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

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Listings for Author:  

Mary Ward

 

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Mary Augusta Ward : Robert Elsmere

'The retired Governor of Madras Sir Mountstuart Grant Duff, to whom Mrs [Humphry] Ward read extracts from "Robert Elsmere "before it was published, was arrested by the novel's passages of "extraordinary power"...'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Mrs Humphry Ward      

  

Mary Humphrey Ward : The History of David Grieve

'One of them asked me if I was fond of reading and told me that she herself wrote books and was staying in the neighbourhood hoping to include the dale in her next book. Many years afterwards I read "The History of David Grieve" and at once remembered our visitor. Comparing dates I realised it was Mrs. Humphry Ward, seeking the atmosphere of the wild valley she described so well.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Hannah Mitchell      Print: Book

  

Mary Augusta (Mrs Humphry) Ward : Robert Elsmere

'At this precise moment I am feeling mightily morose, owing to my having foolishly embarked on Robert Elsmere and Tom Jones this afternoon.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: John Buchan      Print: Book

  

Mary Ward : Robert Elsmere

'Had I realised when I read it that its author was even then portentously engaged in rallying the anti-suffrage forces, it might have influenced me less, but I remained ignorant until some years later of Mrs. Ward's political machinations, and her book converted me from an unquestioning if somewhat indifferent church-goer into an anxiously interrogative agnostic.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Vera Brittain      Print: Book

  

Mary Ward : Robert Elsmere

'Just after leaving school, I had been plunged into the same tumult of agonised inquiry by reading Mrs. Humphry Ward's "Robert Elsmere".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Vera Brittain      Print: Book, Unknown

  

Mary Augusta Ward : Miss Bretherton

'[letter to Mrs Ward from Mr Creighton] I have read "Miss Bretherton" with much interest. It was hardly fair on the book to know the plot beforehand, but I found myself carried away by the delicate feeling with which the development of character was traced. The Nuneham scene, the death-bed and the final reconciliation were really touching and powerfully worked out. At the same time it is not a novel of my sort. I demand that I should have given me an entire slice of life, and that I should see the mutual interaction of a number of characters. Your interest centres entirely on one character: your characters all move in the same region of ideas, and that a narrow one.' [the critique continues at length; Creighton asks Mrs Ward] 'Have you read Sainte Beuve's solitary novel, "Volupte"? it is instructive reading.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Mr Creighton      Print: Book

  

Mary Augusta Ward : Robert Elsmere

'After reading the first volume [of Mrs Ward's "Robert Elsmere"] he [William Arnold] wrote to Mrs Arnold, "You may look forward to finding yourself the mother of a famous woman!".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: William Arnold      Print: Book

  

Mary Augusta Ward : Robert Elsmere

'Matthew Arnold wrote from Wilton, the Pembrokes' house, a week before his death (which occurred on April 15), that he found all the guests there reading or intending to read it [Mrs Ward's Robert Elsmere], and added, "George Russell, who was staying at Ashton Clinton with Gladstone, says it is all true about his interest in the book. He talked of it incessantly and said he thought he should review it for Knowles".

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: guests at Wilton     Print: Book

  

Mary Augusta Ward : Robert Elsmere

'The book ["Robert Elsmere"] had moved him [Gladstone] prfoundly and he felt impelled to combat the all too dangerous conclusions to which it pointed. "Mamma and I", he wrote to his daughter in March, "are each of us still separately engaged in a death grapple with "Robert Elsmere". I complained of some of the novels you gave me to read as too stiff, but they are nothing to this. It is wholly out of the common order. At present I regard with doubt and dread the idea of doing anything on it, but cannot yet be sure whether your observations will be verified or not. In any case it is a tremendous book". And to Lord Acton he wrote: "It is not far from twice the length of an ordinary novel; and the labour and effort of reading it all, I should say, sixfold; while one could no more stop in it than in reading Thucydides".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: William Gladstone      Print: Book

  

Mary Augusta Ward : Robert Elsmere

'The book ["Robert Elsmere"] had moved him [Gladstone] prfoundly and he felt impelled to combat the all too dangerous conclusions to which it pointed. "Mamma and I", he wrote to his daughter in March, "are each of us still separately engaged in a death grapple with "Robert Elsmere". I complained of some of the novels you gave me to read as too stiff, but they are nothing to this. It is wholly out of the common order. At present I regard with doubt and dread the idea of doing anything on it, but cannot yet be sure whether your observations will be verified or not. In any case it is a tremendous book". And to Lord Acton he wrote: "It is not far from twice the length of an ordinary novel; and the labour and effort of reading it all, I should say, sixfold; while one could no more stop in it than in reading Thucydides".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Catherine Gladstone      Print: Book

  

