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

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Listings for Reader:  

Elizabeth Gaskell

 

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unknown : unknown

'Yesterday the news came of Mrs Gaskell's death. She died suddenly while reading aloud to her daughters'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Gaskell      Print: Unknown

  

Samuel Taylor Coleridge : 

'I have brought Coleridge with me, & am [italics] doing [end italics] him & Wordsworth [-] [italics] fit place for the latter! [end italics]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : 

'I have brought Coleridge with me, & am [italics] doing [end italics] him & Wordsworth [-] [italics] fit place for the latter! [end italics]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

George Gordon, Lord Byron : 

'I have done all my [italics] composition [end italics] of Ld B -, & done Crabbe outright since you left & got up Dryden & Pope - so now I'm all clear & straight before me.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

George Crabbe : 

'I have done all my [italics] composition [end italics] of Ld B -, & done Crabbe outright since you left & got up Dryden & Pope - so now I'm all clear & straight before me.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Alexander Pope : 

'I have done all my [italics] composition [end italics] of Ld B -, & done Crabbe outright since you left & got up Dryden & Pope - so now I'm all clear & straight before me.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

John Dryden : 

'I have done all my [italics] composition [end italics] of Ld B -, & done Crabbe outright since you left & got up Dryden & Pope - so now I'm all clear & straight before me.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Wiiliam Howitt : 

'[She thanks them for the great pleasure two of their works had given her 'by their charming descriptions of natural scenery and the thoughts and feelings arising from the happy circumstances of rural life'.] [Editors' gloss on contents of part of this letter to William and Mary Howitt]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Holland : [Exercise book]

'We are 'here today, & gone tomorrow', as the fat scullion maid said in some extract in Holland's Exercise book.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Alfred, Lord Tennyson : 'Deserted House, The'

'I like your expression of 'an unwritten tragedy'. It quite answers to the sadness which fills my heart as I look on some of those deserrted old halls. Do they not remind you of Tennyson's 'Deserted House' - 'Life and thought are gone away', &c.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Robert Southey : Doctor, The

'All this has done me good like the word in 'The Doctor &c', which relieved the author so much.' ['all this' refers to a rhapsodic description of alpine scenery encountered on a recent trip]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

 : 

'After breakfast we read, sauntered in the beautiful garden, called on the Howitts, shopped (so amusing) received callers, listened to Thekla's magnificent playing-'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Harriet Martineau : Hour and the Man, The

'I have just finished Miss Martineau's new romance. Toussaint the hero is a magnificent character, - and all connected with his personal private character is very interesting, & the conversations (where we may suppose she speaks herself) are just like those in Deerbrook very interesting. The [italics] story [end italics] is too like reading a history - one knows all along how it must end, - & there's a map at the beginning [italics] like [end italics] a history.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Harriet Martineau : Deerbrook

'I have just finished Miss Martineau's new romance. Toussaint the hero is a magnificent character, - and all connected with his personal private character is very interesting, & the conversations (where we may suppose she speaks herself) are just like those in Deerbrook very interesting. The [italics] story [end italics] is too like reading a history - one knows all along how it must end, - & there's a map at the beginning [italics] like [end italics] a history.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

 : 

'All morng [sic] we sat with books in our hands but not reading much, only talking. After lunch (at 12) I went out with the girls - round the grounds - a good long walk; and then into the lane up to the village, which is very pretty. Then home, read loitered and talked till dinner time (6 o' clock)'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Charlotte Bronte : Jane Eyre

'Read 'Jane Eyre', it is an uncommon book. I don't know if I like or dislike it. I take the opposite side to the person I'm talking with always in order to hear some convincing arguments to clear up my opinions. Tell me what Crix thinks - everybody's opinions'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

 : [advertisement for 'Mary Barton' in Edinburgh Review]

'Shall you have any objection to the name of 'Stephen Berwick' as that of the author of 'Mary Barton' which I have just seen advertised in the new Edinburgh'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Catherine Crowe : Susan Hopley

'I don't think one does [italics] admire [end italics] (it is far too good a word to be used on the subject) 'Susan Hopley'; it is a series of most unnatural adventures, naturally told, in a common-place way; but some people can't even be common-place naturally. They just interest one in certain states of the mind in which one is too lazy for thought or any high feeling, and only [italics] up [end italics] to being a bit occupied by scenes passed before you without much connexion, like those unrolling views we show children. Oh dear!'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

 : Times, The

'I envy you the "Times"; - it's very unprincipled and all that, but the most satisfactory newspaper going. Now is not that sentence unbecoming in a minister's wife?'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Newspaper

  

Walter Scott : Kenilworth

'I had the Sunday School girls here last Sunday, and Susanna came to help me, and I thought we went off gloriously, only - (everything has its only) - in repeating our subjects of conversation, I named an accidental five minutes conversation with one or two of the girls about Sir Walter Scott's novels (apropos of a picture of Queen Elizabeth, via 'Kenilworth', &c.) and Mrs J.J. Tayler is shocked at such a subject of conversation on a Sunday,- so there I am in a scrape'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Elizabeth Gaskell : Mary Barton

'In looking over the book I see numerous errors regarding the part written in the Lancashire dialect; 'gotten' should always be 'getten'; &c. - In the midst of all my deep & great annoyance, Mr Carlyle's letter has been most valuable; and has given me almost the only unmixed pleasure I have yet received from MB.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Thomas Carlyle : [letter approving 'Mary Barton']

'In looking over the book I see numerous errors regarding the part written in the Lancashire dialect; 'gotten' should always be 'getten'; &c. - In the midst of all my deep & great annoyance, Mr Carlyle's letter has been most valuable; and has given me almost the only unmixed pleasure I have yet received from MB.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Manuscript: Letter

  

John Forster : Life and Times of Oliver Goldsmith, The

'Who writes the literary reviews in the Examiner? I hoped Mr Forster, because I was so much delighted with Oliver Goldsmith's life, and (long ago) with the Lives of the Statesmen &c; but people say he no longer writes the literary articles.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

John Forster : Lives of the Statesmen of the Commonwealth

'Who writes the literary reviews in the Examiner? I hoped Mr Forster, because I was so much delighted with Oliver Goldsmith's life, and (long ago) with the Lives of the Statesmen &c; but people say he no longer writes the literary articles.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

John Forster : [review, probably in 'The Examiner' of 'Mary Barton']

'I try and find out the places where Mr Forster said I strained after common-place materials for effect, till the whole book dances before my eyes as a commonplace piece of effect'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Thomas Carlyle : [encouraging letter about 'Mary Barton']

'I had a letter from Carlyle, and when I am over-filled with thoughts arising from this book, I put it all aside, (or [italics] try [end italics] to put it aside,) and think of his last sentence - 'May you live long to write good books, or do silently good actions which in my sight is far more indispensable'.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Manuscript: Letter

  

Thomas Carlyle : [article in 'London Examiner' on Chas Buller]

'Did you read a little piece of Carlyles on the death of Charles Buller, that appeared about a month ago in the London Examiner? I never heard of Chas Buller before; but was struck with the beautiful testimonial after his death; I think I can remember the exact words of one part - 'And in his patience with the much that he could not do, let us grant there was something very beautiful too'.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Sam Greg : [remarks on Gaskell's 'Mary Barton']

'I have many things I should like to say to the writer of the remarks on 'Mary Barton' which Miss Mitchell has sent me, and which I conjecture were written by your husband? Those remarks and the note which accompanied have given me great and real pleasure. I have heard much about the disapproval which Mr Greg's family have felt with regard to 'M.B.', and have heard of it with so much regret that I am particularly glad that Mr Sam Greg does not participate in it.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Arthur Hugh Clough : Ambarvalia

'I send you back 'Ambarvalia' with many thanks; I am also much obliged to you for sending me Mr Espinasse's prospectus, which had before excited my attention'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Francis Espinasse : [prospectus]

'I send you back 'Ambarvalia' with many thanks; I am also much obliged to you for sending me Mr Espinasse's prospectus, which had before excited my attention'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Unknown

  

 : [review of 'Margaret, a tale of the Real and the Ideal']

'My copy of 'Margaret' is in such demand since the review in the Athenaeum; it is pledged 3 deep'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Sylvester Judd : Margaret, a Tale of the Real and the Ideal

'My copy of 'Margaret' is in such demand since the review in the Athenaeum; it is pledged 3 deep'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Charles Dickens : David Copperfield

'I think I have behaved most abominably in never taking any notice of your great kindness in sending me David Copperfield, and your note. Oh, dear! I have been so whirled about {against} since I saw you last that I hardly know what to write. I do so like D. Copperfield; and it was a charming liberty you took in sending it.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Alexander Crawford, Lord Lindsay : Lives of the Lindsays; Or, A memoir of the houses of Crawford and Balcarres

'If you want an agreeable book, read 'Lives of the Lindsays'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

John Henry Newman : [possibly] Discourses to Mixed Congregations

'Suffice it to say that its who can revere Mr Newman most with Mr Darbishire, the Winkworths and myself, the book is absolutely simply the utterance of the man'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Charlotte Bronte : Shirley

