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

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Listings for Reader:  

Elizabeth Sewell

 

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Elizabeth Gaskell : Cranford

'Reading aloud from "Cranford" one evening ... [Mary Crawford Fraser's] aunt [Elizabeth Sewell] came to a sudden full stop [on coming to episode unfit for children] ... skipped a little, and took up the story later on.'

Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

Joseph Butler : The Analogy of Religion

Elizabeth Sewell's brother William, seeing her reading Butler's "Analogy", exclaimed 'You can't understand that', which made her reticent for years about the comfort and strength this book had given her during adolescent depression.

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899 / 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

Walter Scott : 

" ... Elizabeth Sewell's consumption of 'modern' works in the late 1820s and 1830s, she records [in her autobiography], specifically mentioning Scott and Byron, led to worry and 'hysteria' based on the feeling that it would be pleasant to have someone caring for her. She had not yet learnt, she claims, the joy that comes through caring for others."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

George Gordon Lord Byron : 

" ... Elizabeth Sewell's consumption of 'modern' works in the late 1820s and 1830s, she records [in her autobiography], specifically mentioning Scott and Byron, led to worry and 'hysteria' based on the feeling that it would be pleasant to have someone caring for her. She had not yet learnt, she claims, the joy that comes through caring for others."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

unknown : [Story]

Elizabeth Missing Sewell on her childhood reading in her family home: 'To be alone was never unpleasant to me. In the nursery my great pleasure was to sit by myself in a dark closet, opening into a room, with a little lanthorn by my side, and read a story, while my sisters played about. I enjoyed hearing them, but I did not wish to join them.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Unknown

  

unknown : French idioms

Elizabeth Missing Sewell on studies at Miss Crooke's boarding school, Newport, Isle of Wight: 'When my regular lessons for the day were over, I used to sit until bed-time with my back to a long table, on which two candles were placed, and learn by heart columns of French idioms'.

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      

  

 : The Spectator

'My chief acquaintance with the writers of the eighteenth century is derived from reading to Aunt Lyddy papers in the [italics]Spectator[end italics] and [italics]The Rambler[end italics],Mason's plays, Addison's [italics]Cato[end italics], etc. This we were often called to do when we were invited to dine with Aunt Clarke [reader's great-aunt, to whom "Lyddy," Sewell's father's unmarried sister, a companion].'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Samuel Johnson : The Rambler

'My chief acquaintance with the writers of the eighteenth century is derived from reading to Aunt Lyddy papers in the [italics]Spectator[end italics] and [italics]The Rambler[end italics], Mason's plays, Addison's [italics]Cato[end italics], etc. This we were often called to do when we were invited to dine with Aunt Clarke [reader's great-aunt, to whom "Lyddy," Sewell's father's unmarried sister, a companion].'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Mason : Plays

'My chief acquaintance with the writers of the eighteenth century is derived from reading to Aunt Lyddy papers in the [italics]Spectator[end italics] and [italics]The Rambler[end italics], Mason's plays, Addison's [italics]Cato[end italics], etc. This we were often called to do when we were invited to dine with Aunt Clarke [reader's great-aunt, to whom "Lyddy," Sewell's father's unmarried sister, a companion].'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

Joseph Addison : Cato

'My chief acquaintance with the writers of the eighteenth century is derived from reading to Aunt Lyddy papers in the [italics]Spectator[end italics] and [italics]The Rambler[end italics],Mason's plays, Addison's [italics]Cato[end italics], etc. This we were often called to do when we were invited to dine with Aunt Clarke [reader's great-aunt, to whom "Lyddy," Sewell's father's unmarried sister, a companion].'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

Burger : Lenore

Elizabeth Missing Sewell, on visits to her uncle Edwards (a barrister)'s library in his home at Binstead: 'My first sight of German letters, and my first wish to know the language, was gained from being allowed to look at a beautiful copy of Burger's [italics]Lenore[end italics], illustrated by striking line engravings, and having the German on one page and the English translation on the other.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

anon : Arabian Nights' Entertainments

Elizabeth Missing Sewell, on books lent to herself and her siblings, when children, during visits to her uncle Edwards (a barrister): 'My uncle was so particular about his books that he used to declare that when a child's finger had touched one it was spoilt. Acting upon this idea, he gave up certain books to us, when as children we stayed with him at Binstead, on condition of our never touching any others. My brothers had Glanvill's [italics]History of the Witches[end italics], and we four [Sewell girls] had a handsome edition of the [italics]Arabian Nights' Entertainments[end italics], which, being unexpurgated, was not the wisest choice that could have been made, though it gave me hours of entrancing delight at the time, and taught me to understand allusions to tales which have become part of general literature.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

 : Biblical story of Jephthah

'I was always given to strange scrupulous fancies, and not long before [leaving her first boarding school when aged almost thirteen] had made myself miserable, after reading about Jephthah's vow, because I imagined that every time the thought of making a vow came into my head I had actually made it, and was bound to keep it.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Unknown

  

Walter Scott : The Lady of the Lake

Elizabeth Missing Sewell on reading at her Bath boarding school: 'We learned passages from the best authors, and my delight in Walter Scott made me add to the regular lesson large portions of "The Lady of the Lake".'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

William Russell : History of Modern Europe

Elizabeth Missing Sewell on her reading at home in the Isle of Wight, after leaving her Bath boarding school in 1830: 'I used to study by myself, for I knew that I was woefully ignorant. Such books as Russell's "History of Modern Europe" and Robertson's "Charles the Fifth", I read, and also Watts on the "Improvement of the Mind", and I plodded through an Italian history of the Venetian Doges, lent me by an intimate and valued friend of my father, Mr. Turnbull [...] I taught myself besides to read Spanish -- for having found a Spanish "Don Quixote" lying about, which no one claimed, I took possession of it, bought a grammar and dictionary, and set to work to master the contents of the books which I knew so well by name. The elements of botany on the Linnean system was another of my attempted acquirements, but I am afraid my studies were very superficial: I knew nothing perfectly, but I read everything that came in my way. There was an excellent town library in Newport, from which I could get any good modern works; and, beside the graver literature, I had always some lighter book on hand, and especially delighted in Walter Scott's novels and poetry. Byron, too was a great favourite.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

William Robertson : History of Charles the Fifth

Elizabeth Missing Sewell on her reading at home in the Isle of Wight, after leaving her Bath boarding school in 1830: 'I used to study by myself, for I knew that I was woefully ignorant. Such books as Russell's "History of Modern Europe" and Robertson's "Charles the Fifth", I read, and also Watts on the "Improvement of the Mind", and I plodded through an Italian history of the Venetian Doges, lent me by an intimate and valued friend of my father, Mr. Turnbull [...] I taught myself besides to read Spanish -- for having found a Spanish "Don Quixote" lying about, which no one claimed, I took possession of it, bought a grammar and dictionary, and set to work to master the contents of the books which I knew so well by name. The elements of botany on the Linnean system was another of my attempted acquirements, but I am afraid my studies were very superficial: I knew nothing perfectly, but I read everything that came in my way. There was an excellent town library in Newport, from which I could get any good modern works; and, beside the graver literature, I had always some lighter book on hand, and especially delighted in Walter Scott's novels and poetry. Byron, too was a great favourite.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

Isaac Watts : Improvement of the Mind

Elizabeth Missing Sewell on her reading at home in the Isle of Wight, after leaving her Bath boarding school in 1830: 'I used to study by myself, for I knew that I was woefully ignorant. Such books as Russell's "History of Modern Europe" and Robertson's "Charles the Fifth", I read, and also Watts on the "Improvement of the Mind", and I plodded through an Italian history of the Venetian Doges, lent me by an intimate and valued friend of my father, Mr. Turnbull [...] I taught myself besides to read Spanish -- for having found a Spanish "Don Quixote" lying about, which no one claimed, I took possession of it, bought a grammar and dictionary, and set to work to master the contents of the books which I knew so well by name. The elements of botany on the Linnean system was another of my attempted acquirements, but I am afraid my studies were very superficial: I knew nothing perfectly, but I read everything that came in my way. There was an excellent town library in Newport, from which I could get any good modern works; and, beside the graver literature, I had always some lighter book on hand, and especially delighted in Walter Scott's novels and poetry. Byron, too was a great favourite.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

unknown : [Italian history of the Venetian Doges]

