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

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Listings for Reader:  

Laetitia Pilkington

 

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John Dryden : 

'At the age of five she was caught by her father reading Dryden: 'I dropt my Book and burst into Tears'. However, instead of the expected punishment, her father gave her a shilling...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : 

'she read much Shakespeare.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

Jonathan Swift : History of the Four Last Years of the Queen

'I had him [Dean Swift] all to myself for near three hours, during which time he made me read to him the Annals of the four last years of the Reign of Queen [italics] Anne [end italics], written by himself; the Intentions of which seemed to be a Vindication of the then Ministry and himself, from having any Design of placing the Pretender on the Throne of [italics] Great Britain [end italics] [Pilkington summarises the content of the work] At the Conclusion of every Period, he demanded of me, "Whether I understood it? for I wou'd", says he, "have it intelligent to the meanest Capacity, and if you comprehend it, 'tis possible every Body may." I bow'd and assured him, I did. And indeed it was written with such Perspicuity and Elegance of Stile, that I must have had no Capacity at all if I did not taste what was so exquisitely beautiful.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Henry St John Bolingbroke : [letters to Swift]

'[Pilkington tells how Swift cut out many pages of an edition of Horace and made her paste letters between the covers instead] 'I told him, I was extreamly proud to be honoured with his Commands: "But, Sir, may I presume to make a request to you?" "Yes", says he, "but Ten to One I shall deny it". "I hope not Sir, 'tis this; may I have Leave to read the Letters as I go on?" "Why, provided you will acknowledge yourself amply rewarded for your Trouble, I don't much care if I indulge you so far; but are you sure you can read?" "I don't know Sir, I'll try". "Well then begin with this". It was a letter from Lord [italics] Bolingbroke [end italics], Dated six o'Clock in the Morning; it began with a remark, how differently that Hour appeared to him now, rising cool, serene, and temperate, to contemplate the Beauties of Nature, to what it had done in some former Parts of his Life, when he was either in the midst of Excesses, or returning Home sated with them [Pilkington continues to summarise the 'moral philosophy' of the letter and professes herself delighted with all his other letters] Nor can I be at all surprized that Mr [italics] Pope [end italics] should so often celebrate a Genius who for sublimity of Thought, and elegance of Stile, had few Equals. The rest of the Dean's Correspondents were, the Lady [italics] Masham [end italics], the Earl of [italics] Oxford [end italics] [a long list of others, ending] Mr [italics] Pope [end italics], Mr [italics] Gay [end italics], Dr [italics] Arbuthnot [end italics]; A Noble and learned Set! So my Readers may judge what a Banquet I had. I cou'd not avoid remarking to the Dean, that notwithstanding the Friendship Mr [italics] Pope [end italics] professed for Mr [italics] Gay [end italics], he cou'd not forbear a great many Satyrical, or if I might be allowed to say so, envious Remarks on the success of the [italics] Beggar's Opera [end italics] The Dean very frankly own'd, he did not think Mr [italics] Pope [end italics] was so candid to the Merits of other Writers, as he ought to be. I then ventur'd to ask the Dean, whether he thought the Lines Mr [italics] Pope [end italics] addresses him with, in the Beginning of the [italics] Dunciad [end italics], were any Compliment to...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Letter

  

[unknown] : [letters to Swift from various correspondents]

'[Pilkington tells how Swift cut out many pages of an edition of Horace and made her paste letters between the covers instead] 'I told him, I was extreamly proud to be honoured with his Commands: "But, Sir, may I presume to make a request to you?" "Yes", says he, "but Ten to One I shall deny it". "I hope not Sir, 'tis this; may I have Leave to read the Letters as I go on?" "Why, provided you will acknowledge yourself amply rewarded for your Trouble, I don't much care if I indulge you so far; but are you sure you can read?" "I don't know Sir, I'll try". "Well then begin with this". It was a letter from Lord [italics] Bolingbroke [end italics], Dated six o'Clock in the Morning; it began with a remark, how differently that Hour appeared to him now, rising cool, serene, and temperate, to contemplate the Beauties of Nature, to what it had done in some former Parts of his Life, when he was either in the midst of Excesses, or returning Home sated with them [Pilkington continues to summarise the 'moral philosophy' of the letter and professes herself delighted with all his other letters] Nor can I be at all surprized that Mr [italics] Pope [end italics] should so often celebrate a Genius who for sublimity of Thought, and elegance of Stile, had few Equals. The rest of the Dean's Correspondents were, the Lady [italics] Masham [end italics], the Earl of [italics] Oxford [end italics] [a long list of others, ending] Mr [italics] Pope [end italics], Mr [italics] Gay [end italics], Dr [italics] Arbuthnot [end italics]; A Noble and learned Set! So my Readers may judge what a Banquet I had. I cou'd not avoid remarking to the Dean, that notwithstanding the Friendship Mr [italics] Pope [end italics] professed for Mr [italics] Gay [end italics], he cou'd not forbear a great many Satyrical, or if I might be allowed to say so, envious Remarks on the success of the [italics] Beggar's Opera [end italics] The Dean very frankly own'd, he did not think Mr [italics] Pope [end italics] was so candid to the Merits of other Writers, as he ought to be. [cont. in a subsequent entry]'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Letter

  

Alexander Pope : [letters to Swift]

'[Pilkington tells how Swift cut out many pages of an edition of Horace and made her paste letters between the covers instead] 'I told him, I was extreamly proud to be honoured with his Commands: "But, Sir, may I presume to make a request to you?" "Yes", says he, "but Ten to One I shall deny it". "I hope not Sir, 'tis this; may I have Leave to read the Letters as I go on?" "Why, provided you will acknowledge yourself amply rewarded for your Trouble, I don't much care if I indulge you so far; but are you sure you can read?" "I don't know Sir, I'll try". "Well then begin with this". It was a letter from Lord [italics] Bolingbroke [end italics], Dated six o'Clock in the Morning; it began with a remark, how differently that Hour appeared to him now, rising cool, serene, and temperate, to contemplate the Beauties of Nature, to what it had done in some former Parts of his Life, when he was either in the midst of Excesses, or returning Home sated with them [Pilkington continues to summarise the 'moral philosophy' of the letter and professes herself delighted with all his other letters] Nor can I be at all surprized that Mr [italics] Pope [end italics] should so often celebrate a Genius who for sublimity of Thought, and elegance of Stile, had few Equals. The rest of the Dean's Correspondents were, the Lady [italics] Masham [end italics], the Earl of [italics] Oxford [end italics] [a long list of others, ending] Mr [italics] Pope [end italics], Mr [italics] Gay [end italics], Dr [italics] Arbuthnot [end italics]; A Noble and learned Set! So my Readers may judge what a Banquet I had. I cou'd not avoid remarking to the Dean, that notwithstanding the Friendship Mr [italics] Pope [end italics] professed for Mr [italics] Gay [end italics], he cou'd not forbear a great many Satyrical, or if I might be allowed to say so, envious Remarks on the success of the [italics] Beggar's Opera [end italics] The Dean very frankly own'd, he did not think Mr [italics] Pope [end italics] was so candid to the Merits of other Writers, as he ought to be. [cont. in a subsequent entry]'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Letter

