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Fanny Kemble Butler
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Fanny Kemble Butler : Journal [of residence in America]
Lady Dacre to John Murray, 27 May 1835: 'Thousands of thanks, dear Mr. Murray, for allowing us to read those sheets of the wonderful Fanny's "Journal" in their rough state. I cannot tell you the entertainment they have proved to Lord Dacre, and how strongly they interest me, who have always been a greater enthusiast about her than he has. The depth of thought, the vigour of writing, the high tone of poetry in her descriptions, the absolute reality of all she portrays, make her work enchanting and piquant in the extreme [comments further] [...] The vigorous style shows the advantage of having studied the older authors as she has done. I wish she would not "progress." How I hate that word as a verb. A few more American expressions I would fain change for the honest English she delights in.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Lord and Lady Dacre Print: Unknown
Fanny Kemble Butler : Journal [of residence in America]
Sir Francis B. Head to John Murray, 2 July 1835: 'I have not had time to finish Fanny Kemble's book, but have seen enough of it to feel that she has been most unkindly and unjustly treated by the reviewers [...] I know of no subject I would more willingly undertake than her vindication. People say she is vulgar! So was Eve, for she scratched whatever part of her itched, and did a hundred things we should call vulgar. But the fact is, everything is vulgar now-a-days [...] Poor Fanny Kemble has fallen a victim to this tyranny. Her book is full of cleverness, talent, simple-heartedness, nature and nakedness. Her style is a little rough spot, but did you ever know a woman who was without one? I have no patience with the way she has been treated.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Sir Francis B. Head Print: Book
Fanny Kemble Butler : Journal [of her residence in America]
Lady Callcott to John Murray (c.1835): 'Let me thank you for Mrs. Butler: very clever, very romantic, some excellent feelings, but (may I say) not as [italics]womanly[end italics] as I would have liked. A little too much of the tone of one living chiefly with men -- the green-room, in short. I have read a volume and a half [...] Mrs. Butler's "Journal" appears to me to improve as she goes on. The things to be objected to appear more seldom, and her criticisms on her own art and what is connected with it are so good that I should like to see tham separated and much enlarged. She is a clever, and moreover a shrewd observer; and setting apart the intentional descriptions, there are traits throughout that mark a strong and fine hand.'