Elizabeth Missing Sewell on her reading at home in the Isle of Wight, after leaving her Bath boarding school in 1830: 'I used to study by myself, for I knew that I was woefully ignorant. Such books as Russell's "History of Modern Europe" and Robertson's "Charles the Fifth", I read, and also Watts on the "Improvement of the Mind", and I plodded through an Italian history of the Venetian Doges, lent me by an intimate and valued friend of my father, Mr. Turnbull [...] I taught myself besides to read Spanish -- for having found a Spanish "Don Quixote" lying about, which no one claimed, I took possession of it, bought a grammar and dictionary, and set to work to master the contents of the books which I knew so well by name. The elements of botany on the Linnean system was another of my attempted acquirements, but I am afraid my studies were very superficial: I knew nothing perfectly, but I read everything that came in my way. There was an excellent town library in Newport, from which I could get any good modern works; and, beside the graver literature, I had always some lighter book on hand, and especially delighted in Walter Scott's novels and poetry. Byron, too was a great favourite.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

Miguel de Cervantes : Don Quixote

Elizabeth Missing Sewell on her reading at home in the Isle of Wight, after leaving her Bath boarding school in 1830: 'I used to study by myself, for I knew that I was woefully ignorant. Such books as Russell's "History of Modern Europe" and Robertson's "Charles the Fifth", I read, and also Watts on the "Improvement of the Mind", and I plodded through an Italian history of the Venetian Doges, lent me by an intimate and valued friend of my father, Mr. Turnbull [...] I taught myself besides to read Spanish -- for having found a Spanish "Don Quixote" lying about, which no one claimed, I took possession of it, bought a grammar and dictionary, and set to work to master the contents of the books which I knew so well by name. The elements of botany on the Linnean system was another of my attempted acquirements, but I am afraid my studies were very superficial: I knew nothing perfectly, but I read everything that came in my way. There was an excellent town library in Newport, from which I could get any good modern works; and, beside the graver literature, I had always some lighter book on hand, and especially delighted in Walter Scott's novels and poetry. Byron, too was a great favourite.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

unknown : Spanish grammar

Elizabeth Missing Sewell on her reading at home in the Isle of Wight, after leaving her Bath boarding school in 1830: 'I used to study by myself, for I knew that I was woefully ignorant. Such books as Russell's "History of Modern Europe" and Robertson's "Charles the Fifth", I read, and also Watts on the "Improvement of the Mind", and I plodded through an Italian history of the Venetian Doges, lent me by an intimate and valued friend of my father, Mr. Turnbull [...] I taught myself besides to read Spanish -- for having found a Spanish "Don Quixote" lying about, which no one claimed, I took possession of it, bought a grammar and dictionary, and set to work to master the contents of the books which I knew so well by name. The elements of botany on the Linnean system was another of my attempted acquirements, but I am afraid my studies were very superficial: I knew nothing perfectly, but I read everything that came in my way. There was an excellent town library in Newport, from which I could get any good modern works; and, beside the graver literature, I had always some lighter book on hand, and especially delighted in Walter Scott's novels and poetry. Byron, too was a great favourite.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

unknown : Spanish dictionary

Elizabeth Missing Sewell on her reading at home in the Isle of Wight, after leaving her Bath boarding school in 1830: 'I used to study by myself, for I knew that I was woefully ignorant. Such books as Russell's "History of Modern Europe" and Robertson's "Charles the Fifth", I read, and also Watts on the "Improvement of the Mind", and I plodded through an Italian history of the Venetian Doges, lent me by an intimate and valued friend of my father, Mr. Turnbull [...] I taught myself besides to read Spanish -- for having found a Spanish "Don Quixote" lying about, which no one claimed, I took possession of it, bought a grammar and dictionary, and set to work to master the contents of the books which I knew so well by name. The elements of botany on the Linnean system was another of my attempted acquirements, but I am afraid my studies were very superficial: I knew nothing perfectly, but I read everything that came in my way. There was an excellent town library in Newport, from which I could get any good modern works; and, beside the graver literature, I had always some lighter book on hand, and especially delighted in Walter Scott's novels and poetry. Byron, too was a great favourite.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

unknown : [Texts on botany]

Elizabeth Missing Sewell on her reading at home in the Isle of Wight, after leaving her Bath boarding school in 1830: 'I used to study by myself, for I knew that I was woefully ignorant. Such books as Russell's "History of Modern Europe" and Robertson's "Charles the Fifth", I read, and also Watts on the "Improvement of the Mind", and I plodded through an Italian history of the Venetian Doges, lent me by an intimate and valued friend of my father, Mr. Turnbull [...] I taught myself besides to read Spanish -- for having found a Spanish "Don Quixote" lying about, which no one claimed, I took possession of it, bought a grammar and dictionary, and set to work to master the contents of the books which I knew so well by name. The elements of botany on the Linnean system was another of my attempted acquirements, but I am afraid my studies were very superficial: I knew nothing perfectly, but I read everything that came in my way. There was an excellent town library in Newport, from which I could get any good modern works; and, beside the graver literature, I had always some lighter book on hand, and especially delighted in Walter Scott's novels and poetry. Byron, too was a great favourite.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Unknown

  

Walter Scott : novels

Elizabeth Missing Sewell on her reading at home in the Isle of Wight, after leaving her Bath boarding school in 1830: 'I used to study by myself, for I knew that I was woefully ignorant. Such books as Russell's "History of Modern Europe" and Robertson's "Charles the Fifth", I read, and also Watts on the "Improvement of the Mind", and I plodded through an Italian history of the Venetian Doges, lent me by an intimate and valued friend of my father, Mr. Turnbull [...] I taught myself besides to read Spanish -- for having found a Spanish "Don Quixote" lying about, which no one claimed, I took possession of it, bought a grammar and dictionary, and set to work to master the contents of the books which I knew so well by name. The elements of botany on the Linnean system was another of my attempted acquirements, but I am afraid my studies were very superficial: I knew nothing perfectly, but I read everything that came in my way. There was an excellent town library in Newport, from which I could get any good modern works; and, beside the graver literature, I had always some lighter book on hand, and especially delighted in Walter Scott's novels and poetry. Byron, too was a great favourite.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

Walter Scott : [poetry and novels]

Elizabeth Missing Sewell on her reading at home in the Isle of Wight, after leaving her Bath boarding school in 1830: 'I used to study by myself, for I knew that I was woefully ignorant. Such books as Russell's "History of Modern Europe" and Robertson's "Charles the Fifth", I read, and also Watts on the "Improvement of the Mind", and I plodded through an Italian history of the Venetian Doges, lent me by an intimate and valued friend of my father, Mr. Turnbull [...] I taught myself besides to read Spanish -- for having found a Spanish "Don Quixote" lying about, which no one claimed, I took possession of it, bought a grammar and dictionary, and set to work to master the contents of the books which I knew so well by name. The elements of botany on the Linnean system was another of my attempted acquirements, but I am afraid my studies were very superficial: I knew nothing perfectly, but I read everything that came in my way. There was an excellent town library in Newport, from which I could get any good modern works; and, beside the graver literature, I had always some lighter book on hand, and especially delighted in Walter Scott's novels and poetry. Byron, too was a great favourite.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

George Gordon, Lord Byron : poetry

Elizabeth Missing Sewell on her reading at home in the Isle of Wight, after leaving her Bath boarding school in 1830: 'I used to study by myself, for I knew that I was woefully ignorant. Such books as Russell's "History of Modern Europe" and Robertson's "Charles the Fifth", I read, and also Watts on the "Improvement of the Mind", and I plodded through an Italian history of the Venetian Doges, lent me by an intimate and valued friend of my father, Mr. Turnbull [...] I taught myself besides to read Spanish -- for having found a Spanish "Don Quixote" lying about, which no one claimed, I took possession of it, bought a grammar and dictionary, and set to work to master the contents of the books which I knew so well by name. The elements of botany on the Linnean system was another of my attempted acquirements, but I am afraid my studies were very superficial: I knew nothing perfectly, but I read everything that came in my way. There was an excellent town library in Newport, from which I could get any good modern works; and, beside the graver literature, I had always some lighter book on hand, and especially delighted in Walter Scott's novels and poetry. Byron, too was a great favourite.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

Walter Scott : Paul's Letters to his Kinsfolk

'In 1835, [James] Edwards [Sewell, reader's brother] [...] had the curacy of Hursley. Mr. Gilbert Heathcote held the living, and Ellen [reader's sister] and I were sent to Hursley [...] whilst Lucy [reader's friend] was ill. We were at the old vicarage [...] [Mr. Heathcote's books] were very kindly left for our use, and I made an acquaintance with Sir Walter Scott's "Paul's Letters to his Kinsfolk", and read Shakespeare to Ellen, and led a quiet life, seeing no one.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : works

