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

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Francis Place

 

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 : 

September 5 1840. Went this morning to the house in Ship and Anchor court. On the parlour window of the house formerly kept by my father was a bill, 'a first, second and third floor to be let unfurnished'. Saw a dirty, Ruffianly looking man in the Parlour in which there wa[s] an old mangle and great appearance of miserable poverty.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Advertisement, Handbill, Poster

  

 : Dillworths Spelling Book

I was sent to another school in Wine Office Court, Fleet Street, when I was about seven years of age. At this old woman's school it can scarcely be said that I learnt anything, all I knew, when I left it, was how to read in Dilworths Spelling Book and that too badly.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

 : Bible

School hours were from 9 to 12 and from 2 to 5. The mode of teaching was this. Each of the boys had a column or half a column of spelling to learn by heart every morning He also wrote a copy every morning. In the afternoon he read in the Bible and did a sum, on Thursdays and Saturdays he was catechised, that is he was examined in the Church of England catechism.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

 : Aristotle's Compleat Master Piece; in Three Parts; Displaying the Secrets of Nature in the Generation of Man

I had read a book, at that time openly sold, on every stall, called Aristotle's Master Piece, it was a thick 18 mo, with a number of badly drawn cuts in it explanatory of the mystery of generation. This I contrived to borrow and compared parts of it with the accounts of the Miraculous Conception in Matthew and Luke, and the result was that spite of every effort I could make I could not believe the story...

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

 : Bible

I had read a book, at that time openly sold, on every stall, called Aristotle's Master Piece, it was a thick 18 mo, with a number of badly drawn cuts in it explanatory of the mystery of generation. This I contrived to borrow and compared parts of it with the accounts of the Miraculous Conception in Matthew and Luke, and the result was that spite of every effort I could make I could not believe the story...

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

John Bunyan : Pilgrim's Progress

I neither concealed my doubts nor my fears but communicated them freely to several persons, no one however said anything which appeared to me calculated to remove my doubts I read Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress and parts of other equally absurd books, but all would not do, reason was too strong for superstition and at length the fiend was completely vanquished.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

 : various religious titles

I neither concealed my doubts nor my fears but communicated them freely to several persons, no one however said anything which appeared to me calculated to remove my doubts I read Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress and parts of other equally absurd books, but all would not do, reason was too strong for superstition and at length the fiend was completely vanquished.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

 : 

It was the custom of my master to invite some of the oldest of the boys to visit him for an hour or two on half holidays, these were Thursdays and Saturdays. On these occasions he always took the boys into his study a small room on the second floor, he used to show the boys his books and encourage them to read and ask questions, his collection of books was small and they were mostly old books in bad condition. I remember his shewing me a book on Anatomy, which stron[g]ly excited me, and made me desirous of information on the subject, which he, as far as he understood it was willing to impart, I conclude however that he knew very little about it.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

 : various

My desire for information was however too strong to be turned aside and often have I been sent away from a book stall when the owner became offended at my standing reading which I used to do until I was turned away, as often as I found a surgical book, I used to borrow books from a man who kept a small shop in Maiden Lane Covent Garden leaving a small sum as a deposit and paying a trifle for reading them, having only one at a time.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

 : various

My desire for information was however too strong to be turned aside and often have I been sent away from a book stall when the owner became offended at my standing reading which I used to do until I was turned away, as often as I found a surgical book, I used to borrow books from a man who kept a small shop in Maiden Lane Covent Garden leaving a small sum as a deposit and paying a trifle for reading them, having only one at a time.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

Francis Place : Autobiography

On my having read some portion of the preceding narrative to Mr Fenn Bookseller at Charing Cross he related circumstances respecting some families in the Strand and its neighbourhood which were similar to those I have related.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Manuscript: unpublished memoirs

  

 : unknown, histories of Greece and Rome

...a desire for information which was by no means whollly neglected even whilst I was an apprentice, I always found some time for reading, and I almost always found the means to procure books, useful books, not Novels. My reading was of course devoid of method, and very desultory. I had read in English the only language in which I could read, the histories of Greece and Rome, and some translated works of Greek and Roman writers. Hume, Smollett, Fieldings novels and Robertsons works, some of Humes Essays, some Translations from french writers, and much on geography -some books on Anatomy and Surgery, some relating to Science and the Arts, and many Magazines. I had worked all the Problems in the Introduction to Guthries Geography, and had made some small progress in Geometry.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

