such alterations...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Carlyle      Print: Book

  

Samuel Rogers : Human Life

'Rogers is in an indescribable agony about his poem. The Hollands have read and like it. The verses on paestum are said to be beautiful. The whole poem is not more than 800 lines. Fazackerly thinks it poor meagre stuff; Luttrell approves it; I have not seen it'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Lord and Lady Holland     Print: Unknown

  

Samuel Rogers : Human Life

'Rogers is in an indescribable agony about his poem. The Hollands have read and like it. The verses on Paestum are said to be beautiful. The whole poem is not more than 800 lines. Fazackerly thinks it poor meagre stuff; Luttrell approves it; I have not seen it'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: John Nicholas Fazackerly      Print: Unknown

  

Samuel Rogers : Human Life

'Rogers is in an indescribable agony about his poem. The Hollands have read and like it. The verses on Paestum are said to be beautiful. The whole poem is not more than 800 lines. Fazackerly thinks it poor meagre stuff; Luttrell approves it; I have not seen it'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Luttrell      Print: Unknown

  

Samuel Rogers : Human Life

'Rogers has at length appeared; an old friend must be a good poet; but without reference to this feeling there are some good descriptions - the Mother and Child, Mr Fox at St Annes and a few more. The beginning of the verses at Paestum are good, but there are many lines and couplets all over the poem quite unintelligible; particularly I recommend your attention to those verses on a sleeping boy on the 2d or 3d page - what is meant by the emmets and the wrens?'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Sydney Smith      Print: Unknown

  

James McIntosh : [Review in Edinburgh Review of Bentham's Plan of Parliamentary Refom]

'Lord Grey will like that article in the Edinburgh Review upon Universal Suffrage; it is by Sir James McIntosh. There is a pamphlet on Bullion by Mr Copplestone of Oxford much read; but bullion is not I think a favourite dish at Howick'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Sydney Smith      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Rienzi

Elizabeth Missing Sewell, describing travel from Pisa toward Spezzia in letter of 5 June 1861 to 'My Dear _____', headed 'Bugiasta or Pagiastra, or something of the kind; but we can't quite make out where we are, only it is half-way between Spezzia and Sestri, and on the road to Genoa.': 'We started after six [am], M and myself on the outside seat [?of coach]. What with pleasant conversation, the reading of "Rienzi" and the newspaper, and occasional little naps, I managed to spend an agreeable day.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

William Pitt Scargill [anon.] : Elizabeth Evanshaw

'I have received from you within these few months some very polite and liberal presents of new publications ; and though I was sorry you put yourself to any expense on my account, yet I was flattered by this mark of respect and good-will from gentlemen to whom I am personally unknown. I am quite sure, however, that you overlooked the purpose and tendency of a work called Elizabeth Evanshaw, or that you would not have sent it to a clergyman of the Established Church, or indeed to a clergyman of any church. [Smith then rebukes the publishers at length for producing irreligious books, including a translation of Voltaire, before going on to say that, nevertheless] I shall read all the works and tell you my opinion of them from time to time. I was very much pleased with the "Two Months in Ireland", but did not read the poetical part; the prosaic division of the work is very good'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Sydney Smith      Print: Book

  

Anne Jean Marie Rene Savary : The Memoirs of the Duke of Rovigo

'I have been reading the Duke of Rovigo - a fool, a Villain, and as dull as it is possible for any book to be about Buonaparte'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Sydney Smith      Print: Book

  

Adam Smith : [unknown]

'I have read since I saw you Burke's works, some books of Homer, Suetonius, a great deal of agricultural reading, Godwin's "Enquirer", and a great deal of Adam Smith. As I have scarcely looked at a book for five years, I am rather hungry'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Sydney Smith      Print: Book

  

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing : Emilia Galotti

'in the evening talk with Shelley read Emilia Galotti'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : An Historical and Moral View of the origin and progress of the French Revolution

'S. reads Bryan Edwards History of the West Indies. M. reads Ethwald and eats oranges - in the evening Shelley reads aloud the View of the French Revolution for a short time'. [text as far as Ethwald in PBS' hand, thereafter MG]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : An Historical and Moral View of the origin and progress of the French Revolution

'Read view of the French Revolution'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : An Historical and Moral View of the origin and progress of the French Revolution

'Not very well - Shelley very unwell - read de Montfort - and talk with S. in the evening read View of the French Revolution'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Stephanie Felicite Ducrest de St aubin, Marquise de Silley, Comtesse de Genlis : Les Veilles du Chateau

'read Tales of the castle'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Anne Louise Germaine, Madame de Stael : Corinne, ou d'Italie

'read Corinne (42)'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Anne Louise Germaine, Madame de Stael : Corinne, ou d'Italie

'Rise - talk and read Corinne' / 'nurse the baby and read Corinne'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Benjamin Disraeil : Alroy: a Romance

'Have you ever read Alroy by Disraeli?' [includes quotations from Alroy].

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Louis Stevenson      Print: Book

  

Thomas Lloyd Humbertstone : [article]

'This enclosed article is the third of yours that I have read. The first (about modelling) was about the most impersonal thing I ever came across. The second (spiders) was much better. And this third surprises me by its force & vitality.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Arnold Bennett      Manuscript: Sheet

  

William Wordsworth : 'Michael'

'Lately I have been reading Wordsworth with joy, for almost the first time. "Michael" quite overcame me by its perfect simplicity & power. I have read it about ten times lately.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Arnold Bennett      Print: Book

  

Thomas Lloyd Humberstone : Coventry

'I think the article on Sir John Gorst is able & shows a sufficient grasp of the subject; the tone of it also seems to me to be right . . . . As it stands, I think little of the chances of "Coventry" . . . People don?t want to know about their own country. If Coventry was in Italy, it would be different. As the article is not finished it would not be proper for me to criticise it finally. . .'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Arnold Bennett      Manuscript: Sheet

  

Thomas Lloyd Humberstone : article on Sir John Gorst

'I think the article on Sir John Gorst is able & shows a sufficient grasp of the subject; the tone of it also seems to me to be right . . . . As it stands, I think little of the chances of "Coventry" . . . People don?t want to know about their own country. If Coventry was in Italy, it would be different. As the article is not finished it would not be proper for me to criticise it finally. . .

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Arnold Bennett      Manuscript: Sheet

  

James Boswell : Life of Johnson

'Just now I am reading nightly in bed Boswell?s "Life of Johnson". I suppose you know it by heart. Without doubt it is the most agreeable & diverting thing in non-imaginative literature in English.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Arnold Bennett      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : various

Quotes Shakespeare throughout work:V.1 p.55,p.62,p.86, p.105,p.126; V.2 p.55,p.89,p.199; V.3 p.176 eg. V.1. p.105 Letter XIII to Miss Reid, Fort William May 24 1773 '?He was like Brutus among conspirators, whom you used to admire in the play: "The rest did what they did in envy of the great Caesar/ He only, in general honest thought," ?'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Anne Grant [nee MacVicar]      Print: Book

  

Anne Louise Germaine de (Madame de) Stael : De la Litterature consideree dans ses rapports avec les institutions sociales

'[italics to indicate Shelley's hand] S. has read the life of Chaucer - Ochley's History of the Saracens. Mad. du Stael sur la litteratur - to page 113. of the third Vol. of Livy. [end italics]'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : As You Like It

'read a scene or two out of "As You Like It" - go upstairs to talk with Shelley - Read Ovid (54 lines only) Shelley finishes the 3d canto of Ariosto'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : [Poems]

'After dinner look over W. W.[ordsworth]'s Poems'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Miguel de Cervantes : Don Quixote

'Jefferson reads Don Quixote - C. reads Gibbon - S. finishes the 17th canto of Orlando Furioso - Read Voltaire's Essay on Nations'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Jefferson Hogg      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : [The Faerie Queene?]

'Construe ovid (117) & read a some cantos of Spenser - Shelley reads Seneca'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : [The Faerie Queene?]

'Read Spenser (End of 9th canto) Shelley reads Seneca (143)'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : [The Faerie Quene?]

'Read Spenser (End of 9th canto)'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : [The Faerie Quene?]

'construe ovid - after dinner construe Ovid 100 lines - Finish 11 book of Spenser and read 2 Canto's of the third - Shelley reads seneca every day & all day (308)'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : [The Faerie Queene?]

'After dinner read Spenser - read over the ovid to Jefferson & construe about ten lines more - read Spenser (10 Canto of 4 book)'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : Letters Written During a Short Residence in Norway, Sweden and Denmark

[Mary Shelley's Reading List for 1814 - since all these titles are mentioned in journal entries, they are not given separate database entries from this source] 'Mary. Those marked x. S. has read also xLetters from Norway x Mary, A Fiction. x Wordsworth's Excursion. x. Madoc. by Southey. 2 vol x Curse of Kehama. x Sorcerer. a novel. x Political Justice. 2 x The Monk - by Lewis - 4 x Thaliba 2 x The Empire of the Nairs 4 x Queen Mab x St Godwin x Wrongs of Women 2 x Caleb Williams 3 x Zadig x Life of Alfieri, by himself 2 x Essay on Sepulchres x Louvet's Memoirs Carnot's Memorial x Lives of the Revolutionists by Adolphus 2 x Edgar Huntley. x Peregrine Proteus. x The Italian. x Prince Alexy Haimatoff. Philip Stanley. by Brown x Miss Bailly's plays x Moores Journal x Agathon x Mungo Park's Travels in Africa. 1st part x Barrow's Embassy to China Milton's letter to Mr Hartlib Emilia Galotti. x Bryan Edwards hist. of the W. Indies x View of the French Revolution by M.W.G. x Candide x Kirke White. 62 volumes'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : Mary: a Fiction

[Mary Shelley's Reading List for 1814 - since all these titles are mentioned in journal entries, they are not given separate database entries from this source] 'Mary. Those marked x. S. [Percy Bysshe Shelley] has read also xLetters from Norway x Mary, A Fiction. x Wordsworth's Excursion. x. Madoc. by Southey. 2 vol x Curse of Kehama. x Sorcerer. a novel. x Political Justice. 2 x The Monk - by Lewis - 4 x Thaliba 2 x The Empire of the Nairs 4 x Queen Mab x St Godwin x Wrongs of Women 2 x Caleb Williams 3 x Zadig x Life of Alfieri, by himself 2 x Essay on Sepulchres x Louvet's Memoirs Carnot's Memorial x Lives of the Revolutionists by Adolphus 2 x Edgar Huntley. x Peregrine Proteus. x The Italian. x Prince Alexy Haimatoff. Philip Stanley. by Brown x Miss Bailly's plays x Moores Journal x Agathon x Mungo Park's Travels in Africa. 1st part x Barrow's Embassy to China Milton's letter to Mr Hartlib Emilia Galotti. x Bryan Edwards hist. of the W. Indies x View of the French Revolution by M.W.G. x Candide x Kirke White. 62 volumes'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Anne Louise Germaine, Madame de Stael : De l'Allemagne

[Mary Shelley's Reading List for 1815. Only those titles not mentioned in journal entries are given separate database entries. xs denote books also read by Percy Shelley] 'Posthumous Works. 3. Sorrows of Werter Don Roderick - by Southey Gibbons Decline & fall. x Paradise Regained x Gibbons Life and Letters - 1st edition 2 x Lara New Arabian Nights 3 Corinna Fall of the Jesuits Rinaldo Rinaldini Fo[n]tenelle's Plurality of the Worlds Hermsprong Le diable boiteux Man as he is. Rokeby. Ovid's Meamo[r]phoses in Latin x Wordsworth's Poems x Spenser's Fairy Queen x Life of the Philipps x Fox's History of James II The Reflector Wieland. Fleetwood Don Carlos x Peter Wilkins Rousseau's Confessions. x Espriella's Letters from England Lenora - a poem Emile x Milton's Paradise Lost X Life of Lady Hamilton De l'Alemagne - by Made de Stael 3 vols. of Barruel x Caliph Vathek Nouvelle Heloise x Kotzebue's account of his banishment to Siberia. Waverly Clarissa Harlowe Robertson's Hist. of america x Virgil xTale of Tub. x Milton's speech on Unlicensed printing x Curse of Kehama x Madoc La Bible Expliquee Lives of Abelard and Heloise The New Testament Coleridge's Poems. 1st vol. Syteme de la Nature x Castle of Indolence Chattertons Poems. x Paradise Regained Don Carlos. x Lycidas. x St Leon Shakespeare's Play. Part of which Shelley reads aloud Burkes account of civil society x Excursion Pope's Homer's Illiad x Sallust Micromegas x Life of Chauser Canterbury Tales Peruvian letters. Voyages round the World Pluarch's lives. x 2 vols of Gibbon Ormond Hugh Trevor x Labaume's Hist. of the Russian War Lewis's tales Castle of Udolpho Guy Mannering Charles XII by Voltaire Tales of the East'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      

  

