Listings for Reader:
Charlotte Bury
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Voltaire : Candide
'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 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
C.J. Dorat : Les Malheurs de l'Inconstance
'I asked leave to read to Her Royal Highness, and I began 'Les Malheurs de l'Inconstance'.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
Walter Arthur Keppel Craven :
'I was shown today some verses by an accomplished man, which made me wish to be a free agent, and to visit the scenes which he describes so well. Mr Keppel Craven addressed them to a lady, a friend of mine. The writer was one of her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales's most intimate friends, and she valued his acquaintance'. [The verses (which are lengthy) follow, dated Scio, March 1812]
UnknownCentury: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury
Walter Scott : Rokeby
'I received Walter Scott's Rokeby. I gazed at it with a transport of impatience, and began reading it in bed. I am already in the first canto: - my soul has glowed with what he justly terms "the art unteachable". My veins have thrilled; my heart has throbbed; my eyes have filled with tears - during its perusal. The poet who can thus master the passions to do his bidding, must be indeed a poet'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Unknown
Anne Louise Germaine Stael-Holstein : Treatise on the Influence of the Passions
'Read Madame de Stael sur les Passions. What a wonderful mind is hers! what an insight she has into the recesses of human feeling! How many secret springs does she unlock; and how much the woman - the tender, the kind, the impassioned woman - betrays herself even in all the philosophy of her writings.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
Anne Louise Germaine Stael-Holstein : Essai sur les fictions
'Madame de Stael's "Essai sur les fictions" delights me particularly: for every word in it is a beautiful echo of my own feelings'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
Mary Berry : [historical work]
'I read several chapters of Miss Berry's work, a Comparative View of the English and French Nations, since the time of Charles II to the present day. I think this work a most sterling performance, and one, from the nature of its subject, as well as the grave and masterly way in which she treats it, likely to do honour to her memory. I hear Miss Berry has been reproached with its being too grave; but I think the sober chastened style in which it is written suits the dignity of the matter. A lighter pen might have found [italics] de quoi [end italics] to have made a continuation of that most amusing and immoral work, the Memoires de Grammont; but where a deeper tone of thought induces a higher aim than mere wit and entertainment, surely she has chosen more appropriate means to attain her object'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
: [a novel]
'I read a novel all the evening, but yet his very presence is horridly degrading'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
: [newspapers]
'I read in Stafford's library the wonderful news of the allies entering into Paris'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Newspaper
: verses
'[Lord D-] pulled out of his pocket some very abominable verses, which he called "capital" and desired me to read. He said they were written by Miss [-]. I do not believe that they are, and I asked leave to copy them, I shall show them to Lady [-], who is Miss [-]'s friend, and will be able to contradict Lord D[-]'s statement, if it be incorrect; which I am inclined to think it is, and that the verses are his lordship's own composition. Pour le 19me siecle. Soyez bien grasse, ayez cinquante ans ; Beaucoup de gorge, et bien du clinquant; Un air dedaigneux, un fils lache et rampant; Un grand nigaud de mari, bas et complaisant: Et voila de quoi plaire un magnanime Regent!'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Manuscript: MS verses
Immanuel Kant :
'I have myself read his [Kant's] works, and I think nothing can be more lucid than his style, or more easy to be understood'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
Galileo Galilei : [letters]
'Read some Italian letters of Gallileo's [sic] and Raphael's, more for the names of the writers than the matter of the letters. How dull they are! how many letters written by less extraordinary persons, are ten thousand times more interesting'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
Raphael : [letters]
'Read some Italian letters of Gallileo's [sic] and Raphael's, more for the names of the writers than the matter of the letters. How dull they are! how many letters written by less extraordinary persons, are ten thousand times more interesting'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
Miss Plumtre or Plumptre :
'Took notes from Miss Plumtre. Finished the first volume'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
: 'curious books on the black arts'