  

Alexander Pope : Dunciad

'[start of this passage found in database entries 9840-2] 'It was a letter from Lord [italics] Bolingbroke [end italics], Dated six o'Clock in the Morning; it began with a remark, how differently that Hour appeared to him now, rising cool, serene, and temperate, to contemplate the Beauties of Nature, to what it had done in some former Parts of his Life, when he was either in the midst of Excesses, or returning Home sated with them [Pilkington continues to summarise the 'moral philosophy' of the letter and professes herself delighted with all his other letters] Nor can I be at all surprized that Mr [italics] Pope [end italics] should so often celebrate a Genius who for sublimity of Thought, and elegance of Stile, had few Equals. The rest of the Dean's Correspondents were, the Lady [italics] Masham [end italics], the Earl of [italics] Oxford [end italics] [a long list of others, ending] Mr [italics] Pope [end italics], Mr [italics] Gay [end italics], Dr [italics] Arbuthnot [end italics]; A Noble and learned Set! So my Readers may judge what a Banquet I had. I cou'd not avoid remarking to the Dean, that notwithstanding the Friendship Mr [italics] Pope [end italics] professed for Mr [italics] Gay [end italics], he cou'd not forbear a great many Satyrical, or if I might be allowed to say so, envious Remarks on the success of the [italics] Beggar's Opera [end italics] The Dean very frankly own'd, he did not think Mr [italics] Pope [end italics] was so candid to the Merits of other Writers, as he ought to be. I then ventur'd to ask the Dean, whether he thought the Lines Mr [italics] Pope [end italics] addresses him with, in the Beginning of the [italics] Dunciad [end italics], were any Compliment to him? [italics] viz O Thou! whatever Title please thine Ear. [end italics] 'I believe', says he, they were meant as such, but they are very stiff'; - 'Indeed, Sir, said I, 'he is so perfectly a Master of harmonious Numbers, that had his Heart been in the least affected with his Subject, he must have writ better'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

Jonathan Swift : 'a Libel on Dr Delany and a Certain Great Lord'

'[start of this passage found in database entries 9840-2] 'I cou'd not avoid remarking to the Dean, that notwithstanding the Friendship Mr [italics] Pope [end italics] professed for Mr [italics] Gay [end italics], he cou'd not forbear a great many Satyrical, or if I might be allowed to say so, envious Remarks on the success of the [italics] Beggar's Opera [end italics] The Dean very frankly own'd, he did not think Mr [italics] Pope [end italics] was so candid to the Merits of other Writers, as he ought to be. I then ventur'd to ask the Dean, whether he thought the Lines Mr [italics] Pope [end italics] addresses him with, in the Beginning of the [italics] Dunciad [end italics], were any Compliment to him? [italics] viz O Thou! whatever Title please thine Ear. [end italics] 'I believe', says he, they were meant as such, but they are very stiff'; - 'Indeed, Sir, said I, 'he is so perfectly a Master of harmonious Numbers, that had his Heart been in the least affected with his Subject, he must have writ better; How cold, how forc'd, are his Lines to you, compared with yours to him.' [italics] Hail happy [end italics] Pope [italics] whose generous Mind. [end italics] Here we see the masterly Poet, and the warm, sincere, generous Friend'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Unknown

  

Thomas-Simon Gueulette : Mille et une heures, contes peruviens

'borrowing a Hint from a Story in the [italics] Peruvian [end italics] Tales; I form'd from it the following Poem' [she then gives the text of a long poem called 'The Statues: or, The Trial of Constancy. A Tale']

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

Laetitia Pilkington : Paper

[Pilkington tells how her poem on 'Paper' was seen by a 'Lady of Distinction'] 'She would examine what I had been scribbling, and seem'd so well pleased with my Rhymes, that she did them the Honour to put them in her Pocket-Book, and I never thought more of them. About four years after this, making a visit to Baron [italics] Wainwright[end italics]'s Lady, she told me she had got a very pretty Poem from [italics] London [end italics], wrote by the Lord Chancellor [italics] Talbot[end italics]'s Daughter, a young Lady of but twelve Years of Age, and desir'd I would read them for the Good of the Company; but how great was my Surprise, to find they were the above Lines! however I went thro' my task, and Mrs [italics] Wainwright [end italics] ask'd my Opinion of them, and seem'd impatient at my Silence' [Pilkington then tells how she managed to convey diplomatically that they were hers, saying she'd seen them four years before, whereupon] the Baron said, that he also remember'd them, and that he was told by the Person he saw them with, that they were writ by a very young Girl, who was married to a clergyman in [italics] Ireland [end italics]...'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Jonathan Swift : [prose works]

'We supp'd at the Dean's, and I had been reading out, by his Command, some of his prosaic Work; he was pleased to say I acquitted myself so well, that I should have a Glass of his best Wine, and sent Mr [italics] Pilkington [end italics] to the Cellar for it'.

Unknown
Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      

  

Matthew Pilkington : [a Horatian Ode]

[Having written an ode in the manner of Horace, she showed it to her husband who had also written one and] 'who, contrary to my Expectation (for I imagin'd he would be pleas'd), was very angry, and told me the Dean had made me mad, that the Lines were nonsense, and that a Needle became a Woman's Hand better than a Pen and Ink. So to bring him into Temper I prais'd his Ode highly, and threw my own into the Fire'. [the ode is reprinted on pp49-50]

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Alexander Pope : [letter to Swift]

[Matthew Pilkington was in England and was staying with Pope, upon Swift's recommendation. Having received a letter in which he said Pope was treating him handsomely, Laetitia took it to show Swift] 'The Dean read it over with a fix'd Attention, and returning it to me, he told me, he had, by the same Pacquet, receiv'd a Letter from Mr [italics] Pope [end italics], which, with somewhat of a stern Brow, he put into my Hand, and walk'd out into the Garden [the letter is full of abuse from Pope of M. Pilkington's manner and behaviour] By the time I had read it thro', the Dean return'd, and ask'd me what I thought of it? I told him, I was sure Mr [italics] Pilkington [end italics] did not deserve the Character Mr [italics] Pope [end italics] had given of him; and that he was highly ungenerous to caress and abuse him at the same Time. Upon this the Dean lost all Patience, and flew into such a rage that he quite terrify'd me'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Letter

  