William Robertson : History of America

[Mary Shelley's Reading List for 1815. Only those titles not mentioned in journal entries are given separate database entries. xs denote books also read by Percy Shelley] 'Posthumous Works. 3. Sorrows of Werter Don Roderick - by Southey Gibbons Decline & fall. x Paradise Regained x Gibbons Life and Letters - 1st edition 2 x Lara New Arabian Nights 3 Corinna Fall of the Jesuits Rinaldo Rinaldini Fo[n]tenelle's Plurality of the Worlds Hermsprong Le diable boiteux Man as he is. Rokeby. Ovid's Meamo[r]phoses in Latin x Wordsworth's Poems x Spenser's Fairy Queen x Life of the Philipps x Fox's History of James II The Reflector Wieland. Fleetwood Don Carlos x Peter Wilkins Rousseau's Confessions. x Espriella's Letters from England Lenora - a poem Emile x Milton's Paradise Lost X Life of Lady Hamilton De l'Alemagne - by Made de Stael 3 vols. of Barruel x Caliph Vathek Nouvelle Heloise x Kotzebue's account of his banishment to Siberia. Waverly Clarissa Harlowe Robertson's Hist. of america x Virgil xTale of Tub. x Milton's speech on Unlicensed printing x Curse of Kehama x Madoc La Bible Expliquee Lives of Abelard and Heloise The New Testament Coleridge's Poems. 1st vol. Syteme de la Nature x Castle of Indolence Chattertons Poems. x Paradise Regained Don Carlos. x Lycidas. x St Leon Shakespeare's Play. Part of which Shelley reads aloud Burkes account of civil society x Excursion Pope's Homer's Illiad x Sallust Micromegas x Life of Chauser Canterbury Tales Peruvian letters. Voyages round the World Pluarch's lives. x 2 vols of Gibbon Ormond Hugh Trevor x Labaume's Hist. of the Russian War Lewis's tales Castle of Udolpho Guy Mannering Charles XII by Voltaire Tales of the East'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      

  

James Thomson : Castle of Indolence, The

[Mary Shelley's Reading List for 1815. Only those titles not mentioned in journal entries are given separate database entries. xs denote books also read by Percy Shelley] 'Posthumous Works. 3. Sorrows of Werter Don Roderick - by Southey Gibbons Decline & fall. x Paradise Regained x Gibbons Life and Letters - 1st edition 2 x Lara New Arabian Nights 3 Corinna Fall of the Jesuits Rinaldo Rinaldini Fo[n]tenelle's Plurality of the Worlds Hermsprong Le diable boiteux Man as he is. Rokeby. Ovid's Meamo[r]phoses in Latin x Wordsworth's Poems x Spenser's Fairy Queen x Life of the Philipps x Fox's History of James II The Reflector Wieland. Fleetwood Don Carlos x Peter Wilkins Rousseau's Confessions. x Espriella's Letters from England Lenora - a poem Emile x Milton's Paradise Lost X Life of Lady Hamilton De l'Alemagne - by Made de Stael 3 vols. of Barruel x Caliph Vathek Nouvelle Heloise x Kotzebue's account of his banishment to Siberia. Waverly Clarissa Harlowe Robertson's Hist. of america x Virgil xTale of Tub. x Milton's speech on Unlicensed printing x Curse of Kehama x Madoc La Bible Expliquee Lives of Abelard and Heloise The New Testament Coleridge's Poems. 1st vol. Syteme de la Nature x Castle of Indolence Chattertons Poems. x Paradise Regained Don Carlos. x Lycidas. x St Leon Shakespeare's Play. Part of which Shelley reads aloud Burkes account of civil society x Excursion Pope's Homer's Illiad x Sallust Micromegas x Life of Chauser Canterbury Tales Peruvian letters. Voyages round the World Pluarch's lives. x 2 vols of Gibbon Ormond Hugh Trevor x Labaume's Hist. of the Russian War Lewis's tales Castle of Udolpho Guy Mannering Charles XII by Voltaire Tales of the East'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      

  

Matthew Lewis : Tales of Terror

[Mary Shelley's Reading List for 1815. Only those titles not mentioned in journal entries are given separate database entries. xs denote books also read by Percy Shelley] 'Posthumous Works. 3. Sorrows of Werter Don Roderick - by Southey Gibbons Decline & fall. x Paradise Regained x Gibbons Life and Letters - 1st edition 2 x Lara New Arabian Nights 3 Corinna Fall of the Jesuits Rinaldo Rinaldini Fo[n]tenelle's Plurality of the Worlds Hermsprong Le diable boiteux Man as he is. Rokeby. Ovid's Meamo[r]phoses in Latin x Wordsworth's Poems x Spenser's Fairy Queen x Life of the Philipps x Fox's History of James II The Reflector Wieland. Fleetwood Don Carlos x Peter Wilkins Rousseau's Confessions. x Espriella's Letters from England Lenora - a poem Emile x Milton's Paradise Lost X Life of Lady Hamilton De l'Alemagne - by Made de Stael 3 vols. of Barruel x Caliph Vathek Nouvelle Heloise x Kotzebue's account of his banishment to Siberia. Waverly Clarissa Harlowe Robertson's Hist. of america x Virgil xTale of Tub. x Milton's speech on Unlicensed printing x Curse of Kehama x Madoc La Bible Expliquee Lives of Abelard and Heloise The New Testament Coleridge's Poems. 1st vol. Syteme de la Nature x Castle of Indolence Chattertons Poems. x Paradise Regained Don Carlos. x Lycidas. x St Leon Shakespeare's Play. Part of which Shelley reads aloud Burkes account of civil society x Excursion Pope's Homer's Illiad x Sallust Micromegas x Life of Chauser Canterbury Tales Peruvian letters. Voyages round the World Pluarch's lives. x 2 vols of Gibbon Ormond Hugh Trevor x Labaume's Hist. of the Russian War Lewis's tales Castle of Udolpho Guy Mannering Charles XII by Voltaire Tales of the East'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      

  

William Wordsworth : [Poems]

[Mary Shelley's Reading List for 1815. Only those titles not mentioned in journal entries are given separate database entries. xs denote books also read by Percy Shelley - again, only those not mentioned in journal entries are indicated separately in the database] 'Posthumous Works. 3. Sorrows of Werter Don Roderick - by Southey Gibbons Decline & fall. x Paradise Regained x Gibbons Life and Letters - 1st edition 2 x Lara New Arabian Nights 3 Corinna Fall of the Jesuits Rinaldo Rinaldini Fo[n]tenelle's Plurality of the Worlds Hermsprong Le diable boiteux Man as he is. Rokeby. Ovid's Metamo[r]phoses in Latin x Wordsworth's Poems x Spenser's Fairy Queen x Life of the Philipps x Fox's History of James II The Reflector Wieland. Fleetwood Don Carlos x Peter Wilkins Rousseau's Confessions. x Espriella's Letters from England Lenora - a poem Emile x Milton's Paradise Lost X Life of Lady Hamilton De l'Alemagne - by Made de Stael 3 vols. of Barruel x Caliph Vathek Nouvelle Heloise x Kotzebue's account of his banishment to Siberia. Waverly Clarissa Harlowe Robertson's Hist. of america x Virgil xTale of Tub. x Milton's speech on Unlicensed printing x Curse of Kehama x Madoc La Bible Expliquee Lives of Abelard and Heloise The New Testament Coleridge's Poems. 1st vol. Syteme de la Nature x Castle of Indolence Chattertons Poems. x Paradise Regained Don Carlos. x Lycidas. x St Leon Shakespeare's Play. Part of which Shelley reads aloud Burkes account of civil society x Excursion Pope's Homer's Illiad x Sallust Micromegas x Life of Chauser Canterbury Tales Peruvian letters. Voyages round the World Pluarch's lives. x 2 vols of Gibbon Ormond Hugh Trevor x Labaume's Hist. of the Russian War Lewis's tales Castle of Udolpho Guy Mannering Charles XII by Voltaire Tales of the East'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : The Faerie Queene

[Mary Shelley's Reading List for 1815. Only those titles not mentioned in journal entries are given separate database entries. xs denote books also read by Percy Shelley - again, only those not mentioned in journal entries are indicated separately in the database] 'Posthumous Works. 3. Sorrows of Werter Don Roderick - by Southey Gibbons Decline & fall. x Paradise Regained x Gibbons Life and Letters - 1st edition 2 x Lara New Arabian Nights 3 Corinna Fall of the Jesuits Rinaldo Rinaldini Fo[n]tenelle's Plurality of the Worlds Hermsprong Le diable boiteux Man as he is. Rokeby. Ovid's Metamo[r]phoses in Latin x Wordsworth's Poems x Spenser's Fairy Queen x Life of the Philipps x Fox's History of James II The Reflector Wieland. Fleetwood Don Carlos x Peter Wilkins Rousseau's Confessions. x Espriella's Letters from England Lenora - a poem Emile x Milton's Paradise Lost X Life of Lady Hamilton De l'Alemagne - by Made de Stael 3 vols. of Barruel x Caliph Vathek Nouvelle Heloise x Kotzebue's account of his banishment to Siberia. Waverly Clarissa Harlowe Robertson's Hist. of america x Virgil xTale of Tub. x Milton's speech on Unlicensed printing x Curse of Kehama x Madoc La Bible Expliquee Lives of Abelard and Heloise The New Testament Coleridge's Poems. 1st vol. Syteme de la Nature x Castle of Indolence Chattertons Poems. x Paradise Regained Don Carlos. x Lycidas. x St Leon Shakespeare's Play. Part of which Shelley reads aloud Burkes account of civil society x Excursion Pope's Homer's Illiad x Sallust Micromegas x Life of Chauser Canterbury Tales Peruvian letters. Voyages round the World Pluarch's lives. x 2 vols of Gibbon Ormond Hugh Trevor x Labaume's Hist. of the Russian War Lewis's tales Castle of Udolpho Guy Mannering Charles XII by Voltaire Tales of the East'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

James Thomson : Castle of Indolence, The

[Mary Shelley's Reading List for 1815. Only those titles not mentioned in journal entries are given separate database entries. xs denote books also read by Percy Shelley - only those not mentioned in journal entries are indicated separately in the database] 'Posthumous Works. 3. Sorrows of Werter Don Roderick - by Southey Gibbons Decline & fall. x Paradise Regained x Gibbons Life and Letters - 1st edition 2 x Lara New Arabian Nights 3 Corinna Fall of the Jesuits Rinaldo Rinaldini Fo[n]tenelle's Plurality of the Worlds Hermsprong Le diable boiteux Man as he is. Rokeby. Ovid's Metamo[r]phoses in Latin x Wordsworth's Poems x Spenser's Fairy Queen x Life of the Philipps x Fox's History of James II The Reflector Wieland. Fleetwood Don Carlos x Peter Wilkins Rousseau's Confessions. x Espriella's Letters from England Lenora - a poem Emile x Milton's Paradise Lost X Life of Lady Hamilton De l'Alemagne - by Made de Stael 3 vols. of Barruel x Caliph Vathek Nouvelle Heloise x Kotzebue's account of his banishment to Siberia. Waverly Clarissa Harlowe Robertson's Hist. of america x Virgil xTale of Tub. x Milton's speech on Unlicensed printing x Curse of Kehama x Madoc La Bible Expliquee Lives of Abelard and Heloise The New Testament Coleridge's Poems. 1st vol. Syteme de la Nature x Castle of Indolence Chattertons Poems. x Paradise Regained Don Carlos. x Lycidas. x St Leon Shakespeare's Play. Part of which Shelley reads aloud Burkes account of civil society x Excursion Pope's Homer's Illiad x Sallust Micromegas x Life of Chauser Canterbury Tales Peruvian letters. Voyages round the World Pluarch's lives. x 2 vols of Gibbon Ormond Hugh Trevor x Labaume's Hist. of the Russian War Lewis's tales Castle of Udolpho Guy Mannering Charles XII by Voltaire Tales of the East'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [Plays]

[Mary Shelley's Reading List for 1815. Only those titles not mentioned in journal entries are given separate database entries. xs denote books also read by Percy Shelley - only those not mentioned in journal entries are indicated separately in the database] 'Posthumous Works. 3. Sorrows of Werter Don Roderick - by Southey Gibbons Decline & fall. x Paradise Regained x Gibbons Life and Letters - 1st edition 2 x Lara New Arabian Nights 3 Corinna Fall of the Jesuits Rinaldo Rinaldini Fo[n]tenelle's Plurality of the Worlds Hermsprong Le diable boiteux Man as he is. Rokeby. Ovid's Metamo[r]phoses in Latin x Wordsworth's Poems x Spenser's Fairy Queen x Life of the Philipps x Fox's History of James II The Reflector Wieland. Fleetwood Don Carlos x Peter Wilkins Rousseau's Confessions. x Espriella's Letters from England Lenora - a poem Emile x Milton's Paradise Lost X Life of Lady Hamilton De l'Alemagne - by Made de Stael 3 vols. of Barruel x Caliph Vathek Nouvelle Heloise x Kotzebue's account of his banishment to Siberia. Waverly Clarissa Harlowe Robertson's Hist. of america x Virgil xTale of Tub. x Milton's speech on Unlicensed printing x Curse of Kehama x Madoc La Bible Expliquee Lives of Abelard and Heloise The New Testament Coleridge's Poems. 1st vol. Syteme de la Nature x Castle of Indolence Chattertons Poems. x Paradise Regained Don Carlos. x Lycidas. x St Leon x Shakespeare's Play. Part of which Shelley reads aloud Burkes account of civil society x Excursion Pope's Homer's Illiad x Sallust Micromegas x Life of Chauser [sic] Canterbury Tales Peruvian letters. Voyages round the World Pluarch's lives. x 2 vols of Gibbon Ormond Hugh Trevor x Labaume's Hist. of the Russian War Lewis's tales Castle of Udolpho Guy Mannering Charles XII by Voltaire Tales of the East'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

James MacPherson : The Works of Ossian, the son of Fingal, translated from the Gaelic Language by James MacPherson

[Percy Shelley's Reading List for 1815, compiled by Mary Shelley. Only texts not referred to in journal entries are given separate database entries here] 'Pastor Fido Orlando Furioso Livy's History Seneca's Works Tasso's Girusalame Liberata Tassos Aminta 2 vols of Plutarch in Italian Some of the plays of Euripedes Seneca's Tragedies Reveries of Rousseau Hesiod Novum Organum Alfieri's Tragedies Theocritus Ossian Herodotus Thucydides Homer Locke on the Human Understanding Conspiration de Rienzi History of arianism Ochley's History of the Saracens Mad. de Stael sur la literature'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Thomas, First Baron Erskine : [Collection of Speeches, perhaps Speeches of the Hon. Thomas Erskine, When at the Bar, on Subjects Connected with the Liberty of the Press, and Against Constructive Treason]