'In 1835, [James] Edwards [Sewell, reader's brother] [...] had the curacy of Hursley. Mr. Gilbert Heathcote held the living, and Ellen [reader's sister] and I were sent to Hursley [...] whilst Lucy [reader's friend] was ill. We were at the old vicarage [...] [Mr. Heathcote's books] were very kindly left for our use, and I made an acquaintance with Sir Walter Scott's "Paul's Letters to his Kinsfolk", and read Shakespeare to Ellen, and led a quiet life, seeing no one.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

Laetitia Matilda Hawkins : The Countess and Gertrude

Elizabeth Missing Sewell on a stay at her aunt Mrs Hanbury's London house during late 1835: 'The house and the situation [John Street, Bedford Row] were alike dreary [...] The only gleam of romance I had in connection with the place was derived from the fact that the large bare house reminded me of a description of one like it in an old novel by Miss Hawkins --"The Countess and Gertrude".'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

Joseph Butler : Analogy of Religion

'[By c. late 1830s] My mind had [...] become much quietened and strengthened by the reading of Butler's "Analogy", which I had always heard mentioned with admiration,and which I stumbled upon, as it seemed accidentally (though doubtless it was a Providential help sent me) [...] I took it up first for curiosity, and read it through nearly, but not quite to the end; feeling very much afraid all the time that some one would inquire into my studies, and being greatly humiliated by an observation made by William [reader's brother, a clergyman], who one day found me with it in my hand. His surprised tone, as he exclaimed, "You can't understand that," made me shrink into my shell of reserve, and for years I never owned to anyone that Butler's "Analogy" had been to me, as it has been to hundreds, the stay of a troubled intellect and a weak faith.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

Mrs. Mary Sherwood : Tales

Elizabeth Missing Sewell, on the start of her writing career: 'I began "Amy Herbert"-- I scarcely know why -- only I had been reading some story of Mrs. Sherwood's, which struck me as having pretty descriptions, and I fancied I could write something of the same kind; and as a matter of curiosity I determined to make the attempt. I read both the few chapters of the intended tract ["Stories on the Lord's Prayer"], and the beginning of "Amy Herbert"to my sisters, and they liked them'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell      Print: Book

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : Stories on the Lord's Prayer

Elizabeth Missing Sewell, on the start of her writing career: 'I began "Amy Herbert"-- I scarcely know why -- only I had been reading some story of Mrs. Sherwood's, which struck me as having pretty descriptions, and I fancied I could write something of the same kind; and as a matter of curiosity I determined to make the attempt. I read both the few chapters of the intended tract ["Stories on the Lord's Prayer"], and the beginning of "Amy Herbert"to my sisters, and they liked them'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : Amy Herbert

Elizabeth Missing Sewell, on the start of her writing career: Elizabeth Missing Sewell, on the start of her writing career: 'I began "Amy Herbert"-- I scarcely know why -- only I had been reading some story of Mrs. Sherwood's, which struck me as having pretty descriptions, and I fancied I could write something of the same kind; and as a matter of curiosity I determined to make the attempt. I read both the few chapters of the intended tract ["Stories on the Lord's Prayer"], and the beginning of "Amy Herbert"to my sisters, and they liked them'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : Stories on the Lord's Prayer

Elizabeth Missing Sewell, on the anonymity of her first publication ("Stories on the Lord's Prayer", serialised in "The Cottager's Monthly Visitor" in 1840): 'I did not give my name, and no one knew anything about it, except my mother and sisters. I have often vexed myself since -- thinking that I did not tell my father -- but I had a dread of any person talking to me about my writing, and I knew that if he was pleased he would not be able to keep himself from telling me so. I was reading the little book aloud to my mother one evening when he was in the room, and not being well was lying on the sofa half asleep, as I thought; but he listened, and I think was interested, for he asked me what I was reading. I forget exactly what answer I made, but it certainly was not that I was reading anything of my own, and so I lost the opportunity of giving him pleasure.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Unknown

  

Thomas Hood : 'We watched her breathing through the night --'

Describing the terminal illness of a friend in her "Autobiography", Elizabeth Missing Sewell reproduces four stanzas from Thomas Hood, 'We watched her breathing through the night --'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : The Earl's Daughter

'[italics]The Earl's Daughter[end italics] was [...] begun before my mother's death, and I read part of it to her, but she saw from the beginning that it was likely to be sad, and I think it rather oppressed her. [italics]Margaret Percival[end italics] I read to her entirely, and also a portion of [italics]Laneton Parsonage[end italics], and I remember being obliged to assure her that Alice Lennox (in the latter tale) when taken ill would not die, she took such a vivid interest in the story -- which was only completed after her death.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : Margaret Percival

'[italics]The Earl's Daughter[end italics] was [...] begun before my mother's death, and I read part of it to her, but she saw from the beginning that it was likely to be sad, and I think it rather oppressed her. [italics]Margaret Percival[end italics] I read to her entirely, and also a portion of [italics]Laneton Parsonage[end italics], and I remember being obliged to assure her that Alice Lennox (in the latter tale) when taken ill would not die, she took such a vivid interest in the story -- which was only completed after her death.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : Laneton Parsonage

'[italics]The Earl's Daughter[end italics] was [...] begun before my mother's death, and I read part of it to her, but she saw from the beginning that it was likely to be sad, and I think it rather oppressed her. [italics]Margaret Percival[end italics] I read to her entirely, and also a portion of [italics]Laneton Parsonage[end italics], and I remember being obliged to assure her that Alice Lennox (in the latter tale) when taken ill would not die, she took such a vivid interest in the story -- which was only completed after her death.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Manuscript: Unknown

  

John Henry Newman : Obedience, the remedy for religious perplexity

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's Journal, 20 June 1845: 'The Meyricks have been here today. Mr. Meyrick told Edwards [Sewell's brother] there was no doubt that Newman is going over to Rome, which agrees but little with an observation made by Dr. Pusey to G. F. a short time since that no one could know how devoted a servant of the Church Newman was till after his death. The Church though may mean the Catholic or Universal Church, and so Rome may be included. It is a horrid, startling notion, but a sermon of Newman's I was reading to-night would be a great safeguard against being led into mischief by it. "Obedience, the remedy for religious perplexity."'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

unknown : Article on the Jesuits

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's Journal, 21 October 1845: 'Some of us went for a lovely walk yesterday by the sea cliffs of St. Lawrence. Mr. Edgar Estcourt [...] talked to me a little about William [Sewell]'s novel [italics]Hawkstone[end italics], doubting the fact told me about the Jesuits, and wishing they could be tried in a court of justice; and afterwards he gave me an article about them in the [italics]Oxford and Cambridge Review[end italics], most laudatory of them, and of Ignatius Loyola, and very condemnatory of Luther. It had no effect upon me however. There is too much of the partisan style about it, and it is too bombastic, and contains few facts....'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

 : The Oxford and Cambridge Review

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's Journal, 21 October 1845: 'Some of us went for a lovely walk yesterday by the sea cliffs of St. Lawrence. Mr. Edgar Estcourt [...] talked to me a little about William [Sewell]'s novel [italics]Hawkstone[end italics], doubting the fact told me about the Jesuits, and wishing they could be tried in a court of justice; and afterwards he gave me an article about them in the [italics]Oxford and Cambridge Review[end italics], most laudatory of them, and of Ignatius Loyola, and very condemnatory of Luther. It had no effect upon me however. There is too much of the partisan style about it, and it is too bombastic, and contains few facts....'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Cecilia Tilley : Chollerton

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's Journal, September 1846: 'We went into London one day [...] Burns's is a dull shop decidedly. You see the same books time after time [...] It is an inconvenient shop too. No place to sit down at, and the books crowded too close to the door. I took up [italics]Chollerton[end italics] (a Church tale) and skimmed parts through the uncut leaves and was not fascinated. It seemed strained and the fasting was brought forward prominently, and there seemed too much womanish humility.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Harriet Martineau : Tales on the Game Laws

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's Journal, 26 November 1846: 'I read nothing scarcely [...] Miss Martineau's [italics]Tales on the Game Laws[end italics] I began, but they are so dull to me that I have scarcely patience to finish. The thing I like about them is their fairness. The rich people are not all wretches, though Miss Martineau's sympathies are evidently with the poor.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Unknown

  