'Do you know Dr Epps - I think you do - ask him to tell you who wrote Jane Eyre and Shirley,- <...> Do tell me who wrote Jane Eyre'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Charles Kingsley : 

'I mean to copy you out some lines of my [italics] hero [end italics], Mr Kingsley'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Geraldine Jewsbury : [unknown review]

'[italics] Is [end italics] Miss Jewsbury's review shallow? It looked to me very deep, but then I know I'm easily imposed upon in the metaphysical line, and could no more attempt to write such an article than fly'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

John Henry Newman : [Sermons]

'I am going through a course of John Henry Newman's Sermons.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Alfred, Lord Tennyson : [Poems]

''Tennyson' has arrived safe, without a shadow of damage and thanks without end for it. I have been half-opening the pretty golden leaves, and peeping here and there at old favourites since it came. But I have shut it up close again, that it may all properly stick togeher like a new bound book, before I take it to Bamford'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Maggie Bell : [MS. novel]

'Miss Maggie Bell has sent me [a] MS. novel to look over, - she is a nice person, and I know I once wanted to help sorely'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Manuscript: Unknown

  

W.C. DeVane : [review of Browning's 'Christmas Eve and Easter-Day']

'I have not read that poem of R. Brownings. I saw the review in the Examiner, (no end of thanks to you for the said,) but don't think I've fairly read it yet!'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Charlotte Bronte : Shirley

'I think I told you that I disliked a good deal in the plot of Shirley, but the expression of her own thoughts in it is so true and brave, that I greatly admire her.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Caroline Emelia Stephen : Passages in the life of a Daughter at Home

'Do you know a little book written by a daughter of Sir Jas Stephens, called 'Passages in the life of a Daughter at Home'? It is very painful, and from the impression of pain which, despite its happy ending, it leaves upon one I think it must want some element of peace, but still it is very true, and [italics] very [end italics] suggestive; and a description to the life of the trials of many single women, who waken up some morning to the sudden feeling of the [italics] purposelessness [italics] (is there such a word) of their life. Do read it if it comes yr way.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Frederick Denison Maurice : [Sermon on 'Religion versus God']

'But I think you are probably seeing more of what has never fallen in my way exactly, but of what I read of in that striking and curious sermon of Mr Maurice's, entitled 'Religion versus God'. In which he spoke of the falseness of that religious spirit which led people to disregard those nearest to them, to wound or leave those whom God had placed around and about and dependent on them, in search of some new sphere of action.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Unknown

  

Thomas Carlyle : Sartor Resartus

'I never cd enter into Sartor Resartus, but I brought away one sentence which does capitally for a reference when I get perplexed sometimes. 'Do the duty that lies nearest to thee'.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

John Ruskin : Modern Painters

'After breakfast we went on the Lake; and Miss B and I agreed in thinking Mr Moseley a good goose; in liking Mr Newman's soul, - in liking Modern Painters, and the idea of the Seven Lamps'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

John Ruskin : Modern Painters

'I am very happy nevertheless making flannel petticoats; and reading Modern painters'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

 : Leader, The

'from an accidental copy of the Leader I learn that a fourth edition [of Mary Barton] is coming out'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

 : Atlas, The [review of Gaskell's 'The Moorland Cottage']

'Thank you for the Atlas. The Guardian (Puseyite) has been very busy praising M[oorland] C[ottage] too. I hope the Times will be so kind as to leave it alone; for I think it would be a disgrace to be praised by the man who wrote that review of Mr Thackeray. Dr Whewell wrote that review in Fraser I believe; and I have received a very complimentary note from him as well'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

 : Guardian, The [review of Gaskell's 'The Moorland Cottage']

'Thank you for the Atlas. The Guardian (Puseyite) has been very busy praising M[oorland] C[ottage] too. I hope the Times will be so kind as to leave it alone; for I think it would be a disgrace to be praised by the man who wrote that review of Mr Thackeray. Dr Whewell wrote that review in Fraser I believe; and I have received a very complimentary note from him as well'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

William Whewell : Fraser's Magazine [review of Gaskell's 'The Moorland Cottage']

'Thank you for the Atlas. The Guardian (Puseyite) has been very busy praising M[oorland] C[ottage] too. I hope the Times will be so kind as to leave it alone; for I think it would be a disgrace to be praised by the man who wrote that review of Mr Thackeray. Dr Whewell wrote that review in Fraser I believe; and I have received a very complimentary note from him as well'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

 : Times, The [review of a Thackeray book, perhaps Pendennis]

'Thank you for the Atlas. The Guardian (Puseyite) has been very busy praising M[oorland] C[ottage] too. I hope the Times will be so kind as to leave it alone; for I think it would be a disgrace to be praised by the man who wrote that review of Mr Thackeray. Dr Whewell wrote that review in Fraser I believe; and I have received a very complimentary note from him as well'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Newspaper

  

John Ruskin : Seven Lamps of Architecture, The

'She [Gaskell's daughter 'Meta' or Margaret Emily] is [italics] quite [end italics] able to appreciate any book I am reading. Ruskin's Seven Lamps of Architecture for the last instance'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Catherine Cuthbertson : Santo Sebastiano: or, The Young Protector

'What novel did you choose (in default of one from me,) for your confinement reading. I am afraid you did not get hold of the Young Protector; it is too old a book to be met with easily'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

H. Morley : Palissy the Potter

'Wm brought me Bernard Palissy, but it so happened I had not a moment of time for reading except one day, when I got very interested in four or 5 chapters, & then the book had to go back'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

 : North British Review [review of Gaskell's 'Ruth']

'The "North British Review"had a [italics] delicious [end italics] review of "Ruth" in it. Who the deuce could have written it? It is so truly religious, it makes me swear with delight. I think it is one of the Christian Socialists, but I can't make out which. I must make Will find out'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

 : Literary Gazette [review of Gaskell's 'Ruth']

'Spectator, Lity Gazette, Sharp's Mag; Colborn have all abused it ['Ruth'] as roundly as may be. Litery Gazette in every form of abuse 'insufferably dull' 'style offensive from affectation' 'deep regret that we and all admirers of Mary Barton must feel at the author's loss of reputation' 'Thoroughly commonplace' etc., etc. I don't know of a newspaper which has praised it but the Examiner, wh. was bound to for Chapman's sake - and that's [italics] that [end italics] and be hanged to it.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

 : [various periodicals: reviews of Gaskell's 'Ruth']

'Spectator, Lity Gazette, Sharp's Mag; Colborn have all abused it ['Ruth'] as roundly as may be. Litery Gazette in every form of abuse 'insufferably dull' 'style offensive from affectation' 'deep regret that we and all admirers of Mary Barton must feel at the author's loss of reputation' 'Thoroughly commonplace' etc., etc. I don't know of a newspaper which has praised it but the Examiner, wh. was bound to for Chapman's sake - and that's [italics] that [end italics] and be hanged to it.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

 : [letter of a 'First Hand']

'Yes! I did read that letter of 'First Hand'; - those letters inded, and I liked the whole tone and mode of expression so much that I was thoroughly glad to see how people came forwards to set her up in her scheme.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Unknown

  

Thomas Hood : 'Lady's Dream, The'

'Do you know that little poem of Hood's called [']the Lady's Dream'; because it is so true what he says about evil being done by [italics] want of thought [end italics].'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Unknown

  

Charlotte Bronte : Villette

'The difference between Miss Bronte and me is that she puts all her naughtiness into her books, and I put all my goodness. I am sure that she works off a great deal that is morbid [italics] into [end italics] her writing, and [italics] out [end italics] of her life; and my books are so far better than I am that I often feel ashamed of having written them and as if I were a hypocrite. However I was not going to write of myself but of Villette. I don't agree with you that {it is} one cannot forget that it is a 'written book'. My interpretation of it is this. I believe it to be a very correct account of one part of her life; which is very vivid & distinct in her remembrance, with all the feelings that were called out at that period, forcibly present in her mind whenever she recurs to the recollection of it. I imagine she [italics] could [end italics] not describe it {with} in the manner in which she would pass through it [italics] now [end italics], as her present self; but in looking back upon it all the passions & suffering, & deep despondency of that old time come back upon her. Some of this notion of mine is founded entirely on imagination; but some of it rests on the fact that many times over I recognized incidents of which she had told me as connected with that visit to Brussels. Whatever truth there may be in this conjecture of mine there can be no doubt that the book is wonderfully clever; that it reveals depths in her mind, aye and in her [italics] heart [end italics] too which I doubt if ever any one has fathomed.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Joseph Kay : Condition of Poor Children in English and German Towns

'I do not know Mr Joseph Kay's address or I should have written to thank him for his valuable and most interesting pamphlet on the Condition and Education of English children as compared with Germans; I believe his address was signed at the end of the preface, but this book was borrowed from me as soon as I had read it, & has not yet been returned'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      

  

 : Examiner [review of Thackeray's 'Henry Esmond']