[Mary Shelley's Reading List for 1816. The diary from May 1815-July 1816 is lost, so this list is our only record for Mary's reading in early 1816. Later in the year texts are referred to in diary entries so as far as possible these works are not given separate database references based on this list. An x marks the fact that Percy Shelley read the book too.] x Moritz' tour in England Tales of the Minstrels x Park's Journal of a Journey in Africa Peregrine Proteus x Siege of Corinth & Parasina. 4 vols. of Clarendon's History x Modern Philosophers opinions of Various writers on the punishment of death by B. Montagu Erskines speeches x Caleb Williams x 3rd Canto of Childe Harold Schiller's arminian Lady Craven's Leters Caliste Nouvelle nouvelles Romans de Voltaire Reveries d'un Solitaire de Rousseau Adele et Theodore x Lettres Persannes de Montesquieu Tableau de Famille Le vieux de la Montagne x Conjuration de Rienzi Walther par La Fontaine Les voeux temeraires Herman d'Una Nouveaux nouvelles de Mad. de Genlis x Christabel Caroline de Litchfield x Bertram x Le Criminel se[c]ret Vancenza by Mrs Robinson Antiquary x Edinburgh Review num. LII Chrononhotonthologus x Fazio Love and Madness Memoirs of Princess of Bareith x Letters of Emile The latter part of Clarissa Harlowe Clarendons History of the Civil War x Life of Holcroft x Glenarvon Patronage The Milesian Chief. O'Donnel x Don Quixote x Vita Alexandri - Quintii Curtii Conspiration de Rienzi Introduction to Davy's Chemistry Les Incas de Marmontel Bryan Perdue Sir C. Grandison x Castle Rackrent x Gulliver's Travels x Paradise Lost x Pamela x 3 vol of Gibbon 1 book of Locke's Essay Some of Horace's odes x Edinburgh Review L.III Rights of Women De senectute by Cicero 2 vols of Lord Chesterfield's leters to his son x Story of Rimini' 'Pastor Fido Orlando Furioso Livy's History Seneca's Works Tasso's Girusalame Liberata Tassos Aminta 2 vols of Plutarch in Italian Some of the plays of Euripedes Seneca's Tragedies Reveries of Rousseau Hesiod Novum Organum Alfieri's Tragedies Theocritus Ossian Herodotus Thucydides Homer Locke on the Human Understanding Conspiration de Rienzi History of arianism Ochley's History of the Saracens Mad. de Stael sur la literature'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Mme de Genlis : Nouveaux contes moraux et nouvelles historiques

'We arrived wet to the skin - I read nouvelle nouvelles and write my story'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Madame de Genlis : Ad?le et Th?odore; ou lettres sur l'?ducation

'I read Reveries and Adele & Teodore de Mad.me de Genlis & Shelley reads Pliny's letters'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Madame de Genlis : Ad?le et Th?odore; ou lettres sur l'?ducation

'Finish the 1st vol of Adele - & write - after dinner write to Fanny and go up to Diodati where I read the life Mad. Deffand'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Madame de Genlis : Ad?le et Th?odore; ou lettres sur l'?ducation

'Finish the 2nd vol. of Adele - write - read Curt. In the evening we go up to Diodati - Shelley finishes the Panegyric of Trajan and begins Tacitus'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Madame de Genlis : Ad?le et Th?odore; ou lettres sur l'?ducation

'Read Curt. out in the boat with Shelley who reads Tacitus - translate and in the evening read Adele & Theodore'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Marcel Proust : unknown

'Then B. went shopping while I lay on the divan and read Proust, which I continued to do most of the evening, except when I read Ellis's Sunlight on Parnassus" to B. while she was ironing".

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: unknown      Print: Book

  

James Thomson : The seasons

Reader makes 4 references to the work V.1 pp 61,64; V.2 pp 4, 251. Eg. p. 61 'The sun shone on our social repast, but when we set out, Eolus did not perform the task Thomson assigns him in the opening of spring'; p.64 'I am reformed, and amended, but cannot fatigue myself or you with the description of this day; you will find it in Thomson ?Deceitful, vain, and void, passes the day.?'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Anne Grant [nee MacVicar]      Print: Book

  

James Thomson : The Seasons

Letter to Mrs Macintosh September 9 1797 'The cheerfulness of our work-people, and the soft serenity of the air, during these tepid gleams that Thomson speaks of so feelingly, have almost made us this autumn ?Taste the rural life in all its joy,? and elegance'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Anne Grant [nee Macvicar]      Print: Book

  

William Shenstone : [An ode to the late Duchess of Somerset]

Letter to Miss Reid May 24 1773 'O! how I wished for some one to share a luxury that wealth cannot purchase, and that thousands are not born to taste! "O! blind to truth, to virtue blind,/ Who slight the sweetly pensive mind,/ On whose birth the graces mild,/ Ands every Muse prophetic smil?d." ... ?There are the spirits born to know and prove,/ All nature?s charms immense, and heavens unbounded love."' [ie two separate quotations from the same verse]

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Anne Grant [nee MacVicar]      Print: Book

  

William Shenstone : [Elegy 15]

Letter to Miss Ourry June 4 1791 'Her sister, in whose arms she died, was immediately seized with the same disorder, and met her death with the same well-grounded heroism. "Surely to blissful realms those souls are flown That never flatter?d, censur?d, envied, strove" My dear, you will excuse this digressive tribute to departed excellence. What havoc has been lately made in the little circle of those I loved!'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Anne Grant [nee MacVicar]      Print: Book

  

Madame de Genlis : [possibly one of] Nouveaux contes moraux et nouvelles historiques

'Write and finish Walther - In the evening I go out in the boat with Shelley - and he afterwards goes up to Diodati - begin one of Madame de Genlis novels - Shelley finishes Tacitus'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

William Collins : Ode occasion'd by the death of Mr Thomson

Letter to Miss Ewing, May 1777, ' ? this other princely seat of the Athol family forms, at this moment, opposite my window ?But now the fairy vallies fade/Dun night has veil?d the solemn view;/Yet once again, dear parted maid/Meek Nature?s child, again adieu.' Letter to Miss Ewing May 1777

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Anne Grant [nee MacVicar]      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa

Letter to MIss Ewing October 3, 1778 'I am glad you were so well entertained at the Fairley by my old acquaintance Clarissa, and your new acquaintance Mr. Monteith. I observe you frequently preferred the company of the former to the latter, and am pleased to find you so partial to my favourite heroine. Never, sure, were characters so well drawn, discriminated and supported as those in ?Clarissa?. ...' [comment continues]

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Anne Grant [nee MacVicar]      Print: Book

  

William Collins : Address to simplicity

Letter to Mrs Smith August 7 1784 'You and he too have this in common, that you both appear to most advantage on paper, where your diffidence does not stand in your way. He admires my application of Collin?s Address to Simplicity to you and says you really are, ?By nature taught/To breathe her genuine thought/ In language warmly lure and sweetly strong"'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Anne Grant [nee MacVicar]      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecroft : unknown

Letter to Miss Ourry January 2 1794 'Then I have not put B. to school, or done half of what I meant.- I have seen Mary Wollstonecroft?s book, which is so run after here, that there is no keeping it long enough to read it leisurely, though one had leisure. It has produced no other convictions in my mind, but that of the authors possessing considerable abilities, and greatly misapplying them. To refute her arguments would be to write another and a larger book; for there is more pains and skill required to refute ill-founded assertions, than to make them. [and again on p. 272] 'Where a woman had those superior powers of mind to which we give the name genius, she will exert them under all disadvantages: Jean Jacques says truly, genius will educate itself, and, like flame, burst through all obstructions ?.' [p. 268-277 is a criticism of Mary Wollstonecroft's work]

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Anne Grant [nee MacVicar]      Print: Book

  

Helen Maria Williams : unknown

Letter to Mrs F--R (formerly Miss Ourry) April 11 1795 ??Innovation disconcerts us; new lights blind us; we detest the Rights of Man, and abominate those of Woman. Think then how I am prepared to receive your friend H.M.W.?s* new publication; though I admire her style, and confess that nobody embellishes absurdity more ingeniously. I am greatly inclined too to respect the purity of religious principles. Yet when I think of the associates with whom her political bigotry has connected her, I think I hear the Syrian leper entreating the prophet?s permission to bow a little occasionally in the house of their god Rimmon. [footnote] *Helen Maria Williams before she forsook her country and her principles'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Anne Grant [nee MacVicar]      Print: Book

  

James Macpherson : The poems of Ossian

Letter to Mrs Macintosh November 23 1800 'Nay, I find the relapse to calm sorrow, a relief from constant perturbation, ?Tha solas an thireadh le sith, Ach claoidhidh fad thuirs soil doruin,?*. As I cannot cure the evil habit of quotation, you see I have changed ground, and taken shelter in another language ? This whimsical parody is not unmeaning, for the original is stronger, and softer than the sense can be given in our language? [footnote]*This quotation from Ossian has been elegantly, and not unfaithfully, translated by James Macpherson. It runs literally thus??There is enjoyment in mourning with peace; yet long mourning wastes the children of calamity?'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Anne Grant [nee MacVicar]      Print: Book

  

Madame de Genlis : Les Voeux t?m?raires; ou l'enthousiasme

'Finish "les voeux temeraires" - write and read Rienzi'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Madame de Genlis : Nouveaux contes moraux et nouvelles historiques

'After dinner read some of Madme Genlis novels - Shelley reads Milton'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Madame de Genlis : Nouveaux contes moraux et nouvelles historiques

'Read Curt. finish the "noveaux novelles" de Mad. de Genlis'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Mary Robinson : Vancenza; or the Dangers of Credulity

'read Mrs Robinson's Valcenza'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa; or the History of a Young Lady

'finish the letters of Emile and read a part of Clarissa Harlowe'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa; or the History of a Young Lady

'read Vol VI of Clarissa'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa; or the History of a Young Lady

'read Vol VII of Clarissa - Shelley reads the letters of Emile'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : Rambler, The

'read the Rambler - S reads Montaigne's essays'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book, Serial / periodical, could have been original periodicals or later collected volumes

  

Miguel de Cervantes : Don Quixote

'Shelley reads Don Quixote aloud in the evening'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Miguel de Cervantes : Don Quixote

'S. reads Don Quixote - afterwards read mem. of the Prin/sse of Ba/th aloud.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Madame de Genlis : Alphonsine; ou la tendresse maternelle

'Drawing lesson - read Alphonsine - shelley reads Don Q.[uixote] aloud.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Miguel de Cervantes : Don Quixote

'Drawing lesson - read Alphonsine - Shelley reads Don Q.[uixote] aloud.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Miguel de Cervantes : Don Quixote

'Read the Introduction to Sir H. Davy's Chemistry - write. In the evening read Anson's voyage and Curt. Shelley reads Don Q. aloud after tea - Finish Anson's voyage before night.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Miguel de Cervantes : Don Quixote

'Read Davy's Chemistry with Shelley - read Curt. and Ides travels. Shelley reads Montaigne and Don Quixote aloud in the evening'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Hermann Sudermann : The Song of Songs

'Yes I know Sudermann ? his play ?Magda? was one of Mrs Pat. Campbell?s great parts ? and I believe he was the author of a book called ?The Song of Songs? that Billie Wood lent me ? and that I was shocked to find you reading. I have just got through Susan Glaspell?s ?Road to the Temple?, and C.E.Montague?s ?Right off the Map?. For lighter reading I?ve had Rose Macauley?s ? Keeping up Appearances?, and I?m reading all sorts of things about Shelley for my possible literature class. The present one is ?Shelley and the Unromantics?. The author lives in Birkenhead.'

Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Winifred Agnes Moore      Print: Book

  

Marcel Proust : Du Cote de Chez Swann

'I?m glad you like the Shaw. Stanley bought me one of the early editions ? I haven?t read it through yet ? I?m trying to get through Spengler?s second volume of The Decline of the West. Have just finished ? Du cot? de chez Swann?. By the way let me know a list of good modern French novels ? especially novels of ideas ? the Catholic movement, the socialists, etc?'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Winifred Agnes Moore      Print: Book

  

Margaret Steen : Matador

'The book will give me the greatest delight. I am getting a bit past ?yarns? ? but I enjoyed ?Matador? because it is quite a document on Spain to day and apparently written on the spot. I believe Margaret Steen is a Liverpool woman and she is credited as a careful writer. I must try for ?Stallion? which made a big noise last year. But ?Tu viens? [Are you coming] seems to be the kind of thing I turn to best ? observation of life without the painted veil of fiction.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Winifred Agnes Moore      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : unknown

'He and I have read the same books, and discuss Chaucer, Shakespeare, Marlowe, Fletcher, Webster, and all the old authors.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Louis Stevenson      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : The Excursion (excerpts)

'This modern fashion [in the study of poetry in schools] of treating noble thoughts, feelings, and principles, set forth in prose or verse, merely as the material for grammatical analysis, appears to my prejudiced mind to be a kind of intellectual vivisection. The life is destroyed in the act of discovering and distinguishing the elements of which its body os composed. A young friend of mine said to me that she had 'done' the story of Margaret, in the Excursion, with notes, for a correspondence class [...] All that she had retained from this 'doing' was, as far as I can gather, nothing but the fact that she had 'done' it. Feeling, admiration, there was none. The poetry had been a lesson to be "got through."'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book

  

[William?] Jones : Commentarii

'I have read since last October a good deal of the history relating to the East - [including] .. "Jones's "Commentarii" ...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mountstuart Elphinstone      Print: Book

  

Miguel de Cervantes : Don Quixote

'Read Ides travels. S. reads Don Quixote aloud in the evening'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : History of Sir Charles Grandison, The

'finish Bryan Perdue - write - not well in the evening begin Sir C. Grandison'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : History of Sir Charles Grandison, The

'read Sir C.[harles] G.[randison]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : History of Sir Charles Grandison, The

'read Grandison and Curt. Shelley reads and finishes Montainge [sic] to his great sorrow - he reads Lucian'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Pamela; or Virtue Rewarded

'begin Pamela. Shelley reads Locke and in the evening Paradise Lost aloud to me'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Pamela; or Virtue Rewarded

'Read Pamela - Little Babe not well - S. reads Locke & Pamela'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Pamela; or Virtue Rewarded

'Read Pamela - Little Babe not well - S. reads Locke & Pamela'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Pamela; or Virtue Rewarded

'Read Locke - Shelley reads Locke and Curt - & Pamela aloud in the evening'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Roger de Rabutin, Comte de Bussy : L'histoire amoureuse des Gaules

'Thence by water to Redriffe, reading a new French book my Lord Brouncker did give me today, "L'histoire amoureuse des Gaules", being a pretty Libell against the amours of the French court.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [unknown]

'read Locke and the Edinburgh review and two odes of Horace - S. reads Political Justice & Shakespeare and the 23rd Chap. of Gibbon'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Samuel Pepys : Declaration of the proceedings of the victualling action

'By and by the Duke of York comes and we had a meeting; and among other things, I did read my declaration of the proceedings of the Victualling action this year, and desired his Royal Highness to give me the satisfaction of knowing whether his Royal Highness was pleased therewith. He told me he was...'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Manuscript: Sheet

  

William Shakespeare : Othello

'Up and to Deptford by water, reading "Othello, Moore of Venice", which I ever heretofore esteemed a mighty good play; but having so lately read "The Adventures of five houres", it seems a mean thing.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Print: Book

  

Samuel Pepys : [manuscript on naval expenses]

'to Sir W. Coventry, and there read over my yesterday's work; being a collection of the perticulars of the excess in charge created by a war - with good content.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Manuscript: Unknown

  

[Samuel] Johnson : Lives [of the most eminent English poets]

'I have read since last October a good deal of the history relating to the East ...: not much of books not connected with India [but included] Johnson's "Lives" (I had read them before)...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mountstuart Elphinstone      Print: Book

  

[James] Boswell : Life of [Samuel] Johnson

'I have read since last October a good deal of the history relating to the East ...: not much of books not connected with India [but included] Boswell's "Life of Johnson; ...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mountstuart Elphinstone      Print: Book

  

William Roscoe : Life of Lorenzo de' Medici, called the Magnificent

'Drawing Lesson - write - read Locke - & walk - Shelley reads Roscoe's life of Lorenzo de Medicis - Read Lucian and work in the evening. Read severy [for several)] odes of Horace'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Roscoe : Life of Lorenzo de' Medici, called the Magnificent

'read Locke & the life of Lorenzo - Shelley reads it and finishes it - In the evenng he reads 25th chap. of Gibbon - read several odes of Horace'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Roscoe : Life of Lorenzo de' Medici, called the Magnificent

'read Locke & the life of Lorenzo - Shelley reads it and finishes it - In the evenng he reads 25th chap. of Gibbon - read several odes of Horace'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

William Roscoe : Life of Lorenzo de' Medici, called the Magnificent

'read the life of Lorenzo - shelley [sic] reads the appendix'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

William Roscoe : Life of Lorenzo de' Medici, called the Magnificent

'read the life of Lorenzo - shelley [sic] reads the appendix'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : Vindication of the Rights of Woman

'read rights of women'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : Vindication of the Rights of Woman

'Read Rights of woman - Opuscula of Cicero'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : Vindication of the Rights of Woman

'Finish the Rights of Woman - begin Chesterfields Letters to his son'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield : Letters written by the . . . Earl of Chesterfield to his Son Philip Stanhope

'Finish the Rights of Woman - begin Chesterfields Letters to his son'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield : Letters written by the . . . Earl of Chesterfield to his Son Philip Stanhope

'Read Locke and Chesterfield - De Senectute and the wanderer'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield : Letters written by the . . . Earl of Chesterfield to his Son Philip Stanhope

'read the Wanderer - read de Senectute & Chesterfield'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin      Print: Book

  

Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield : Letters written by the . . . Earl of Chesterfield to his Son Philip Stanhope

'Read Lord Chesterfield - part of the Lay sermon'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

James Shirley : Gamester, The

'read douglass [sic] & the Gamester'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Madame de Genlis : Les Chevaliers du cygne; ou la cour de Charlemagne

'read Comus. Knight of the swan - 1st Vol of Goldth citizen of the world'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Frederick William Robinson : Christie's Faith

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's recommendations of works 'which I can guarantee myself' in 'Hints on Reading': 'Christie's Faith, by the author of "Owen, a Waif," is a novel which I can guarantee myself. The scenes are not laid in a very elevated class of life, and some are extremely painful, but there is a noble religious tone throughout the book which carries one through all. If I were inclined to criticise, I should say that the author does not understand women as well as he does men, and one scene, in which a so-called lady offers to be the wife of a man much her inferior in position, would in other hands have been very unpleasant. As it is, it is merely unnatural. The author's sympathies are evidently not with the English Church, but he is no way antagonistic to it.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

[William] [Mason] : Caractacus

'I have read since last October a good deal of the history relating to the East...: not much of books not connected with India [but included] ... In poetry, ... "Caractacus" ...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mountstuart Elphinstone      Print: Book

  

[Thomas] Jefferson : Virginia [Notes on state of]

'I have read since last October a good deal of the history relating to the East...: not much of books not connected with India [but included] ... Jefferson on Virginia ...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mountstuart Elphinstone      Print: Book

  

[Samuel and John] Pepys : [Catalogue of his books]

'And so home and to supper, and then saw the Catalogue of my books which my brother hath wrote out, now perfectly Alphabetical; and so to bed.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Samuel Pepys : [Catalogue of books]

'At noon dined well, and my brother and I to write over once more with my own hand my Catalogue of books, while he reads to me.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: John Pepys      Manuscript: Sheet

  

Samuel Johnson : Rambler, The

'Finish the memoirs - of Cumberland - read the Rambler'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Serial / periodical

  

George, 2nd Duke of Buckingham Villiers : The Restoration; or Right will take place

'Read the Restoration'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

George, 2nd Duke of Buckingham Villiers : Rehearsal, The

'Read the Rehearsal'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Samuel Pepys : [report on the case of Mr Carcasse]

'and then did get Sir W. Batten, J. Mennes and W. Penn together, and read it [Pepys's report on the case of Mr Carcasse] over with all the many papers relating to the business; which they do wonder at, and the trouble that I have taken about it, and like the report, so as that they do unanimously resolve to sign it and stand by it.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Samuel Pepys : [report on the case of Mr Carcasse]

'And by and by to Sir W. Batten, and there he and I and J. Mennes and W. Penn did read and sign with great liking'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Samuel Pepys : [report on the case of Mr Carcasse]

'And by and by to Sir W. Batten, and there he and I and J. Mennes and W. Penn did read and sign with great liking'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Sir William Batten      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Samuel Pepys : [report on the case of Mr Carcasse]

'And by and by to Sir W. Batten, and there he and I and J. Mennes and W. Penn did read and sign with great liking'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Sir William Penn      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Samuel Pepys : [report on the case of Mr Carcasse]

'And by and by to Sir W. Batten, and there he and I and J. Mennes and W. Penn did read and sign with great liking'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Sir John Minnes      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Samuel Pepys : [report on the case of Mr Carcasse]

'I presented our report about Carcasse to the Duke of York, and did afterwards read it, with that success that the Duke of York was for punishing him, not only with turning him out of the office but what other punishment he could'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Madeleine de Scuderi : Artamene, ou Le grand Cyrus

'and then home to my wife, who is not well with her cold, and sat and read [a] piece of "Grand Cyrus" in English by her'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : [Poems]

'S. reads Wordsworths Poems aloud in the evening'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : [unknown]

'After tea S. reads Spencer aloud.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : MacBeth

'In the evening S. finishes reading MacBeth'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : Faerie Queene, The

'read Pliny and walk. S. reads a canto of Spencer'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : Faerie Queene, The

'S. reads Spencer aloud & finishes the first & begins the second book.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Mary Shelley : Frankenstein

'S. reads Hist. of [French]. Rev. and corrects F. write Preface'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Manuscript: Unknown, Mary Shelley's MS

  

Edmund Spenser : Faerie Queene, The

'Read Apuleius. S. reads Spencer aloud'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : Faerie Queene, The

'S. reads Hist. de la philosophie Moderne. and Spencer aloud'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Mountstuart Elphinstone : Account of the Kingdom of Caubul and its dependencies in Persia, Tartary and India

'S goes to Egham - he reads Aeschylus and tavels in the kingdom of Caubul - read Rasselas - make jellies and work'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Mountstuart Elphinstone : Account of the Kingdom of Caubul and its dependencies in Persia, Tartary and India

'S. finishes the plays of Aeschylus - finishes the Hist. of Caubul - writes - reads three chap. of Gibbon aloud'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Othello

'Finish the 11th book of Tacitus - Read some of Beaumont & X Fletchers plays - work - S. write - reads some of the plays of Sophocles - & Antony & Cleopatra of Shakespeare and Othello aloud'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Antony and Cleopatra

'Finish the 11th book of Tacitus - Read some of Beaumont & X Fletchers plays - work - S. write - reads some of the plays of Sophocles - & Antony & Cleopatra of Shakespeare and Othello aloud'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

M.G. Lewis : Anaconda, The

'I am confined Teusday 2nd. Read Rhoda - Pastors Fire Side - Missionary - Wild Irish Girls - The Anaconda. Glenarvon - 1st Vol Percy's Northern antiquities'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

James Beresford : Miseries of Human Life; or, the Groans of Samuel Sensitive and Timothy Testy. With a few supplementary sighs from Mrs. Testy

'Read and finish miseries of human life'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Madame de Souza : Eug?nie et Mathilde, ou les m?moires de la famille du Comte de Revel

'Read Mathilde et Eugenie'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Benjamin Thompson [trans.] : German Theatre

'I read Tacitus - 3 of Hume's essays VIII IX X - some of the German theatre - write - walk - Shelleys [sic] reads Political Justice & 8 Cantos of his poem.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Benjamin Thompson (trans.) : German Theatre

'S. finishes reading his poem aloud. - read from the German theatre'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Benjamin Constant : Adolphe

'I feel that I can struggle on without Madame de Stael; but 'Adolphe' is an undiluted masterpiece.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Arnold Bennett      Print: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : Much Ado about Nothing

'S reads Berkeley and part of "Much ado about nothing["] aloud; read XI XII XIII Essays of Hume.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

El?mir Bourges : La Nef

'I violently disagree with you as to El?mir Bourges. I defy you to put your hand on your heart & say you have read the 'Nef' all through.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Arnold Bennett      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Pamela

'In the evening read an Italian Translation of Pamela'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Pamela

'Shelley has finished the life of Tasso & reads Dante - read Pamela'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa

'begin Clarissa Harlowe in Italian - S. reads and finishes Dante's Purgatorio'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet

'S reads Hamlet'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : Shepheardes Calendar, The

'S. reads aloud 6 eclogues from the Shepherds Calender[sic]'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : Shepheardes Calendar, The

'S. reads a part of the Shepherds Calender [sic] aloud in the evening'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Edmund Rostand : unknown

'There is nothing whatever of serious or permanent value in anything that Rostand ever wrote.'