Jonathan Swift : Verses on the Death of Dr Swift

'The Dean then shew'd me the Poem he wrote on his own death; when I came to that Part of it, [italics] Behold the fatal Day arrive! How is the Dean? He's just alive [end italics] I was so sensibly affected, that my Eyes fill'd with Tears; The Dean observing it, said, "Phoo, I am not dead yet - but you shan't read any more now". I then earnestly requested he would let me take it home with me. [he did this, on condition she neither copy it nor show it to anyone else - she did not, but her memory was very good and she learnt it and "could not forbear delighting some particular Friends with a Rehearsal of it" - when Swift heard others knew it, he thought LP had broken her word and was furious. He would not believe her assurances to the contrary] and produc'd a Poerm something like it, publish'd in [italics] London [end italics], and told me, from my reading it about, that odd Burlesque on it had taken rise. He bade me read it aloud. I did so, and could not forbear laughing, as I plainly perceiv'd, tho' he had endeavour'd to disguise his Stile, that the Dean had burlesqu'd himself'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Jonathan Swift : Life and Genuine Character of Dr Swift, The

'The Dean then shew'd me the Poem he wrote on his own death; when I came to that Part of it, [italics] Behold the fatal Day arrive! How is the Dean? He's just alive [end italics] I was so sensibly affected, that my Eyes fill'd with Tears; The Dean observing it, said, "Phoo, I am not dead yet - but you shan't read any more now". I then earnestly requested he would let me take it home with me. [he did this, on condition she neither copy it nor show it to anyone else - she did not, but her memory was very good and she learnt it and "could not forbear delighting some particular Friends with a Rehearsal of it" - when Swift heard others knew it, he thought LP had broken her word and was furious. He would not believe her assurances to the contrary] and produc'd a Poerm something like it, publish'd in [italics] London [end italics], and told me, from my reading it about, that odd Burlesque on it had taken rise. He bade me read it aloud. I did so, and could not forbear laughing, as I plainly perceiv'd, tho' he had endeavour'd to disguise his Stile, that the Dean had burlesqu'd himself'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Unknown

  

William Shakespeare : Macbeth

[Pilkington having annoyed Swift by remembering one of his poems and reciting it to others, he decided to test her memory. She told him] 'I could repeat not only all his Works, but all [italics] Shakespear[end italics]'s, which I put to this Trial; I desir'd him to open any Part of it and read a Line, and I would engage to go on with the whole Speech; as we were in his Library, he directly made the Experiment: The Line he first gave me, he had purposely picked out for its singular Oddness: [italics] Put rancours in the Vessel of my Peace [end italics] MacBeth I readily went on with the whole Speech, and did so several times, that he try'd me with different Plays. The Dean then took down [italics] Hudibras [end italics], and order'd me to examine him in it, as he had done me in [italics] Shakespear [end itaics]; and, to my great Surprize, I found he remember'd every Line, from Beginning to End of it. I say, it surpriz'd me, because I had been misled by Mr [italics] Pope [end italics]'s Remark, That [italics] Where beams of warm Imagination play The Memory's soft Figures melt away [end italics] Essay on Criticism'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [Plays]

[Pilkington having annoyed Swift by remembering one of his poems and reciting it to others, he decided to test her memory. She told him] 'I could repeat not only all his Works, but all [italics] Shakespear[end italics]'s, which I put to this Trial; I desir'd him to open any Part of it and read a Line, and I would engage to go on with the whole Speech; as we were in his Library, he directly made the Experiment: The Line he first gave me, he had purposely picked out for its singular Oddness: [italics] Put rancours in the Vessel of my Peace [end italics] MacBeth I readily went on with the whole Speech, and did so several times, that he try'd me with different Plays. The Dean then took down [italics] Hudibras [end italics], and order'd me to examine him in it, as he had done me in [italics] Shakespear [end itaics]; and, to my great Surprize, I found he remember'd every Line, from Beginning to End of it. I say, it surpriz'd me, because I had been misled by Mr [italics] Pope [end italics]'s Remark, That [italics] Where beams of warm Imagination play The Memory's soft Figures melt away [end italics] Essay on Criticism'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

Alexander Pope : Essay on Criticism

[Pilkington having annoyed Swift by remembering one of his poems and reciting it to others, he decided to test her memory. She told him] 'I could repeat not only all his Works, but all [italics] Shakespear[end italics]'s, which I put to this Trial; I desir'd him to open any Part of it and read a Line, and I would engage to go on with the whole Speech; as we were in his Library, he directly made the Experiment: The Line he first gave me, he had purposely picked out for its singular Oddness: [italics] Put rancours in the Vessel of my Peace [end italics] MacBeth I readily went on with the whole Speech, and did so several times, that he try'd me with different Plays. The Dean then took down [italics] Hudibras [end italics], and order'd me to examine him in it, as he had done me in [italics] Shakespear [end itaics]; and, to my great Surprize, I found he remember'd every Line, from Beginning to End of it. I say, it surpriz'd me, because I had been misled by Mr [italics] Pope [end italics]'s Remark, That [italics] Where beams of warm Imagination play The Memory's soft Figures melt away [end italics] Essay on Criticism'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Midsummer Night's Dream, A

'Whoever reads the Part of the Fairies in the [italics] Midsummer Night's Dream [end italics] may easily perceive how many beautiful Images [italics] Milton [end italics] has borrowed thence to adorn his Masque of [italics] Comus [end italics].'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

John Milton : Comus: A Masque

'Whoever reads the Part of the Fairies in the [italics] Midsummer Night's Dream [end italics] may easily perceive how many beautiful Images [italics] Milton [end italics] has borrowed thence to adorn his Masque of [italics] Comus [end italics].'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

Horace : Odes

'The following Ode of [italics] Horace [end italics] bearing some Similitude to my then present Circumstances, I took the Liberty of paraphrasing and sent it to my husband, notwithstanding his former Lectures [that women should not write. There follows LP's version of 'The Seventh Ode of the Third Book of Horace']

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

Patrick Delany : Fifteen Sermons upon Social Duties

'in one of the Sermons on Social Duties, published lately by a [italics] real [end italics] Divine, he makes this Observation, That he believes, very few Women have either been so weak, or so wicked, to wrong the Marriage-bed, but when they have been provok'd to it, either by the ill Treatment they receiv'd from their Husbands, or in Revenge to their prior falsehoods. If I have not deliver'd the worthy Author's sentiments with his own Elegance of Style, I am sure he will pardon me, as I only quote from memory, not being mistress of his admirable Works.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

[having quoted from sermons and poetical works, including Swift, Young and her husband, on the subject of adultery Pilkington says] 'I must beg my Reader's Pardon for these numerous Quotations; but as [italics] Swift [end italics] says, those anticipating Rascals the Ancients, have left nothing for us poor Moderns to say: But still to shew my Vanity, let it stand as some sort of Praise, that I have stolen wisely'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'I own myself very indiscreet in permitting any Man to be at an unseasonable Hour in my Bed-Chamber; but Lovers of Learning will, I am sure, pardon me, as I solemnly declare, it was the attractive Charms of a new Book,which the Gentleman would not lend me, but consented to stay till I read it through, that was the sole Motive of my detaining him' [the incident led to LP being divorced for adultery]