Alison : accounts of Napoleon's battles

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's Journal, 31 December 1846: 'I read a little now, and am almost afraid I am learning to do without reading. Napoleon's battles in Alison's history are so dreadfully dry, after one has been writing and working all day.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Unknown

  

 : Life of Southey

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's Journal, 19 [sic: should be 13] August 1850, during stay with the Rev. G. Cooke, Cubington: 'I have been reading [italics]Southey's Life[end italics]; it does me a great deal of good. His life in a book [...] [has] helped me more than any sermon. Southey's hard work and pecuniary anxieties come home to me. His plodding on, longing to be free; and yet his perfect contentment.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Unknown

  

John Ruskin : Lectures on Architecture and Painting

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's Journal, 14 August 1850: 'Ruskin's [italics]Lectures on Architecture and Painting[end italics] which I have been reading, interest and please me immensely. They certainly are dogmatical. They are disfigured by exaggerated tirades against Romanism, but they are full of wonderful thought, and an intense feeling for truth'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

unknown : An Authentic Sketch of the life and public services of His Excellency Sir Charles Theophilus Metcalfe, Bart., KCB etc (second volume)

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's Journal, 19 February 1856: 'I came here [Bournemouth] for a fortnight and have stayed a month. I have written a little, and read a good deal, -- the second volume of [italics]Sir Charles Metcalfe's Life[end italics], which makes me look upon him as more of a hero than many whom Carlyle would worship; and [italics]Hypatia[end italics] and two sermons of Dr. Pusey's against Germanism, and part of [italics]Hero Worship[end italics], to say nothing of pamphlets and magazines, and a diligent study of [italics]The Times[end italics] every evening.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Pusey : two sermons

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's Journal, 19 February 1856: 'I came here [Bournemouth] for a fortnight and have stayed a month. I have written a little, and read a good deal, -- the second volume of [italics]Sir Charles Metcalfe's Life[end italics], which makes me look upon him as more of a hero than many whom Carlyle would worship; and [italics]Hypatia[end italics] and two sermons of Dr. Pusey's against Germanism, and part of [italics]Hero Worship[end italics], to say nothing of pamphlets and magazines, and a diligent study of [italics]The Times[end italics] every evening.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Unknown

  

Thomas Carlyle : Heroes and Hero-Worship

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's Journal, 19 February 1856: 'I came here [Bournemouth] for a fortnight and have stayed a month. I have written a little, and read a good deal, -- the second volume of [italics]Sir Charles Metcalfe's Life[end italics], which makes me look upon him as more of a hero than many whom Carlyle would worship; and [italics]Hypatia[end italics] and two sermons of Dr. Pusey's against Germanism, and part of [italics]Hero Worship[end italics], to say nothing of pamphlets and magazines, and a diligent study of [italics]The Times[end italics] every evening.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

 : pamphlets

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's Journal, 19 February 1856: 'I came here [Bournemouth] for a fortnight and have stayed a month. I have written a little, and read a good deal, -- the second volume of [italics]Sir Charles Metcalfe's Life[end italics], which makes me look upon him as more of a hero than many whom Carlyle would worship; and [italics]Hypatia[end italics] and two sermons of Dr. Pusey's against Germanism, and part of [italics]Hero Worship[end italics], to say nothing of pamphlets and magazines, and a diligent study of [italics]The Times[end italics] every evening.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      

  

 : magazines

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's Journal, 19 February 1856: 'I came here [Bournemouth] for a fortnight and have stayed a month. I have written a little, and read a good deal, -- the second volume of [italics]Sir Charles Metcalfe's Life[end italics], which makes me look upon him as more of a hero than many whom Carlyle would worship; and [italics]Hypatia[end italics] and two sermons of Dr. Pusey's against Germanism, and part of [italics]Hero Worship[end italics], to say nothing of pamphlets and magazines, and a diligent study of [italics]The Times[end italics] every evening.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

 : The Times

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's Journal, 19 February 1856: 'I came here [Bournemouth] for a fortnight and have stayed a month. I have written a little, and read a good deal, -- the second volume of [italics]Sir Charles Metcalfe's Life[end italics], which makes me look upon him as more of a hero than many whom Carlyle would worship; and [italics]Hypatia[end italics] and two sermons of Dr. Pusey's against Germanism, and part of [italics]Hero Worship[end italics], to say nothing of pamphlets and magazines, and a diligent study of [italics]The Times[end italics] every evening.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Charles Kingsley : Hypatia

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's Journal, 19 February 1856: 'I came here [Bournemouth] for a fortnight and have stayed a month. I have written a little, and read a good deal, -- the second volume of [italics]Sir Charles Metcalfe's Life[end italics], which makes me look upon him as more of a hero than many whom Carlyle would worship; and [italics]Hypatia[end italics] and two sermons of Dr. Pusey's against Germanism, and part of [italics]Hero Worship[end italics], to say nothing of pamphlets and magazines, and a diligent study of [italics]The Times[end italics] every evening.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

St Paul : Epistle to the Hebrews

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's Journal, 19 February 1856: 'I was reading to-day the 5th chapter of the epistle to the Hebrews. I have taken this epistle for a particular study this Lent. It is a great favourite of mine. In so many ways it comes home to one's everyday trials and needs. Thinking of my birthday [19 February] threw me back into the past, and the description of our Lord having been made perfect through suffering seemed to harmonise with the great lesson which I suppose we all learn as we go on in life, that whatever we have done, or said, or thought, which may be in any way of value [...] is the fruit of suffering.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Elizabeth Gaskell : Life of Charlotte Bronte

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's Journal, 'Tuesday Evening, 9th June [1857]': 'I have just finished Mrs. Gaskell's [italics]Life of Miss Bronte[end italics]. Years ago, when [italics]Jane Eyre[end italics] came out I read it. People said it was coarse, and I felt it was, but I felt also that the person who wrote it was not necessarily coarse-minded, that the moral of the story was intended to be good; but that it failed in detail. The life is intensely, painfully interesting. A purer, more high-minded person it seems there could scarcely be, wonderfully gifted, and with a man's energy and power of will and passionate impulse; and yet gentle and womanly in all her ways [goes on to reflect upon Bronte's depressive temperament, and to characterise her religious feeling as 'abstract belief not personal love']'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Charlotte Bronte : Jane Eyre

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's Journal, 'Tuesday Evening, 9th June [1857]': 'I have just finished Mrs. Gaskell's [italics]Life of Miss Bronte[end italics]. Years ago, when [italics]Jane Eyre[end italics] came out I read it. People said it was coarse, and I felt it was, but I felt also that the person who wrote it was not necessarily coarse-minded, that the moral of the story was intended to be good; but that it failed in detail. The life is intensely, painfully interesting. A purer, more high-minded person it seems there could scarcely be, wonderfully gifted, and with a man's energy and power of will and passionate impulse; and yet gentle and womanly in all her ways [goes on to reflect upon Bronte's depressive temperament, and to characterise her religious feeling as 'abstract belief not personal love']'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Charles de Remusat : 'French Essays on Literature'

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's Journal, 28 January [?1865]: 'I am reading [italics]French Essays on Literature[end italics] [sic] -- so clever they are! Charles de Remusat describes the French of the eighteenth century as "Des gens qui ne lisaient qu'afin de pouvoir parler". Could anything be more apt?'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Jean Baptiste Henri-Dominique Lacordaire : Conferences de Notre Dame de Paris

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's Journal, 7 November 1868: 'Began Lacordaire's [italics]Conferences de Notre Dame[end italics]. He starts with premises open to much discussion, and all his arguments fall to the ground unless one can accept the premises.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

anon : slip of paper printed with news of declaration of war [?between France and Prussia]

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's Journal, 15 July 1870, from Eisenach: 'War [apparently the Franco-Prussian war] is actually declared. We heard the news this morning as we were at breakfast in the [italics]Salle[end italics]. Some one (I think it was the master of the hotel) came up and laid before me a printed slip of paper. I had just been talking about railway trains, and thought this had something to do with them. When I read it you can understand the surprise.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: loose slip of paper

  

Richard Rowe : Episodes in an Obscure Life

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's Journal, 15 August 1871, during visit to friends at Ashbourne Green, Derbyshire: 'I have been reading [italics]Episodes of an Obscure Life[end italics] [sic], and have made up my mind that I know as little of the life of the East End of London, or rather of the lives of the people, as I do of those of the angels. Write, or think, or work, as one may, there are thousands one could never reach, simply because one could not understand them.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Unknown

  