Unknown
Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Arnold Bennett      

  

Samuel Pepys : [letter to Sir Robert Brookes]

'all morning at the office finishing my letter to Sir Rob Brookes, which I did with great content; and yet at noon, when I came home to dinner, I read it over again after it was sealed and delivered to the messenger, and read it to my clerks who dined with me, and there I did resolve upon some alteration and caused it to be new writ'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Manuscript: Letter

  

Miguel de Cervantes : Don Quixote

'It is one of the most extraordinary accidents in my life, and gives ground to think of Don Quixot's adventures how people may be surprized'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Print: Book

  

Samuel Pepys : Memorandums and Conclusions of the Navy Board

'And with great joy I do find, looking over my Memorandum-books, which are now of great use to me and do fully reward me for all my care in keeping them, that I am not likely to be troubled for anything of that kind but what I shall either be able beforehand to prevent, or if discovered, be able to justify myself in.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Samuel de Sorbiere : voyage into England

'and there got Balty to read to me out of Sorbiere's observations in his voyage into England; and then to bed.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Balthasar St Michael      Print: Book

  

Madame de Scud?ri : Ibrahim, ou L'illustre Bassa

'And after dinner, she to read in the "Illustr. Bassa" the plot of yeterday's play, which is most exactly the same.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Pepys      Print: Book

  

Madame de Scud?ri : Ibrahim, ou L'illustre Bassa

'And there I saw this new play my wife saw yesterday; and do not like it, it being very smutty, and nothing so good as "The Maiden Queen" or "The Indian Imperour", of his making, that I was troubled at it; and my wife tells me is wholly (which he confesses a little in the epilogue) taken out of the "Illustr. Bassa".'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Pepys      Print: Book

  

Samuel Pepys : [Report]

'and then up about 7 and to White-hall, where read over my report to Lord Arlington and Berkely and then afterward at the Council Board, with great good liking'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Samuel Pepys : [Report]

'and then up about 7 and to White-hall, where read over my report to Lord Arlington and Berkely and then afterward at the Council Board, with great good liking'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Samuel Pepys : [letter]

'Walked to St James and Pell Mell, and read over with Sir W. Coventry my long letter to the Duke of York and what the Duke of York hath from mine wrote to the board; wherein he is mightily pleased, and I perceive to put great value upon me.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Manuscript: Letter

  

Samuel Pepys : [letter]

'Walked to St James and Pell Mell, and read over with Sir W. Coventry my long letter to the Duke of York and what the Duke of York hath from mine wrote to the board; wherein he is mightily pleased, and I perceive to put great value upon me.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Sir William Coventry      Manuscript: Letter

  

Samuel Pepys : [paper on naval business]

'and there to Mr Wren at his chamber at White-hall ... And there he and I did read over my paper that I have with so much labour drawn up about the several answers of the Officers of this office to the Duke of York's reflections, and did debate a little what advice to give the Duke of York when he comes to town upon it.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Samuel Pepys : [paper on naval business]

'and there to Mr Wren at his chamber at White-hall ... And there he and I did read over my paper that I have with so much labour drawn up about the several answers of the Officers of this office to the Duke of York's reflections, and did debate a little what advice to give the Duke of York when he comes to town upon it.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Matthew Wren      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Samuel Pepys : [note]

'Up, and I did, by a little note which I flung to Deb, advise her that I did continue to deny that ever I kissed her, and so she might govern herself ... The girl read, and as I bid her, returned me the note, flinging it to me in passing by.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Deborah Willet      Manuscript: Letter

  

Samuel Pepys : [letter with corrections by Matthew Wren]

'This evening comes Mr Billup to me to read over Mr Wren's alterations of my draft of a letter for the Duke of York to sign, to the board; which I like mighty well, they being not considerable, only in mollifying some hard terms which I had thought fit to put in.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Pepys      Manuscript: Letter

  

Clement Edmonds : 'Life' prefaced to 'The commentaries of C. Julius Caesar'

'making the boy read to me the life of Julius Caesar and Des Cartes book of music - the latter of which I understand not, nor think he did well that writ it, though a most learned man.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: anon      Print: Book

  

Samuel Pepys : [work on naval history]

'Thence home; and after dinner, by water with Tom down to Greenwich, he reading to me all the way, coming and going, my collections out of the Duke of York's old manuscript of the Navy, which I have bound up and doth please me mightily.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Tom Edwards      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Samuel Pepys : [work on naval history]

'and home, where I made my boy to finish the reading of my manuscript; and so to supper and to bed.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Tom Edwards      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Samuel Pepys : [work on naval history]

'and so with W. Hewer to the Cock, and there he and I dined alone with great content, he reading to me, for my memory sake, my late collections of the history of the Navy, that I might represent the same by and by to the Duke of York'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: William Hewer      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Samuel Pepys : [defence of the existing constitution of the Navy Board]

'and there, by and by being called in, Mr Williamson did read over our paper, which was in a letter to the Duke of York, bound up in a book with the Duke of York's book of Instructions. He read it well; and after read we were bid to withdraw, nothing being at all said to it.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group: Williamson      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Hermann Sudermann : The Song of Songs

'I have already [read] The Song of Songs , and commented on it, a long time ago. As to the translation let me tell you at once what I think. It is a bad translation . . . '

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Arnold Bennett      Print: Book

  

William Dean Howells : 'Easy Chair' column

'Hence I give myself the pleasure of writing to you in order to acknowledge your "Easy Chair" article in this month?s Harper?s.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Arnold Bennett      Print: Serial / periodical

  

William Shakespeare : Coriolanus

'Read 42nd Canto - Livy - Anacharsis. Horace - and Shakespears Coriolanus - S. translates the Symposium & reads Philaster'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : As You Like It

'Wednesday Aug. 17th. [...] We [Claire Clairmont, P. B. Shelley, and Mary Godwin] fled away [from dirty hotel at village of Mort] & climbed some wild rocks -- & sat there reading till the sun laid down to rest -- I read As you like it [&] found the wild & romantic touches of this Play very accordant with the scene befor[e] me & my feeling'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : King Lear

'Saturday August 27th. Reach Lucerne about half after twelve [p.m.] -- Go to the Cheval. Read King Richard III. & King Lear. Quite Horrified -- [I] can't describe my feelings for [th]e moment -- when Cornwall tears [ou]t the eyes of the Duke of Gloster -- This Play is the most melancholy & produces almost stupendous despair on the reader -- Such refinement in wickedness & cruelty'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Richard III

'Saturday August 27th. Reach Lucerne about half after twelve -- Go to the Cheval. Read King Richard III. & King Lear. Quite Horrified -- [I] can't describe my feelings for [th]e moment -- when Cornwall tears [ou]t the eyes of the Duke of Gloster -- This Play is the most melancholy & produces almost stupendous despair on the reader -- Such refinement in wickedness & cruelty'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : Letters Written during a Short Residence in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark

From Claire Clairmont's account of voyage back from Switzerland to England with P. B. Shelley and Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin: 'Tuesday August 30th. [...] About four o'clock we [la]nded at Brissac a town in Baden -- [The] Watermen said they could not proceed with so strong a wind against us [...] but in about an hour they came with the news that the wind was changed & we hastened on Board -- Shelley reads aloud the Letters from Norway -- This is one of my very favorite Books -- The language is so [...] very flowing & Eloquent & it is altogether a beautiful Poem'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : Letters Written during a Short Residence in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark

From Claire Clairmont's account of voyage back from Switzerland to England with P. B. Shelley and Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin: 'Wednesday August 31st. [...] Shelley reads aloud Letters from Norway -- Read King Lear a second time -- Reach Strasburg about eleven [pm]'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : King Lear

From Claire Clairmont's account of voyage back from Switzerland to England with P. B. Shelley and Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin: 'Wednesday August 31st. [...] Shelley reads aloud Letters from Norway -- Read King Lear a second time -- Reach Strasburg about eleven [pm]'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : Letters Written during a Short Residence in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark

From Claire Clairmont's account of voyage back from Switzerland to England with P. B. Shelley and Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin during 1814: 'Thursday September 1st. Rise at 3 -- Proceed to a little town and change boats again [...] Shelley finishes the Letter[s] from Norway aloud'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : The Excursion, Being a Portion of the Recluse, a Poem

'Thursday Sept. 15th. Read Emile -- Write i[n] my Common Place Book [...] Shelley reads us the Ancient Mariner [...] Read in the Excursion -- the Story of Margaret very beautiful.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

Samuel Johnson : The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia

'Friday Sept. 16th. Rise at nine -- Breakfast -- Read Rasselas -- & De l'origine de l'inegalite [d]es Hommes'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

Matthew Gregory Lewis : The Monk

'Thursday Sept. 22nd. [...] Return [from walking] at [...] 4. Read Greek [...] Sit up till one reading the Monk.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

Matthew Gregory Lewis : The Monk

'Friday Sept. 23rd. Finish the Monk [...] Buy a Greek Anacreon [...] Read Greek [...] Shelley reads Thalaba aloud in the evening. Write a little Gre[ek] & learn four tenses of the Verb to strike'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

Matthew Gregory Lewis : Tales of Wonder

'Saturday Sept. 24th. [...] Read Lewis Tales of Wonder and Delight. Shelley reads aloud Thalaba in the Evening finishes it. Write Greek -- Read Smellie.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

William Smellie : The Philosophy of Natural History

'Saturday Sept. 24th. [...] Read Lewis Tales of Wonder and Delight. Shelley reads aloud Thalaba in the Evening finishes it. Write Greek -- Read Smellie.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

William Smellie : The Philosophy of Natural History

'Sunday Sept. 25th. [...] Read Smellie Philosophy [o]f Natural History.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

William Smellie : The Philosophy of Natural History

'Monday Sept. 26th. Read the Empire of the Nairs & Smellie.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

William Smellie : The Philosophy of Natural History

'Tuesday Sept. 27th. Read Smellie. Pack up all morning. Remove about five o'clock to Pancrass. Read Smellie in the Evening.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

William Smellie : The Philosophy of Natural History

'Tuesday Sept. 27th. Read Smellie. Pack up all morning. Remove about five o'clock to Pancrass. Read Smellie in the Evening.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

William Smellie : The Philosophy of Natural History

'Wednesday Sept. 27th. Read Smellie.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

William Smellie : The Philosophy of Natural History

'Wednesday Sept. 29th. [...] Read Smellie.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : 'The Mad Mother'

''Wednesday Oct. 5th. [...] Read Political Justice Shelley reads aloud the Ancient Mariner. & Mad [...] Mother.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : letters

''Thursday Oct. 6th. [...] Read a little of Political Justice [...] Dine at six [...] After dinner [Shelley] reads part of St Godwin aloud -- terrible nonsense [...] Read some of Mary Wollstonecraft's letters in the Evening.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      

  

William Shakespeare : Richard III

'Sunday Nov. 6th. Rise at nine [...] Read Prince Alexy Haimatoff & King Richard III [...] Dine at four.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Richard III

'Monday Nov. 7th. Rise at nine -- Work. Read Political Justice -- Mary [Wollstonecraft Godwin] dines at one & goes to Shelley. Read King Richard the Third -- Dine by myself at four. Mary returns at six -- Talk with her. & read some miscellaneous poetry.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa; or, The History of a Young Lady

'Thursday April 16. Finish the Depit Amoureux read Les precieuses ridicules. Also part of Clarissa Harlowe.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa; or, The History of a Young Lady

'Friday April 17th. Read Clarissa Harlowe and Amphitryon of Moliere.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : King Lear

'Saturday April 18. [...] Shelley reads aloud Hamlet. Read Lear.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet

'Saturday April 18. [...] Shelley reads aloud Hamlet. Read Lear.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa; or, The History of a Young Lady

'Wednesday April 22. [...] Read Clarissa Harlowe.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

Mademoiselle de Montpensier : Memoires de Mademoiselle de Montpensier, fille de M. Gaston d'Orleans, frere de Louis XIII

'Thursday March 11th [...] Read Vie de Mademoiselle de Montpensiers ecrite par elle meme.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : unknown

'Tuesday March 16th. Go in the Morning to the Gardens of the Villa Borghese -- sit on the steps of the temple of Esculapius and read Wordsworth'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Henry IV

'Thursday Jany. 20th. [...] Work all day. S. reads Henry 4th to us.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

[probably] August Wilhelm von Schlegel : [probably] A Course of Lectures on Dramatic Art and Literature

'Friday Jany 28th. Rainy -- Read Irish Pamphlet & Travels before the Flood -- Also two chapters in Schlegel's Dramactic [sic] Criticism'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

Adam Smith : Treatise on the Imitative Arts

'Thursday March 16th. [...] Read the Life of Adam Smith [makes notes on this] [...] In Smith's Treatise concerning the Imitative Arts I find the following: "The Minuet, where the Lady passes & repasses the Gentleman, then gives him one hand and then another, and at last both, is supposed to be a[...] Moorish dance emblematic of the passion of love." So little did our prudish grandmother's [sic] know what they were about.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : The Life of Samuel Johnson

'Tuesday May 23rd. [...] Read Boswell's Life of Johnson.' [records of reading this text also appear in entries for 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 May 1820]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : A Vindication of the Rights of Woman

'Monday May 29th. [...] Read Rights of Woman.' [records of readings from this text also appear in entries for 31 May, and 1, 2, 3 June 1820, with 'Finish [...] Rights of Woman' recorded on 4 June].

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : Letters Written during a Short Residence in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark

'Thursday [...] June 1st. [...] Read Letters from Norway. [...] 'Friday June 2nd. [...] Read Rights of Woman & Letters from Norway. [...] 'Sunday June 4th. [...] Finish Letters from Norway & Rights of Woman.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

William Nicholson : An Introduction to Natural Philosophy

'Wednesday June 28th. [...] Begin Nicholson's Natural Philosophy -- Read Saggio Istorico della rivoluzione di Napoli [sic] [makes notes on this]'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Richard III

'S. reads Richard III in the evening'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Richard III

'Read a part of the 7 canto of Tasso - Livy - Montaigne and Eustace -S. reads Theocritus and Richard III aloud in the evening'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Henry VIII

'S. reads Theocritus - & Henry VIII aloud in the evening'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Henry VIII

'S. reads Theocritus and Virgil's Georgics - after tea he reads aloud and finishes the play of Henry VIII'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Troilus and Cressida

'Read 12 Canto of Tasso & two acts of Troilus and Cressida'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Troilus and Cressida

'Finish Troilus and Cressida - read 3 books of Pope's Homer'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : Fowre Hymnes

'Read Hymns - Epithalamion &c of Spencer'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : Epithalamion

'Read Hymns - Epithalamion &c of Spencer'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Measure for Measure

'Read 7 Canto's of Dante - Begin to translate A.[lfieri] - Read Cajo Graccho of Monti & Measure for Measure'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa; or, The History of a Young Lady

'Sunday Sept. 3rd. [...] Read Clarissa Harlowe.' [further readings of this text recorded in journal entries for 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 September 1820; 'Finish Clarissa Harlowe' recorded in entry for 14 September].