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

Matthew Pilkington : [alteration to her poem on 'Stella']

[Pilkington tells of how she wrote poems for a Mr Worsdale to pass off as his own and reproduces the Song 'Stella, Darling of the Muses'] 'Mr Worsdale shewed this Ballad to Mr Pilkington, who thought proper to alter the last verse, giving it this prophane and nonsensical turn; Cou'd the Gods, in blest Condition, Aught on Earth with Envy view, Lovely Stella, their Ambition Wou'd be to resemble you. As for the Gods envying Mortals, and wishing to be like them, it has neither Sense, [italics] English [end italics], nor even Novelty to recommend it; nor is it agreeable to the Dictates of Reason or Religion; for even a Heathen Author stands condemned for setting [italics] Cato [end italics] in a Light superior to the Gods; but a Christian Divine may say any thing, and so much for an old song'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Matthew Pilkington : [poems claimed by James Worsdale as his own]

'as he [Mr Worsdale] was not willing that either of us shou'd believe him incapable of Writing, he used to shew Mr [italics] Pilkington[end italics]'s Work to me, and swear it was his own, and in return, he, with the same modest Assurance, presented mine to him, but we were too well acquainted with each other's Stile to be deceiv'd'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Anthony Ashley Cooper, Earl of Shaftesbury : Characteristics

'It is known to every learned Divine, that the Priests engross'd the whole Country of [italics] Egypt [end italics], as the eldest Son of ev'ry Priest was born a Priest, and therefore intitled to a tenth Part of the Land, upon which [italics] Joseph [end italics] who was not only an admirable Man, but an excellent Politician, and had a divine Revelation that the Land should suffer Famine ten Years, ordered the Priests to pay in all their Subsidies to the King, whereby in those ten Years of Dearth the King purchased at so low a Rate, as giving the People a little Corn, all the Lands in [italics] Egypt [end italics]. These are Remarks of the admirable Lord [italics] Shaftesbury [end italics], whose inimitable Style and clear Manner of Reasoning, carry Conviction with them. I never knew any Clergyman who quoted him, but to his prejudice, except Doctor [italics] Turnbull [end italics]: And yet I can't see why the Morality or the Preaching of it, should in any wise be offensive to a Christian'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [commendatory verses by various admirers]

'I can't but let my Readers see my Vanity, in inserting the following Poems, written to me since I came to [italics] Dublin [end italics], and do assure them, I have as many Pacquets of a Day, as a Minister of State; some praising, and some abusing me; the best of which in my Praise, I have chosen out for their Perusal' [various laudatory poems follow]

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Letter

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'My Landlady, who was really a Gentlewoman, and he [a Gentleman LP knew from Ireland], and I diverted away the Time with Ombre, Reading, and Pratling, very tolerably'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

Stephen Hales : [unknown]

'I told the Doctor, my Writings might amuse, but his made the World the wiser and the better, as I had had the Pleasure of reading them.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'I grew so melancholy at the Loss of my Companion, that I did not even care for writing, but amused myself entirely with reading; and my not having a Library of my own, made me a constant Customer to a Shop in the Neighbourhood, where they hired out Books by the Quarter'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

[n/a] : Champion, The

'Here entered our kind Host, and brought us a Paper called the [italics] Champion [end italics], in which was a very humorous Piece of Advice to all who went to Court, to wear Shields on their Bums, this was so [italics] Mal a propos [end italics] that it raised our Mirth'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Newspaper

  

[unknown] : [books on Roman History]

'No sooner did the Doctor percieve [sic] that I knew [italics] Mark Anthony [end italics] from [italics] Julius Caesar [end italics], and [italics] Brutus [end italics] from both, but he related a great Part of [italics] Roman[end italics] History to me, even from the first [italics] Punic [end italics] War to the Death of [italics] Julius [end italics]. My Readers may venture to believe it was not new to me, who had from my Childhood been, if I may use the Word, a perfect Devourer of Books; and I found them both sweet to the Palate, and nourishing Food to the Mind.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

Jonathan Swift : Lady's Dressing-Room, The

[Describing a very ugly woman] 'I think I must for the rest refer my Reader to the Lady's Dressing Room, for [italics] In such a Case few Words are best, and Strephon bids us guess the rest [end italics] I really, till I saw this Wretch, imagined the Dean had only mustered up all the dirty Ideas in the World in one Piece, on Purpose to affront the Fair Sex, as he used humorously to stile old Beggar-women, and Cinder-Pickers.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Unknown

  

[unknown] : [a French drinking song]

'I had the good Fortune to divert him [Lord Galway] with my comical stuff so well that he left me a Task, which was, to translate a [italics] French Chanson a boire [end italics].'

Unknown
Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      

  

[unknown] : [prison discharge document]

[various benefactors including Colley Cibber having helped her, LP is released from the Marshalsea] 'When I read over these Words, [italics] Discharge from your Custody the body of, &c. [end italics], as I was by nine Weeks Confinement, Sickness, and Fasting, rendered quite weak, the joyful Surprize made me faint away several Times, and, indeed, my kind Benefactor had like to have frustrated his own generous Design of preserving me.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Samuel Richardson : Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded

[having been given some money by Samuel Richardson] 'I really was confunded, till, recollecting that I had read [italics] Pamela [end italics], and been told it was written by one Mr [italics] Richardson [end italics], I asked him whether he was not the Author of it? He said, he was the Editor: I told him, my Surprize was now over, as I found he had only given to the incomparable [italics] Pamela [end italics] the Virtues of his own worthy Heart'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

Colley Cibber : Egotist, The

'As my dear Mr [italics] Cibber [end italics] had made me a present of fifty of his last Answer to Mr [italics] Pope [end italics], I sat down to read it, and found it so full of Spirit, and Humour, that just as it had thrown me into a hearty fit of Laughing, a Clergyman entered, who asked me, what had I got new?' [LP was by now running a print and pamphlet shop]

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      

  

Jack Pilkington : [a letter]

[a gentleman in her shop having paid the postage due on a packet from Edinburgh, LP] 'civilly entreated his Permission to peruse my Letter, to which he agreeing, I had not read above ten Lines, when I burst into Tears, so the Gentleman insisted on my laying it aside while he stayed, telling me, I must so far oblige him as to write a Love Letter for him'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Letter

  

Jack Pilkington : [a letter]

'When Mr [italics] Brush [end italics] departed, I read my dear Child's Letter' [she gives the text of the letter]

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Letter

  

[unknown] : [inscriptions]

'I wandered through the Cloysters, reading the Inscriptions till it grew duskish. I hastened to the great Gate, but was infinitely shocked to find I was locked in to the solitary Mansions of the Dead'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Graffito