'[during an encounter with a Madame de Villegard who showed her 'curious old books on the black art'] I read some of the letterpress of the cabalistic books, which indeed appeared to me nonsense. Madame de V[-] looked wise and pleased, because I listened to her, and she said, if I would study any branch of the occult sciences, all her works on these subjects were at my disposal'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, marquise de Sevigne : Letters
'of all the generations who have praised Madame de Sevigne, and commended her writings, I am certain no one has ever entered more completely into the sentiment of her delightful letters than myself. It is melancholy that no similar instance of so perfect a love between parent and child has since been upon record'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
Charlotte Bury : Diary
'I am often ashamed when I read over what I have written, to see how I allow my mind to wander, and my pen to note down so many of its vagaries. Yet I never have resolution to amend the style of my diary. And why should I not indulge myself by giving way to my feelings?'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Manuscript: MS journal
: Psalms
'I went to church: heard a very fine sermon. The text was taken from the Psalms. Missed the verse, and could not find it, but the meaning was that evil company corrupts good manners'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
Michel de Montaigne : Essais
'I read Montaigne and Metastasio'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
Metastasio [pseud.] :
'I read Montaigne and Metastasio'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
Lord John Russell : Life of William Lord Russell, with Some Account of the Times
'I employed myself in the evening, reading Lord John Russell's life of his ancestor Lord William Russell. The preface is modest, dignified, and forcible; the narrative is lucid; and the style is unaffected, and devoid of ornament, yet elegant. It is like the author. How much the sobriety of a sensible English book strengthens and refreshes the understanding, especially when we have lived some time in a dearth of English literature'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
Sydney, Lady Morgan : Florence Macarthy: An Irish Tale
'I read Lady Morgan's Florence Macarthy. There is originality and genius in all she writes'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
: [Catholic books]
'There is a most amiable Archbishop, who is very anxious for my conversion to the "[italics] true [end italics] faith". He gives me all sorts of books to read'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
: [life of Goethe]
'I am reading Goethe's life. With what enthusiasm he made his journey into Italy. It is pleasant to read or hear of any persons who allow themselves to go beyond the commonplace bounds of hacknied [sic[ feeling, and who dare to think and judge for themselves, independently of the dry maxims laid down by road books'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
John Wilson : Lights and Shadows of Scottish Life
'On my return home, I found several letters from England; amongst them, one from Miss [-], in which she speaks of W[-]'s "Lights and Shadows of Scottish Life"; and her opinion is valuable and curious, as being that of a clever writer. she says: I hear you were charmed with the "Lights and Shadows of Scottish Life". Some of them I think beautiful, some of them ridiculous, and all want truth and reality; for though I can still relish a fairytale or a romance, yet I do not like fiction in the garb of truth. As mere creations of fancy, they are fine; as pictures of Scottish life and human nature, they are false. But do not let me forget this Mr [-] is an [italics] awfu' [end italics] man to have for one's enemy. The greatest wonder of the day, I think, is that "Adam Blair" should be the author of "Valerius" - two works so totally different in every respect. What prodigious versatility of power the writer of them must possess! Of course you know it is Mr Lockhart, the son-in-law of Scott'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
Nathaniel William Wraxall : Memoirs of the kings of France, of the race of Valois
'I have been reading Wraxall's Memoirs of the House of Valois. it is a very diverting book. The discovery that I make from it is, that men were at that time sooner old than they are now. All the kings of France died of old age at fifty; but ladies lasted longer. At sixty-six Diana Poitiers was so beautiful that no man could behold her without love'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
Anna Seward : Letters
'After my visit to Mrs [-], I returned home, and read Miss Seward's Letters. I think them very entertaining, though the style is much too laboured and affected for letter-writing. She is a clever woman, and they contain much reflection and criticism; there is more in them than the generality of published letters, but not one atom of simplicity or nature. In one of her letters to Walter Scott, she praises C. S.[harpe?]'s poetry, which pleases me, and will him, still more'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