 : unknown, translated works by Greek and Roman writers

...a desire for information which was by no means whollly neglected even whilst I was an apprentice, I always found some time for reading, and I almost always found the means to procure books, useful books, not Novels. My reading was of course devoid of method, and very desultory. I had read in English the only language in which I could read, the histories of Greece and Rome, and some translated works of Greek and Roman writers. Hume, Smollett, Fieldings novels and Robertsons works, some of Humes Essays, some Translations from french writers, and much on geography -some books on Anatomy and Surgery, some relating to Science and the Arts, and many Magazines. I had worked all the Problems in the Introduction to Guthries Geography, and had made some small progress in Geometry.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

Tobias George Smollett : 

...a desire for information which was by no means whollly neglected even whilst I was an apprentice, I always found some time for reading, and I almost always found the means to procure books, useful books, not Novels. My reading was of course devoid of method, and very desultory. I had read in English the only language in which I could read, the histories of Greece and Rome, and some translated works of Greek and Roman writers. Hume, Smollett, Fieldings novels and Robertsons works, some of Humes Essays, some Translations from french writers, and much on geography -some books on Anatomy and Surgery, some relating to Science and the Arts, and many Magazines. I had worked all the Problems in the Introduction to Guthries Geography, and had made some small progress in Geometry.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

Henry Fielding : 

...a desire for information which was by no means whollly neglected even whilst I was an apprentice, I always found some time for reading, and I almost always found the means to procure books, useful books, not Novels. My reading was of course devoid of method, and very desultory. I had read in English the only language in which I could read, the histories of Greece and Rome, and some translated works of Greek and Roman writers. Hume, Smollett, Fieldings novels and Robertsons works, some of Humes Essays, some Translations from french writers, and much on geography -some books on Anatomy and Surgery, some relating to Science and the Arts, and many Magazines. I had worked all the Problems in the Introduction to Guthries Geography, and had made some small progress in Geometry.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

Robertson : unknown [Robertson's works?]

...a desire for information which was by no means whollly neglected even whilst I was an apprentice, I always found some time for reading, and I almost always found the means to procure books, useful books, not Novels. My reading was of course devoid of method, and very desultory. I had read in English the only language in which I could read, the histories of Greece and Rome, and some translated works of Greek and Roman writers. Hume, Smollett, Fieldings novels and Robertsons works, some of Humes Essays, some Translations from french writers, and much on geography -some books on Anatomy and Surgery, some relating to Science and the Arts, and many Magazines. I had worked all the Problems in the Introduction to Guthries Geography, and had made some small progress in Geometry.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

David Hume : [Hume's Essays]

...a desire for information which was by no means whollly neglected even whilst I was an apprentice, I always found some time for reading, and I almost always found the means to procure books, useful books, not Novels. My reading was of course devoid of method, and very desultory. I had read in English the only language in which I could read, the histories of Greece and Rome, and some translated works of Greek and Roman writers. Hume, Smollett, Fieldings novels and Robertsons works, some of Humes Essays, some Translations from french writers, and much on geography -some books on Anatomy and Surgery, some relating to Science and the Arts, and many Magazines. I had worked all the Problems in the Introduction to Guthries Geography, and had made some small progress in Geometry.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

 : translations from French writers

...a desire for information which was by no means whollly neglected even whilst I was an apprentice, I always found some time for reading, and I almost always found the means to procure books, useful books, not Novels. My reading was of course devoid of method, and very desultory. I had read in English the only language in which I could read, the histories of Greece and Rome, and some translated works of Greek and Roman writers. Hume, Smollett, Fieldings novels and Robertsons works, some of Humes Essays, some Translations from french writers, and much on geography -some books on Anatomy and Surgery, some relating to Science and the Arts, and many Magazines. I had worked all the Problems in the Introduction to Guthries Geography, and had made some small progress in Geometry.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

 : unknown various

...a desire for information which was by no means whollly neglected even whilst I was an apprentice, I always found some time for reading, and I almost always found the means to procure books, useful books, not Novels. My reading was of course devoid of method, and very desultory. I had read in English the only language in which I could read, the histories of Greece and Rome, and some translated works of Greek and Roman writers. Hume, Smollett, Fieldings novels and Robertson's works, some of Humes Essays, some Translations from french writers, and much on geography -some books on Anatomy and Surgery, some relating to Science and the Arts, and many Magazines. I had worked all the Problems in the Introduction to Guthries Geography, and had made some small progress in Geometry.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