'she [Charlotte Bronte] was very angry indeed with that part of the Examiner review of Esmond (I had forgotten it) which said his [Thackeray's] works would not live; and asked me if I knew you had written it. I wish you could have heard how I backed away from the veiled prophet, and how vehemently I disclaimed ever even having conjectured anything about any article in the Examiner'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Frederick Perthes : Memoirs of Frederick Perthes or Literary, Religious and Political Life in Germany from 1789 to 1848

'Are you inclined to see the MS of a translation from the German done by my friend Miss Winkworth ('Life of Niebuhr') and her sister. They have together translated all that is yet published of the autobiographical life of Perthes; no, I see it is not [italics] all [end italics] translated - they have stopped, when we novelists do - at the end of the adventures, & when Perthes is re-instated in his business, & in a fair way of doing well for himself. You probably know enough of his history &c to enable you in some measure to judge for yourself of the kind of book it is. A young German bourgeois, who makes his own way from nothing to a station of great wealth & influence both commercial & political: (he was a bookseller, &c) the personal story is very interesting & includes an account of the French occupation of Hamburgh &c.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Manuscript: Unknown

  

James Crossley : 'Edmund Burkke and the Annual Register'

In looking over the bound vol. of 'Notes and Queries' for the first half of 1851, I find a paper by you entitled 'Edmund Burke and the Annual Register' [Gaskell then provides James Crossley with some more information on this subject].'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Mrs Granville : [tales]

'She [a Mrs Granville, nee Wheler] had been a great friend of the Miss Porters (Jane and Anna Maria) in girlhood; and it was perhaps owing to their example that she had taken up the business of writing novels (at 10£ each) for the Minerva Press. I saw some of her tales, which were harmless enough, a weak dilution of Miss Porters in style and plot'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

John Tupling : Folious appearances. a consideration on our ways of lettering books

'I have thanked you (mentally) very much for Folious Appearances, the humour, strength - and even affectation of which I like exceedingly. What is the name of the man, again?'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

 : Times, The [review of H.F. Chorley's play 'The Duchess Eleanor']

'I wanted to see the Duchess Eleanor ever since I read that review - criticism - whatever you call it in the Times, long before I had the slightest suspicion it was yours; & more than suspicion I have not had till now'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Newspaper

  

Henry Morley : 'Brother Mieth and his Brothers'

'I have a friend who was educated at Nieuwied, - & who is just crazy about 'Brother Mieth'. First she made me write to Mr Wills, and ask who wrote it; and now, as much would ever have more, she wants me to ask you if Brother Mieth was not Brother Andrup - (Anthrup?) and if you were there at the time of his death; and if you, like her, got a piece of wood shaving out of the bed on which he lay and kept it for a relic? and if you heard his Leben read? - and - and - I don't know how many more questions, all hinging on the one supposition that Brother Mieth was Brother Andrup - It is a charming paper, I, the exoteric may say. But she will hardly allow that I [italics] can [end italics] recognise it's merits, and has gone off upon Neuwied ever since, taking the bit between her teeth. Would you be so kind as to stop her with a hair of the dog that bit her, & give us all another paper on Neuwied in some shape. That reading the Diary & the confessions of sins over the coffin must have been most striking. I don't know half enough about the Moravians.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Anna Jameson : Commonplace Book of Thoughts, A

'Here is the beautiful Commonplace book awaiting me on my return home! And I give it a great welcome you may be sure; and turn it over, & peep in, and read a sentence and shut it up to think over it's graceful suggestive wisdom in something of the 'gourmet' spirit of a child with an eatable dainty; which child, if it have the proper artistic sensuality of childhood, first looks it's cake over to appreciate the full promise of it's appearance, - next, snuffs up it's fragrance, - and gets to a fair & complete mouth-watering before it plunges into the first [italics] bite [end italics]. I do like your book. I liked it before, - I like it better now - it is like looking into deep clear water, - down below at every instant of prolonged gaze, one sees some fresh beauty or treasure of clear white pebble, or little shady nooks for fish to lurk in, or delicate water weds. Thank you for it. I do value it'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

 : Household Words [?]

'I was exceedingly interested and touched by that Soldier's Story. It is very 'war-music'al, & comes in beautifully just at this time.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Charlotte Bronte : Shirley

'I have looked for Mr Macarthey's character in Shirley, and I find it exactly corresponds with what you have told me of Mr Nicholls, & also with what she herself has said to me before now. Yet it shows something fine in him to have been able to appreciate her.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

William Fairbairn : [remarks on 'North and South']

'Your kind and racy critiques both give me pleasure and do me good; that is to say, your praise gives me pleasure because it is so sincere and judicious that I value it; and your fault-finding does me good because it always makes me [italics] think [end italics]'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Manuscript: Letter

  

Charlotte Bronte : [letters to Ellen Nussey]

'I have read [italics] once [end italics] over all the letters you so kindly entrusted me with, and I don't think even you, her most cherished friend, could wish the impression on me to be different from what it is, that she was one to study the path of duty well, and, having ascertained what it was right to do, to follow out her idea strictly. They gave me a very beautiful idea of her character'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Manuscript: Letter

  

Charles Dickens : Little Dorrit

'in the 'bus I sate next to somebody, whose face I thought I knew, & then I made out it was only that he was very like Mr Hensleigh Wedgwood; however he read 'Little-Dorrit' & I read it over his shoulder. Oh Polly! he was such a slow reader, you'll sympathise, Meta won't, my impatience at his never getting to the bottom of the page so we only got to the end of the page. We only read the first two chapters, so I never found out who 'Little Dorrit' is [Gaskell then summarises what happens in these chapters] By this time we got to Knutsford, & my friend got out, & now that I saw him no longer in profile but full-faced I recognized Mr Seymour, & was sorry I had not moved'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Charlotte Bronte : [letters to W.S. Williams]

'I am extremely obliged to you for the pacquet of Miss Bronte's letters which I found here on my return home, too late for Friday's post for me to acknowledge them. I have read them hastily over and I like the tone of them very much; it is curious how much the spirit in which she writes varies according to the correspondent whom she was addressing, I imagine. I like the series of letters which you have sent better than any other excepting one that I have seen. The subjects too are very interesting; how beautifully she speaks (for instance) of her wanderings on the moor after her sister's death.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Manuscript: Letter

  

 : [book on Yorkshire]

'I am sending by the same post as this letter, the book on Yorkshire, you were so very kind as to lend me. I cannot tell you how much use it has been to me; my paper marks, which I found had not been taken out of the book, before it was packed up, will, in a small degree, show you how much I have had to refer to in it'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Charlotte Bronte : [manuscripts]

'[Having visited Haworth, Gaskell acquired MSS of 'The Professor', 'Emma'], & by far the most extraordinary of all, a packet about the size of a lady's travelling writing case, full of paper books of different sizes, from the one I enclose upwards to the full 1/2 sheet size, but all in this indescribably fine writing. - Mr Gaskell says they would make more than 50 vols of print, - but they are the wildest & most incoherent things, as far as we have examined them, [italics] all [end italics] purporting to be written, or addressed to some member of the Wellesley family. They give one the idea of creative power carried to the verge of insanity. Just lately Mr M Milnes gave me some MS. of Blake's, the painters to read, - & the two MSS (his & C.B.'s) are curiously alike. But what I want to know is if a photograph could be taken to give some idea of the finness of the writing'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Manuscript: books

  

William Blake : [manuscripts]

'[Having visited Haworth, Gaskell acquired MSS of 'The Professor', 'Emma'], & by far the most extraordinary of all, a packet about the size of a lady's travelling writing case, full of paper books of different sizes, from the one I enclose upwards to the full 1/2 sheet size, but all in this indescribably fine writing. - Mr Gaskell says they would make more than 50 vols of print, - but they are the wildest & most incoherent things, as far as we have examined them, [italics] all [end italics] purporting to be written, or addressed to some member of the Wellesley family. They give one the idea of creative power carried to the verge of insanity. Just lately Mr M Milnes gave me some MS. of Blake's, the painters to read, - & the two MSS (his & C.B.'s) are curiously alike. But what I want to know is if a photograph could be taken to give some idea of the finness of the writing'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Charlotte Bronte : Professor, The

'I have read the Professor, - I don't see the objections to its publication that I apprehended, - or at least only such, as the omissions of three or four short ppassages not altogether amounting to a page, - would do away with. I don't agree with Sir James that 'the publication of this book would add to her literary fame' - I think it inferior to all her published works - but I think it a very curious link in her literary history, as showing the [italics] promise [end italics] of much that was afterwards realized.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Manuscript: Unknown

  

 : [verses]

'I return to you these verses (of which I have taken a copy) with many thanks. I am always glad of your scraps of intelligence, which come, with their pleasant [italics] London-taste [end italics], most acceptably into my Manchester life. These verses in particular are extremely humorous & characteristic'.

