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

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Listings for Reader:  

Joshua Reynolds

 

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Samuel Johnson : Life of Savage

'Sir Joshua Reynolds told me, that upon his return from Italy he met with it [Johnson's "Life of Savage"] in Devonshire, knowing nothing of its authour [sic], and began to read it while he was standing with his arm leaning against a chimney piece. It seized his attention so strongly, that, not being able to lay down the book till he had finished it, when he attempted to move, he found his arm totally benumbed'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Joshua Reynolds      Print: Book

  

Elizabeth Montagu : Essay on the Writings and Genius of Shakespear

'Mrs. Montague, a lady distinguished for having written an Essay on Shakspeare [sic], being mentioned:—Reynolds. "I think that essay does her honour." Johnson. "Yes, Sir; it does her honour, but it would do nobody else honour. I have, indeed, not read it all. But when I take up the end of a web, and find it packthread. I do not expect, by looking further, to find embroidery. Sir, I will venture to say, there is not one sentence of true criticism in her book." Garrick. "But, Sir, surely it shews how much Voltaire has mistaken Shakspeare, which nobody else has done." Johnson. "Sir, nobody else has thought it worth while. And what merit is there in that ? You may as well praise a schoolmaster for whipping a boy who has construed ill".'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Joshua Reynolds      Print: Unknown

  

 : [Monthly and Critical Reviews]

'We talked of the Reviews, and Dr. Johnson spoke of them as he did at Thrale's. Sir Joshua [Reynolds] said, what I have often thought, that he wondered to find so much good writing employed in them, when the authours were to remain unknown, and so could not have the motive of fame. JOHNSON. "Nay, Sir, those who write in them, write well, in order to be paid well".'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Joshua Reynolds      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Oliver Goldsmith : Traveller, The

'Langton. "There is not one bad line in that poem [Goldsmith's 'The Traveller']— no one of Dryden's careless verses." Sir Joshua. "I was glad to hear Charles Fox say, it was one of the finest poems in the English language." Langton. "Why were you glad? You surely had no doubt of this before." Johnson. "No ; the merit of 'The Traveller' is so well established, that Mr. Fox's praise cannot augment it, nor his censure diminish it." Sir Joshua. "But his friends may suspect they had too great a partiality for him".'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Joshua Reynolds      Print: Unknown

  

Zachariah Mudge : Sermons

'Sir Joshua Reynolds praised "Mudge's Sermons". JOHNSON. "'Mudge's Sermons' are good, but not practical. He grasps more sense than he can hold; he takes more corn than he can make into meal; he opens a wide prospect, but it is so distant, it is indistinct. I love "Blair's Sermons". Though the dog is a Scotchman, and a Presbyterian, and every thing he should not be, I was the first to praise them. Such was my candour." (smiling.)'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Joshua Reynolds      Print: Book

  

Frances Burney : Evelina, or a Young Lady's Entrance into the World

'"Evelina" fascinated everyone. Burke began it one morning at seven, and sat up all night to finish it. Sir Joshua Reynolds did as much on a day when he had no time to spare, and declared he would give fifty pounds to know the author.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Sir Joshua Reynolds      Print: Book

 

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