 : The Times

Eleanor L. Sewell, niece of Elizabeth Missing Sewell, in chapter 21 of [italics]The utobiography of Elizabeth Missing Sewell[end italics]: 'Miss Sewell's arduous life-work came to an end [...] in 1890, and from that year to 1897 she kept up many outside activities [...] keenly interested in events of the day, reading the [italics]Times[end italics] aloud in the evening or some book of note.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Newspaper

  

unknown : ['books of note']

Eleanor L. Sewell, niece of Elizabeth Missing Sewell, in chapter 21 of [italics]The utobiography of Elizabeth Missing Sewell[end italics]: 'Miss Sewell's arduous life-work came to an end [...] in 1890, and from that year to 1897 she kept up many outside activities [...] keenly interested in events of the day, reading the [italics]Times[end italics] aloud in the evening or some book of note.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Anna Laetitia Barbauld : 'Eyes, and No Eyes; or, The Art of Seeing'

From Letter V, "Letters on Daily Life": 'I wonder whether you ever met with an old-fashioned story called "Eyes and no Eyes." It was written, I think, by Mrs. Barbauld. I read it when I was a child. It went to show that two persons going for a walk through the same fields might return home with totally different impressions made upon them.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Fanny Kemble : Autobiography

From Letter VIII, [italics]Letters on Daily Life[end italics]: 'In what spirit of self-denial, and with what noble motives acting can be undertaken as a profession, we have all learnt lately by the publication of Mrs. Fanny Kemble's autobiography [...] certainly after reading it I do not think any one can say that acting is incompatible with the highest womanly dignity, and most sincere religious purpose.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Trench : sonnet opening 'Thou cam'st not to thy place by accident'

In Letter XI, "Letters on Daily Life", Elizabeth Missing Sewell reproduces a sonnet by 'Archbishop Trench' opening 'Thou cam'st not to thy place by accident / It is the very place God meant for thee,' with the remark that this poem 'has often been a help to me when I have felt inclined to wish my position other than it is.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      

  

?Maria ?Edgeworth : 'To-morrow'

In Chapter XII [sic], "Letters on Daily Life": 'In my young days we used to read Miss Edgeworth's story of "To-morrow", in which the procrastinator gives the history of the misfortunes that his habit has involved him in, and breaks off abruptly, leaving it to his editor to say that the story was to be finished [italics]to-morrow[end italics]. I don't know that the tale actually prevented me from procrastinating when I was a child, but it imprinted firmly in my mind that procrastination was a dangerous fault, and the impression has remained with me and been very useful ever since.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Jane Taylor : The Contributions of Q.Q.

In Letter XXI, "Letters on Daily Life" (addressed to 'C___'), on the correspondent's supposedly having mentioned to her her feeling that 'government of the thoughts' was 'an impossibility': 'I can recollect the book which first brought to me the conviction that such mental control was a duty. It was a volume of short essays and stories, called [italics]The Contributions of Q.Q.[end italics], by Jane Taylor, the well-known author of [italics]Hymns for Infant Minds[end italics]. It brought me a new idea just at the time when I most needed the help [...] I am glad to be able to acknowledge thankfully the aid that this old-fashioned, book, with its quaint title, afforded me.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Giovanni Perrone : Catechismi intorno al Protestantesimo ed alla Chiesa Cattolica

In letter to 'My Dear ----,' E. M. Sewell reproduces several passages (in English translation) from Giovanni Perrone, "Catechismi intorno al Protestanteismo ed alla Chiesa Cattolica" (1861), following remark: 'An Italian catechism, published some years ago, has lately been reprinted, in which the people are warned against the insidious heresies of Protestantism generally, and of the English in particular. The lies it contains send one into fits of laughter.' [Discussion of text continued after examples].

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

unknown : Pamphlet on the Chiesa Evangelica

Elizabeth Missing Sewell, in letter to 'My Dear _____', from Florence, May 1861: 'A pamphlet [on the Chiesa Evangelica] which has been lent me, giving an account of its formation, plainly owns that it does not pretend to be a regular church.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Rienzi

Elizabeth Missing Sewell, describing travel from Pisa toward Spezzia in letter of 5 June 1861 to 'My Dear _____', headed 'Bugiasta or Pagiastra, or something of the kind; but we can't quite make out where we are, only it is half-way between Spezzia and Sestri, and on the road to Genoa.': 'We started after six [am], M and myself on the outside seat [?of coach]. What with pleasant conversation, the reading of "Rienzi" and the newspaper, and occasional little naps, I managed to spend an agreeable day.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

 : newspaper

Elizabeth Missing Sewell, describing travel from Pisa toward Spezzia in letter of 5 June 1861 to 'My Dear _____', headed 'Bugiasta or Pagiastra, or something of the kind; but we can't quite make out where we are, only it is half-way between Spezzia and Sestri, and on the road to Genoa.': 'We started after six [am], M and myself on the outside seat [?of coach]. What with pleasant conversation, the reading of "Rienzi" and the newspaper, and occasional little naps, I managed to spend an agreeable day.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Newspaper

  

anon : [novel]

'When we arrived at Turin, we had no hope of being present at a sitting of Parliament, but our Sicilian friend [a friend of Cavour and acquaintance of Garibaldi, previously encountered by Sewell in a railway carriage], who had promised to call upon us, came [...] to bring us tickets of admission for Monday [...] He was as voluble and excited as before, and produced a novel which he had lately written, and which he begged us to accept. A most remarkable production it was, as I found when I read it! ___ the Pope, Antonelli, and Lamorciere, being brought in by name, and made to take part in a plot of atrocious and not very readable wickedness.'

Unknown
Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      

  

Elizabeth Gaskell : Cranford

Mrs Hugh Fraser, describing life at the select girls' boarding school she attended, run by Elizabeth Missing Sewell and her sisters at Bonchurch, Isle of Wight: 'the only unpleasant incident of my whole stay in Bonchurch was connected with the evening readings. The book in question was "Cranford," and we were all electrified when Aunt Elizabeth [the pupils' name for Sewell] came to a full stop in the beginning of the part where the nephew plays a practical joke -- something connected with a baby -- on the old ladies. "I will leave this out," said Miss Sewell, looking quite stern. The she turned the page and took up the story further on. [goes on to relate how a new girl who was caught looking for the offending passage in the book was subsequently expelled]'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Lindley Murray : English grammar

'When I first ventured to write a sentence for publication, having a deep sense of my profound ignorance of the rules of punctuation, I applied myself to the study of Lindley Murray's grammar -- then the one accepted authority for English people. He gave seventeen rules for the right placing of the comma, and I thought it my duty to endeavour to master them. But my patience did not hold out [...] I threw aside the seventeen rules of punctuation, and in their stead placed on one mental page the simple definitions of the respective values of periods, colons, semi-colons, and commas which I had learnt as a child, and then took which ever common sense and observation pointed out as suitable to my purpose; and in the end I found that I had escaped any special criticism.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

William Pinnock : Catechism

Elizabeth Missing Sewell recalls her studies to the age of thirteen: 'As regards history, I had learnt absolutely perfectly the chief events in the reigns of the English kings given in Pinnock's Catechism, and could go through the dates without a mistake.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

 : New Testament Gospels

Elizabeth Missing Sewell recalls her studies to the age of thirteen: 'The Gospels were as familiar to me as the Lord's Prayer and the Catechism; almost too familiar, indeed, for I read them day after day as a lesson, and thus in a certain degree lost the sense of their meaning.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

St Matthew : Matthew 2:1

'It had [...] been a favourite idea of my mother's that her girls should learn Latin, and she engaged an old schoolmaster living in a back street in our native town to give my eldest sister and myself lessons when we were about ten and eight years of age [...] But the lessons did not last long. The tears I shed over the difficulties of the first verse of the second chapter of the Gospel of St. Matthew, which was the material for our first Latin lesson, were so bitter that they were too much for my mother's tender heart, and I was allowed to give up the study [...] The failure of this attempt, which was never renewed, has been a regret to me all my life.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Mangall : Questions

Elizabeth Missing Sewell recalls studies at the second school she attended (to the age of 15): 'Our subjects of study included -- besides English history and exercises in grammar -- lessons in mythology and upon the English Constitution learnt by heart from Mangall's Questions, the outlines of the rise of nations, with Roman, Grecian, and French history (the latter read in French), Mrs. Marcet's Conversations on Chemistry and Political Economy, and Joyce's Scientific Dialogues.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

unknown : [texts on French history]