Unknown
Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      

  

Charlotte Bronte : Professor, The

'I dreaded lest the Prof: should involve anything with M. Heger - I had heard her say it related to her Brussels life, - & I thought if he were again brought before the public, what would he think of me? [Gaskell goes on to say that her fears were not fulfilled] so on that ground there would be no objection to publishing it. I don't think it will add to her reputation, - the interest will arise from its being the work of so remarkable a mind. It is an autobiography of a man the English Professor at a Brussels school, - there are one or two remarkable portraits - the most charming woman she ever drew, and a glimpse of that woman as a mother - very lovely; otherwise little or no story; & disfigured by more coarseness - & profanity in quoting texts of Scripture disagreeably than in any of her other works.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Manuscript: Unknown

  

 : Examiner, The

'I looked in last week's Examiner thinking there [italics] might [end italics] be an advertisement of the Professor. When do you think it will be out?'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Charlotte Bronte : Professor, The

'The Professor is curious as indicating strong character & rare faculties on the part of the author; but not interesting as a story. And yet there are parts one would not lose - a lovely female character - & glimpses of home & family life in the latter portion of the tale. - But oh! I wish Mr Nicholls wd have altered more!'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      

  

William Fairbairn : [letter offering his opinion of Gaskell's biography of Charlotte Bronte]

'I don't think you know how much good your letter did me. In the first place I was really afraid that you did not like my book, because I had never received your usual letter of criticism; and in the second, it was the one sweet little drop of honey that the postman had brought me for some time, as, on the average, I had been receiving three letters a day for above a fortnight, finding great fault with me (to use a [italics] mild [end italics] expression for the tone of their compliments) for my chapter about the Cowan Bridge School.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Manuscript: Letter

  

E.B. Eastwick ['ed'] : Autobiography of Lutfullah, a Mohammedan gentleman : and his translations with his fellow-creatures

'I received your books last night quite safely, and plunged into 'Lutfullah' with great interest, being prepared to like it from the notice in the Athenaeum. The Bombay Q. Review looks good too, and I hit upon a lively paper describing the Overland journey, which fell in well with the direction of my curiosity'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

 : Bombay Quarterly Review

'I received your books last night quite safely, and plunged into 'Lutfullah' with great interest, being prepared to like it from the notice in the Athenaeum. The Bombay Q. Review looks good too, and I hit upon a lively paper describing the Overland journey, which fell in well with the direction of my curiosity'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

 : Athenaeum [review of Eastwick's 'Lutfullah']

'I received your books last night quite safely, and plunged into 'Lutfullah' with great interest, being prepared to like it from the notice in the Athenaeum. The Bombay Q. Review looks good too, and I hit upon a lively paper describing the Overland journey, which fell in well with the direction of my curiosity'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Currer Bell [pseud.] : Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell

'I thank you too for C.E. and A. Bell's poems (my copy has never turned up)'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

 : Times, The

'People say, the Times leading the van, that the news is quite as good as can be expected &c &c &c.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Newspaper

  

John W. Kaye : [possibly] Administration of the East India Company, The

'we, as a family, are going through a whole course of Indian literature - Kaye and Malcolm to wit; but I am afraid I read it for duty's sake, without taking as much interest as I ought to do, in all the out-of-the-way names & places, none of which give me any distinct idea'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

John Malcolm : [possibly] Government of India, The

'we, as a family, are going through a whole course of Indian literature - Kaye and Malcolm to wit; but I am afraid I read it for duty's sake, without taking as much interest as I ought to do, in all the out-of-the-way names & places, none of which give me any distinct idea'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

 : Homeward Mail, The

'I am very very much obliged to you for sending us the Homeward Mail. We read it from end to end; title page, & printer's name'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Newspaper, Serial / periodical

  

Francis James Child : Ballads

'Is Mr Child married? I am always wanting to write & thank him for his Ballads, which I delight in' [she then deprecates her own letter writing style and says she is put off by the thought of having to write 'properly']

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Charles Eliot Norton : [articles in the 'Atlantic Monthly' on India and an exhibition]

'I mean to read the Atlantic soon; I find 2 numbers, one from you with names of authors, for the which thank you; the second no. has no such names, - & I'll tell you what I've read & liked. Your paper on India, - but then that was not fair, because I knew it was yours, - Floyd Ireson's ride VERY much. Turkey tracts, - yes, I did, & I just defy you, if you said you didn't; and Florentine Mosaics. I cd not read the other story, - and I did not care for Carlyle. I liked yr paper in the first no. on our Exhibition - only there [italics] was [end italics] one Duccio da Siena, & you say there was not.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Thomas Carlyle : [article in the 'Atlantic Monthly']

'I mean to read the Atlantic soon; I find 2 numbers, one from you with names of authors, for the which thank you; the second no. has no such names, - & I'll tell you what I've read & liked. Your paper on India, - but then that was not fair, because I knew it was yours, - Floyd Ireson's ride VERY much. Turkey tracts, - yes, I did, & I just defy you, if you said you didn't; and Florentine Mosaics. I cd not read the other story, - and I did not care for Carlyle. I liked yr paper in the first no. on our Exhibition - only there [italics] was [end italics] one Duccio da Siena, & you say there was not.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

 : Atlantic Monthly

'I mean to read the Atlantic soon; I find 2 numbers, one from you with names of authors, for the which thank you; the second no. has no such names, - & I'll tell you what I've read & liked. Your paper on India, - but then that was not fair, because I knew it was yours, - Floyd Ireson's ride VERY much. Turkey tracts, - yes, I did, & I just defy you, if you said you didn't; and Florentine Mosaics. I cd not read the other story, - and I did not care for Carlyle. I liked yr paper in the first no. on our Exhibition - only there [italics] was [end italics] one Duccio da Siena, & you say there was not.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

George Eliot [pseud.] : Scenes from Clerical Life

'Read 'Scenes of Clerical Life', published in Blackwood, for [italics] this [end italics] year, - I shd think they began as early as Janry or February - They are a discovery of my own, & I am so proud of them. [italics] Do [end italics] read them. I have not a notion who wrote them'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Richard Monckton Milnes : 'Lucknow'

'Thanks for telling me about the articles. I always like to read anything of your writing, even when it is not of such supreme interest as 'Lucknow' because your style (may I say it?) has such a great charm for me. It is such pure beautiful English. I had heard of the forthcoming article on Buckle, without knowing whom it was by. Thank you for telling me'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Unknown

  

 : Atlantic Monthly

'Thank you very much for your list of authors. You may think how we [italics] savoured [end italics] the papers on the Catacombs. Marianne & Meta always write the names opposite the articles in the Atlantic'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical, Unknown

  

William Elder : Biography of Elisha Kent Kane

'I don't like American biographies. Dr Kane's life is [italics] murdered [end italics], - and why do you give us all those speeches & obsequy things at the end? it is very ungrateful of me to say this, for Mr Elder sent it me. Next - who is Mr Parton who writes biographies on your side of the water? Barnom, & Aaron Burr - the first I literally [italics] could not [end italics] read, just for the want of any moral feeling at all in it, - the last I have just read, because I wanted to get some knowledge of American society in the last centy & beginning of this, - and to know who Aaron Burr was? There is just the same, or worse, want of any idea of simply [sic] right or wrong, - but I don't come out clear as to what [italics] could [end italics] have been Aaron B's [italics] real [end italics] character'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

James Parton : Life and Times of Aaron Burr, The

'I don't like American biographies. Dr Kane's life is [italics] murdered [end italics], - and why do you give us all those speeches & obsequy things at the end? it is very ungrateful of me to say this, for Mr Elder sent it me. Next - who is Mr Parton who writes biographies on your side of the water? Barnom, & Aaron Burr - the first I literally [italics] could not [end italics] read, just for the want of any moral feeling at all in it, - the last I have just read, because I wanted to get some knowledge of American society in the last centy & beginning of this, - and to know who Aaron Burr was? There is just the same, or worse, want of any idea of simply [sic] right or wrong, - but I don't come out clear as to what [italics] could [end italics] have been Aaron B's [italics] real [end italics] character'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

James Parton : [Life of Barnum]

'I don't like American biographies. Dr Kane's life is [italics] murdered [end italics], - and why do you give us all those speeches & obsequy things at the end? it is very ungrateful of me to say this, for Mr Elder sent it me. Next - who is Mr Parton who writes biographies on your side of the water? Barnom, & Aaron Burr - the first I literally [italics] could not [end italics] read, just for the want of any moral feeling at all in it, - the last I have just read, because I wanted to get some knowledge of American society in the last centy & beginning of this, - and to know who Aaron Burr was? There is just the same, or worse, want of any idea of simply [sic] right or wrong, - but I don't come out clear as to what [italics] could [end italics] have been Aaron B's [italics] real [end italics] character'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Francis Henry Egerton : Apercu Historique et genealogique

'Can you tell me anything of a book, published or rather printed, by the late Earl of Bridgewater at his press in Paris. It was in the French language - & contained all the Egerton traditions, and papers relating to the Lord Chancellor Egerton. The Egertons of [italics] Tatton [end italics] know nothing of it. I do not know the present Lord Ellesmere well enough to ask him.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

[n/a] : [advertisement for the 'Psychological' magazine]

'I see in an advertisement of the contents of a Magazine (the Psychological) of which I believe you are the Editor, a paper on Charlotte Bronte. Having a very strong interest in the subject I should particularly wish to see that number and if you would kindly direct it to be forwarded to me, I would return the publisher the amount in postage stamps.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Advertisement

  

