Listings for Reader:
James Mackintosh
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Jane Austen : unknown
'There is no book which that word ["vulgaire"] would suit so little... Every village could furnish matter for a novel to Jane Austen. She did not need the common materials for a novel - strong passion, or strong incident.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Sir James Mackintosh Print: Book
John Milton : Paradise Regained
Mary Berry, Journal, 19 December 1818: 'Sir James Mackintosh in my room this morning; hearing me read over and commenting on my "Memoir of Lady Russell," spoke frankly, seemed pleased, and satisfied me very tolerably with his opinion [...] In the evening he read some of Milton's "Paradise Regained" to us.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Sir James Mackintosh Print: Book
Germaine de Stael : [writings about England, never published as 'De L'Angleterre', as originally planned]
' have not yet seen him [Sir James Mackintosh], but I hear that he has read or has heard some chapters of "L'Angleterre". He says it is full of talent, but that there are some strange mistakes as to English Manners; but that a dinner at Lord Grey's is very well described'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: James Mackintosh Manuscript: Unknown
Walter Scott : Lord of the Isles, The
'The "Edinburgh Review" will have praised "Waverley" to your hearts content. I think however they left out one of the most affecting parts of the work, which is the return of W. to the Barons, and the conduct of the poor innocent David Gellatley. Surely there is no doubt but that Walter Scott is the principal Author of it. The learned here do not affect to speak of it as belonging to anyone else -- I read "The Lord of the Isles" last night it being lent me for the Evening. There is some beautiful description indeed in it, particlarly to my fancy a barren scene in one of the Isles. I own I expected more from the two opening cantos than I afterwards found, and on the whole was disappointed. The story of the Page is so hackneyd, and there is nothing to redeem it but a greater power of holding the tongue than is commonly given to Women, and, as in every thing Walter Scott writes one can never feel great interest for the Lover, which one certainly ought to do, Malcolm Graeme in the "Lady of the Lake", "Waverley", and the Lover in "Marmion", and now Ronald, altho' I expected a great deal from him from the opening. I am however in love with the description of Robert Bruce, I think it beautiful. It is very presumptuous in me thus to give my opinion, [particularly as I have this morning heard that Sir James Mackintosh says it is by far the best thing Walter Scott has done, but then he is puffer general particularly to Scotsmen.] ' [Words inside brackets crossed out in original]
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: James Mackintosh Print: Book
Walter Scott : Lord of the Isles, The
'Since I wrote the first two pages of this letter I have read Eugene and Guilliaume, and quite agree with you. Pray correct Sir James Mackintosh's opinion [about "Waverley"], and for [italics] best [end italics] read [italics] worst [end italics] which was his opinion, altho' I was told the contrary. He is now I understand a little softened, and says it comes before Rokeby but after all the others. Have you read "Discipline" by Mrs Brunton? With many defects it is much above the common class, and the last Volume is very pretty indeed some scenes nearly as good as "Waverley" who I might have added to my list of Lovers belonging to Walter Scott one can take no interest in. - Have you read La Baume's act. of the Campaign in Russia? I am told it is very well done. I am sure you will be pleased with Mr Rocca's Book if you read it'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: James Mackintosh Print: Book
Walter Scott : Rokeby
'Since I wrote the first two pages of this letter I have read Eugene and Guilliaume, and quite agree with you. Pray correct Sir James Mackintosh's opinion [about "Waverley"], and for [italics] best [end italics] read [italics] worst [end italics] which was his opinion, altho' I was told the contrary. He is now I understand a little softened, and says it comes before Rokeby but after all the others. Have you read "Discipline" by Mrs Brunton? With many defects it is much above the common class, and the last Volume is very pretty indeed some scenes nearly as good as "Waverley" who I might have added to my list of Lovers belonging to Walter Scott one can take no interest in. - Have you read La Baume's act. of the Campaign in Russia? I am told it is very well done. I am sure you will be pleased with Mr Rocca's Book if you read it'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: James Mackintosh Print: Book
George Gordon Lord Byron : Monody [on Sheridan]
John Murray to Byron, 12 September 1816: 'Respecting the "Monody," I extract from a letter which I received this morning from Sir James Mackintosh: "I presume I have to thank you for a copy of the "Monody" on Sheridan received this morning. I wish it had been accompanied by the additional favour of mentioning the name of the writer, at which I only guess: it is difficult to read the poem without desiring to know." 'Generally speaking it is not, I think, popular, and spoken of rather for fine passages than as a whole [...] Gifford does not like it; Frere does.'
UnknownCentury: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Sir James Mackintosh
Amelia Opie : verses opening 'Go, youth beloved...'
'In [1802] [...] [Amelia Opie] published a volume of poems. It included those charming and well-known lines, which, as giving the key to her nature -- tenderness -- we shall quote here [reproduces two stanzas opening "Go, youth beloved, in distant glades"] [...] It was of this very sweet song that Sir James Mackintosh playfully wrote to Mr. Sharpe, saying: "Tell the fair Opie that if she would address such pretty verses to me as she did to Ashburner, I think she might almost bring me back from Bombay, though she could not prevent his going thither."'