Anne Grant : Essays on the superstitions of the Highlanders of Scotland: to which are added, translations from the Gaelic
'Lady [-] lent me Mrs Grant's "Superstitions of the Highlands", and I like what I have read of it; but, above all things, I admire Mr Jeffrey's review of it, and also a review of Ford's plays, in which latter there are some beautiful pieces of writing, especially in "The Broken Heart". I am sorry they are disgraced with such coarseness. It does not do to tear off the drapery of a moral imagination, and expose our naked and shivering nature. But certainly those powerful pictures of the passions that were exhibitied in former days, make a good contrast to the tameness of modern performances. I do not like "Love's Melancholy" at all. The character of Penthea in "The Broken Heart" is very fine; but I could not see the advantages of making Calantha dance on when all her friends are dead'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
Francis Jeffrey : [ review of 'Essays on the superstitions of the Highlanders of Scotland: to which are added, translations from the Gaelic...' by Anne Grant]
'Lady [-] lent me Mrs Grant's "Superstitions of the Highlands", and I like what I have read of it; but, above all things, I admire Mr Jeffrey's review of it, and also a review of Ford's plays, in which latter there are some beautiful pieces of writing, especially in "The Broken Heart". I am sorry they are disgraced with such coarseness. It does not do to tear off the drapery of a moral imagination, and expose our naked and shivering nature. But certainly those powerful pictures of the passions that were exhibitied in former days, make a good contrast to the tameness of modern performances. I do not like "Love's Melancholy" at all. The character of Penthea in "The Broken Heart" is very fine; but I could not see the advantages of making Calantha dance on when all her friends are dead'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Serial / periodical
Francis Jeffrey : [ review of new edition of Ford's plays]
'Lady [-] lent me Mrs Grant's "Superstitions of the Highlands", and I like what I have read of it; but, above all things, I admire Mr Jeffrey's review of it, and also a review of Ford's plays, in which latter there are some beautiful pieces of writing, especially in "The Broken Heart". I am sorry they are disgraced with such coarseness. It does not do to tear off the drapery of a moral imagination, and expose our naked and shivering nature. But certainly those powerful pictures of the passions that were exhibitied in former days, make a good contrast to the tameness of modern performances. I do not like "Love's Melancholy" at all. The character of Penthea in "The Broken Heart" is very fine; but I could not see the advantages of making Calantha dance on when all her friends are dead'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Serial / periodical
John Ford : Broken Heart, The
'Lady [-] lent me Mrs Grant's "Superstitions of the Highlands", and I like what I have read of it; but, above all things, I admire Mr Jeffrey's review of it, and also a review of Ford's plays, in which latter there are some beautiful pieces of writing, especially in "The Broken Heart". I am sorry they are disgraced with such coarseness. It does not do to tear off the drapery of a moral imagination, and expose our naked and shivering nature. But certainly those powerful pictures of the passions that were exhibitied in former days, make a good contrast to the tameness of modern performances. I do not like "Love's Melancholy" at all. The character of Penthea in "The Broken Heart" is very fine; but I could not see the advantages of making Calantha dance on when all her friends are dead'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
John Ford : Lover's Melancholy, The
'Lady [-] lent me Mrs Grant's "Superstitions of the Highlands", and I like what I have read of it; but, above all things, I admire Mr Jeffrey's review of it, and also a review of Ford's plays, in which latter there are some beautiful pieces of writing, especially in "The Broken Heart". I am sorry they are disgraced with such coarseness. It does not do to tear off the drapery of a moral imagination, and expose our naked and shivering nature. But certainly those powerful pictures of the passions that were exhibitied in former days, make a good contrast to the tameness of modern performances. I do not like "Love's [sic] Melancholy" at all. The character of Penthea in "The Broken Heart" is very fine; but I could not see the advantages of making Calantha dance on when all her friends are dead'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
Walter Scott : Lady of the Lake, The
'I happened by chance when in this mood [melancholy], to open "The Lady of the Lake", and I thought, as I read it, so long as there were such sublime poems in the world to elevate and abstract the mind, that I could never be quite unhappy in any situation. There are so many interests and pleasures independent of the world! Everybody must be disappointed that the heroine's lover is nothing, and derives no interest from any circumstances except in being the object of her love; and I was sorry Fitz-James kills Roderick. Fitz-James, perhaps, could not help it, but Walter Scott could. It gives an uneasy sensation'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