Hendschel : Telegraph

[having been given a rum and peppermint liqueur for a migraine] 'We went to the Railway waiting-room, which was all quiet and nicely-lighted up; so Flossy began to read a book she had brought with her; and I got Hendschel's Telegraph (the German Bradshaw) off the table, and began to puzzle out my train to Strasbourg to meet Louy, - when, lo & behold, Flossy whispered to me, me, smelling of rum - that Mr Bosanquet had come in! I tucked my head down over my book, & told F.E. to take no notice; but he drew nearer and nearer, pretending to look at the affiches on the walls, until at last he came close, & said 'Mrs G. can I assist you in making out yr train'...'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

[having been given a rum and peppermint liqueur for a migraine] 'We went to the Railway waiting-room, which was all quiet and nicely-lighted up; so Flossy began to read a book she had brought with her; and I got Hendschel's Telegraph (the German Bradshaw) off the table, and began to puzzle out my train to Strasbourg to meet Louy, - when, lo & behold, Flossy whispered to me, me, smelling of rum - that Mr Bosanquet had come in! I tucked my head down over my book, & told F.E. to take no notice; but he drew nearer and nearer, pretending to look at the affiches on the walls, until at last he came close, & said 'Mrs G. can I assist you in making out yr train'...'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Florence Elizabeth Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Christian Karl Josias Bunsen : Lyra Germanica

'you will receive a Lyra Germanica from me the day after you get this letter, - I always wanted you to have it, & wished for your appreciation of Kate Winkworth's translation when we were at Heidelberg'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Florence Nightingale : Notes on Matters affecting the Health, Efficiency, and Hosptal Administration of the British Army

'I read the [italics] Subsidiary Notes [end italics] first. It was so interesting I could not leave it. I finished it at one long morning sitting - hardly stirring between breakfast and dinner. I cannot tell you how much I like it, and for such numbers of reasons. First, because you know of a varnish that is as good or better than black-lead for grates (only I wonder what it is). Next, because of the little sentences of real deep wisdom which from their depth and true foundation may be real helps in every direction and to every person; and for the quiet continual devout references to God which make the book a holy one'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Mr Aide : Rita

'I tell [Mr Aide] my "honest opinion" of his [italics] first [end italics] volume at any rate: It introduces one just exactly into the kid of disrepuble [sic] society one keeps clear of with such scrupulous care in real life, - it is not merely [italics] one [end italics] character that is none of the best, - but every one we get a glimpse of is the same description of person. I don't think it is "corrupting" but it is disagreeable, - a sort of dragging one's peticoats through mud. I wish the little gentleman, - who really seems more than commonly good (for a man, - begging your & your son's pardon) had not written this book; because it gives one a sort of distrust of his previous life.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

George Eliot [pseud.] : Amos Barton

'I am going to make a request to you, Sir, which is of a slightly impudent nature. It is, that you will be so good as to give me a copy of "Adam Bede", - and I advance three pretexts for asking this favour from you. Firstly my delight in the book; and in the "Stories from Clerical Life", ever since the first part of "Amos Barton" in Blackwood. It almost seems presumptuous in me to express all the admiration I feel; you might be tempted to quote Dr Johnson'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

George Eliot [pseud.] : Adam Bede

'I am going to make a request to you, Sir, which is of a slightly impudent nature. It is, that you will be so good as to give me a copy of "Adam Bede", - and I advance three pretexts for asking this favour from you. Firstly my delight in the book; and in the "Stories from Clerical Life", ever since the first part of "Amos Barton" in Blackwood. It almost seems presumptuous in me to express all the admiration I feel; you might be tempted to quote Dr Johnson'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : Blackwood's Magazine

'I'll change my tactics [from trying to persuade Blackwood to give her a copy of "Adam Bede" out of generosity] and say you owe me compensation for an article {of} under which if the wit had been a tithe equal to the wish to abuse I might have winced with pain. As it was I only felt indignant at the bad spirit in which the review of my Life of Charlotte Bronte was written, & half inclined to offer my services to Mr Aytoun the next time he wished to have an article written which should point out with something like keen and bitter perception the short-comings of my books'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

George Eliot [pseud.] : Adam Bede

'I received the copy of "Adam Bede" which you were so kind as to send me quite safely; and I am very much obliged to you for it. - I thoroughly admire this writer's works - (I do not call him Mr Elliot, because I know that such is not his real name.) I was brought up in Warwickshire, and recognize the county in every description of natural scenery. I am thoroughly obliged to you for giving it to me; it is a book that it is a real pleasure to have, and if for every article in your Magazine, abusive of me, you will only be so kind as to give me one of the works of the author of "Scenes from Clerical Life", I shall consider myself your debtor'. [Later on the same page, Gaskell says 'One of Mrs Poyser's speeches is as good as a fresh blow of sea-air; and yet {it} she is a true person, and no caricature']

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [American cookery books]

'Yes! I found the American cookery books here when we got home, (Decr 20th) and many many thanks. we can't understand all the words used - because, you see, [italics] we [end italics] speak English, - but we have made some capital brown bread and several other good things, by the help of them'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Arthur Penrhyn Stanley : Three Introductory Lectures on the study of Ecclesiastical History

'Read Arthur Stanley's Three Introductory Lectures on the Study of Ecclesiastical History Parker Oxford - price [italics] perhaps [ed italics] 2s-6d, not more. I do so like them and so does Meta. And Dasent's Norse Tales, which are charming, & the introduction best of all and "Adam Bede" - you read Scenes from Clerical Life? did you not?)'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

G.W. Dasent : Popular Tales from the Norse

'Read Arthur Stanley's Three Introductory Lectures on the Study of Ecclesiastical History Parker Oxford - price [italics] perhaps [ed italics] 2s-6d, not more. I do so like them and so does Meta. And Dasent's Norse Tales, which are charming, & the introduction best of all and "Adam Bede" - you read Scenes from Clerical Life? did you not?'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

[n/a] : Times, The

'Our Times of today - well of yesterday - well, tomorrow it will be of some day in dream land, for I am past power of counting - Our Times of today has taken away my breath - Who, What, Wherefore, Why - oh! do be a woman, and give me all possible details - Never mind the House of Commons: it can keep - but my, our, curiosity CAN'T-'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Newspaper

  

Herbert Grey : Three Paths, The

'As you ask me for my opinion I shall try and give it as truly as I can; otherwise it will be of no use [...] In the first place you say you do not call The 3 paths a novel; but the work is in the form which always assumes that name, nor do I think it is one to be quarrelled with. I suppose you mean that you used the narrative form merely to {convey} introduce certain opinions & thoughts. If so you had better have condensed them into the shape of an Essay. Those in Friends in Council &c. are admirable examples of how much may be said on both sides of any question without any {dogma} decision being finally arrived at, & certainly without any dogmatism. [Gaskell then discusses the merits of the concise essay form] But I believe in spite of yr objection to the term 'novel' you do wish to 'narrate', - and I believe you can do it if you try, - but I think you must observe what is [italics] out [end italics] of you, instead of examining what is [italics] in [end italics] you. [Gaskell explains the merits of this at length]. Just read a few pages of De Foe &c - and you will see the healthy way in which he sets [italics] objects [end italics] not [italics] feelings [end italics] before you. [She advises Grey to use what he observes through every day contact with real people] Think if you can not imagine a complication of events in their life which would form a good plot. (Your plot in The Three paths is very poor; you have not thought enough about it - simply used it as a medium. [She discusses the advantages of tight plotting and advises] Don't intrude yourself into your description. If you but think eagerly of your story till [italics] you see it in action [end italics], words, good simple strong words will come. [she then criticises his overuse of epithets, overlong conversations and allusions, concluding] You see I am very frank-spoken. But I believe you are worth it.'

Unknown
Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      

  

Arthur Helps : Friends in Council

'As you ask me for my opinion I shall try and give it as truly as I can; otherwise it will be of no use [...] In the first place you say you do not call The 3 paths a novel; but the work is in the form which always assumes that name, nor do I think it is one to be quarrelled with. I suppose you mean that you used the narrative form merely to {convey} introduce certain opinions & thoughts. If so you had better have condensed them into the shape of an Essay. Those in Friends in Council &c. are admirable examples of how much may be said on both sides of any question without any {dogma} decision being finally arrived at, & certainly without any dogmatism. [Gaskell then discusses the merits of the concise essay form] But I believe in spite of yr objection to the term 'novel' you do wish to 'narrate', - and I believe you can do it if you try, - but I think you must observe what is [italics] out [end italics] of you, instead of examining what is [italics] in [end italics] you. [Gaskell explains the merits of this at length]. Just read a few pages of De Foe &c - and you will see the healthy way in which he sets [italics] objects [end italics] not [italics] feelings [end italics] before you. [She advises Grey to use what he observes through every day contact with real people] Think if you can not imagine a complication of events in their life which would form a good plot. (Your plot in The Three paths is very poor; you have not thought enough about it - simply used it s a medium. [She discusses the advantages of tight plotting and advises] Don't intrude yourself into your description. If you but think eagerly of your story till [italics] you see it in action [end italics], words, good simple strong words will come. [she then criticises his overuse of epithets, overlong conversations and allusions, concluding] You see I am very frank-spoken. But I believe you are worth it.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Daniel Defoe : [unknown]

