Switch to English Switch to French

The Open University  |   Study at the OU  |   About the OU  |   Research at the OU  |   Search the OU

Listen to this page  |   Accessibility

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

Reading Experience Database UK Historical image of readers
  RED International Logo

RED Australia logo


RED Canada logo
RED Netherlands logo
RED New Zealand logo

Listings for Author:  

George Lyttelton

 

Click here to select all entries:

 


  

George Lyttelton : The History of the Life of King Henry the Second

[Marginalia]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge      Print: Book

  

George, Lord Lyttelton : History of the Life of Henry the Second

'His Majesty then talked of the controversy between Warburton and Lowth, which he seemed to have read, and asked Johnson what he thought of it. Johnson answered, "Warburton has most general, most scholastic learning ; Lowth is the more correct scholar. I do not know which of them calls names best." The King was pleased to say he was of the same opinion; adding, "You do not think then, Dr. Johnson, that there was much argument in the case." Johnson said, he did not think there was. "Why truly, (said the King,) when once it comes to calling names, argument is pretty well at an end." His Majesty then asked him what he thought of Lord Lyttelton's history, which was then just published. Johnson said, he thought his style pretty good, but he had blamed Henry the Second rather too much.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Johnson      Print: Book

  

George, first Lord Lyttelton : Dialogues of the Dead

'Lord Lyttelton's Dialogues he deemed a nugatory performance. "That man, (said he,) sat down to write a book, to tell the world what the world had all his life been telling him".' [account by Dr Maxwell, an Irish London priest friend of Dr Johnson]

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Johnson      Print: Book

  

George Lyttelton, 1st Baron Lyttelton : History of the Life of Henry the Second

'Boswell. "I rather think, Sir, that Toryism prevails in this reign." Johnson. "I know not why you should think so, Sir. You see your friend Lord Lyttelton, a nobleman, is obliged, in his "History", to write the most vulgar Whiggism".'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Johnson      Print: Book

  

George Lyttelton, First Baron Lyttelton : Dialogues of the Dead

' [Johnson said] "When Lord Lyttelton's 'Dialogues of the Dead' came out, one of which is between Apicius, an ancient epicure, and Dartineuf, a modern epicure, Dodsley said to me, 'I knew Dartineuf well, for I was once his footman.'" Biography led us to speak of Dr. John Campbell, who had written a considerable part of the "Biographia Britannica" Johnson, though he valued him highly, was of opinion that there was not so much in his great work, "A Political Survey of Great Britain," as the world had been taught to expect'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Dodsley      Print: Book

  

George Lord Lyttelton : The Vision

[Catherine Talbot to Elizabeth Carter, 1 September 1762:] 'Thank my stars, I have torn it this minute all to bits! What? Why a reflection upon the Vision, but that was of a kind I will not suffer myself to write [...] 'I am enclosing back the Vision the very night I received it, to prevent all temptations to dishonesty or carelessness; 'tis certainly very elegant.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Catherine Talbot      Print: Unknown

  

George Lyttelton : History of the Life of Henry II

[Catherine Talbot to Elizabeth Carter, 9 July 1767:] 'We are deep (for our after supper book) in Lord Lyttleton [i.e. his History of Henry II]. For my own amusement I am glad he digresses so much; but does he not digress too much for a biographer? I am much entertained with the History of the Crusades, though indeed it is terrible. If you ever meet with the History of Nourjahad it will interest and amuse you [...] the only shocking part is when he grows what the author meant for very pious, and aspires after the beatific vision of that rascal Mahomet.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Catherine Talbot and family     Print: Book

  

George Lyttelton : Advice to a Lady

[Maria Branwell to her fiance, the Rev. Patrick Bronte, 5 December 1812:] 'Since I began this [letter] Jane put into my hands Lord Lyttleton's Advice to a Lady. When I read those lines, "Be never cool reserve with passion joined, with caution choose, but then be fondly kind, etc.," my heart smote me for having in some cases used too much reserve towards you. Do you think you have any cause to complain of me? If you do, let me know it. For were it in my power to prevent it, I would in no instance occasion you the least pain or uneasiness. I am certain no one ever loved you with an affection more pure, constant, tender, and ardent than that which I feel [...] I long to improve in every religious and moral quality, that I may be a help, and if possible an ornament to you. Oh let us pray for much wisdom and grace to fill our appointed stations with propriety, that we may enjoy satisfaction in our own souls, edify others, and bring glory to the name of Him who has so wonderfully preserved, blessed and brought us together.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Maria Branwell      Print: Book

 

Click here to select all entries:

 

   
   
Green Turtle Web Design