 : unknown various [anatomy and surgery]

...a desire for information which was by no means whollly neglected even whilst I was an apprentice, I always found some time for reading, and I almost always found the means to procure books, useful books, not Novels. My reading was of course devoid of method, and very desultory. I had read in English the only language in which I could read, the histories of Greece and Rome, and some translated works of Greek and Roman writers. Hume, Smollett, Fieldings novels and Robertsons works, some of Humes Essays, some Translations from french writers, and much on geography -some books on Anatomy and Surgery, some relating to Science and the Arts, and many Magazines. I had worked all the Problems in the Introduction to Guthries Geography, and had made some small progress in Geometry.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

 : unknown [relating to the Arts]

...a desire for information which was by no means whollly neglected even whilst I was an apprentice, I always found some time for reading, and I almost always found the means to procure books, useful books, not Novels. My reading was of course devoid of method, and very desultory. I had read in English the only language in which I could read, the histories of Greece and Rome, and some translated works of Greek and Roman writers. Hume, Smollett, Fieldings novels and Robertsons works, some of Humes Essays, some Translations from french writers, and much on geography -some books on Anatomy and Surgery, some relating to Science and the Arts, and many Magazines. I had worked all the Problems in the Introduction to Guthries Geography, and had made some small progress in Geometry.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

 : unknown [many magazines]

...a desire for information which was by no means whollly neglected even whilst I was an apprentice, I always found some time for reading, and I almost always found the means to procure books, useful books, not Novels. My reading was of course devoid of method, and very desultory. I had read in English the only language in which I could read, the histories of Greece and Rome, and some translated works of Greek and Roman writers. Hume, Smollett, Fieldings novels and Robertson's works, some of Humes Essays, some Translations from french writers, and much on geography -some books on Anatomy and Surgery, some relating to Science and the Arts, and many Magazines. I had worked all the Problems in the Introduction to Guthries Geography, and had made some small progress in Geometry.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Guthrie : unknown [Guthries Geography]

...a desire for information which was by no means whollly neglected even whilst I was an apprentice, I always found some time for reading, and I almost always found the means to procure books, useful books, not Novels. My reading was of course devoid of method, and very desultory. I had read in English the only language in which I could read, the histories of Greece and Rome, and some translated works of Greek and Roman writers. Hume, Smollett, Fieldings novels and Robertsons works, some of Humes Essays, some Translations from french writers, and much on geography -some books on Anatomy and Surgery, some relating to Science and the Arts, and many Magazines. I had worked all the Problems in the Introduction to Guthries Geography, and had made some small progress in Geometry.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

 : unknown [Geometry]

...a desire for information which was by no means whollly neglected even whilst I was an apprentice, I always found some time for reading, and I almost always found the means to procure books, useful books, not Novels. My reading was of course devoid of method, and very desultory. I had read in English the only language in which I could read, the histories of Greece and Rome, and some translated works of Greek and Roman writers. Hume, Smollett, Fieldings novels and Robertsons works, some of Humes Essays, some Translations from french writers, and much on geography -some books on Anatomy and Surgery, some relating to Science and the Arts, and many Magazines. I had worked all the Problems in the Introduction to Guthries Geography, and had made some small progress in Geometry.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

William Blackstone : Commentaries on the Laws of England

I now read Blackstone, Hale's Common Law, several other Law Books, and much biography. This course of reading was continued for several years until the death of my landlady.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

Matthew Hale : History and Analysis of the Common Laws of England

I now read Blackstone, Hale's Common Law, several other Law Books, and much biography. This course of reading was continued for several years until the death of my landlady.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

 : various [Law books]

I now read Blackstone, Hale's Common Law, several other Law Books, and much biography. This course of reading was continued for several years until the death of my landlady.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

 : various [biographies]

I now read Blackstone, Hale's Common Law, several other Law Books, and much biography. This course of reading was continued for several years until the death of my landlady.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

David Hume : [Essays and Treatises]

The whole or nearly the whole of the eight months when I was not employed was not lost. I read many volumes in history, voyages, and travels, politics, law and Philosophy. Adam Smith and Locke and especially Humes Essays and Treatises, these latter I read two or three times over, this reading was of great service to me, it caused me to turn in upon myself and examine myself in a way which I should not otherwise have done. It was this which laid the solid foundation of my future prosperity, and completed the desire I had always had to acquire knowledge.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