'As you ask me for my opinion I shall try and give it as truly as I can; otherwise it will be of no use [...] In the first place you say you do not call The 3 paths a novel; but the work is in the form which always assumes that name, nor do I think it is one to be quarrelled with. I suppose you mean that you used the narrative form merely to {convey} introduce certain opinions & thoughts. If so you had better have condensed them into the shape of an Essay. Those in Friends in Council &c. are admirable examples of how much may be said on both sides of any question without any {dogma} decision being finally arrived at, & certainly without any dogmatism. [Gaskell then discusses the merits of the concise essay form] But I believe in spite of yr objection to the term 'novel' you do wish to 'narrate', - and I believe you can do it if you try, - but I think you must observe what is [italics] out [end italics] of you, instead of examining what is [italics] in [end italics] you. [Gaskell explains the merits of this at length]. Just read a few pages of De Foe &c - and you will see the healthy way in which he sets [italics] objects [end italics] not [italics] feelings [end italics] before you. [She advises Grey to use what he observes through every day contact with real people] Think if you can not imagine a complication of events in their life which would form a good plot. (Your plot in The Three paths is very poor; you have not thought enough about it - simply used it s a medium. [She discusses the advantages of tight plotting and advises] Don't intrude yourself into your description. If you but think eagerly of your story till [italics] you see it in action [end italics], words, good simple strong words will come. [she then criticises his overuse of epithets, overlong conversations and allusions, concluding] You see I am very frank-spoken. But I believe you are worth it.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Robert Chambers : Domestic Annals of Scotland: from the reformation to the revolution

'Reading your Domestic Annals of Scotland, warms up all my old Scottish blood, - and makes me wish heartily that our four girls could see something of Scotland'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

[n/a] : Times, The

'Oh Mr Bosanquet, did you see William Arnold's death in the Times? - but you did not know him, - you remember he wrote Oakfield, - and married somebody within a fortnight after first seeing her, - or some such rash proceeding'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Newspaper

  

Henrietta Jenkin : Cousin Stella

'You never no, [italics] never [end italics] - sent a more acceptable present than Cousin Stella & The Fool of Quality, - and that irrespective of their several merits. But books are books here [they are in rural Dumfriesshire and feel cut off from the world] I am sorry to say Meta lies at this present moment fast asleep with Cousin Stella in her hand; but that is the effect of bathing and an eight mile walk; not of the book itself. I know & like the Fool of Quality of old. I was brought up by old uncles & aunts, who had all old books, and very few new ones; and I used to delight in the Fool of Quality, & have hardly read it since.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Henry Brooke : Fool of Quality, The

'You never no, [italics] never [end italics] - sent a more acceptable present than Cousin Stella & The Fool of Quality, - and that irrespective of their several merits. But books are books here [they are in rural Dumfriesshire and feel cut off from the world] I am sorry to say Meta lies at this present moment fast asleep with Cousin Stella in her hand; but that is the effect of bathing and an eight mile walk; not of the book itself. I know & like the Fool of Quality of old. I was brought up by old uncles & aunts, who had all old books, and very few new ones; and I used to delight in the Fool of Quality, & have hardly read it since.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

John Stuart Mill : On Liberty

'after reading the dedication of your Essay on Liberty I can understand how any word expressing a meaning only conjectured that was derogatory to your wife would wound you most deeply. And therefore I now write to express my deep regret that you received such pain through me.' [Gaskell is referring to the printing of a letter about John Stuart Mill's future wife in her Life of Charlotte Bronte, to which he had reacted angrily].

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

George Eliot [pseud.] : Adam Bede

'Please say [if Marian Evans is really the author of Adam Bede...] It is a noble grand book, whoever wrote it, - but Miss Evans' life taken at the best construction, does so jar against the beautiful book that one cannot help hoping against hope'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

William Wordsworth : Excursion, The

'I think that if you can get hold of a portable 'Excursion' it is a capital book to have with you; also that vol (1st second, [italics] or [end italics] third, I forget whh) of de Quincey's Miscellanies that relates to the Lakes, - places & people as they were in his day. Try for this last, if you don't get it elsewhere at Mrs Nicholson's circulating library at Ambleside'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Thomas de Quincey : Miscellanies

'I think that if you can get hold of a portable 'Excursion' it is a capital book to have with you; also that vol (1st second, [italics] or [end italics] third, I forget whh) of de Quincey's Miscellanies that relates to the Lakes, - places & people as they were in his day. Try for this last, if you don't get it elsewhere at Mrs Nicholson's circulating library at Ambleside'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Harriet Martineau : Complete Guide to the English Lakes

'To go back to books. H. Martineau's is, I think, the best guide book [to the Lakes].'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

William White : Travel in Northumberland and the Border

'I have been reading White's Northumberland, so I knew Carter Fell, & all your tour like old familiar names, when I met them in yr letter.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Nathaniel Hawthorne : Marble Faun, The

'Do [italics] you [end italics] know what Hawthorne's tale is about? [italics] I [end italics] do; and I think it will perplex the English public pretty considerably.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Arthur Penrhyn Stanley : Historical Memorials of Canterbury

'(do you know how [italics] very [end italics] beautiful that Cathedral [at Canterbury] is, & do you know Arthur Stanley's memorials of Canterbury?)'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

George Eliot [pseud.] : Janet's Repentance

'I think I have a feeling that it is not worth while trying to write, while there are such books as Adam Bede & Scenes from Clerical Life - I set "Janet's Repentance" above all, still.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book, Serial / periodical

  

Ellen Raynard : Missing Link, The; or Bible Women In The Homes Of The London Poor

'Thank you very much for sending me the Missing Link, and remembering my wish to know more about "Marian" [Evans]. The book came in the middle of a storm of wind & rain on Saturday Evening, and I began to read it, and pretty nearly finished it before I went to bed. It is very interesting, - and is indeed the discovery of the "Missing Link".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

George Eliot [pseud.] : Scenes from Clerical Life

'Since I heard, from authority, that you were the author of Scenes from "Clerical Life" and "Adam Bede", I have read them again; and I must, once more, tell you how earnestly fully, and humbly I admire them. I never read anything so complete, and beautiful in fiction, in my whole life before. [She then writes a bit about the imposture of Mr Liggins as the books' author, concluding] I should not be quite true in my ending, if I did not say before I concluded that I wish you [italics] were [end italics] Mrs Lewes. However, that can't be helped, as far as I can see, and one must not judge others. Once more, thanking you most gratefully for having written all - Janet's Repentance perhaps most especially of all, - (& may I tell you how I singled out the 2nd No of Amos Barton in Blackwood, & went plodging through our Manchester Sts to get every number, as soon as it was accessible from the Portico reading table - )'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book, Serial / periodical

  

George Eliot [pseud.] : Adam Bede

'Since I heard, from authority, that you were the author of Scenes from "Clerical Life" and "Adam Bede", I have read them again; and I must, once more, tell you how earnestly fully, and humbly I admire them. I never read anything so complete, and beautiful in fiction, in my whole life before. [She then writes a bit about the imposture of Mr Liggins as the books' author, concluding] I should not be quite true in my ending, if I did not say before I concluded that I wish you [italics] were [end italics] Mrs Lewes. However, that can't be helped, as far as I can see, and one must not judge others. Once more, thanking you most gratefully for having written all - Janet's Repentance perhaps most especially of all, - (& may I tell you how I singled out the 2nd No of Amos Barton in Blackwood, & went plodging through our Manchester Sts to get every number, as soon as it was accessible from the Portico reading table - )'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book, Serial / periodical

  

George Eliot [pseud.] : 'Amos Barton'

'Since I heard, from authority, that you were the author of Scenes from 'Clerical Life' and 'Adam Bede', I have read them again; and I must, once more, tell you how earnestly fully, and humbly I admire them. I never read anything so complete, and beautiful in fiction, in my whole life before. [She then writes a bit about the imposture of Mr Liggins as the books' author, concluding] I should not be quite true in my ending, if I did not say before I concluded that I wish you [italics] were [end italics] Mrs Lewes. However, that can't be helped, as far as I can see, and one must not judge others. Once more, thanking you most gratefully for having written all - Janet's Repentance perhaps most especially of all, - (& may I tell you how I singled out the 2nd No of Amos Barton in Blackwood, & went plodging through our Manchester Sts to get every number, as soon as it was accessible from the Portico reading table - )'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Francis Mahoney : [Inaugural Ode for the Cornhill Magazine in the persona of 'Father Prout']

'thanks [...] most especially for those brilliant lines of Father Prout's; how we did delight in them, and how I should like to have written them. I think our Magazine promises to be a famous success; and I enjoy - now you know [italics] you [end italics] did, so you need not look moral - the Saturday's cutting up of 'Dead [?heart]; - oh [italics] how [end italics] stupid it was. - I don't think we shall ever be so stupid.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Francis Mahoney : [Saturday Review - review of the play 'Dead Heart']

