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

Reading Experience Database UK Historical image of readers
 
 
 
 

Record Number: 12411


Reading Experience:

Evidence:

'we had reached a cell in the west wing, to which the first letter was addressed. The women were locked up in their cells during tea-time, and the clerk, placing her mouth close against the door, called the name of the prisoner located within. "Yes, mum", was the answer that came from the cell. "Here's a letter for you", added the clerk, as she stooped down and threw the document under the door. In a moment there was a postive scream of delight from within, followed by a cry of "Oh! how glad I am". Then we could hear the poor creature tear open the sheet, and begin mumbling the contents to herself in half hysteric tones.'

Century:

1850-1899

Date:

Between 1 Jan 1860 and 31 Dec 1862

Country:

England

Time

evening

Place:

city: London
specific address: Brixton Prison
other location: in her cell

Type of Experience
(Reader):
 

silent aloud unknown
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

Type of Experience
(Listener):
 

solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown


Reader / Listener / Reading Group:

Reader:

anon

Age:

Adult (18-100+)

Gender:

Female

Date of Birth:

n/a

Socio-Economic Group:

Labourer (non-agricultural)

Occupation:

prisoner

Religion:

n/a

Country of Origin:

n/a

Country of Experience:

England

Listeners present if any:
e.g family, servants, friends

n/a


Additional Comments:

n/a



Text Being Read:

Author:

[unknown]

Title:

[letter]

Genre:

Unknown

Form of Text:

Manuscript: Letter

Publication Details

n/a

Provenance

owned


Source Information:

Record ID:

12411

Source:

Print

Author:

Henry Mayhew

Editor:

n/a

Title:

The Criminal Prisons of London

Place of Publication:

London

Date of Publication:

1862

Vol:

n/a

Page:

193

Additional Comments:

n/a

Citation:

Henry Mayhew, The Criminal Prisons of London, (London, 1862), p. 193, http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=12411, accessed: 28 March 2024


Additional Comments:

None

   
   
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