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

Reading Experience Database UK Historical image of readers
 
 
 
 

Record Number: 18288


Reading Experience:

Evidence:

'Her Royal Highness once read through the whole of 'Candide' to one of her ladies, who told me her opinion of it, which does her honour. She said, - "its character as a work of extreme cleverness has been so long established that to venture in the least to detract from it, is to encounter the ridicule of a multitude. I must say, however, that the persiflage which reigns throughout, and in which its whole essence consists, is not consonant to my taste or understanding. Vicious subjects ought not to be treated lightly; they merit the coarsest clothing, and ought to be arrayed in language which would create abhorrence and disgust. But the whole works [sic] seems designed to turn vice into virtue. Either it has no aim or end, or it has one which should be loathed. It must be confessed, however, that the tripping levity of its self-assurance, and the sarcastic drollery of its phrase, excite laughter; but it is a poor prerogative after all, to be the mental buffoon of ages". Though I, perhaps, have more indulgence for Voltaire, in consideration of his vast talents, than my friend, yet I admired the [italics] woman [end italics] who thought and spoke thus; and her Royal Highness is fortunate in having such a friend'.

Century:

1800-1849

Date:

Between 10 Feb 1811 and 11 Oct 1811

Country:

England

Time

n/a

Place:

n/a

Type of Experience
(Reader):
 

silent aloud unknown
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

Type of Experience
(Listener):
 

solitary reactive unknown
single serial unknown


Reader / Listener / Reading Group:

Listener:

a lady in waiting to Princess Caroline

Age:

Adult (18-100+)

Gender:

Female

Date of Birth:

n/a

Socio-Economic Group:

Gentry

Occupation:

lady in waiting

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:

Voltaire

Title:

Candide

Genre:

Fiction

Form of Text:

Print: Book

Publication Details

n/a

Provenance

unknown


Source Information:

Record ID:

18288

Source:

Print

Author:

Lady Charlotte Bury

Editor:

A. Francis Steuart

Title:

Diary of a Lady-in-Waiting, The

Place of Publication:

London

Date of Publication:

1908

Vol:

I

Page:

42

Additional Comments:

n/a

Citation:

Lady Charlotte Bury, A. Francis Steuart (ed.), Diary of a Lady-in-Waiting, The, (London, 1908), I, p. 42, http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=18288, accessed: 06 November 2024


Additional Comments:

reader was Princess Caroline

   
   
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