  

Eliza Haywood : Female Spectator, The

'Mrs [italics] Haywood [end italics] seems to have dropped her former luscious Stile, and, for Variety, presents us with the insipid: Her [italics] Female Spectators [end italics] are a collection of trite Stories, delivered to us in stale and worn-out Phrases'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Anne Lefevre Dacier : [translations of and notes on Homer]

'And here give me Leave to observe, that amongst the Ladies who have taken up the Pen, I never met with but two who deserved the Name of a [italics] Writer [end italics]; the first is Madam [italics] Dacier [end italics], whose Learning Mr [italics] Pope [end italiocs], while he is indebted to for all the notes on [italics] Homer [end italics], endeavours to depreciate; the second is Mrs. [italics] Catherine Philips [end italics], the matchless [italics] Orinda [end italics], celebrated by Mr [italics] Cowly [end italics], Lord [italics] Orrery [end italics], and all the Men of Genius who lived in her Time. I think this incomparable Lady was one of the first Refiners of the [italics] English[end italics] Numbers; Mr [italics] Cowly [end italics]'s, though full of Wit, have somewhat harsh and uncouth in them, while her Sentiments are great, and virtuous; her Diction natural, easy, flowing, and harmonious. Love she has wrote upon with Warmth, but then it was such as Angels might share in without injuring their oringinal purity. Her Elegy on her Husband's Daughter, is a Proof of the Excellency and Tenderness of her own Heart, rarely met with in a Stepmother; nor could I ever read it without tears, a Proof it was wrote from her Heart'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

Katherine Philips : Poems by the Most Deservedly Admired Mrs Katherine Philips, the Matchless Orinda

'And here give me Leave to observe, that amongst the Ladies who have taken up the Pen, I never met with but two who deserved the Name of a [italics] Writer [end italics]; the first is Madam [italics] Dacier [end italics], whose Learning Mr [italics] Pope [end italiocs], while he is indebted to for all the notes on [italics] Homer [end italics], endeavours to depreciate; the second is Mrs. [italics] Catherine Philips [end italics], the matchless [italics] Orinda [end italics], celebrated by Mr [italics] Cowly [end italics], Lord [italics] Orrery [end italics], and all the Men of Genius who lived in her Time. I think this incomparable Lady was one of the first Refiners of the [italics] English[end italics] Numbers; Mr [italics] Cowly [end italics]'s, though full of Wit, have somewhat harsh and uncouth in them, while her Sentiments are great, and virtuous; her Diction natural, easy, flowing, and harmonious. Love she has wrote upon with Warmth, but then it was such as Angels might share in without injuring their oringinal purity. Her Elegy on her Husband's Daughter, is a Proof of the Excellency and Tenderness of her own Heart, rarely met with in a Stepmother; nor could I ever read it without tears, a Proof it was wrote from her Heart'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

Katherine Philips : ''in Memory of F.P. who died at Acton the 24 May 1660 at 12 and a 1/2 of Age'

'And here give me Leave to observe, that amongst the Ladies who have taken up the Pen, I never met with but two who deserved the Name of a [italics] Writer [end italics]; the first is Madam [italics] Dacier [end italics], whose Learning Mr [italics] Pope [end italiocs], while he is indebted to for all the notes on [italics] Homer [end italics], endeavours to depreciate; the second is Mrs. [italics] Catherine Philips [end italics], the matchless [italics] Orinda [end italics], celebrated by Mr [italics] Cowly [end italics], Lord [italics] Orrery [end italics], and all the Men of Genius who lived in her Time. I think this incomparable Lady was one of the first Refiners of the [italics] English[end italics] Numbers; Mr [italics] Cowly [end italics]'s, though full of Wit, have somewhat harsh and uncouth in them, while her Sentiments are great, and virtuous; her Diction natural, easy, flowing, and harmonious. Love she has wrote upon with Warmth, but then it was such as Angels might share in without injuring their oringinal purity. Her Elegy on her Husband's Daughter, is a Proof of the Excellency and Tenderness of her own Heart, rarely met with in a Stepmother; nor could I ever read it without tears, a Proof it was wrote from her Heart'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

Abraham Cowley : [Poems]

'And here give me Leave to observe, that amongst the Ladies who have taken up the Pen, I never met with but two who deserved the Name of a [italics] Writer [end italics]; the first is Madam [italics] Dacier [end italics], whose Learning Mr [italics] Pope [end italiocs], while he is indebted to for all the notes on [italics] Homer [end italics], endeavours to depreciate; the second is Mrs. [italics] Catherine Philips [end italics], the matchless [italics] Orinda [end italics], celebrated by Mr [italics] Cowly [end italics], Lord [italics] Orrery [end italics], and all the Men of Genius who lived in her Time. I think this incomparable Lady was one of the first Refiners of the [italics] English[end italics] Numbers; Mr [italics] Cowly [end italics]'s, though full of Wit, have somewhat harsh and uncouth in them, while her Sentiments are great, and virtuous; her Diction natural, easy, flowing, and harmonious. Love she has wrote upon with Warmth, but then it was such as Angels might share in without injuring their oringinal purity. Her Elegy on her Husband's Daughter, is a Proof of the Excellency and Tenderness of her own Heart, rarely met with in a Stepmother; nor could I ever read it without tears, a Proof it was wrote from her Heart'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

Mrs Grierson : [Poems]

'I cannot, except my own Countrywoman, Mrs [italics] Grierson [end italics], find out another female Writer, whose Works are worth reading, she indeed had a happy and well-improved Genius; I remember she wrote a very fine poem on Bishop [italics] Berkley's Bermudian [end italics] Scheme' [LP then summarises and quotes from the poem]

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

Bishop Clayton : [poem]

'Your Lordship's poetry in my Praise I can never forget, and as it would be a Loss to the World if any Part of so justly an admired Author's Works shold be buried in Oblivion, take, oh World! the following lines:' [she reproduces the poem]

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Benjamin Hoadly : Suspicious Husband, The

'Dulness is not confined to them [Bishops], it descends to their Sons, witness our celebrated Comedy, [italics] The Suspicious Husband [end italics], which, but for its neither having one Character well drawn, any Plot, any thing like a Sentiment, and wrote too in a gallimawfry Stile, might be a good Performance; but as long as it is stamped with a Name, it passes current, though Sterling Nonsense.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Unknown

  

[unknown] : [poetry by various correspondents]

'Indeed if I had printed all the poetry that has been sent to me for that Purpose, since I came to this Kingdom, it would have proved as odd a Medley as any thing ever yet exhiited to publick View; I suppose everyone who fancied they had Wit, had a Mind to see how it would look in print, but I must beg to be excused; though the learned Mr [italics] Timothy Ticle Picker [end italics] pressed very hard for a place, it would be a strong Proof of my Vanity to insert his anti-sublime compliments to me'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Unknown