'thanks [...] most especially for those brilliant lines of Father Prout's; how we did delight in them, and how I should like to have written them. I think our Magazine promises to be a famous success; and I enjoy - now you know [italics] you [end italics] did, so you need not look moral - the Saturday's cutting up of 'Dead[?heart]; - oh [italics] how [end italics] stupid it was. - I don't think we shall ever be so stupid.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Anthony Trollope : Framley Parsonage

'I extremely like & admire Framley Parsonage, - & the Idle Boy; and the Inaugural address. I like Lovel the Widower, only (perhaps because I am stupid,) it is a little confusing on account of its discursiveness, - and V's verses; and oh shame! I have not read the sensible & improving articles.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

William Makepeace Thackeray : Lovel the Widower

'I extremely like & admire Framley Parsonage, - & the Idle Boy; and the Inaugural address. I like Lovel the Widower, only (perhaps because I am stupid,) it is a little confusing on account of its discursiveness, - and V's verses; and oh shame! I have not read the sensible & improving articles.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

[n/a] : Cornhill Magazine

'I extremely like & admire Framley Parsonage, - & the Idle Boy; and the Inaugural address. I like Lovel the Widower, only (perhaps because I am stupid,) it is a little confusing on account of its discursiveness, - and V's verses; and oh shame! I have not read the sensible & improving articles.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Charles Dickens : All the Year Round [article]

'In last week's No of All the Year Round is a repudiation (by Mr Dickens,) of having intended Leigh Hunt by Harrold Skimpole'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Madame Mohl : [review of Mme Lenorment's 'Souvenirs et Correspondance de Madame Recamier]

'I ought to have told you that my dear Madame Mohl was the author of that Recamier article, - stay, I'll put her letter in, - I know I can trust you, - and we are just off to Church. [italics] Please [end italics] return it; it will explain that what you have is the National R. article as it was [italics] first written [end italics] - twice as long as it was when printed, - [italics] she [end italics] thinks the best part was taken out'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Henrietta Camilla Jenkin : Cousin Stella

'Mr & Mrs Clarke & Ly Coltman were all full of "Cousin Stella" & I had quite a reflected lustre from the fact that I knew & could tell them all about the authoress'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Anthony Trollope : Framley Parsonage

'I wish Mr Trollope would go on writing Framley Parsonage for ever. I don't see any reason why it should ever come to an end, and every one I know is always dreading the [italics] last [end italics] number. I hope he will make the jilting of Griselda a long while a-doing.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

[n/a] : Annual Register

'Oh! [italics] please [end italics] ask the Tutor not to trouble humself or his friends about the press-gang affair. The Annual Register has been [italics] carefully [end italics] looked over [italics] months [end italics] ago, & it is of no use going over the ground again'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

[unknown] : Melle Mori

'Do you know by whom 'Melle Mori' is written?' [Gaskell asks George Smith the same question the same day - p.605]

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Charles Eliot Norton : New Life of Dante, An Essay with Translations

'my beautiful Vita Nuova, which only came yesterday, but which was more identified with [italics] you [end italics] and Italy than anything else; & which I so wished to have of my own, & in print, ever since you let me read it in MS. Thank you so [italics] very [end italics] much for it. I do so value it.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Manuscript: Unknown

  

George Eliot [pseud] : Mill on the Floss, The

'only think of having the Mill on the Floss the second day of publication, & of my very own. I think it is so kind of you, & am so greedy to read it I can scarcely be grateful enough to write this letter'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [anthology of laudatory sonnets]

'Now I had a vol: of poems sent me the other day, full of sonnets to Dickens, Carlyle &c &c - [italics] such [end italics] bad ones; & the parcel contains this book sent to her 'from the author', & my own dear precious sonnet.' [Gaskell then transcribes the sonnet, beginning 'Sweet Vocalist; the Nightingale of sound!', asking smith - facetiously? - if he would like it for the Cornhill]

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : London Guardian

'I read them an account of the Ammergau Play, out of the London Guardian that Mr Maltby had lent me; & I think they will both go to one of the Septr Representations'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : [German/English dictionary]

'we set out on an enquiring expedition, first to yr pastry cook's, where I got a dictionary, and found my words'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

[n/a] : [Manchester newspaper]

'I saw in one of our Manchester papers yesterday what I am delighted to learn, that you are the Rector of Lincoln's.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Newspaper

  

Wilhelm Meinhold : Amber Witch, The

'I suspect that Meta has taken up either the 5th vol. of Modern Painters, or Tyndall on Glaciers, both of which books she is reading now, and Florence is probably reading the 'Amber-Witch'.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Florence Elizabeth Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Charles Eliot Norton : Notes of Travel and Study in Italy

'that brings me to say how very much I enjoyed during Meta's invalid days reading again & with deliberation your Art & Study in Italy, - thank you [italics] so [end italics] much for it'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Edward Wilberforce : 'Purgatory'

'do you ever see Fraser's Magazine. If you do I wish you would look back to the number for (say either) August, Sepr, or Octr, 1860 for a short poem by 'Edward Wilberforce' the young man we all used to meet in Rome; a very odd-looking, and as [italics] we [end italics] thought conceited person. But the poem tho' unpleasing from it's subject - which some people would say 'removes it from the province of art', - (and then where would Dante go?) is very strong & fine, so much more so than I should have expected from the author.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

[n/a] : Fraser's Magazine

'do you ever see Fraser's Magazine. If you do I wish you would look back to the number for (say either) August, Sepr, or Octr, 1860 for a short poem by 'Edward Wilberforce' the young man we all used to meet in Rome; a very odd-looking, and as [italics] we [end italics] thought conceited person. But the poem tho' unpleasing from it's subject - which some people would say 'removes it from the province of art', - (and then where would Dante go?) is very strong & fine, so much more so than I should have expected from the author.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Henry Vaughan : Silex Scintillans

'I do [italics] not [end italics] know all Henry Vaughan's poems, - I know well 'They are all gone into &c', and parts of Silex Scintillans.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Henry Vaughan : They are all gone into the world of light

'I do [italics] not [end italics] know all Henry Vaughan's poems, - I know well 'They are all gone into &c', and parts of Silex Scintillans.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

[n/a] : [newspaper acconts of events in America in run up to Civil War]

'You will see we gain - 'we' the English generally, our information from The Times; and I know that Russell's writing is Panorama painting; but still these three particulars alluded to above (3-months' service men leaving, - major leaving with wounded colonel, - New York enthusiasm) seem generally accepted as [italics] facts [end italics] by all papers.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Newspaper

  

Charles Eliot Norton : [paper on 'The Advantages of Defeat]

'I have been so ungrateful in never thanking you for your last - and for that [italics] beautiful] end italics] noble paper of yours on the Advantages of Defeat, - a paper which I have circulated far & wide among my friends, - and I only wish I had more of the same kind to show, - in order to make us English know you Americans better.'

Unknown
Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      

  

Nathaniel Hawthorne : Marble Faun, The

'['After Hawthorne's romance had come out she expresses to her friends her supposition that they will have read, as every one in England had, the "Cleopatra chapter", and assures them that she is proud of being able to say to people that she had been acquainted from the first with the statue commemmorated']' Letter reproduced in this edition from a printed source which gives this precis.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, Marquise de Sevigne : [Letters]

'(I think what gave me the start [ on wanting to write a life of Mme de Sevigne] was the meeting with a supposed-to-be well-educated young lady who knew nothing about Madame de Sevigne, who had been like a well-known friend to me all my life.)'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Hamilton Aide : Carr of Carrlyon

'all this time I have never thanked you for Mr Aide's book. But at first I was ill (whh made the gift all the more valuable;) and then I thought I would read it first: and very pleasant it was to be carried out of murky smoky Manchester into something so purely Italian as the beginning is, - it is a regular atmosphere of Italy; I like the story much the best of any of his, don't you?'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Frederick Harrison : [MS of impressions of manufacturing districts of Lancashire and Yorkshire]

'I have dipped into Mr Harrison; in fact almost read it, here & there in bits - I feel as if in one or two places I could have told him more, or set him to rights; but there is an immense deal of truth in the whole, especially considering that it was gathered by one man in the short space of 3 weeks'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Manuscript: Unknown

  

William Wetmore Story : Cleopatra

'I hope that you will not measure my gratitude to you for so kindly sending the Cleopatra-poem, by my promptitude in writing to thank you for it. Please accept now my best thanks for it. I admired it as a whole quite as much as I had expected to do from the extracts that I had seen in the reviews. Cleopatra seems to be the special means of inspiration for Mr Story, for I think he has never in sculpture equlled his marble Cleopatra; and certainly this poem is by far the finest that he has ever written. Thanking you again for the pleasure I had in reading it'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Elizabeth C. Akers : Two Summers

'Thank you so much for sending us those loose sheets of newspaper extracts. Who wrote [italics] Two Summers [end italics], a poem in the September No of the Atlantic, 1862.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

[n/a] : [American newspaper extracts]

'Thank you so much for sending us those loose sheets of newspaper extracts. Who wrote [italics] Two Summers [end italics], a poem in the September No of the Atlantic, 1862.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : [Report of the Sanitary Commission]