Elizabeth Missing Sewell recalls studies at the second school she attended (to the age of 15): 'Our subjects of study included -- besides English history and exercises in grammar -- lessons in mythology and upon the English Constitution learnt by heart from Mangall's Questions, the outlines of the rise of nations, with Roman, Grecian, and French history (the latter read in French), Mrs. Marcet's Conversations on Chemistry and Political Economy, and Joyce's Scientific Dialogues.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Mrs Marcet : Conversations on Chemistry

Elizabeth Missing Sewell recalls studies at the second school she attended (to the age of 15): 'Our subjects of study included -- besides English history and exercises in grammar -- lessons in mythology and upon the English Constitution learnt by heart from Mangall's Questions, the outlines of the rise of nations, with Roman, Grecian, and French history (the latter read in French), Mrs. Marcet's Conversations on Chemistry and Political Economy, and Joyce's Scientific Dialogues.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Mrs Marcet : Conversations on Political Economy

Elizabeth Missing Sewell recalls studies at the second school she attended (to the age of 15): 'Our subjects of study included -- besides English history and exercises in grammar -- lessons in mythology and upon the English Constitution learnt by heart from Mangall's Questions, the outlines of the rise of nations, with Roman, Grecian, and French history (the latter read in French), Mrs. Marcet's Conversations on Chemistry and Political Economy, and Joyce's Scientific Dialogues.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Joyce : Scientific Dialogues

Elizabeth Missing Sewell recalls studies at the second school she attended (to the age of 15): 'Our subjects of study included -- besides English history and exercises in grammar -- lessons in mythology and upon the English Constitution learnt by heart from Mangall's Questions, the outlines of the rise of nations, with Roman, Grecian, and French history (the latter read in French), Mrs. Marcet's Conversations on Chemistry and Political Economy, and Joyce's Scientific Dialogues.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Lady Barker : Letters from New Zealand

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's recommendations of non-fictional works 'which I can guarantee myself' in 'Hints on Reading': 'Lady Barker's Letters from New Zealand almost everyone knows. They are lively and graphic. I suspect, from what I have heard from my New Zealand friends, that they are rather highly coloured, but they give a very vivid impression of the pleasures and toils of life in the Antipodes, and are good for reading aloud.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

George Kennan : Tent Life in Siberia

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's recommendations of non-fictional works 'which I can guarantee myself' in 'Hints on Reading': 'Tent Life in Siberia. -- Not a very new book, but interesting from its account of northern scenery and civilization.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

J. A. Froude : Short Essays on Great Subjects

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's recommendations of non-fictional works 'which I can guarantee myself' in 'Hints on Reading': 'Froude's Short Essays on Great Subjects. -- I mention this book with a certain reservation, because, with all my admiration of Mr. Froude's talents, I certainly do not agree with him in principle [...] "Calvinism" appears to me to be about anything but Calvinism. It is rather an exposition of Mr. Froude's Protestant view of Christianity; but it is interesting and suggestive. Several of the other essays are on the colonial policy of England, and will be chiefly attractive to those who have colonial sympathies; but they are very clever.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Count Beugnot : Memoirs

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's recommendations of non-fictional works 'which I can guarantee myself' in 'Hints on Reading': 'Count Beugnot's Memoirs I have been reading in the original, and I have come to the conclusion that the book is likely to be more agreeable to an English reader in the English dress which Miss Yonge has given it. So much of it refers to individuals and politics exclusively French; but in any form it must be interesting at this time, when France is, as it was then, undergoing a process of re-construction.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Frederick William Robinson : Christie's Faith

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's recommendations of works 'which I can guarantee myself' in 'Hints on Reading': 'Christie's Faith, by the author of "Owen, a Waif," is a novel which I can guarantee myself. The scenes are not laid in a very elevated class of life, and some are extremely painful, but there is a noble religious tone throughout the book which carries one through all. If I were inclined to criticise, I should say that the author does not understand women as well as he does men, and one scene, in which a so-called lady offers to be the wife of a man much her inferior in position, would in other hands have been very unpleasant. As it is, it is merely unnatural. The author's sympathies are evidently not with the English Church, but he is no way antagonistic to it.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

J. G. Sharp : Culture and Religion

From Elizabeth Missing Sewell's recommendations of non-fictional works 'which I can guarantee myself' in 'Hints on Reading': 'Culture and Religion, by J. G. Sharp, is a delightful little book, which should be read and thought over till it is fully mastered.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

William Pinnock : [?] Catechism of the History of England

'we learned Pinnock's Catechisms of History and Geography, and parsed sentences grammatically. For religious instruction we read portions of the Old Testament, and the Gospels, and Acts of the Apostles in a class every day, using Mrs Trimmer's "Selections"; and on Sundays we repeated the Collect and learned Watts's hymns, besides going through the Church Catechism. We also had Crossman's Catechism given us as an explanation of the Church Catechism'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

William Pinnock : Catechism of Geography; being an easy Introduction to the Knowledge of the World

'we learned Pinnock's Catechisms of History and Geography, and parsed sentences grammatically. For religious instruction we read portions of the Old Testament, and the Gospels, and Acts of the Apostles in a class every day, using Mrs Trimmer's "Selections"; and on Sundays we repeated the Collect and learned Watts's hymns, besides going through the Church Catechism. We also had Crossman's Catechism given us as an explanation of the Church Catechism'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Sarah Trimmer : Abridgement of Scripture History, consisting of Lessons selected from the Old Testament, for the Use of Schools and Families

'we learned Pinnock's Catechisms of History and Geography, and parsed sentences grammatically. For religious instruction we read portions of the Old Testament, and the Gospels, and Acts of the Apostles in a class every day, using Mrs Trimmer's "Selections"; and on Sundays we repeated the Collect and learned Watts's hymns, besides going through the Church Catechism. We also had Crossman's Catechism given us as an explanation of the Church Catechism'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

[n/a] : Church Catechism

'we learned Pinnock's Catechisms of History and Geography, and parsed sentences grammatically. For religious instruction we read portions of the Old Testament, and the Gospels, and Acts of the Apostles in a class every day, using Mrs Trimmer's "Selections"; and on Sundays we repeated the Collect and learned Watts's hymns, besides going through the Church Catechism. We also had Crossman's Catechism given us as an explanation of the Church Catechism'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

[n/a] : Book of Isaiah

'whilst yet in the nursery, I learned the greater portion of the first chapter of Isaiah, and can repeat it to this day. No one told me to do so, or even knew that I had done it. The beauty of the language, the exquisite musical rhythm of the sentences caught my ear, but I had little perception of anything beyond.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Joseph Addison : Spectator

'My chief acquaintance with the writers of the eighteenth century is derived from reading to Aunt Lyddy papers in the "Spectator" and "The Rambler", Mason's plays, Addison's "Cato" etc. This we were often called upon to do when we were invited to dine with Aunt Clarke'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Serial / periodical, possibly bound as a book

  

Samuel Johnson : Rambler, The

'My chief acquaintance with the writers of the eighteenth century is derived from reading to Aunt Lyddy papers in the "Spectator" and "The Rambler", Mason's plays, Addison's "Cato" etc. This we were often called upon to do when we were invited to dine with Aunt Clarke'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Serial / periodical, possibly bound as a book

  

Mason : [Plays]

'My chief acquaintance with the writers of the eighteenth century is derived from reading to Aunt Lyddy papers in the "Spectator" and "The Rambler", Mason's plays, Addison's "Cato" etc. This we were often called upon to do when we were invited to dine with Aunt Clarke'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Joseph Addison : Cato

'My chief acquaintance with the writers of the eighteenth century is derived from reading to Aunt Lyddy papers in the "Spectator" and "The Rambler", Mason's plays, Addison's "Cato" etc. This we were often called upon to do when we were invited to dine with Aunt Clarke'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Gottfried August Burger : Lenore

'My first sight of German letters, and my first wish to know the language, was gained from being allowed to look at a beautiful copy of Burger's "Lenore", illustrated by striking line engravings, and having the German on one page and the English translation on the other.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

[n/a] : Book of Judges

'[I] had made myself miserable, after reading about Jephtha's vow, because I imagined that every time the thought of making a vow came into my head I had actually made it and was bound to keep it.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Walter Scott : Lady of the Lake, The

'We learned passages from the best authors, and my delight in Walter Scott made me add to the regular lesson large portions of "The Lady of the Lake" which are fresh in my memory at this moment'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

