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, 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, 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, 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, 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 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
'[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
'[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
'[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 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
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
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
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
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
'I read both the few chapters of the intended tract, and the beginning of "Amy Herbert" to my sisters, and they liked them'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell Manuscript: Unknown
'I read both the few chapters of the intended tract, and the beginning of "Amy Herbert" to my sisters, and they liked them'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell Manuscript: Unknown
'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: Book
'"The Earl's Daughter" was also 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. "Margaret Percival" I read to her entirely, and also a portion of "Laneton Parsonage", and I remember being obliged to reassure 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
'"The Earl's Daughter" was also 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. "Margaret Percival" I read to her entirely, and also a portion of "Laneton Parsonage", and I remember being obliged to reassure 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
'"The Earl's Daughter" was also 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. "Margaret Percival" I read to her entirely, and also a portion of "Laneton Parsonage", and I remember being obliged to reassure 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
'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 "Katherine Ashton" and owned that Colonel Forbes resembled himself, though no one else ever suggested the likeness.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: anon. Print: Book
