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

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Listings for Author:  

Tom Paine

 

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Tom Paine : The Rights of Man

"As an errand-boy I had, of course, many hardships to undergo, and to bear with much tyranny; and that led me into reasoning upon men and things, the causes of misery, the anomalies of our societary state, politics &tc., and the circle of my being rapidly out-surged. New power came to me with all that I saw and thought and read. I studied political works, - such as Paine, Volney, Howitt, Louis Blanc, &tc, which gave me another element to mould into my verse, though I am convinced that a poet must sacrifice much if he write party-political poetry."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Gerald Massey      Print: Book

  

Tom Paine : Age of Reason

'As the trade we did... was not sufficient to require my continual attention, I found time to read a good many of the books with which the shelves were stored. The "Age of Reason" was among the first; and, in order that both sides of the question might be fairly presented to my mind, was immediately followed by Bishop Watson's "Apology for the Bible". I should have read neither. What mischief the infidel writer effected the Bishop failed to repair.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Charles Manby Smith      Print: Book

  

Tom Paine : [unknown]

William McCarty, convicted for burglary, sentenced to seven years' transportation: 'As regards my religious character, before I came to this place I used to boast of my infidelity. I read nearly all Tom Paine's works and used to sport at religion; but ever since I heard you preach, I have thought very differently about myself and of God, and I hope to lead a very reverse course of life.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: William McCarty      Print: Book

  

Tom Paine : Age of Reason

Extract from chaplain's [John Field] journal, 18 Jul 1844: 'Found that a prisoner committed yesterday was an avowed infidel who had read attentively Paine's "Age of Reason". Conversed with him for some time, and then lent him Bishop Watson's "Apology for the Bible". I felt thankful that under the present system of discipline such characters can no longer spread their pernicious opinions amongst the other prisoners.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: H.C.      Print: Book

  

Tom Paine : The Rights of Man. Part the Second

Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 21 October 1792: 'Now I am upon the republic system I must tell you that Bristol seems preparing for it. A pamphlet proposes the abolition of the corporation as unconstitutional & arbitrary & hints the same to all other corporate towns it is very well written — these little attacks sap the foundations of the citadel. If France models a republic & enjoys tranquillity who knows but Europe may become one great republic & Man be free of the whole? You see I use Paines words. But politics must not make us quarrel. You know the fable of the oak & the reed. I have been the oak & was pulled up by the roots & cast up. Let me try to be the reed.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey      

 

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