Listings for Reader:
Laetitia Van Lewen
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John Dryden : Alexander's Feast
'[her mother having forbidden her to learn to read due to her weak eyes] I was at this time about five Years of Age, and my Mother being one Day abroad, I had happily laid hold on "Alexander's Feast", and found something in it so charming, that I read it aloud; - but how like a condemned Criminal did I look, when my Father, softly opening his Study-door, took in the very Fact; I dropt my Book, and burst into Tears, begging Pardon, and promising never to do so again: But my Sorrow was soon dispell'd, when he bade me not be frighten'd, but read to him, which to his great Surprize, I did very distinctly, and without hurting the beauty of the Numbers. Instead of the whipping, of which I stood in Dread, he took me up in his Arms, and kiss'd me, giving me a whole Shilling, as a Reward, and told me, "He would give me another, as soon as I got a Poem by Heart"; which he put into my Hand, and prov'd to be Mr [italics] Pope[end italics]'s sacred Eclogue, which Task I perform'd before my Mother return'd Home. They were both astonish'd at my Memory, and from that Day forward, I was [permitted to read as much as I pleas'd'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia van Lewen Print: Book
Alexander Pope : Sacred Eclogue in Imitation of Virgil’s 'Pollio'
'[her mother having forbidden her to learn to read due to her weak eyes] I was at this time about five Years of Age, and my Mother being one Day abroad, I had happily laid hold on "Alexander's Feast", and found something in it so charming, that I read it aloud; - but how like a condemned Criminal did I look, when my Father, softly opening his Study-door, took in the very Fact; I dropt my Book, and burst into Tears, begging Pardon, and promising never to do so again: But my Sorrow was soon dispell'd, when he bade me not be frighten'd, but read to him, which to his great Surprize, I did very distinctly, and without hurting the beauty of the Numbers. Instead of the whipping, of which I stood in Dread, he took me up in his Arms, and kiss'd me, giving me a whole Shilling, as a Reward, and told me, "He would give me another, as soon as I got a Poem by Heart"; which he put into my Hand, and prov'd to be Mr [italics] Pope[end italics]'s sacred Eclogue, which Task I perform'd before my Mother return'd Home. They were both astonish'd at my Memory, and from that Day forward, I was [permitted to read as much as I pleas'd'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia van Lewen Print: Book
[unknown] : [poetry]
'chiefly was I charm'd and ravish'd with the Sweets of Poetry; all my Hours were dedicated to the Muses; and from a Reader, i quickly became a Writer'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia van Lewen Print: Book
Matthew Pilkington : [letters]
'During my Stay in the Country, he wrote me a great many poetical Compliments, and subscrib'd himself, [italics] Amintas [end italics]: as they were really very elegant; my Mother, who always examined my Letters, exprest great Curiosity to know the Writer'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia van Lewen Manuscript: Letter
Constantia Grierson : [poems]
'Whether it was owing to her own Desire, or the Envy of those who survived her, I know not; but of her various and beautiful Writings, except one poem of her's in Mrs [italics] Barber [end italics]'s Works; Ii have never seen any published; 'tis true, as her turn was chiefly to philosophical or divine Subjects, they might not be agreeable to the present Taste; yet could her heavenly Muse descend from its sublime height to the easy epistolary Stile, and suit itself to my then gay Disposition' [Pilkington then reproduces two poems by Constantia Grierson]
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Laetitia Van Lewen Manuscript: Unknown
Mary Barber : Poems on Several Occasions
'Whether it was owing to her own Desire, or the Envy of those who survived her, I know not; but of her various and beautiful Writings, except one poem of her's in Mrs [italics] Barber [end italics]'s Works; Ii have never seen any published; 'tis true, as her turn was chiefly to philosophical or divine Subjects, they might not be agreeable to the present Taste; yet could her heavenly Muse descend from its sublime height to the easy epistolary Stile, and suit itself to my then gay Disposition' [Pilkington then reproduces two poems by Constantia Grierson]