'How [italics] very [end italics] interesting the report of the Sanitary Commission is? it tells one so very much one wanted to know.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Unknown

  

[n/a] : Atlantic Monthly

'I want you to tell me what Genl Butler really is - whether an "Our Hero" as a paper in the Atlantic called him; or an [italics] over [enditalics]-stern & violent man?'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Oliver Wendell Holmes : [poem]

'I was so sorry to see that Dr Wendell Holmes called England "The Lost Leader". - I went & read the poem to Meta, who did not know it; - & we did so grieve!'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Unknown

  

Alexander Pope : [Letters]

'You remember Stanton Harcourt - in Pope's Letters'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

John Addington Symonds : Thoughts on Xmas. In Florence, 1863

'on their wedding journey they [John Symonds and Catherine North] have been writing a paper on Christmas, - which looks to me [italics] very [end italics] clever, & Mr Symonds wants to know if it can go into the Cornhill for January'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Manuscript: Unknown

  

James Russell Lowell : Fireside Travels

'Will you ask Mr Lowell if he would [italics] give [end italics] me his Fireside Travels, with his writing inside? I was so entirely delighted with that book, and should [italics] so [end italics] like to have it [italics] from him [end italics].'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Charles Lever : Tony Butler

'I have beguiled myself into forgetfulness of my own story by reading "Tony Butler" - it is so clear! - and Lowell's "Fireside Travels".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

Maggie Elliott : [story with title like 'Jem']

'Why don't you ask Miss (Maggie) Elliott to write you a novel? 6 Grosvenor Crescent - daughter of the Dean of Bristol - author of "Jem" (something) - the Dale Boy, in the Febry or March No of 1864 Fraser's Magazine - She would do it well.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Elizabeth Gaskell : Cranford

'about "Cranford" I am so much pleased you like it. It is the only one of my own books that I can read again; - but when I am ailing or ill, I take "Cranford" and - I was going to say, [italics] enjoy [end italics] it! (but that would not be pretty!) laugh over it afresh! [...] I am so glad your mother likes it too! [Gaskell then relates an anecdote that she 'dared not' put in the book]'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

 : [reviews of 'The Gayworthys' by Mrs ADT Whitney]

'are you in a generous humour, and will you give me "the Gayworthys" - I am so delighted with all the specimens I see in reviews.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

[unknown] : [book on portraits of Dante]

'[she thanks the Nortons for a photograph of Lincoln and] 'the delicious book on the portraits of Dante which it is a pleasure even to open, - it, - & the faces themselves seem to carry one so [italics] up [end italics] into a ["]purer aether, a diviner air".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

James R. Lowell : Fireside Travels

'You can't think how much I shall value Fireside Travels, (which only reached me during this past week,) now that I have got it of my "very very own" (as the children say,) and with that charming little bit of writing from you at the beginning. I don't mean that I did not delight in the book from the very first time I read a page in it; but the sense of property in it gives a double value, and the sense of successful beggary is very charming, though perhaps I ought to be ashamed. Only I am [italics] not [end italics], because I [italics] am [end italics] successful. I have known you so long! I knew serious poems of yours long ago, - twenty years or so; but my personal knowledge of you began in Rome 1857, - when (did you know it?) you and one other went about with the dear Storys, and me and mine up and down Rome [in the sense, it seems, that Charles Eliot Norton spoke much of Lowell - this is elaborated on...] Well then the Bigelow papers - I think I could stand a Civil Service Examination in them; and we had three copies of our own, till a little daughter married, and carried off one.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

James R. Lowell : [poems]

'You can't think how much I shall value Fireside Travels, (which only reached me during this past week,) now that I have got it of my "very very own" (as the children say,) and with that charming little bit of writing from you at the beginning. I don't mean that I did not delight in the book from the very first time I read a page in it; but the sense of property in it gives a double value, and the sense of successful beggary is very charming, though perhaps I ought to be ashamed. Only I am [italics] not [end italics], because I [italics] am [end italics] successful. I have known you so long! I knew serious poems of yours long ago, - twenty years or so; but my personal knowledge of you began in Rome 1857, - when (did you know it?) you and one other went about with the dear Storys, and me and mine up and down Rome [in the sense, it seems, that Charles Eliot Norton spoke much of Lowell - this is elaborated on...] Well then the Bigelow papers - I think I could stand a Civil Service Examination in them; and we had three copies of our own, till a little daughter married, and carried off one.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Unknown

  

James R. Lowell : Biglow Papers, The

'You can't think how much I shall value Fireside Travels, (which only reached me during this past week,) now that I have got it of my "very very own" (as the children say,) and with that charming little bit of writing from you at the beginning. I don't mean that I did not delight in the book from the very first time I read a page in it; but the sense of property in it gives a double value, and the sense of successful beggary is very charming, though perhaps I ought to be ashamed. Only I am [italics] not [end italics], because I [italics] am [end italics] successful. I have known you so long! I knew serious poems of yours long ago, - twenty years or so; but my personal knowledge of you began in Rome 1857, - when (did you know it?) you and one other went about with the dear Storys, and me and mine up and down Rome [in the sense, it seems, that Charles Eliot Norton spoke much of Lowell - this is elaborated on...] Well then the Bigelow papers - I think I could stand a Civil Service Examination in them; and we had three copies of our own, till a little daughter married, and carried off one.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

[n/a] : Pall Mall Gazette

'the P.M.Gs came all safe, & right, and are such a pleasure! they come [italics] through [end italics] Paris, and [italics] are [end italics] opened; but not considered objectionable I suppose.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Newspaper

  

William Cox Bennett : Baby May and Other Poems on Infants

'Allow me, Sir, to return you my best thanks for your Lyrical ballad, "The Triumph for Salamis", which I have just received. It [italics] looks [end italics] most tempting, and I mean to take it with me to Bolton Abbey, whither I am on the point of going. But independently of the intrinsic value of the poem, there is the great pleasure of receiving marks of approbation and sympathy from distant and unknown friends; (and such I may call you, may I not?) especially from one, first known to me through "Baby May" two or three years ago, but every poem of whose has made me feel to know and like him better and better.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      

  

William Cox Bennett : Triumph for Salamis, the: a lyrical ballad

'Allow me, Sir, to return you my best thanks for your Lyrical ballad, "The Triumph for Salamis", which I have just received. It [italics] looks [end italics] most tempting, and I mean to take it with me to Bolton Abbey, whither I am on the point of going. But independently of the intrinsic value of the poem, there is the great pleasure of receiving marks of approbation and sympathy from distant and unknown friends; (and such I may call you, may I not?) especially from one, first known to me through "Baby May" two or three years ago, but every poem of whose has made me feel to know and like him better and better.'

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      

  

Julius Hare : Guesses at Truth

'I have got the "Guesses at Truth", & thank you for them darling'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

[n/a] : Inquirer, The

'Can you tell who wrote the Review of Miss Martineau's letters in the (this week's) Inquirer signed I.R.'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

[n/a] : Times, The

'All we know as yet is from the TIMES, speaking of deaths from cholera in 5th reg. "Senior Captain Duckworth dead". "Poor Capt Duckworth much lamented both by officers and men". That is all we know at present'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Newspaper

  

Charlotte Bronte : [letters]

'From what I can judge from the letters Mr Nicholls has entrusted me with, her [Charlotte Bronte's] very earliest way of expressing herself must have been different to common'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: NewspaperManuscript: Letter

  

Charlotte Bronte : [letters]

'The letters Mr Smith does send principally relate to the other Bronte's transactions with Newby, or else they are (very clever) criticism on Thackeray, man and writings.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Manuscript: Letter

  

Ellen Nussey : [account of Anne Bronte's death]

'Mama is so terribly busy that she really cannot find time to write to you, but she has asked me to do so for her, as she cannot bear that you should remain any longer unthanked for your most interesting account of Miss Anne Bronte's death at Scarborough, which she has had much peasure in reading, and which she hopes you will allow her to make use of in the Memoir.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Charlotte Bronte : [letters]

'She has also received a packet of letters from Mr Williams (another London publisher, I believe), which she says are almost more beautiful than any others of Miss Bronte's that she has seen.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Manuscript: Letter

  

Philip Henry Stanhope, 5th Earl Stanhope, Lord Mahon : [unknown]

'All evening that I have been reading Lord Mahon aloud I have been thinking how I could rush home via Strasbourg & Paris to see her [Julia, her daughter, who was unwell] for myself.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [French]

'After dinner Meta & Flossy did their German; & I read French'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [letter to Marianne Gaskell]

'here is a letter for you, which I opened [italics] verily [end italics] by mistake at first. One came for Florence at the same time which I snatched up and I could not believe I should be equally unfortunate with the second, but when I saw yours it was irresistible to read it; quite by way of chaperonage of course, and not a bit for gossipry. However, there is not much news of any kind in it, as you will find.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Manuscript: Letter

  

Julia Kavanagh : [possibly] French Women of Letters

'I am very much obliged to you for letting me see Miss Kavanagh's new work. I will take great care of it and return it before long.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell      Print: Book

 

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