Switch to English Switch to French

The Open University  |   Study at the OU  |   About the OU  |   Research at the OU  |   Search the OU

Listen to this page  |   Accessibility

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

Reading Experience Database UK Historical image of readers
 
 
 
 

Record Number: 30815


Reading Experience:

Evidence:

'Read till Dejeuner; sat opposite the Espieux. Afterwards finished the "Cathédral[e]" and talked to M. de Rival. Played chess with the bearded gentleman, finished "Paris", talked to the Belgian missionary. Had a conversation about beliefs with the Commandant. Temp 92. Began the "Recherche de l'Absolu". The Captain took me to see the little Ourang Outang — horrible. There is a baby very ill on board. It nearly died today. After dinner piquet.'

Century:

1850-1899

Date:

Between 21 May 1898 and 24 May 1898

Country:

at sea (Indian Ocean, between Colombo and Socotra

Time

afternoon

Place:

other location: on board ship: ?the 'Salazie'

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:

Gertrude Bell

Age:

Adult (18-100+)

Gender:

Female

Date of Birth:

16 Jul 1868

Socio-Economic Group:

Gentry

Occupation:

Oxford graduate, language student, yet to take up formal occupation as archaeologist and political advisor

Religion:

Christian (Anglican) later declared herself atheist

Country of Origin:

England

Country of Experience:

at sea (Indian Ocean, between Colombo and Socotra

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

n/a


Additional Comments:

n/a



Text Being Read:

Author:

Honoré de Balzac

Title:

La Recherche de l'Absolu

Genre:

Fiction, Philosophy

Form of Text:

Print: Book

Publication Details

first published, Paris: Charles-Bechet, 1834

Provenance

unknown


Source Information:

Record ID:

30815

Source - Manuscript:

Other

Information:

Gertrude Bell Archive, Newcastle University Library http://www.gerty.ncl.ac.uk

Additional Information:

Diary entry 21 May 1898 http://www.gerty.ncl.ac.uk/diary_details.php?diary_id=1845

Citation:

Gertrude Bell Archive, Newcastle University Library http://www.gerty.ncl.ac.uk, http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=30815, accessed: 03 October 2024


Additional Comments:

See also diary entry 24 May 1898

   
   
Green Turtle Web Design