  

[n/a] : Old Testament

'Indeed it were to wished that either this learned and excellent Divine [Dr Delany], or some other of equal Abilities, if such may be found, would oblige the World with a new translation of the [italics] Old Testament [end italics], since, as we now have it, it seems filled with Incongruities, Indecencies, and shocking Absurdities, such as the Holy Spirit could never have dictated, [italics] whose Body is light, and whose Shadow Truth'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

Laetitia Pilkington : [a love letter]

'One Day, as I was in my Shop, a Gentleman, very richly dressed, told me, he had a Letter for me; I received it very respectfully, but could not help smiling, when I found it was the Letter I wrote for [italics] Tom Brush [end italics], neatly copied and directed to me, and that, lest it should miscarry, he had brought it himself.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Letter

  

[unknown] : The Parallel: Or, Pilkington and Phillips Compared, Being Remarks upon the Memoirs of those two celebrated Writers

'Just as I was writing about [italics] Worsdale [end italics] a Gentleman brought me a Pamphlet, entituled [sic], [italics] A parallel between Mrs Pilkington and Mrs Philips, written by an Oxford Scholar [end italics], as he tells us, himself, starving in a Garret: pray, Mr Scholar, deal ingenuously, did not [italics] Worsdale [end italics] hire you to writeit, because he was indolent'. [LP proceeds at length to refute the arguments of the papmhlet]

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      

  

Lord Kingsborough : [letters]

'Amongst all the Letters I have yet seen published, I never saw any so truly elegant, learned, and polite, as those with which your Lordship has condescended to honour your poor Servant'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Letter

  

Alexander Pope : Windsor Forest

'Why sure every Person must acknowledge, that while [italics] he [Pope; end italics] is insulting [italics] his [end italics] Betters, his Ethic Epistles are little more than Lord [italics] Shaftesbury's [end italics] Rhapsody be rhym'd; his [italics] Windsor Forest [end italics] stollen [sic] from [italics] Cooper's [end italics] Hill; and his [italics] Eloisa and Abelard [end italics], the most beautiful Lines in it, taken from [italics] Milton's Il Penseroso [end italics]'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

Alexander Pope : Ethic Epistles

'Why sure every Person must acknowledge, that while [italics] he [Pope; end italics] is insulting [italics] his [end italics] Betters, his Ethic Epistles are little more than Lord [italics] Shaftesbury's [end italics] Rhapsody be rhym'd; his [italics] Windsor Forest [end italics] stollen [sic] from [italics] Cooper's [end italics] Hill; and his [italics] Eloisa and Abelard [end italics], the most beautiful Lines in it, taken from [italics] Milton's Il Penseroso [end italics]'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

Alexander Pope : Eloisa to Abelard

'Why sure every Person must acknowledge, that while [italics] he [Pope; end italics] is insulting [italics] his [end italics] Betters, his Ethic Epistles are little more than Lord [italics] Shaftesbury's [end italics] Rhapsody be rhym'd; his [italics] Windsor Forest [end italics] stollen [sic] from [italics] Cooper's [end italics] Hill; and his [italics] Eloisa and Abelard [end italics], the most beautiful Lines in it, taken from [italics] Milton's Il Penseroso [end italics]'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Unknown

  

John Milton : Il Penseroso

'Why sure every Person must acknowledge, that while [italics] he [Pope; end italics] is insulting [italics] his [end italics] Betters, his Ethic Epistles are little more than Lord [italics] Shaftesbury's [end italics] Rhapsody be rhym'd; his [italics] Windsor Forest [end italics] stollen [sic] from [italics] Cooper's [end italics] Hill; and his [italics] Eloisa and Abelard [end italics], the most beautiful Lines in it, taken from [italics] Milton's Il Penseroso [end italics]'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Unknown

  

John Denham : Cooper's Hill

'Why sure every Person must acknowledge, that while [italics] he [Pope; end italics] is insulting [italics] his [end italics] Betters, his Ethic Epistles are little more than Lord [italics] Shaftesbury's [end italics] Rhapsody be rhym'd; his [italics] Windsor Forest [end italics] stollen [sic] from [italics] Cooper's [end italics] Hill; and his [italics] Eloisa and Abelard [end italics], the most beautiful Lines in it, taken from [italics] Milton's Il Penseroso [end italics]'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Unknown

  

Anthony Ashley Cooper, Third Earl of Shaftesbury : Philosophical Rhapsody, A

'Why sure every Person must acknowledge, that while [italics] he [Pope; end italics] is insulting [italics] his [end italics] Betters, his Ethic Epistles are little more than Lord [italics] Shaftesbury's [end italics] Rhapsody be rhym'd; his [italics] Windsor Forest [end italics] stollen [sic] from [italics] Cooper's [end italics] Hill; and his [italics] Eloisa and Abelard [end italics], the most beautiful Lines in it, taken from [italics] Milton's Il Penseroso [end italics]'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Unknown

  

Alexander Pope : On the Death of Mr Crashaw

'I think I have scarce ever read Two better Lines than Mr POPE's Epitaph on this Prince of Philosophers [Newton; she then quotes the lines] His Inscription on Sir [italics] Godfrey Kneller's [end italics] Monument is as remarkably bad as this is excellent. [She quotes 8 lines] And bad as it is, 'tis but a lean Translation from the [italics] Italian [end italics], an enervate Language, well adapted to the soft Warblers of it, but incapable of manly Strength, Dignity or Grace.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Unknown

  

Alexander Pope : [Inscription on monument of godfrey Kneller in Westminster Abbey]

'I think I have scarce ever read Two better Lines than Mr POPE's Epitaph on this Prince of Philosophers [Newton; she then quotes the lines] His Inscription on Sir [italics] Godfrey Kneller's [end italics] Monument is as remarkably bad as this is excellent. [She quotes 8 lines] And bad as it is, 'tis but a lean Translation from the [italics] Italian [end italics], an enervate Language, well adapted to the soft Warblers of it, but incapable of manly Strength, Dignity or Grace.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Graffito

  

Mary Barber : [Poems]

'Mrs Barber, whose Name, at her earnest request, I omitted in my first Volume, and who was the Lady I mentioned to have been with me, at my first interview with the Dean at Dr [italics] Delany [end italics]'s Seat, was at this time writing a volume of Poems, some of which I fancy might, at this Day, be seen in the Cheesemongers, Chandlers, Pastry-Cooks, and Second-hand Booksellers Shops: however, dull as they were, they certainly would have been much worse, but that Doctor [italics] Delany [end italics] frequently held what he called a [italics] Senatus Consultum [end italics], to correct these undigested Materials.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Colley Cibber : [alterations to her poem 'To Mr Cibber']