Mary Augusta Ward : David Grieve

'[letter from T.H. Huxley to Mrs Ward] You will think I have taken my time about thanking you for "David Grieve"; but a virtuous resolution to stick to a piece of work I have had on hand for a long time intefered with my finishing it before last night. The temptation was severe, and as I do not often stick to virtuous resolutions under these circumstances, I parade the fact. I think the account of the Parisian episode of David's life the strongest thing you have done yet. it is alive -every word of it - and without note or comment produces its ethical effect after the manner of that "gifted authoress", Dame Nature, who never moralizes'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Henry Huxley      Print: Book

  

Mary Augusta Ward : David Grieve

'[letter to Mrs Ward from Edward Burne-Jones] The book has just come - and to my pride and delight with such a pretty autograph: so that to-day I am mightily set up. I cannot tell you how comforting the words read to me - and how sunny they have made this grey day'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Edward Burne Jones      Print: Book

  

Mary Augusta Ward : Bessie Costrell

'[letter from Henry James to Mrs Ward] I think the tale very straightforward and powerful - very direct and vivid, full of the real and the [italics] juste [end italics]. I like your unelambicated rustics - they are a tremendous rest after Hardy's - and the infallibility of your feeling for village life. Likewise I heartily hope you will labour in this field and farm again. [italics] But [end italics] I won't pretend to agree with one or two declarations that have been wafted to me to the effect that this little tale is the best thing you've done". It has even been murmured to me that [italics] you [end italics] think so. This I don't believe, and at any rate I find, for myself, your best in your deallings with [italics] data [end italics] less simple, on a plan less simple.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James      Print: Book

  

Mary Augusta Ward : Bessie Costrell

'[letter from Mr Morley to Mrs Ward] It was most pleasant to me to receive the little volume ["Bessie Costrell"] in its pretty dress, and with the friendly dedication. It will take its place among my personal treasures, and I am truly grateful to you for thinking of me. The story is full of interest to me, and in the vein of a true realism, humanising instead of brutalising. The "severity" of the poor dead woman's look, and the whole of that page, redeems with a note of just pity all the sordid elements'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Mr Morley      Print: Book

  

Mary Augusta Ward : Sir George Tressady

'[letter from Beatrice Webb to Mrs Ward about her novel "Sir George Tressady"] the story is very touching and you have an indescribable power of making your readers sympathise with all your characters, even with Letty and her unlovely mother-in-law. Of course, as a strict utilitarian, I am inclined to estimate the book more in its character of treatise than as a novel. From this point of view it is the most useful piece of work that has been done for many a long day. You have managed to give the arguments for and against factory legslation with admirable lucidity and picturesqueness - in a way that will make them comprehensible to the ordinary person without any technical knowledge'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Beatrice Webb      Print: Book

  

Mary Augusta Ward : Sir George Tressady

'[Letter from Rudyard Kipling to Mrs Ward] I am delighted to have "Sir George Tressady" from your hand. I have followed him from month to month with the liveliest wonder as to how the inevitable smash in his affairs was to fall, and now that I have read the tale as a whole I see that of course there was but one way. Like all human books it has the unpleasant power of making you think and bother as one only bothers over real folk: but how splendidly you have done the lighter relief-work!'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Rudyard Kipling      Print: Book

  

Mary Augusta Ward : [prefaces to Haworth edition of the Brontes' novels]

'[letter from M. Jusserand to Mrs Ward] 'I spent yesternight a most charming evening reading your essay [on the Brontes]. Shall I confess that I feel with Kingsley, having had a similar experience. I could never go beyond the terrible beginning of "Shirley" - and yet I tried and did my best, and the book remains unread, and I the more sorry as my copy does not belong to me, but to Lady Jersey, who charged me to return it when I had finished reading. I really tried earnestly: I took the volume with me on several occasions; it has seen, I am sure, as many lands as wise Ulysses, having crossed the Mediterranean more than once and visited Assuan. But there it is, and I see from my writing-table its threatening green cloth and awful back, with plenty of repulsive persons within. And yet I [italics] can [end italics] read. I have read with delight and unflagging interest Vol. I in-folio of the Rolls of Parliament, without missing a line. "Shirley", I cannot'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: M. Jusserand      Print: Book

  

Mary Augusta Ward : 'Let women say'

'[letter from Lord Bryce to Mrs Ward] Thank you for your admirable article and for the copy of the Memorial, an effective repy to that of the Suffragist ladies'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Mary Augusta Ward : David Grieve

'[letter from Mrs Ward to Reginald Smith] I heard such pleasing things about "David [Grieve]" from Lord Arran in Dublin the other day. He knows it absolutely by heart, and he says that when he was campaigning in South Africa two battered copies of "David" were read to pieces by him and his brother-officers, and every night they discussed it round the camp fires'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Mary Augusta Ward : David Grieve