Humphry Davy : 'To the Glow-Worm'
[Charlotte Bury went to see Humphry Davy, hoping to enlist his support in a subscription for James Hogg] 'and the visit was productive to me of a great treasure; for seeing some verses lying on a table, I asked permission to read them, upon which I obtained a copy of the following lines, which are, apart from their own merit, invaluable as coming from so great a man. Lines by Sir Humphrey Davy To the Glow-worm THOU little gem of purest hue, That, from thy throne o'erspread with dew, Shedd'st lustre o'er the brightest green That ever clothed a woodland scene, I hail thy pure and tranquil light Thou lovely living lamp of night Thy haunt is in the deepest shade By purple heath and bracken made : By thee the sweetest minstrel sings, That courts the shady grove; O'er thee the woodlark spreads his wings, And sounds his notes of love Companion of the lights of heaven Thine is the softest breeze of even; For thee the balmy woodbine lives, The meadow-grass its fragrance gives. And thou canst make thy tranquil bower In Summer's sweetest, fairest flower. The hour of peace is all thy own ; Thy lamp is lit for one alone ; Shedding no transitory gleams. No rays to kindle or destroy ; Constant, innocuous, still it beams The light of life, of love, of joy.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Manuscript: Sheet
Karl Wilhelm Friedrich von Schlegel : [probably] Geschichte der alten und neuen Literatur
'I was glad to have the enjoyment of reading Schlegel's History of Literature. It is a fine work, built on a sure foundation; and though I do not always agree with his taste, his feelings and his principles are exactly what I believe it is right to square one's own by'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
Joseph Moyle Sherer : The Story of a Life. By the Author of Scenes and Impressions in Egypt and Italy, Recollections of the Peninsula, &c
'Spent a quiet day at home. Read "The Story of a Life" by Sherer; a powerfully written book with vivid description and truth of portraiture, both as to human character and to the effects of the scenery of nature. It has much interest, and a fine vein of religious morality distinguishes it from the commonplace productions of literature'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe : [possibly] Autobiography: Truth and Fiction Relating to My Life
'At home all day. Read Goethe's Life, and Tweddell's remains. The latter is very invigorating, showing great animation of soul, joined to a high moral character. Goethe's Life does not make the reader love him - not as far as I have read at least'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
John Tweddell : Remains of the late John Tweddell, fellow of Trinity college, Cambridge: Being a selection of his letters... With a republication of his Prolusiones Juveniles, etc
'At home all day. Read Goethe's Life, and Tweddell's remains. The latter is very invigorating, showing great animation of soul, joined to a high moral character. Goethe's Life does not make the reader love him - not as far as I have read at least'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
Caroline Lamb : Glenarvon
'[Lady Caroline Lamb's] novel of Glenarvon showed much genius, but of an erratic kind; and false statements are so mingled with true in its pages, that the next generation will not be able to separate them; otherwise, if it were worth any person's while [italics] now [end italics] to write explanatory notes on that work, it might go down to posterity as hints for memoirs of her times. Some of the poetry scattered throughout the volumes is very mellifluous, and was set to music by more than one composer'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
Caroline Lamb : 'Winter Amusements'
'Amongst various verses, which she insisted on my accepting, she gave me the following lines, which she said she had written as supposing them to be spoken by the Duchess of D[evonshire].' [the poem that follows is entitled WINTER AMUSEMENTS]
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Manuscript: Sheet
Anne Louise Germaine de Stael-Holstein : De l'Allemagne
'I happened to open Madame de Stael's "Allemagne", and passed the whole night in reading that delightful work over again. The great charm in all her writings is, that they are her own thoughts, set down with all the force of home-felt truth; and any person who has had the gratification of living in intimacy with this celebrated woman, must be aware that in reading her works they are holding conversation, as it were, with herself.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Bury Print: Book
Anne Grant : Letters from the Mountains
'I feel, dear [-], gratified by the partiality which you express for my writings. You would, more than many others, be much influenced by the subject so often alluded to, of Highland scenery and manners. You could scarcely be impartial in this instance'.