[LP went to visit Colley Cibber] 'and met, according to Custom, a very kind Reception: For his Friendship to me was inviolable. He was writing the [italics] Character and Conduct of CICERO Consider'd [end italics]; and did me the Honour to read it to me: I was infinitely pleased to find, by the many lively Sallies of wit in it, that the good Gentleman's Spirits were undepress'd with Years; - Long may they continue so. This gave me an opportunity of writing a Poem to him [the poem is then reproduced] Mr [italics] Cibber was exceedingly well pleas'd when I waited on him with it, and said, he would give it a Place, but that it wanted Correction, which he promised to bestow on it: This I readily agreed to, being convinced his Judgement far surpassed mine. I waited on him the next Morning, and found he had greatly improved my Work: I thank'd him for his obliging Pains, but remarked his Modesty in having struck out some Lines, in which he was most praised.' [LP then relates how Cibber and other gentlemen gave her money for her poem]

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Mrs Meade : [letter to LP's son, Jack]

'I was one Day exceedingly surprised when the Penny-post brought a Letter, directed to my Son; as it was marked [italics] Teddington [end italics] I open'd it, judging it was some business that Mrs [italics] Meade [end italics] wanted to have transacted; when, O shameful! it was a Love-letter to the Child, who was but sixteen Years of Age, and she is four Years older than I am, with a Direction to him to meet her at a Coffee-house in [italics] London [end italics], and an Offer of Marriage to him'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Letter

  

[unknown] : [poems sent by admirers]

'I have had so many amorous Epistles, Odes, Songs, Anacreonticks, Saphics, Lyrics, and Pindaricks, in Praise of my Mind and Person too, sent to me since I came to [italics]Ireland [end italics]; that I believe some Gentlemen, tho' I cannot, have found me out to be a marvelous proper Womaan'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Letter

  

Xenophon : Symposium

'Now I have mentioned this small but inimitable well wrote Book (Xenophon's 'Symposium'], which was recommended to me by Dr [italics] Swift [end italics], and which I in return commend to all such of my fair Readers as have a Taste for real Wit, in which the divine [italics] Socrates [end italics] as conspicuously shone, as he did in Purity of Life and Constancy in Martyrdom; that they peruse it with Care, as it will refine their Ideas and improve their Judgements, polish their Stile, shew them true Beauty, and lead them gently and agreeably to its prime Origin and Source. [LP then quotes from Milton's 'Comus' on beauty] I must here observe in my tracing Authors thro' each other, [italics] Zenophon [end italics] and [italics] Plato [end italics] borrowed from [italics] Socrates [end italics], whose disciples they were. [italics] Zenophon [end italics] acknowledges it as freely as I do the Instructions I received from Dr [italics] Swift [end italics]. Lord [italics] Shaftsbury's[end italics] Search after Beauty, is copied from [italics] Socrates [end italics]; Mr [italics] Pope's [end italics] Ethics stolen from both; and the leaned Mr [italics] Hutcheson[end italics]'s Beauty and Harmony, an Imitation of the great Philosophers and excellent Moralists first mentioned'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

Francis Hutcheson : Inquiry into the Originals of our Ideas of Beauty and Virtue, An

'Now I have mentioned this small but inimitable well wrote Book (Xenophon's 'Symposium'], which was recommended to me by Dr [italics] Swift [end italics], and which I in return commend to all such of my fair Readers as have a Taste for real Wit, in which the divine [italics] Socrates [end italics] as conspicuously shone, as he did in Purity of Life and Constancy in Martyrdom; that they peruse it with Care, as it will refine their Ideas and improve their Judgements, polish their Stile, shew them true Beauty, and lead them gently and agreeably to its prime Origin and Source. [LP then quotes from Milton's 'Comus' on beauty] I must here observe in my tracing Authors thro' each other, [italics] Zenophon [end italics] and [italics] Plato [end italics] borrowed from [italics] Socrates [end italics], whose disciples they were. [italics] Zenophon [end italics] acknowledges it as freely as I do the Instructions I received from Dr [italics] Swift [end italics]. Lord [italics] Shaftsbury's[end italics] Search after Beauty, is copied from [italics] Socrates [end italics]; Mr [italics] Pope's [end italics] Ethics stolen from both; and the leaned Mr [italics] Hutcheson[end italics]'s Beauty and Harmony, an Imitation of the great Philosophers and excellent Moralists first mentioned'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

Anthony Ashley Cooper, Third Earl of Shaftesbury : Characteristics

'Now I have mentioned this small but inimitable well wrote Book (Xenophon's 'Symposium'], which was recommended to me by Dr [italics] Swift [end italics], and which I in return commend to all such of my fair Readers as have a Taste for real Wit, in which the divine [italics] Socrates [end italics] as conspicuously shone, as he did in Purity of Life and Constancy in Martyrdom; that they peruse it with Care, as it will refine their Ideas and improve their Judgements, polish their Stile, shew them true Beauty, and lead them gently and agreeably to its prime Origin and Source. [LP then quotes from Milton's 'Comus' on beauty] I must here observe in my tracing Authors thro' each other, [italics] Zenophon [end italics] and [italics] Plato [end italics] borrowed from [italics] Socrates [end italics], whose disciples they were. [italics] Zenophon [end italics] acknowledges it as freely as I do the Instructions I received from Dr [italics] Swift [end italics]. Lord [italics] Shaftsbury's[end italics] Search after Beauty, is copied from [italics] Socrates [end italics]; Mr [italics] Pope's [end italics] Ethics stolen from both; and the leaned Mr [italics] Hutcheson[end italics]'s Beauty and Harmony, an Imitation of the great Philosophers and excellent Moralists first mentioned'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

Alexander Pope : Ethic Epistles

'Now I have mentioned this small but inimitable well wrote Book (Xenophon's 'Symposium'], which was recommended to me by Dr [italics] Swift [end italics], and which I in return commend to all such of my fair Readers as have a Taste for real Wit, in which the divine [italics] Socrates [end italics] as conspicuously shone, as he did in Purity of Life and Constancy in Martyrdom; that they peruse it with Care, as it will refine their Ideas and improve their Judgements, polish their Stile, shew them true Beauty, and lead them gently and agreeably to its prime Origin and Source. [LP then quotes from Milton's 'Comus' on beauty] I must here observe in my tracing Authors thro' each other, [italics] Zenophon [end italics] and [italics] Plato [end italics] borrowed from [italics] Socrates [end italics], whose disciples they were. [italics] Zenophon [end italics] acknowledges it as freely as I do the Instructions I received from Dr [italics] Swift [end italics]. Lord [italics] Shaftsbury's[end italics] Search after Beauty, is copied from [italics] Socrates [end italics]; Mr [italics] Pope's [end italics] Ethics stolen from both; and the leaned Mr [italics] Hutcheson[end italics]'s Beauty and Harmony, an Imitation of the great Philosophers and excellent Moralists first mentioned'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