'[letter from Mrs Ward to Reginald Smith] I heard such pleasing things about "David [Grieve]" from Lord Arran in Dublin the other day. He knows it absolutely by heart, and he says that when he was campaigning in South Africa two battered copies of "David" were read to pieces by him and his brother-officers, and every night they discussed it round the camp fires'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: army officers     Print: Book

  

Mary Augusta Ward : Case of Richard Meynell, The

'[letter from Frederic Harrison to Mrs Ward] I am one of those to whom your book ["The Case of Richard Meynell"] specially appeals, as I know so much of the literature, the persons, the questions it dealt with. It has given me the most lively interest both as romance - as fine as anything since "Adam Bede" - and also as controversy - as important as anything since "Essays and Reviews". Meynell seems to me a far higher type than Elsmere, both as a man and as a book, and I am sure will have a greater permanent value'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Frederic Harrison      Print: Book

  

Mary Augusta Ward : England's Effort

'[Having asked Lord Rosebery for a Preface to her "England's Effort"] Knowing that he was never strong, she fully expected a refusal, but found instead that he had already done what she asked, being deeply moved by the proofs that she had sent him'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery      Print: proofs

  

Mary Augusta Ward : Fields of Victory

'[letter from General Hastings Anderson to Janet Trevelyan] What strikes me most in your mother's book ["Fields of Victory"] is her marvellous insight into the way of thinking of the soldiers - I mean those who knew most of what was really happening - who were actually engaged in the great struggle. One would say the book was written by one who had played a prominent part in the War in France, and with knowledge of the thoughts of the high directing staffs'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Hastings Anderson      Print: Book

  

Mary Hayward : [paper on Henri Bergson]

'The subject of this evening's discussion was The Philosophy of Henri Bergson. Interesting papers were given by C.E. Stansfield who introduced the discussion; by Howard R. Smith & Mary Hayward who dwelt particularly on Bergson's views upon Instinct, Intuition & Intelligence.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Hayward      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Mary Hayward : [paper on life of Lewis Carroll]

'The evening was then given over to the life & works of Lewis Carroll. Mary Hayward Life of Lewis Carroll. Songs. Well you walk etc Mrs Robson. Walrus & C. E.E.U. Speak gently. Mary Hayward. Readings by S.A. Reynolds, C.E. Stansfield, The Rawlings & Unwin families.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Hayward      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Mary Hayward : [paper on the sub-conscious]

'The evening was then devoted to the subject of Psychical Phenomena. The Secretary (Ernest E. Unwin] read a brief introductory paper, giving some indication of the way in which the subject had come under his notice, and one or two general fundamental points which he was prepared to accept. This was followed by a paper dealing with the sub-conscious mind by Mary Hayward. The very great importance of the subconscious - the way in which we can use it to free our minds of worry - the relationship between mind & mind or telepathy were clearly brought out. Then Mrs Smith read a paper which gave a deeper note to the subject. She dealt with communications from the spirit world with living people - giving personal experiences & experiences of her friends'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Hayward      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Mary Hayward : [paper on ballads]

'The subject of the evening, 'Ballads', now occupied attention. From an introductory paper prepared by Mary Hayward & from readings by Rosamund Wallis we learnt what a ballad is or was & is not. [this is summarised at length] The programme was divided into six parts dealing with the six main varieties of ballads. Some of these ballads were read & others were sung. Part 1. dealing with Magic Song The Two Musicians Mr & Mrs Unwin Reading The Demon Lover Mr Rawlings [ditto] Thomas the Rhymer Miss R Wallis Part 2. Stories of Romance Song Lord Rendel The Book Club Reading Edward Edward (Binnorie) R.B Graham Instead of Binnorie we were favoured by a rendering of a Berkshire version of this story by Mr Graham. In fact he broke forth into song & was assisted in the chorus refrain by the whole Club who sang with differing emphasis "And I'll be true to my love - if my love'll be true to me". part 3. Romance Shading into History reading Sir Patrick Spens Mr R.H. Robson [ditto] Bonnie house of Airly [sic] Mr H.R. Smith Part 4. Greenwood & Robin Hood Reading Nut Brown Maid Mr & Mrs Evans [ditto] Death of Robin Hood Mr Rawlings H.M. Wallis read at this stage an interesting paper upon the subject [contents summarised] Part 5. Later History Reading Battle of Otterburn Miss Marriage [ditto] Helen of Kirconnel H.M. Wallis Part 6. Showing gradual decline Song Bailiff's Daughter of Islington Mrs Robson Reading Undaunted Mary Mrs Rawlings Song Mowing the Barley All Song The Wealthy Farmer's Son Mr & Mrs Unwin'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Hayward      Manuscript: Unknown

 

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