William Russell : History of Modern Europe

'I used to study by myself, for I knew that I was wofully ignorant. Such books as Russell's "History of Modern Europe" and Robertson's "Charles the Fifth", I read, and also Watts on the "Improvement of the Mind", and I plodded through an Italian history of the Venetian Doges, lent me by an intimate and valued friend of my father, Mr Turnbull'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

William Robertson : History of the Reign of Charles the Fifth

'I used to study by myself, for I knew that I was wofully ignorant. Such books as Russell's "History of Modern Europe" and Robertson's "Charles the Fifth", I read, and also Watts on the "Improvement of the Mind", and I plodded through an Italian history of the Venetian Doges, lent me by an intimate and valued friend of my father, Mr Turnbull'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Isaac Watts : Improvement of the Mind, The

'I used to study by myself, for I knew that I was wofully ignorant. Such books as Russell's "History of Modern Europe" and Robertson's "Charles the Fifth", I read, and also Watts on the "Improvement of the Mind", and I plodded through an Italian history of the Venetian Doges, lent me by an intimate and valued friend of my father, Mr Turnbull'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [History of Venetian Doges]

'I used to study by myself, for I knew that I was wofully ignorant. Such books as Russell's "History of Modern Europe" and Robertson's "Charles the Fifth", I read, and also Watts on the "Improvement of the Mind", and I plodded through an Italian history of the Venetian Doges, lent me by an intimate and valued friend of my father, Mr Turnbull'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Miguel de Cervantes : Don Quixote

'I taught myself besides to read Spanish - for having found a Spanish "Don Quixote" lying about, which no-one claimed, I took possession of it, bought a grammar and dictionary, and set to work to master the contents of the book which I knew so well by name'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [a Spanish grammar]

'I taught myself besides to read Spanish - for having found a Spanish "Don Quixote" lying about, which no-one claimed, I took possession of it, bought a grammar and dictionary, and set to work to master the contents of the book which I knew so well by name'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [a Spanish dictionary]

'I taught myself besides to read Spanish - for having found a Spanish "Don Quixote" lying about, which no-one claimed, I took possession of it, bought a grammar and dictionary, and set to work to master the contents of the book which I knew so well by name'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [Linnaean botany book]

'The elements of botany on the Linnaean system was another of my attempted acquirements, but I am afraid my studies were very superficial: I knew nothing perfectly, but I read everything that came in my way. There was an excellent town library in Newport, from which I could get any good modern works; and, besides the graver literature, I had always some lighter book on hand, and especially delighted in Walter Scott's novels and poetry. Byron, too, was a great favourite'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Walter Scott : [unknown]

'The elements of botany on the Linnaean system was another of my attempted acquirements, but I am afraid my studies were very superficial: I knew nothing perfectly, but I read everything that came in my way. There was an excellent town library in Newport, from which I could get any good modern works; and, besides the graver literature, I had always some lighter book on hand, and especially delighted in Walter Scott's novels and poetry. Byron, too, was a great favourite'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

George Gordon, Lord Byron : [unknown]

'The elements of botany on the Linnaean system was another of my attempted acquirements, but I am afraid my studies were very superficial: I knew nothing perfectly, but I read everything that came in my way. There was an excellent town library in Newport, from which I could get any good modern works; and, besides the graver literature, I had always some lighter book on hand, and especially delighted in Walter Scott's novels and poetry. Byron, too, was a great favourite'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Walter Scott : Paul's Letters to his Kinsfolk

'We were at the old vicarage, which had then only one sitting room, or at least only one which we could use, for the floor of the other room was covered with Mr Heathcote's books. They were very kindly left for our use, and I made an acquaintance with Sir Walter Scott's "Paul's Letters to his Kinsfolk", and read Shakespeare to Ellen, and led a quiet life, seeing no one'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : [unknown]

'We were at the old vicarage, which had then only one sitting room, or at least only one which we could use, for the floor of the other room was covered with Mr Heathcote's books. They were very kindly left for our use, and I made an acquaintance with Sir Walter Scott's "Paul's Letters to his Kinsfolk", and read Shakespeare to Ellen, and led a quiet life, seeing no one'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Laetitia Hawkins : Countess and Gertrude, The; or, Modes of Discipline

'The only gleam of romance I had in connection with the place [a house in John St, Bedford Row, London] was derived from the fact that the large bare house reminded me of a description of one like it in an old novel by Miss Hawkins - "The Countess and Gertrude".'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Joseph Butler : Analogy of Religion, Natural and Revealed, to the Constitution and Course of Nature

'My mind also had become much quieted and strengthened by the reading of Butler's "Analogy", which I had always heard mentioned with admiration, and which I stumbled upon, as it seemed accidentally (though doubtless it was a Providential help sent me), while we were spending a few days at the Hermitage. I took it up first for curiosity, and read it through nearly, but not quite to the end; feeling very much afraid all the time that some one would inquire into my studies, and being greatly humiliated by an observation made by William, who one day found me with it in my hand. His surprised tone as he exclaimed, "You can't understand that", made me shrink into my shell of reserve, and for years I never owned to anyone that Butler's "Analogy" had been to me, as it has been to hundreds, the stay of a troubled intellect and a weak faith'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

John Henry Newman : Tracts for the Times

'I had seen some numbers of "Tracts for the Times" lying on the counter in a bookseller's shop in Newport, and they had excited my curiosity, and led to inquiry; and, as my brother William's opinions had by that time become marked, he soon succeeded in indoctrinating us all with them. A very great comfort it certainly was to myself to have my ideas cleared upon subjects which had long been floating about in my brain, and worrying me almost without my knowing it. Especially it was a relief to me to find great earnestness and devotion in a system which allowed of reserve in expression, and did not make the style of conversation, which I had met with in the only definitely religious tales I had read, a necessary part of Christianity. Mrs Sherwood's "Tales" and others of a similar kind, described children as quoting texts, and talking of their feelings in an unnatural way, or what seemed to me unnatural; and I had really suffered so much at school from things said to me which jarred upon my taste that it was perfect rest to be able to talk upon religious subjects without hearing or using cant phrases'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Mary Martha Sherwood : [Tales]

'I had seen some numbers of "Tracts for the Times" lying on the counter in a bookseller's shop in Newport, and they had excited my curiosity, and led to inquiry; and, as my brother William's opinions had by that time become marked, he soon succeeded in indoctrinating us all with them. A very great comfort it certainly was to myself to have my ideas cleared upon subjects which had long been floating about in my brain, and worrying me almost without my knowing it. Especially it was a relief to me to find great earnestness and devotion in a system which allowed of reserve in expression, and did not make the style of conversation, which I had met with in the only definitely religious tales I had read, a necessary part of Christianity. Mrs Sherwood's "Tales" and others of a similar kind, described children as quoting texts, and talking of their feelings in an unnatural way, or what seemed to me unnatural; and I had really suffered so much at school from things said to me which jarred upon my taste that it was perfect rest to be able to talk upon religious subjects without hearing or using cant phrases'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : Stories on the Lord's Prayer

'I read both the few chapters of the intended tract, and the beginning of "Amy Herbert" to my sisters, and they liked them'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : Amy Herbert

'I read both the few chapters of the intended tract, and the beginning of "Amy Herbert" to my sisters, and they liked them'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Charlotte Yonge : Daisy Chain, The

'In 1840 Miss Yonge was a bright attractive girl, at least ten years younger than myself and very like her own Ethel in "The Daisy Chain". Great interest was expressed by her and her mother in Mrs Mozley (Cardinal Newman's sister), the author of a tale called the "Fairy Bower", which had appeared shortly before. It was the precursor of the many tales, illustrative of the Oxford teaching, that were written at this period, and which were hailed with special satisfaction by young people, who turned fom the texts, and prayers, and hymns, which Mrs Sherwood had introduced into her stories, and yet needed something higher in tone than Miss Edgeworth's morality'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : Stories on the Lord's Prayer

'I was reading the little book aloud to my mother one evening when he was in the room, and not being well was lying on the sofa half asleep, as I thought; but he listened, and I think was interested, for he asked me what I was reading. I forget exactly what answer I made, but it certainly was not that I was reading anything of my own, and so I lost the opportunity of giving him pleasure'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Mary Martha Sherwood : [Tales based on Church Catechism]

'The idea of connecting it ["Laneton Parsonage", by Sewell] with the Church Catechism had been originally suggested to me by Mrs Sherwood's stories on the same subject, which in my childhood had been a great source of Sunday amusement'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : Earl's Daughter, The