Adam Smith : Wealth of Nations

The whole or nearly the whole of the eight months when I was not employed was not lost. I read many volumes in history, voyages, and travels, politics, law and Philosophy. Adam Smith and Locke and especially Humes Essays and Treatises, these latter I read two or three times over, this reading was of great service to me, it caused me to turn in upon myself and examine myself in a way which I should not otherwise have done. It was this which laid the solid foundation of my future prosperity, and completed the desire I had always had to acquire knowledge.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

John Locke : 

The whole or nearly the whole of the eight months when I was not employed was not lost. I read many volumes in history, voyages, and travels, politics, law and Philosophy. Adam Smith and Locke and especially Humes Essays and Treatises, these latter I read two or three times over, this reading was of great service to me, it caused me to turn in upon myself and examine myself in a way which I should not otherwise have done. It was this which laid the solid foundation of my future prosperity, and completed the desire I had always had to acquire knowledge.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

 : various [history]

The whole or nearly the whole of the eight months when I was not employed was not lost. I read many volumes in history, voyages, and travels, politics, law and Philosophy. Adam Smith and Locke and especially Humes Essays and Treatises, these latter I read two or three times over, this reading was of great service to me, it caused me to turn in upon myself and examine myself in a way which I should not otherwise have done. It was this which laid the solid foundation of my future prosperity, and completed the desire I had always had to acquire knowledge.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

 : various [voyages]

The whole or nearly the whole of the eight months when I was not employed was not lost. I read many volumes in history, voyages, and travels, politics, law and Philosophy. Adam Smith and Locke and especially Humes Essays and Treatises, these latter I read two or three times over, this reading was of great service to me, it caused me to turn in upon myself and examine myself in a way which I should not otherwise have done. It was this which laid the solid foundation of my future prosperity, and completed the desire I had always had to acquire knowledge.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

 : various [politics and law]

The whole or nearly the whole of the eight months when I was not employed was not lost. I read many volumes in history, voyages, and travels, politics, law and Philosophy. Adam Smith and Locke and especially Humes Essays and Treatises, these latter I read two or three times over, this reading was of great service to me, it caused me to turn in upon myself and examine myself in a way which I should not otherwise have done. It was this which laid the solid foundation of my future prosperity, and completed the desire I had always had to acquire knowledge.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

 : [geometry text]

I readily got through a small school book of Geometry and having an odd volume of the 1st of Williamsons Euclid I attacked it vigorously and perseveringly...

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

Williamson : Euclid

I readily got through a small school book of Geometry and having an odd volume of the 1st of Williamsons Euclid I attacked it vigorously and perseveringly...

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

Thomas Paine : Age of Reason

In this room was a number of books, and among them every thing which had been published by Thomas Paine, all these I had read and cheap editions were in my possession; but here was one which I had not seen, namely, "the Age of Reason Part 1". I read it with delight.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

William Godwin : Inquiry Concerning Political Justice

I was finally induced to come to this determination sooner than I should otherwise have done by reading Mr Godwins 'Enquiry concerning Political Justice'.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

 : unknown [French grammar]

I used to plod at the French Grammar as I sat at my work, the book being fixed before me I was diligent also in learning all I could after I left off working at night.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

Helvetius : 

I usually when I had done with my french, read some book every night and having left the Corresponding Society I never went from home in the evening I always learned and read for three hours and sometimes longer, the books I now read were french; Helvetius, Rousseau and Voltaire. I never wanted books and could generally borrow those I most desired to peruse.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

Jean-Jacques Rousseau : 

I usually when I had done with my french, read some book every night and having left the Corresponding Society I never went from home in the evening I always learned and read for three hours and sometimes longer, the books I now read were french; Helvetius, Rousseau and Voltaire. I never wanted books and could generally borrow those I most desired to peruse.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

Voltaire : 

I usually when I had done with my french, read some book every night and having left the Corresponding Society I never went from home in the evening I always learned and read for three hours and sometimes longer, the books I now read were french; Helvetius, Rousseau and Voltaire. I never wanted books and could generally borrow those I most desired to peruse.

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

  

 : 

I adhered steadily to the practice I had adopted and read for two or three hours every night after the business of the day was closed, which never happened till half past nine o'clock.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Francis Place      Print: Book

 

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