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

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Howard R. Smith : [paper on H. G. wells's 'Mankind in the Making']

'A meeting was held at Whinfield [?] on Dec 8 1904 devoted to H.G. Wells's Mankind in the Making. Howard R. Smith gave a good resume of the political and social proposals and C.E. Stansfield of the Educational system suggested by the author. Both papers prompted considerable discussion'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Howard R. Smith      Manuscript: Unknown

Howard R Smith : [paper on the House of Lords]

'Howard R. Smith then read a paper on the history of the House of Lords which was followed by considerablee discussion. Mr Binns then followed with an exhaustive paper which was much appreciated & which also led to free expression of opinion'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Howard R. Smith      Manuscript: Unknown

Howard R Smith : [paper on life of RL Stevenson]

'An excellent programme illustrative of R.L. Stevenson's work was then proceeded with. A biographical paper was read by H. R. Smith & a critical appreciation of the works by J. Ridges & selections by several members.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Howard R Smith      Manuscript: Unknown

Howard R. Smith : [paper on Henri Bergson]

'The subject of this evening's discussion was The Philosophy of Henri Bergson. Interesting papers were given by C.E. Stansfield who introduced the discussion; by Howard R. Smith & Mary Hayward who dwelt particularly on Bergson's views upon Instinct, Intuition & Intelligence.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Howard R. Smith      Manuscript: Unknown

Howard R. Smith : 'Etaples & the Air raids'

'The following miscellaneous programme was then gone through. This change in the subject was caused by the imposibility of getting cheap copies of The Dynasts. 1. Pianoforte solo. Selection from Debusy [sic] Miss Bowman Smith 2. Reading. Modern Froissart Chronicles Mrs W.H. Smith 3. Reading. Migrations. Anon. Contrib. from Punch by Alfred Rawlings 4. Recitation. In a Gondola (Browning) Miss Cole 5. Song. 2 French Bergerettes. Mrs Unwin 6. Essay. 'The Pious Atrocity' R.B. Graham 7. Reading. Wedding Presents (Punch) Mrs Reynolds 8. Song. My dear Soul. Mrs Robson 9. Reading 'How the Camel got his Hump' W.H. Smith 10. Song. The Camel's hump. E.E. Unwin 11. Reading. The Man of the Evening (A.A. Milne Punch) Miss R. Wallis 12. Song. Hebrides Galley Song. Miss Bowman Smith 13. Reading. Arms of Wipplecrack S.A. Reynolds 14. Reading. Joints in the Armour. E.V. Lucas. H.M. Wallis 15. Song-Chant Folk Song [ditto] 16. Essay. 'Bad morality & bad art' R.H. Robson 17. Song. Winter. Miss Bowman Smith 18. Essay 'Etaples & the air raids' H.R. Smith 19. Recitation. These new fangled ways. E.E. Unwin 20. Song. Goodnight. Mrs Robson.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Howard R. Smith      Manuscript: Unknown

Howard R. Smith : [paper on Bunyan's life]

'The rest of the evening was devoted to John Bunyan. H.R. Smith read a paper dealing with the main episodes of his life. This was a valuable introduction and gave the right historical & religious setting of Bunyan. C.E. Stansfield read an Appreciation of Pilgrim's Progress & of the writing of Bunyan. He referred to Bunyan & Milton as the two writers who expressed most completely the Puritan ideal. He expected Pilgrim's Progress to live as it expressed the universal quest of mankind. There were several readings from Bunyan's works which added greatly to the interest. Mrs Smith read from 'Grace Abounding' the book which is his spiritual autobiography. R.H. Robson read the Fight with Apollyon C.I. Evans [ditto] The trial scene in Vanity Fair Mrs Unwin [ditto] The Interpreter's House. In the general discussion some doubt was expressed of C.E. Stansfield's opinion that the Pilgrim's progress will live. It was felt by some that the story will always be attractive to children, but that the puritan flavour & crude theology would prevent it becoming anything more than an interesting historical document for older people'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Howard R. Smith      Manuscript: Unknown

Howard R. Smith : [essay on Pepys]

'The rest of the evening was spent in the company of Samuel Pepys (Peeps) The Club was much indebted to H.M. Wallis and to H.R. Smith for able essays giving an outline of Pepys' life & an estimate of his character. From H.R. Smith we were introduced to Pepys as the competent official who by keenness made himself master of his job. Readings from the diary were given by Rosamund Wallis on "The Great Fire" Mrs Robson on Mrs Pepys E.E. Unwin on "The Plague" & R.H. Robson'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Howard R. Smith      Manuscript: Unknown

Howard R. Smith : [paper on Boswell]

'The evening was then devoted to Samuel Johnson as seen through the biography of Boswell. Two papers were contributed. By Mr Burrow on "a Second Hand Book" which threw an interesting sidelight on Dr Johnson & By H.R. Smith who gave us an interesting account of the biographer. Readings from the biography were given by Mr Rawlings, Mr Unwin, Mr Evans & Mr Wallis, Mr Robson'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Howard R. Smith      Manuscript: Unknown

Howard R. Smith : [Minutes of XII Book Club]

'The Minutes of the last meeting were read & approved'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Howard R. Smith      Manuscript: book

Howard R. Smith : [Minutes of XII Book Club]

'The Minutes of last meeting were read & agreed'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Howard R. Smith      Manuscript: book

Howard R. Smith : [paper on "Rates and taxes"]

'C.I. Evans read a short essay on W.H. Hudsons story Green Mansions H.R. Smith followed on Rates & Taxes & Geo Burrow read a short paper of H.M. Wallis on some points in recent Geology'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Howard R. Smith      Manuscript: Unknown

Howard R. Smith : [Minutes of XII Book Club]

'After supper the Secretary read the Minutes of the last Meeting'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Howard R. Smith      Manuscript: book

Howard R. Smith : [Minutes of XII Book Club]

'The Minutes of last Meeting were read & approved'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Howard R. Smith      Manuscript: book

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