'"The Earl's Daughter" was also begun before my mother's death, and I read part of it to her, but she saw from the beginning that it was likely to be sad, and I think it rather oppressed her. "Margaret Percival" I read to her entirely, and also a portion of "Laneton Parsonage", and I remember being obliged to reassure her that Alice Lennox (in the latter tale) when taken ill would not die, she took such a vivid interest in the story - which was only completed after her death'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : Margaret Percival

'"The Earl's Daughter" was also begun before my mother's death, and I read part of it to her, but she saw from the beginning that it was likely to be sad, and I think it rather oppressed her. "Margaret Percival" I read to her entirely, and also a portion of "Laneton Parsonage", and I remember being obliged to reassure her that Alice Lennox (in the latter tale) when taken ill would not die, she took such a vivid interest in the story - which was only completed after her death'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : Laneton parsonage

'"The Earl's Daughter" was also begun before my mother's death, and I read part of it to her, but she saw from the beginning that it was likely to be sad, and I think it rather oppressed her. "Margaret Percival" I read to her entirely, and also a portion of "Laneton Parsonage", and I remember being obliged to reassure her that Alice Lennox (in the latter tale) when taken ill would not die, she took such a vivid interest in the story - which was only completed after her death'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Manuscript: Unknown

  

John Henry Newman : [a sermon]

'The Church though may mean the Catholic or Universal Church and so Rome may be included. It is a horrid, startling notion, but a sermon of Newman's I was reading to-night would be a great safeguard against being led into mischief by it, "Obedience, the remedy for religious pereplexity".'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : Life of Stephen Langton

'We had a wet day yesterday, and amused ourselves with reading aloud "The Life of Stephen Langton" in "The Lives of the English Saints" (These lives were small biographies written by the more extreme members of the Oxford party.) It is well written and interesting, but I cannot go with it Thomas a Becket is no saint to my mind, and I dislike the uncalled-for hits at the Reformation'. [text in parenthesis added by the author or editor, it is unclear which, when turning journal text into publishable material]

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Cecilia Frances Tilley : Chollerton: A tale of our own times

'I took up "Chollerton" (a Church tale) and skimmed parts through the uncut leaves and was not fascinated. It seemed strained and the fasting was brought forward prominently, and there seemed too much womanish humility. In one place the authoress cannot follow a young clergman, by description, in his feelings, or intrude "into that sacred edifice which formerly a woman's foot was forbidden to profane". This is, if I remember rightly, the drift of the observation, and really my humility cannot reach that depth. I think I [italics] can [end italics] imagine something of what a clergyman might feel, and I should never consider it an intrusion to go wherever men go, taking them as men. Of course the altar is different; but there the distinction is not between men and women, but between God and man'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Harriet Martineau : Forest and Game-Law Tales

'I read nothing scarcely, all my spare time being given to German exercises. Miss Martineau's "Tales on the Game Laws" I began, but they are so dull to me that I have scarcely patience to finish. The thing I like about them is their fairness. The rich people are not all wretches,though Miss Martineau's sympathies are evidently with the poor'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Archibald Alison : History of Europe from the Fall of Napoleon in MDCCCXV to the Accession of Louis Napoleon in MDCCCLII

'I read a little now, and am almost afraid I am learning to do without reading. Napoleon's battles in Alison's history are so dreadfully dry, after one has been writing and working all day.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Robert Southey : Life and Correspondence of Robert Southey

'I have been reading "Southey's Life"; it does me a great deal of good. His life in a book and Mrs Charles Worsley's in actuality, have helped me more than any sermon. Southey's hard work and pecuniary anxieties come home to me'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

John Ruskin : Lectures on Architecture and Painting

'Ruskin's "Lectures on Architecture and Painting" which I have been reading, interest and please me immensely. They certainly are dogmatical. They are disfigured by exaggerated tirades against Romanism, but they are full of wonderful thought, and an intense feeling for truth, which must have an effect, one would think, upon those who read, or who have heard them'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

J.W. Kaye : Life and correspondence of Charles, Lord Metcalfe

'I have written a little, and read a good deal, - the second volume of "Sir Charles Metcalfe's Life", which makes me look upon him as more of a hero than many whom Carlyle would worship; and "Hypatia" and two sermons of Dr Pusey's against Germanism, and part of "Hero Worship", to say nothing of pamphlets and magazines, and a diligent study of "The Times" every evening. "Hypatia" is a marvel; very painful because it gives such a miserable view of Christianity in those days. In striving to be true, the description seems as if it must be untrue, even by its own acknowledgment. There must have been self-denial and faith, and charity working beneath those turbulent outward scenes. Yet it gives one no sympathy with philosophy. Mrs Meyrick and I both agree that "Pelagia" wins our affection much more than "Hypatia".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Charles Kingsley : Hypatia - or New Foes with an Old Face

'I have written a little, and read a good deal, - the second volume of "Sir Charles Metcalfe's Life", which makes me look upon him as more of a hero than many whom Carlyle would worship; and "Hypatia" and two sermons of Dr Pusey's against Germanism, and part of "Hero Worship", to say nothing of pamphlets and magazines, and a diligent study of "The Times" every evening. "Hypatia" is a marvel; very painful because it gives such a miserable view of Christianity in those days. In striving to be true, the description seems as if it must be untrue, even by its own acknowledgment. There must have been self-denial and faith, and charity working beneath those turbulent outward scenes. Yet it gives one no sympathy with philosophy. Mrs Meyrick and I both agree that "Pelagia" wins our affection much more than "Hypatia".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Edward Bouverie Pusey : [Sermons]

'I have written a little, and read a good deal, - the second volume of "Sir Charles Metcalfe's Life", which makes me look upon him as more of a hero than many whom Carlyle would worship; and "Hypatia" and two sermons of Dr Pusey's against Germanism, and part of "Hero Worship", to say nothing of pamphlets and magazines, and a diligent study of "The Times" every evening. "Hypatia" is a marvel; very painful because it gives such a miserable view of Christianity in those days. In striving to be true, the description seems as if it must be untrue, even by its own acknowledgment. There must have been self-denial and faith, and charity working beneath those turbulent outward scenes. Yet it gives one no sympathy with philosophy. Mrs Meyrick and I both agree that "Pelagia" wins our affection much more than "Hypatia".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

Thomas Carlyle : Heroes and Hero Worship and the Heroic in History

'I have written a little, and read a good deal, - the second volume of "Sir Charles Metcalfe's Life", which makes me look upon him as more of a hero than many whom Carlyle would worship; and "Hypatia" and two sermons of Dr Pusey's against Germanism, and part of "Hero Worship", to say nothing of pamphlets and magazines, and a diligent study of "The Times" every evening. "Hypatia" is a marvel; very painful because it gives such a miserable view of Christianity in those days. In striving to be true, the description seems as if it must be untrue, even by its own acknowledgment. There must have been self-denial and faith, and charity working beneath those turbulent outward scenes. Yet it gives one no sympathy with philosophy. Mrs Meyrick and I both agree that "Pelagia" wins our affection much more than "Hypatia".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Book

  

[n/a] : Times, The

'I have written a little, and read a good deal, - the second volume of "Sir Charles Metcalfe's Life", which makes me look upon him as more of a hero than many whom Carlyle would worship; and "Hypatia" and two sermons of Dr Pusey's against Germanism, and part of "Hero Worship", to say nothing of pamphlets and magazines, and a diligent study of "The Times" every evening. "Hypatia" is a marvel; very painful because it gives such a miserable view of Christianity in those days. In striving to be true, the description seems as if it must be untrue, even by its own acknowledgment. There must have been self-denial and faith, and charity working beneath those turbulent outward scenes. Yet it gives one no sympathy with philosophy. Mrs Meyrick and I both agree that "Pelagia" wins our affection much more than "Hypatia".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Newspaper

  

[unknown] : [pamphlets and magazines]

'I have written a little, and read a good deal, - the second volume of "Sir Charles Metcalfe's Life", which makes me look upon him as more of a hero than many whom Carlyle would worship; and "Hypatia" and two sermons of Dr Pusey's against Germanism, and part of "Hero Worship", to say nothing of pamphlets and magazines, and a diligent study of "The Times" every evening. "Hypatia" is a marvel; very painful because it gives such a miserable view of Christianity in those days. In striving to be true, the description seems as if it must be untrue, even by its own acknowledgment. There must have been self-denial and faith, and charity working beneath those turbulent outward scenes. Yet it gives one no sympathy with philosophy. Mrs Meyrick and I both agree that "Pelagia" wins our affection much more than "Hypatia".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell      Print: Serial / periodical

 

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