Francis Hutcheson : Inquiry into the Original of our Ideas of Beauty and Virtue

'Had Mr [italics] Hutcheson [end italics] stop'd at this Book [his 'Inquiry into the Original of our Ideas of Beauty and Virtue'], by which he had acquired some Degree of Reputation, both as a Writer, a Divine and a Mathematician, he had done wisely; but O! his Essay on the Passions overturned his scarce established Praise; if it has any Meaning, it is like dark veil'd [italics] Cotyto [end italics], in her Ebon Chair, close curtained round, impenetrably obscure, or from his Flames, [italics] No Light but rather darkness visible [end italics; allusions to 'Comus' and 'Paradise Lost']. I really thought it was the Defect of my Head that made me not comprehend this Piece, till I heard the present Lord Bishop of [italics] Elphin [end italics], whose Learning or Judgment was never yet doubted, declare he did not understand it. After all, whether the Defect lay in the Book or the Bishop let the Reader determine'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

Francis Hutcheson : Essay on the Nature and Conduct of the Passions and Affections

'Had Mr [italics] Hutcheson [end italics] stop'd at this Book [his 'Inquiry into the Original of our Ideas of Beauty and Virtue'], by which he had acquired some Degree of Reputation, both as a Writer, a Divine and a Mathematician, he had done wisely; but O! his Essay on the Passions overturned his scarce established Praise; if it has any Meaning, it is like dark veil'd [italics] Cotyto [end italics], in her Ebon Chair, close curtained round, impenetrably obscure, or from his Flames, [italics] No Light but rather darkness visible [end italics; allusions to 'Comus' and 'Paradise Lost']. I really thought it was the Defect of my Head that made me not comprehend this Piece, till I heard the present Lord Bishop of [italics] Elphin [end italics], whose Learning or Judgment was never yet doubted, declare he did not understand it. After all, whether the Defect lay in the Book or the Bishop let the Reader determine'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

William Wollaston : Religion of Nature Delineated, The

'[italics] Wollaston's [end italics] Religion of Nature Delineated, tho' frequently intermingled with Mathematical Proofs, is yet so plain, that it demonstrates the Authors Thoughts clearly; which whoever does, can never fail to write with equal Perspicuity.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

  

Jonathan Swift : [a letter]

'my Curiosity led me to read the Letter before I examined the Contents of the Paper [plum cake from Jonathan Swift], which, to the best of my Knowledge, was this: Madam, I send you a Piece of Plumb-cake, which I did intend should be spent at your Christening [LP's baby had just died]; if you have any Objection to the Plumbs, or do not like to eat them, you may return them to, Madam, your sincere Friend and Servant, J. Swift'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Letter

  

Charles Wogan : ['Adventures of Eugenius' - veiled Autobiography]

'the Dean received from [italics] Spain [end italics], from one Mr [italics] Wogan [end italics], a green Velvet Bag, in which was contained the Adventures of [italics] Eugenius [end italics]; as also an Account of the Courtship and Marriage of the Chevalier, to the Princess [italics] Sobiesky [end italics], wherein he represents himself to have been a principal Negotiator. It was wrote in the Novel Stile, but a little heavily. There was also some of the Psalms of [italics] David [end italics], paraphras'd in [italics] Miltonick [end italics] Verse, and a Letter to the Dean, with Remarks on the [italics] Beggar's Opera [end italics]; in which he says he believes the People of [italics] England [end italics] and [italics] Ireland [end italics] had quite lost all Remains of Elegance and Taste, since their top Entertainments were composed of Scenes of Highwaymen, and Prostitues, who all remain unpunish'd and triumphant in their Crimes: He concluded with paying the Dean the Compliment of intreating him to correct the Work. The Dean said, he did not care to be troubled with it, and bid Mr [italics] Pilkington [end italics] take it to [italics] London [end italics], and look over it at his Leisure, which accordingly he did.' [LP then relates how Swift changed his mind and there was a violent row]

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Charles Wogan : [Psalms of David in Miltonic verse]

'the Dean received from [italics] Spain [end italics], from one Mr [italics] Wogan [end italics], a green Velvet Bag, in which was contained the Adventures of [italics] Eugenius [end italics]; as also an Account of the Courtship and Marriage of the Chevalier, to the Princess [italics] Sobiesky [end italics], wherein he represents himself to have been a principal Negotiator. It was wrote in the Novel Stile, but a little heavily. There was also some of the Psalms of [italics] David [end italics], paraphras'd in [italics] Miltonick [end italics] Verse, and a Letter to the Dean, with Remarks on the [italics] Beggar's Opera [end italics]; in which he says he believes the People of [italics] England [end italics] and [italics] Ireland [end italics] had quite lost all Remains of Elegance and Taste, since their top Entertainments were composed of Scenes of Highwaymen, and Prostitues, who all remain unpunish'd and triumphant in their Crimes: He concluded with paying the Dean the Compliment of intreating him to correct the Work. The Dean said, he did not care to be troubled with it, and bid Mr [italics] Pilkington [end italics] take it to [italics] London [end italics], and look over it at his Leisure, which accordingly he did.' [LP then relates how Swift changed his mind and there was a violent row]

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Charles Wogan : [letter on the subject of 'The Beggar's Opera']

'the Dean received from [italics] Spain [end italics], from one Mr [italics] Wogan [end italics], a green Velvet Bag, in which was contained the Adventures of [italics] Eugenius [end italics]; as also an Account of the Courtship and Marriage of the Chevalier, to the Princess [italics] Sobiesky [end italics], wherein he represents himself to have been a principal Negotiator. It was wrote in the Novel Stile, but a little heavily. There was also some of the Psalms of [italics] David [end italics], paraphras'd in [italics] Miltonick [end italics] Verse, and a Letter to the Dean, with Remarks on the [italics] Beggar's Opera [end italics]; in which he says he believes the People of [italics] England [end italics] and [italics] Ireland [end italics] had quite lost all Remains of Elegance and Taste, since their top Entertainments were composed of Scenes of Highwaymen, and Prostitues, who all remain unpunish'd and triumphant in their Crimes: He concluded with paying the Dean the Compliment of intreating him to correct the Work. The Dean said, he did not care to be troubled with it, and bid Mr [italics] Pilkington [end italics] take it to [italics] London [end italics], and look over it at his Leisure, which accordingly he did.' [LP then relates how Swift changed his mind and there was a violent row]

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Manuscript: Letter

  

William Woolaston : Religion of Nature Delineated, The

'Mr [italics] Woolaston's [end italics] Religion of Nature Delineated, shews us powerfully, how much a Lye offends the Creator; as I am tax'd with numerous Quotations, which are tedious (as soom of my Readers tell me) I shall not borrow one from him, but refer the Learned to his inimitable Work; though I am persuaded, no Person who has not a clear Head, can taste his Beauties'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Pilkington      Print: Book

 

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