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

James Touchet, Lord Audley, third earl of Castlehaven : The Memoir's [sic] of James Lord Audley Earl of Castlehaven, His Engagements and Carriage in the Wars of Ireland, from the Year 1642 to the Year 1651

''Sunday Sept. 17th. [...] Begin Earl of Castlehaven's Memoirs.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

Germaine de Stael : De L'Allemagne

'[Tuesday] Dec. 26th. [...] Read Allemagne by Madame de Stael.' [readings from this text also recorded in journal entries for 27, 28, 29 December 1820; and 3 and 5 January 1821]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [plays]

'Left Black's and fell in with Wm Lotherington and Perrot this was about eleven o clock they came home with me, and we drank Brandy and Water and read Falstaff till one o clock or past.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: John Buckley Castieau      Print: Book

  

Thomas Malthus : Essay on the Principle of Population

'read Saul - S. reads Malthus.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Thomas Malthus : Essay on the Principle of Population

'Read Livy - Alfieri's Agide - S. reads Malthus'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Cymbeline

'finish the trajedies of Alfieri - Walk out with S. He reads Malthus & Cymbeline aloud in the evening'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Tempest, The

'Read Livy - The Tempest & two gentlemen of Verona - S finishes Ma[l]thus - & reads Cymbeline aloud'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Two Gentlemen of Verona

'Read Livy - The Tempest & two gentlemen of Verona - S finishes Ma[l]thus - & reads Cymbeline aloud'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Thomas Malthus : Essay on the Principle of Population, An

'Read Livy - The Tempest & two gentlemen of Verona - S finishes Ma[l]thus - & reads Cymbeline aloud'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Cymbeline

'Read Livy - The Tempest & two gentlemen of Verona - S finishes Ma[l]thus - & reads Cymbeline aloud'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Winter's Tale

'Read Vita di Alfieri & Livy - S. reads Winter's tale aloud to me'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Winter's Tale

'Read Vita di Alfieri - half the 9th book of Virgil - S reads Winters tale aloud'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Timon of Athens

'Finish Vita di Tasso - Read Timon of Athens - work - S finishes the Winter's Tale'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Timon of Athens

'Read Timon of Athens'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : All's Well That Ends Well

'Arrive at Venise at 2 o'clock - Read alls well that ends well'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Madame de Souza : Adele de Senage, ou lettres de Lord Sydenham

'Read Livy - Adele de Senange - S reads Livy'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Madame de Stael : Corinne

'Read Corinne and Livy - S reads Livy'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Madame de Stael : Corinne

'Read Corinne & Livy - S reads Corinne'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Madame de Stael : Corinne

'Finish Corinne & 7th Book of Livy - S reads Corinne'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Jean Charles Leonarde Simonde de Sismondi : Histoire des republiques italiennes du moyen age

'S reads Livy & Winkhelmann aloud - read Dante - And Sismondi'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Madame Fauques de Vaucluse : The Vizirs; or, the Enchanted Labyrinth. An oriental tale

'Read Dante - History of 2 Viziers - Sismondi'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Jean Charles Leonard Simonde de Sismondi : Histoire des republiques italiennes du moyen age

'Finish the Inferno of Dante & the 9th book of Livy - S & I read Sismondi'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary and Percy Shelley     Print: Book

  

Jean Charles Leonard Simonde de Sismondi : Histoire des republiques italiennes du moyen age

'finish Sismondi'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet

'Read Hamlet'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Romeo and Juliet

'Read Romeo & Juliet - S. reads the Hipolitus of Euripides'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : King Lear

'Read King Lear'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Othello

'Read Othello'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Julius Caesar

'Read Julius Caesar'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : King John

'Read King John - & Livy'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Merry Wives of Windsor, The

'Read Livy - & the merry Wives of Windsor'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [History Plays]

'Read Metastasio - S. reads the Hist. P.[lay]s of Shakespeare'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Francisco Gomez de Quivedo y Villegas : Suenos y discursos de verdades

'Read the vision of Quivedo'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Miguel de Cervantes : Los rabajos de Persiles y Sigismunda, historia septentrional

'Read Livy - Persiles & Sigismunda'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa

'Since I left Rome I have read several books of Livy - Antenor - Clarissa Harlowe - The Spectator - a few novels - & am now reading the Bible & Lucan's Pharsalia - & Dante'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Julius Caesar

'Sunday Dec 2nd. [...] Read Julius Caesar of Shakespeare.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Cymbeline

'Sunday Dec. 30th. [...] Read Cymbeline Titus Andronicus and 1st. and 2nd. part of Henry IV.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Titus Andronicus

'Sunday Dec. 30th. [...] Read Cymbeline Titus Andronicus and 1st. and 2nd. part of Henry IV.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Henry IV part I

'Sunday Dec. 30th. [...] Read Cymbeline Titus Andronicus and 1st. and 2nd. part of Henry IV.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Henry IV part II

'Sunday Dec. 30th. [...] Read Cymbeline Titus Andronicus and 1st. and 2nd. part of Henry IV.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : King Lear

'Thursday Jany. 17th. [...] Read King Lear.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Hamlet

'Sunday March 3rd. [...] Read Hamlet.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Romeo and Juliet

'Sunday March 10th. [...] Read Romeo and Juliet.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

King James I of Scotland : The King's Quair

In journal entry for Wednesday 25 May, Claire Clairmont transcribes stanzas 28 and 29 from Canto II of The King's Quair, by James I of Scotland.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

Chretien-Hermann Gambs : Skold

'Monday May [...] 30th. [...] After dinner Mr. Gambs reads aloud his tale of Skold. It pleases me very much -- Its principal charm is the naturalness of [...] its descriptions [...] and the extreme variety of the style.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      

  

Chretien-Hermann Gambs : Moses (Cantos 3, 4, 5, 6)

'Wednesday [...] June 1st. [...] After dinner M. Gambs reads aloud the 3, 4, 5, and 6th. Canto of Moses [goes on to comment upon this text in detail].'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      

  

Chretien-Hermann Gambs : Lecture on Modern History

'Friday [...] August 4th. [...] Read Life of Gothe [sic], Lecture on Modern History by M. Gambs.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      

  

William Wordsworth : 'Simon Lee'

'Sunday Nov. [...] 27th. [...] Mr. Armfeld & the little Bielfeld spent the Evening -- we read Wordsworth's Ballad of Simon Lee & then we talked.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

William Robertson : The History of the Reign of the Emperor Charles V. with a View of the Progress of Society in Europe, from the Subversion of the Roman Empire, to the Beginning of the Sixteenth Century

'Sunday [...] Dec. 4th. [...] After dinner [attended by several guests] [...] Mr. Sommer came in in [...] his usual wild hurried manner [...] consented to play a Sonata of Beethoven's [...] Then after inveighing against everything in Moscow, pavement, lights, houses & the women he caught up his hat and departed. to our great relief. They played at the Cat & the Mouse and I read Robertson.' [also mentions reading Robertson earlier in same entry, and in entries for 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15,16, 23, 25, 27 December 1825; and 2, 10, 11 January 1826].

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Print: Book

  

Mary Shelley : Letter to Claire Clairmont

'Wednesday Jan 5th ... Then we went a-shopping. I called at Lehnhold's [music publisher's where Clairmont received all mail] and found a letter from Mary. Got into the carriage and read it [...] We went to Levy's Magazine. I read my letter whilst the Princess [Galitzin] walked round the shop. In came a tall man [...] He stared at the Princess and then at my letter -- its black seal seemed to startle him.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Manuscript: Letter

  

Mary Shelley : Letter to Claire Clairmont

'Wednesday Jan 5th ... Then we went a-shopping. I called at Lehnhold's [music publisher's where Clairmont received all mail] and found a letter from Mary. Got into the carriage and read it [...] We went to Levy's Magazine. I read my letter whilst the Princess [Galitzin] walked round the shop. In came a tall man [...] He stared at the Princess and then at my letter -- its black seal seemed to startle him.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont      Manuscript: Letter

  

Marquise de Sevigne : Letters

Elizabeth Barrett to her uncle, Samuel Moulton-Barrett, November 1818: 'I have read "Douglas on the Modern Greeks." I think it a most amusing book ... I have not yet finished "Bigland on the Character and Circumstances of Nations." An admirable work indeed ... I do not admire "Madame de Sevigne's letters," though the French is excellent [...] yet the sentiment is not novel, and the rhapsody of the style is so affected, so disgusting, so entirely FRENCH, that every time I open the book it is rather as a task than a pleasure -- the last Canto of "Childe Harold" (certainly much superior to the others) has delighted me more than I can express. The description of the waterfall is the most exquisite piece of poetry that I ever read [...] All the energy, all the sublimity of modern verse is centered in those lines'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : The Tempest

Elizabeth Barrett to Uvedale Price, 30 December 1826, in response to his remarks on the description of a storm in George Robert Greig's The Subaltern: 'There is undoubtedly a new combination of striking circumstances in your Capture of St Sebastian [...] I cannot however allow that sulphur is only mentioned in [italics]Homer[end italics] when I find this expressive passage in Petronius Arbiter [slightly misquotes two lines from the Satyricon, followed by further relevant quotes from William Chamberlayne, Pharonnida (III canto 3); Beattie, The Minstrel, I v.54, and Shakespeare's Tempest I.2.203-204] [...] 'After some searching, I have only found "the alarming impression of the storm, while yet collecting, on all animals" mentioned in Chatterton's Excellent Balade of Charitie, -- which I am sure you must think poetically excellent [quotes line from verse 5] [...] but here the cattle have had a more ordinary indication of the aproaching storm [i.e. falling rain] than your awful circumstances of close oppressive heat, praeternatural stillness & silence'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Macbeth

'Do you remember the knocking in Macbeth? ...The porter is a man I have a great respect for. He had a great command of language. All that he says, curiously enough, my mother left out when she read Macbeth to me ... I remember the day my mother read Macbeth to me.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Mrs Stevenson      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : Peter Bell: a tale in verse

'Read 2 book of Horace - Read Undine & c - S. finishes the 3 vol of Carendon aloud & reads Peter Bell - he reads Plato's republic'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : The Tempest

'At 7 [...] I read the History of England and Rome -- at 8 I perused the History of Greece and it was at this age that I first found real delight in poetry -- "The Minstrel" Popes "Iliad"[,] some parts of the "Odyssey" passages from "Paradise lost" selected by my dearest Mama and some of Shakespeares plays among which were "The Tempest," "Othello," and a few historical dramatic pieces constituted my studies!'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Othello

'At 7 [...] I read the History of England and Rome -- at 8 I perused the History of Greece and it was at this age that I first found real delight in poetry -- "The Minstrel" Popes "Iliad"[,] some parts of the "Odyssey" passages from "Paradise lost" selected by my dearest Mama and some of Shakespeares plays among which were "The Tempest," "Othello," and a few historical dramatic pieces constituted my studies!'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett      Print: Book

  

Madame de Stael : Considerations sur les principaux evenemens de la Revolution francaise

'Read Horace - Memoires du Comte Grammont - S. writes his letter concerning Carlile - & reads Mme de Staels account of the Revolution - & Clarendon aloud'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Marie de Rabutin Chantal, Marquise de Sevigne : Lettres

'Read Horace and Lettres de Sevigne'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, Marquise de Sevigne : Lettres

'I read little else than Madame de Sevignes letters - Shelley reads St Luke aloud to us - & to himself the New Testament'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa; or, the History of a Young Lady

[Mary Shelley's Reading List of her reading in 1819. All are mentioned in journal entries so are not given separate entries here] '2 Vols of Montaigne Forsyths tour Romans de la Chevalerie Vision de Quivedo Clarissa Harlowe The Spectator The Bible as far as the Psalms in latin Twenty books of Livy - making thirty with the ten of last year Lucan's Pharsalia 3 books of Horace Gussman d'Afarache Memoires du Compte de Grammont Lettres de Madme Sevigne'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : unknown

'This year [when aged twelve] I read Milton for the first time [italics]thro[end italics] together with Shakespeare & Pope's Homer [...] I now read to gain idea's [sic] not to indulge my fancy and I studied the works of those critics whose attention was directed to my favorite authors.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Tempest, The

'Shelley reads the Tempest alout [sic] - & the Bible & Sophocles to himself'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Tempest, The

'Finish the book of Proverbs. S. reads the Bible & Sophocles - Finishes the Tempest aloud to me.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Henry IV Part I

'Translate S...a [Spinoza] with Shelley - He read [sic] Sophocles and the Bible - & King John & First Part Henry IV aloud. - Finish 31st book of Livy - Finish Proverbs, Ecclesiastes & Solomon's Song'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : King John

'Translate S...a [Spinoza] with Shelley - He read [sic] Sophocles and the Bible - & King John & First Part Henry IV aloud. - Finish 31st book of Livy - Finish Proverbs, Ecclesiastes & Solomon's Song'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Bartolome de las Casas : Brevissima relacion de la destruycion de las Indias

'[Shelley] finishes reading Isaiah to me & begins Jeremiah - He reads Las Casas on the Indies - Eschylus & Athenaeus'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Bartolome Las Casas : Brevissima relacion de la destruycion de las Indias

'S reads Las Casas & Jeremiah aloud. read the F. of the bees'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Bartolomeo de las Casas : Brevissima relacion de la destruycion de las Indias

'Read Livy & the F. of the Bees. Read Las Casas - S. reads Plato'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Henry IV

'S. reads Henry IV aloud'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Henry V

'S. reads Henry V'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Henry VI

'S. reads Henry VI aloud'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Henry VI

'Read the Utopia - Write - S reads Henry VI aloud'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Thomas Hobbes : [unknown]

'S. reads Hobbes. Ezechiel aloud'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Thomas Hobbes : Humane Nature

'S. reads Hobbes'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Thomas Hobbes : Leviathan

'Translate Sxxxxxa [Spinoza] with Shelley - Read Lettres Cabalistiques - S. finishes the Leviathan of Hobbes. reads the Bible aloud'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Jean Baptiste de Boyer, Marquis d' Argens : Lettres cabalistiques, ou correspondance philosophique, historique & critique, entre deux cabalistes, divers esprits elementaires & le Seigneur Astaroth

'Translate Sxxxxxa [Spinoza] with Shelley - Read Lettres Cabalistiques - S. finishes the Leviathan of Hobbes. reads the Bible aloud'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      

  

Jean Baptiste de Boyer, Marquis d' Argens : Lettres cabalistiques, ou correspondance philosophique, historique & critique, entre deux cabalistes, divers esprits elementaires & le Seigneur Astaroth

'Translate Sxxxxxa [Spinoza]. Read Lettres Cabalistiques - S. reads Ezechiel aloud. Reads Political Justice -'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Lady Mary Shepherd : Essays on the Perception of an External Universe

Elizabeth Barrett to Lady Mary Shepherd, c.July 1828: 'I am reduced to the necessity of offering my [italics]written[end italics] but warm thanks, for the valuable present, left for me by your Ladyship -- I have read several parts of the Essays with a [italics]curious[end italics] pleasure -- several with an entire mental satisfaction: and I have everywhere admired the originality, brilliancy, & power, which, -- whether your Ladyship's positions be questionable or the contrary, -- undeniably distinguish your mode of supporting them.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : 'Virgil's Gnat'

'S. reads to me Spencer's Virgil's Gnat'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : Vindication of the Rights of Woman

'Read Vind. of the Right of Woman'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : Vindication of the Rights of Woman

'Read and finnish [sic] Vind. of the Rights of Woman - finish Sand. & Merton'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : Life of Samuel Johnson LL.D.

