Record Number: 13410
Reading Experience:
Evidence:
'I am much obliged by your present of The Monastery, which I have read, and which I must frankly confess I admire less than any of the others - much less. Such I think you will find the judgement of the public to be. The idea of painting ancient manners in a fictitious story and in well-known scenery is admirable, and the writer has admirable talents for it; but nothing is done without pains, and I doubt whether pains have been taken in The Monastery, - if they have, they have failed. It is quite childish to introduce supernatural agency; as much of the terrors and follies of supersition as you please, but no actual ghosts and hobgoblins. I recommend one novel every year, and more pains. So much money is worth getting; so much deserved fame is worth keeping, so much amusement we ought all to strive to continue for the public good. You will excuse my candour - you know I am your wellwisher. I was the first to praise Ivanhoe, as I shall be to praise the next, if I can do so conscientiously'.
Century:1800-1849
Date:Until: 25 Mar 1820
Country:England
Timen/a
Place:city: Foston
county: Yorkshire
(Reader):
silent aloud unknown
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown
(Listener):
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown
Reader / Listener / Reading Group:
Reader: Age:Adult (18-100+)
Gender:Male
Date of Birth:3 Jun 1771
Socio-Economic Group:Clergy (includes all denominations)
Occupation:clergyman
Religion:Christian
Country of Origin:England
Country of Experience:England
Listeners present if any:e.g family, servants, friends
n/a
Additional Comments:
n/a
Text Being Read:
Author: Title:The Monastery
Genre:Fiction
Form of Text:Print: Book
Publication Detailsn/a
Provenanceowned
present from Constable
Source Information:
Record ID:13410
Source:n/a
Editor:Nowell C. Smith
Title:The Letters of Sydney Smith
Place of Publication:Oxford
Date of Publication:1953
Vol:I
Page:350-1
Additional Comments:
n/a
Citation:
Nowell C. Smith (ed.), The Letters of Sydney Smith, (Oxford, 1953), I, p. 350-1, http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=13410, accessed: 06 December 2024
Additional Comments:
Letter to Archibald Constable