'Read Boswell's life of Johnson'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : Life of Samuel Johnson LL.D.

'Read Livy - finish Life of Johnson'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : Posthumous Works of the author of A Vindication of the Rights of Woman

'Finish 38th Book of Livy. read Post. Letters.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : Letters written during a short residence in Sweden, Norway and Denmark

'read Letters from Norway'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : Letters written during a short residence in Sweden, Norway and Denmark

'Finish Letters from No[r]way'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Mary Wollstonecraft : Mary: a fiction

'Read Livy - Mary - a fiction'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Sir William Blackstone : Commentaries on the Laws of England

Elizabeth Barrett to Hugh Stuart Boyd, 1 June 1831: 'I recollect many years ago when I read one whole volume of Blackstone through, I also read a little treatise by a Mr Hawkins an INFINITE Tory, entitled "Reform in Parliament, the ruin of Parliament"'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett      Print: Book

  

Germaine de Stael : Corinne, ou L'Italie

Elizabeth Barrett to Hugh Stuart Boyd, 9 June 1832: 'I have been reading thro' the eight first chapters of Genesis in Hebrew [...] As I knew the character[s] or something of the grammar before, I have not been fagging hard -- or indeed [italics]at all[end italics] -- for Papa would not let me do so. Instead of fagging, I have read Corinne for the third time, & admired it more than ever. It is an immortal book, & deserves to be read three score & ten times.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : The Life of Samuel Johnson

Elizabeth Barrett to Hugh Stuart Boyd, 10 July 1832: 'Mr Croker has lately published an edition of Boswell's Life of Johnson. I have been looking over it, and do not think his additions & notes of much value. But he is impartial, -- which is a wonderful merit in an editor.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett      Print: Book

  

August Wilhelm von Schlegel : Uber dramatische Kunst und Literatur (extracts)

Elizabeth Barrett to Lady Margaret Cocks, 31 December 1832: 'I have had my hands & head full of a book called the Greek Theatre, composed in part of extracts, & edited by a Cambridge Student [...] In the body of the work, are extracts from Schlegel: so full of poetical & classical enthusiasm, that I should like to know something of the [italics]German[end italics] Schlegel!'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett      Print: Book

  

Thomas Chalmers : On the Power, Wisdom and Goodness of God as Manifested in the Adaptation of External Nature to the Moral and Intellectual Constitution of Man

Elizabeth Barrett to Hugh Stuart Boyd, c.September 1835: 'I have been reading the Bridgewater treatises, -- and am now trying to understand Prout upon chemistry [...] Chalmers's treatise is, as to eloquence, surpassingly beautiful: as to matter, I could not walk with him all the way -- altho' I longed to do it, for he walked on flowers, & under shade'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett      Print: Book

  

Lady Margaret Cocks : dramatic poems

Elizabeth Barrrett to Lady Margaret Cocks, mid-May 1837: 'I am very much obliged by your kindness in allowing me to read the MS dramatic poems -- it seems to me that the character of your writing is not sufficiently concentrated & passionate for tragic poetry -- and that the moral beauty of gentle & tender & holy feeling is not eminent enough with glaring light & angular shadow, to constitute of itself the dramatic. Such a moral beauty -- & it pervades what you write -- is however a better & happier thing than dramatic excellence.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Thomas Henry Lister : Granby

'I have been most shockingly idle, actually reading two novels at once. a good scolding would do me a vast deal of good, & I hope you will send one of your most severe one's.? What an entertaining book Granby is; do you remember Lady Harriet talking about inhaling [Ni]tric Oxide? Johnson has actually done it, & describes the effects as the most intense pleasure he ever felt. We both mean to get tipsey in the Vacation.?. The old Mr. Wedgwood, I see in Ure's Chem. Dic., did nothing else but hold his nose & kick.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Charles Darwin      Print: Book

  

Wiliam Robertson : History of America

'Finish Muratori - Greek - Travels of Rolando - S. reads Robertson's America - begins Bocaccio [sic] aloud'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Robertson : History of the Reign of Emperor Charles V, with a view of the progress of society in Europe from the subversion of the Roman Empire to the beginning of the sixteenth century

'S. reads the history of Charles 5th by Robertson'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Jean-Charles-L?onard Simonde de Sismondi : Histoire des r?publiques italiennes du moyen ?ge

'Sismondi - B.[occaccio] - S. reads A.[ntient] M.[etaphysics]'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Troilus and Cressida

'Troilus & Cressid [sic] in the evening'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Jean Charles Leonard Simonde de Sismondi : Histoire des Republiques Italiennes du moyen age

'Read Sismondi - Ride to Pisa - Georgics - B.[occaccio]'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa Harlowe; or, The History of a Young Lady

'I performed one Herculean task, having nearly finished Clarissa Harlowe, the most glorious novel ever written, & I advise you begin it as soon as you can.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Charles Darwin      Print: Book

  

Thomas Erskine : Armata: a fragment

'read Armata - read Homer'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Madame de Stael : Corinne

'read Corinne'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Miguel de Cervantes : Don Quixote

'Don Quixote & Calderon'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Thomas Erskine : Armata: a fragment

[Mary Shelley's reading list for 1820, with texts also read by Percy Shelley marked with an x. Only texts not mentioned in the journal are given separate entries based on this list] 'M. (& (S with an x) - 1820 The remainder of Livy. x The Bible until the end of Ezekhiel x Don Juan x Travels Before the Flood La Nouvelle Heloise The Fable of the Bees Paine's Works Utopia x Voltaire's Memoires x The Aenied [sic] And Georgics Bridone's Travels Robinson Crusoe Sandford & Merton x Astronomy in the Encyclopaedia Vindication of the Rights of women x Boswell's life of Johnson Paradise regained & lost Mary - Letters from Norway & Posthumus [sic] Works Ivanhoe - Tales of my Landlord Fleetwood - Caleb Williams x Ricciardetto. x Mrs Macauly's [sic] Hist. of Engd x Lucretius The 3 first orations of Cicero Muratori Anti chita [sic] d'Italia Travels & Rebellion in Ireland Tegrino's life of Castruccio x Boccacio [sic] - Decamerone x Keats' poems x armata Corinne The first book of Homer. Oedippus [sic] Tyrannus A Little Spanish & much Italian.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : Life of Samuel Johnson LL.D.

[Mary Shelley's reading list for 1820, with texts also read by Percy Shelley marked with an x. Only texts not mentioned in the journal are given separate entries based on this list] 'M. (& (S with an x) - 1820 The remainder of Livy. x The Bible until the end of Ezekhiel x Don Juan x Travels Before the Flood La Nouvelle Heloise The Fable of the Bees Paine's Works Utopia x Voltaire's Memoires x The Aenied [sic] And Georgics Bridone's Travels Robinson Crusoe Sandford & Merton x Astronomy in the Encyclopaedia Vindication of the Rights of women x Boswell's life of Johnson Paradise regained & lost Mary - Letters from Norway & Posthumus [sic] Works Ivanhoe - Tales of my Landlord Fleetwood - Caleb Williams x Ricciardetto. x Mrs Macauly's [sic] Hist. of Engd x Lucretius The 3 first orations of Cicero Muratori Anti chita [sic] d'Italia Travels & Rebellion in Ireland Tegrino's life of Castruccio x Boccacio [sic] - Decamerone x Keats' poems x armata Corinne The first book of Homer. Oedippus [sic] Tyrannus A Little Spanish & much Italian.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

John Frederick William Herschel : Preliminary discourse on the study of natural philosophy

'If you have not read Herschel in Lardners Cyclo ? read it directly.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Charles Darwin      Print: Book

  

Richard Monckton Milnes : Memorials of a Residence on the Continent, and Historical Poems

Elizabeth Barrett to Mary Russell Mitford, 16 April 1838: 'I had to thank [John Kenyon] for [...] lending me Mr Milnes's Poems just printed for private circulation. They are of the Tennyson school [...] & very much delighted me.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett      Print: Book

  

Mary Ann Schimmelpenninck : Select Memoirs of Port Royal

Elizabeth Barrett to Mary Russell Mitford, late January 1840: 'Did you ever meet with an account partly translated partly composed by Miss Schimmelpenninck, of the Port Royal? It is long since I read, will be longer before I forget that most interesting account of the most interesting establishment which ever owed its conventual name & form to the Church of Rome, & its purity & nobility to God's blessing & informing Spirit'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Barrett      Print: Book

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Jack Sheppard: A Romance

Mary Russell Mitford to Elizabeth Barrett, 30 January 1840: 'I have been reading "Jack Sheppard," and have been struck by the great danger, in these times, of representing authority so constantly and fearfully in the wrong, so tyrannous, so devilish, as the author has been pleased to portray it in "Jack Sheppard" [...] Of course Mr Ainsworth had no such design, but such is the effect; and as the millions who see it represented at the minor theatres will not distinguish between now and a hundred years back, all the Chartists in the land are less dangerous than this nightmare of a book, and I, Radical as I am, lament any additional temptations to outbreak, with all its train of horrors.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Russell Mitford      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : 'Hymn of Heavenly Beautie'

'Till lately I have never read Spenser, and therefore was not personally acquainted with his beauties. Neither do I mean to say now that I have read his "Fairie Queen"; but having accidentally met with an extract from his "Hymn of Heavenly Love", a long poem, I went to Papa's study and read the whole poem, which is most exquisitely beautiful, and is perhaps equal to anything Milton ever wrote. [...] I was so much delighted with it that I read another, his "Hymne of Heavenly Beautie", Which in point of poetic excellence perhaps exceeds the other. [...] Papa's copy of his poems is a very old edition, prinnted in the time of Queen Elizabeth, to whom it is dedicated. The illuminations are very curious, and the engravings most laughable; the print is small, and the old words make it rather difficult to read.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Emily Shore      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : 'Mother Hubbard's Tale'

'This evening I read Spenser's poem called 'Mother Hubbard's Tale', a very long one. It is evidently a satire on the court and clergy, and a very bitter one too.' [Editors note: 'Then follow three pages of extracts from the above named poem, very accurately done'].

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Emily Shore      Print: Book

  

Mary Arnold-Forster : Studies in Dreams

Considerable marginalia in pencil in English throughout.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Vernon Lee      Print: Book

  

Salomon Stricker : Du langage et de musique

'Read Feb 1899' on flyleaf. Some marginalia in English and French on the following pages: 54, 75, 77, 110, 163.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Vernon Lee      Print: Book

  

William Bateson : Problems of Genetics

Considerable textual marginalia in English throughout.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Vernon Lee      Print: Book

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Miscellaneous Poems

'My dear Miss Mitford, Your good and kind father has just given Nancy a copy of a little volume of poems, in which I find the verses on Maria's winning the cup at Ilsley inscribed to me, and for which honour I beg you to accept of my best thanks; an honour which I value the more because these verses are in company with those elegant and truly pathetic strains, addressed to your dear mother; which, unlike most other poetical effusions of praise, contain nothing but what is founded in truth.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William Cobbett      Print: Book

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Miscellaneous Poems

'My dear sir [...] Your daughter's very amiable and interesting book is quite a refreshment to my spirit, wearied on the one hand by labour and on the other by pain; for it would be in vain to tell you how I have occupied my mind on the before-mentioned theme, and this was the very volume to lead me sweetly and softly from myself to many charming scenes, conducted by the hand of virtue and genius. Where all are amiable, it is hard to select, but the poem addressed to yourself (page 70), and that part of the "Epistle to a Friend" which contains the subject beginning with the line, "How true the wish, how pure the glow," to the end of the passage, went nearest to my affections.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: S.J. Pratt      Print: Book

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Miscellaneous Poems

'Sir, I beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of a volume of poems which Messrs. Longman transmitted to me a few days since, and for which I am indebted to your politeness. I have been very much pleased with Miss Mitford's poems generally, and many passages I think excellent. In particular I was delighted to see her muse busy in Northumberland, the scenery of which in many parts is well worthy of a poet.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: J. Mitford      Print: Book

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Blanch of Castile and other poems

'The story of "Blanch", when the poem becomes fashionable, will be dramatized... I cannot help thinking it would make a good drama. The story is busy and pathetic. For the two small poems I thank you much. That to Lord Redesdale is most striking to me, and it is a just tribute to feeling where one would least expect it.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: J.P. Smith      Manuscript: Sheet

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Poems on the Female Character

'Madam, I am really ashamed of not having answered your very obliging and interesting letter, and not hving acknowledged the receipt of the pretty poem which you have done me the honour of submitting to my perusal. The fact is, I have been confined to my room for several days, and though I have run through your entertaining M.S., I have by no means given that attention to it which it deserves, and which alone would entitle me to give you an opinion upon it.... I can, from the very cursory perusal I have hitherto made of it, say very truly that it gave me great pleasure, and is both an elegant and poetical work...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Lord Holland      Manuscript: Sheet

  

Mary Russell Mitford : The Sisters

'I have just finished your poem of "The Sisters", and tell you truly and fairly that I read it with an interest and delight which I cannot express. I like it better than anything you have done (am I right or wrong?) and you have contrived to mix up poetical imagery and expression with such a great degree of interest as I have never before found in any poem.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Sir William Elford      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa; or, the History of a Young Lady

'By the way, I am in the train of reading the "History of Clarissa", who affords a notable example that fear is not the effectual mode. Pray did you ever go through that work? There is, indeed, tautology of sense - the same thing said ten thousand times over. I should be glad to hear your thoughts of that work.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Sir William Elford      Print: Book

  

Samuel Richardson : Clarissa; or, the History of a Young Lady

'I am doubtful whether the opinion of the world is so much in favour of Richardson's talents as formerly. It appears to me that there is not one character in the whole work that has any natural train in it, or any marks of distinction, which it required any considerable talents to depict....' [extensive criticism of "Clarissa" follows]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Sir William Elford      Print: Book

  

Edmund Spenser : The Faerie Queene

'I must own that Virgil's "Envy" and Spenser's "Cave of Error" are my aversion, as well as some other most exquisitely disgusting allegories. Our own Milton, I think, always keeps clear of this fault, and I cannot believe, in spite of Mr. Maturin, and Mr. Wilson, and Lord Byron, that it is true taste which tolerates it.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Eleanor Anne Porden      Print: Book

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Foscari

[He wishes to express] 'the high gratification I have received from the perusal of "Foscari". I must frankly tell you that the play has very much surprised me. I gave you credit for a great deal, but not for what you are mistress of. The drama is your proper walk, and I pray you heartily henceforth to make the right use of your great talents, and to contribute something to the solid, permanent literature of your age.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: P. Bayley      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Foscari

'I was much better pleased with it ["Foscari"] than I expected, though I can truly add that my expectations were somewhat highly raised. The interest begins at once, and continues throughout, and there are a thousand little touches of great beauty, although (and this in a drama is perhaps the best praise) there is no one passage on which I can fix as possessing a distinct and paramount superiority... In your "Foscari" I find also a much greater strength than is usual from a female pen, accompanied with many a lambent spark of genuine heartfelt feeling... which none but a woman could have given.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Eleanor Anne Porden      Manuscript: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : King Lear

'S. begins King Lear in the evening.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Percy Bysshe Shelley      Print: Book

  

Marco Lastri : L'Osservatore Fiorentino sugli edifizi della sua patria per servire alla storia della medesima

'Osservatore Fiorentino'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Marco Lastri : L'Osservatore Fiorentino sugli edifizi della sua patria per servire alla storia della medesima

'Finish the Osservatore F.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Thomas Malthus : Essay on the Principle of Population, An

'read Malthus'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Thomas Malthus : Essay on the Principle of Population, An

'read & finish Malthus - Begin the Answer'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: Book

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Cromwell

'Thank you for it ["Cromwell"]. It is a strange, clever, absurd, lively, queer, farcical, indescribable production. It is impossible not to be amused - impossible not occasionally to admire. On the other hand, the Liston farce of part of it - even exceeds my notion of the liberty of the genre romantique.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Dr Milman      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Our Village: Sketches of Rural Character and Scenery

'Madam, I can hardly feel that I am addressing an entire stranger in the author of "Our Village", and yet I know it is right and proper that I should apologize for the liberty I am taking. But really, after having accompanied you, as I have done again and again, in "violeting," and seeking for wood-sorrel ? after having been with you to call upon Mrs. Allen in "the dell", and becoming thoroughly acquainted with May and Lizzie, I cannot but hope that you will kindly pardon my obtrusion, and that my name may be sufficiently known to you to plead my case. There are writers whose works we cannot read without feeling as if we really had looked with them upon the scenes they bring before us, and as if such communion had almost given us a claim to something more than the mere intercourse between authors and "gentle readers". Will you allow me to say that your writings have this effect up me, and that you have taught me, in making me know and love your "Village" so well, to wish for further knowledge also of her who has so vividly impressed its dingles and copses upon my imagination, and peopled them so cheerily with healthful and happy beings?'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Felicia Hemans      Print: Book

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Fanny's Fairings

'We have not got a circulating library. It was too near Glasgow to thrive, and I am no ways acquainted in Glasgow. I am, therefore, famishing for the want of books. I have to pick up all my news of literature from the newspapers. I saw a delightful piece of yours quoted there lately from a book called "The Coronet, or Literary and Christian Remembrancer." It was entitled "Fanny's Fairings."'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: anon (admirer of Mary Russell Mitford)      Print: Newspaper

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Rienzi

'Dear Madam, Accept my best thanks for the copy of "Rienzi", and allow me to assure you that it has not been thrown away, for, as [Rev William] Harness can bear witness, I can repeat long passages of it by heart. I have now the pleasure of forwarding to you the volumes I mentioned...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Alexander Dyce      Print: Book

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Our Village: Sketches of Rural Character and Scenery

'Let me tell you that I never see a paper professing to give literary news from England without anxiously looking for your name.. I have read whole pages of extracts from the Annuals and "Our Village" - so well do the savages know how to make their papers sell - but I have not seen, what I chiefly [sic] sought, any account of the noble tragedy, three acts of which you read to me when I last saw you.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Frances Trollope      Print: Newspaper

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Tragedies

'Madam, Having understood from a friend that you wished to obtain the words of "The Bann of the Church of the German Empire," I take the liberty of sending them to you [...] You will find it in "Les Anecdotes Germaniques," page 151, and as I have experienced so much pleasure from the perusal and representation of your beautiful tragedies, I shall have great satisfaction in being of the smallest use to you.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: G.E. Lynch Cotton      Print: Book

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Our Village: Sketches of Rural Character and Scenery

'In your delightful sketch of Grace Nugent I was much amused by the donkey messengers. Such mercuries are common in Suffold, and I greeted your boys as old acquaintances.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Susanna Strickland      Print: Book

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Our Village: Sketches of Rural Character and Scenery

'My dear Miss Mitford, I cannot employ the formal address of a stranger towards one who has inspired the vivid feeling of intimate acquaintance, a deep and affectionate interest in her occupations and happiness. You cannot be ignorant that your books are re-printed and widely circulated on this side of the Atlantic? your name has penetrated beyond our maritime cities, and is familiar and loved through many a village circle and to the borders of the lonely depths of unpierced woods ? that we eagerly gather the intimations of your character and history that we fancy are dispersed through your productions ? that we venerate "Mrs. Mosse", are lovers of "Sweet Cousin Mary" and have wept and almost worn mourning for dear bright little "Lizzie", that, in short, such is your power over the imagination that your pictures have wrought on our affections like realities.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Catharine M. Sedgwick      Print: Book

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Our Village: Sketches of Rural Character and Scenery

'My dear Miss Mitford,I cannot miss the opportunity my aunt allows me of writing to the author of "Our Village," to express my interest in her, and in the perusal of her charming book, one of the most valuable in my library, which I have read several times, and at each repetition have experienced increased delight.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Kate Sedgwick      Print: Book

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Inez

'She speaks of "Inez" as about to be produced. I have been long expecting to hear that it was out. Do you remember reading it to me (excepting the fourth act, which was not then born) just before I left England?'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Fanny Trollope      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Mary Russell Mitford : works

'My dear Miss Mitford, May I be permitted to address thus familiarly a lady with whom, though not personally acquainted, I have long been on terms of intimacy, and for whom I have felt the most lively sentiments of regard and esteem. Ever since I had the pleasure of being a fellow contributor of yours in the Ladies? Magazine, I have most anxiously wished for an introduction to you, but was deterred from seeking an opportunity of making myself known by the consciousness of my own obscurity?When, however, I became an inhabitant of the house in Hans Place, which I knew to be the scene of your juvenile days, from the description given in the "Boarding School Recollections," and began to entertain a hope that my intimacy with Miss Landon and the acquaintance of Miss Skerrit would sanction my long-cherished wish?.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Emma Roberts      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Our Village: Sketches of Rural Character and Scenery

'It has made me extravagant, for I have ordered the four other volumes. the work is perfectly unique. I know nothing like it in any language, and it is among the few to which one can turn again and again with even new pleasure. The "Farewell" is one of the sweetest bits of writing that I know.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Fanny Trollope      Print: Book

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Our Village: Sketches of Rural Character and Scenery

'I was reading your inimitable description of Dora Creswell the other day to a friend of mine who was confined to his bed by illness. He laughed and cried by turns, and averred there could not be a word changed for the better, except that of reaper applied to Dora.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Catharine M. Sedgwick      Print: Book

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Our Village: Sketches of Rural Character and Scenery

'Dear Miss Mitford, I rejoice in finding an occasion to address you, that I may express the very great pleasure both my husband and myself have always derived from your writing. We know your "village" and all its crofts, and lanes and people, and we wish we had the happiness of peronally knowing you.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Howitt      Print: Book

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Our Village: Sketches of Rural Character and Scenery

'The most truly English sketches in the language are your country volumes. Well, through these volumes we have been wending this winter. We had read them before, and many of the stories were as familiar to us as household words; but they have been read this time principally that William might trace out their localities, and a great additional charm has his knowledge of your part of the country given them.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary and William Howitt     Print: Book

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Belford Regis, or, Sketches of a Country Town

'I have just finished Fanny Kemble's books, and when I say that I read them the next after your most charming volumes, and was amused, and on the whole much pleased with them. I am sure they are meritorious, let the critics say what they may.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Barbara Hofland      Print: Book

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Belford Regis, or, Sketches of a Country Town

'Our little community have been delighting themselves with your "Belford Regis"; accept their untied thanks for it [...] The book is republished rather shabbily by Carey. I am in great hopes that we shall get our ungracious laws altered at the next congressional session, so that you English contributors to our advantage shall get some remuneration for your pains.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Catharine Sedgwick      Print: Book

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Belford Regis, or, Sketches of a Country Town

'Your last book still rolls on, gathering golden opinions, and I for one thank you, for I have been passing the last fortnight in the country, and perhaps there is no book in the world so pleasant to be on the grass with and read to a charming woman. I have only grudged the transfer of leaves from my right hand to my left, and if you had heard the "Is that all?" of my listener as I closed the last volume, you would have felt that you had not lived in vain - as who has, who has given pleasure to the world, or beguiled weariness, or refined the aspect of life?'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: N.P. Willis      Print: Book

  

Catharine M Sedgwick : Hope

'I send you with this all Dr. Channing's works, and the little series of four small volumes, in whcih Miss Sedgwick's "Home" is to be found, and I send them very gladly, both because I think them good and because the last of them, "Gleams of Truth", is a practical illustration of the principles touching the relations of the more favoured and less favoured classes of society, which are so ably and so beautifully set forth in the separate sermon of Dr. Channing which I send with them.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: George Ticknor      Print: Book

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Our Village: Sketches of Rural Character and Scenery

'This new edition of "Our Village" I have been coveting ever since I saw the advertisement of it, and I will tell you why. It is one of those cheerful, spirited works, full of fair pictures of humanity, which, especially where there are children who love reading and being read to, becomes a household book, turned to again and again, and remembered and talked of with affection. So it is by our fireside; it is a work our little daughter has read, and loves to read, and which our little son Alfred, a most indomitable young gentleman, likes especially - not so much for its variety of character, which gives its charm to his sister's mind, but for its descriptions of the country... Such, dear Miss Mitford, being the case, when I saw the new edition advertised, I began to cast in my mind whether or not we could not buy it...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Alfred Howitt      Print: Book

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Our Village: Sketches of Rural Character and Scenery

'This new edition of "Our Village" I have been coveting ever since I saw the advertisement of it, and I will tell you why. It is one of those cheerful, spirited works, full of fair pictures of humanity, which, especially where there are children who love reading and being read to, becomes a household book, turned to again and again, and remembered and talked of with affection. So it is by our fireside; it is a work our little daughter has read, and loves to read, and which our little son Alfred, a most indomitable young gentleman, likes especially - not so much for its variety of character, which gives its charm to his sister's mind, but for its descriptions of the country... Such, dear Miss Mitford, being the case, when I saw the new edition advertised, I began to cast in my mind whether or not we could not buy it...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Miss Howitt      Print: Book

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Rienzi

'I have read Bulwer's "Rienzi" and yours also. I always thought your tragedy the best of your works, and I think so still. It is a glorious thing. I like Bulwer's too, very much, but unless there were historical ground for the love between a Colonna and the family of Rienzi, he has injured his work by the introduction. It is so palpably an imitation of the tragedy and with much less effect...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Howitt      Print: Book

  

Mary Shelley : Valperga

'Read to Mrs G.[isborne]'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Mary Shelley : Matilda

'read Matilda to Jane'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Print: BookManuscript: Unknown

  

Mary Shelley : Matilda

'Read Matilda to E.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Mary Shelley : Valperga

'Finish C.A. to Jane'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley  &