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

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 : 

Witness statement in trial for theft: James Robertson: "I keep a public house in Stanhope-street, Clare market -the prisoner and another came in on the 12th of February, and called for a pot of hot -they went into the parlour, where the clock was -I had the paper-hangers at work there the night before, and asked them to go into the tap-room, but they objected -the man with him came out and read the newspaper to me at the bar -this raised my suspicion -I told my servant to keep watch..."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Anon      Print: Newspaper

  

 : 

Witness statement in trial for theft: Alexander Jack: "...we went to another house a little further on, and there was a man sitting with a pot of beer, reading a newspaper by himself..."

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group: Anon      Print: Newspaper

  

 : 

Witness statement in trial for theft: Thomas Watts: "...there was a gentleman in the house reading a newspaper and I shewed it [the case] to him..."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Anon      Print: Newspaper

  

William Wordsworth : [poems]

William Wordsworth describes coach journey from London, having already observed that the coach guard was a former grocer on his first day in the new job: 'At Lancaster I happened to mention Grasmere in the hearing of one of the Passengers, who asked me immediately if one Wordsworth did not live there. I answered, "Yes." - "He has written," said he, "some very beautiful Poems; The Critics do indeed cry out against them, and condemn them as over simple, but for my part I read them with great pleasure, they are natural and true." - This man was also a Grocer.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: [a grocer] Anon      

  

[n/a] : Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper

Henry Mayhew's interview with a seller of street stationery: 'I read "Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper" on a Sunday, and what murders and robberies there is now!'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

G.W.M. Reynolds : The Mysteries of London

Henry Mayhew interviews "educated" costermongers who read fiction aloud to groups of costermongers in the courts they inhabit; long account of the comments made by illiterate costermongers when cheap serials are read to them, comments on the story lines they like, characters and illustrations; reading of G.W.M. Reynolds's "Mysteries" and Edward Lloyd's penny bloods

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Serial / periodical

  

G.W.M. Reynolds : The Mysteries of the Court of London

Henry Mayhew interviews "educated" costermongers who read fiction aloud to groups of costermongers in the courts they inhabit; long account of the comments made by illiterate costermongers when cheap serials are read to them, comments on the story lines they like, characters and illustrations; reading of G.W.M. Reynolds's "Mysteries" and Edward Lloyd's penny bloods

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Serial / periodical

  

G.W.M. Reynolds : Reynolds's Miscellany

Henry Mayhew interviews a crossing sweeper: "Sometimes, after I get home, I read a book, if I can borrow one. What do I read? Well, novels, when I can get them. What did I read last night? Well, Reynolds's Miscellany; before that I read the Pilgrim's Progress. I have read it three times over; but there's always something new in it."

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Serial / periodical

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Jack Sheppard

Statement of a juvenile offender: "I was never in prison before. I have been twice discharged, and am now waiting for trial... I have heard the 'Life of Jack Sheppard' read; it did not lead me to think of anything good, but I am sure it would lead young folks to do everything bad. The man I heard read it lived in a house in Gore-street, and sold penny-beer, asnd other things: it is a house where men and boys meet"

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

  

William Harrison Ainsworth : Jack Sheppard

Statement of juvenile offender: "I have been four times in prison and twice discharged... I never saw Jack Sheppard performed; I have heard boys talk of him, and have heard my father read his life"

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book, Serial / periodical, not sure if penny parts or volume

  

Annabella Milbanke : [poems]

Byron to Lady Caroline Lamb, 1 May 1812: 'I have read over the few poems of Miss Milbank with attention ... A friend of mine (fifty years old & an author but not Rogers) has just been here, as there is no name to the MSS I shewed them to him, & he was much more enthusiastic in his praises than I have been ... '

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: [friend of Byron's, probably Dallas] anon      Manuscript: Unknown

  

George Gordon Lord Byron : Lara; Jacqueline

Byron to Thomas Moore, 15 September 1814: 'I believe I told you of Larry and Jacquy [ie Lara and Jacqueline, poems by Byron and Samuel Rogers respectively, published together]. A friend of mine was reading -- or at least a friend of his was reading -- said Larry and Jacquy in a Brighton coach. A passenger took up the book and queried as to the author. The proprietor said "there were two" -- to which the answer of the unknown was, "Ay, ay, a joint concern, I suppose, summot like Sternhold and Hopkins [publishers in 1547 of versified Psalms, which went into many editions]." 'Is not this excellent?'

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

  

Charles Mackay (ed) : A Thousand and One Gems of English Poetry

"[In Lark Rise to Candleford (1947)] Flora Thompson recollected young Willie, whose family were village carpenters, being fond of reading, including poetry: 'somehow he had got posession of an old shattered copy of an anthology called A Thousand and One Gems', which he read aloud with her, sitting under nut trees at the bottom of the garden, in the 1890s."

Century: 1850-1899 / 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Willie anon      Print: Book

  

 : The British Weekly

On readers of William Robertson Nicoll's British Weekly: " ... [a] Lancashire man ... started reading the British Weekly as a newspaper boy, which 'gave me the taste for forming my own library ...'"

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: [a Lancashire man] anon      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Marie Corelli : The Sorrows of Satan

'[Kent] Carr cites a letter [Marie] Corelli received from a colors sergeant in the Boer War in May 1900: "Now to tell you about your delightful books which were invaluable to the troops during the siege; one, 'The Sorrows of Satan,' was read and re-read by me, and then handed round. As many as three would be wanting to read it, so where literature was scarce, you can imagine what a blessing it was to have a book like it.'"

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

George Meredith : Novels

'... Helena Swanwick recalled one exception from among the succession of inadequate domestic servants who passed through her household in the 1890s: "The best I had in those years was a young Welshwoman, who read the novels of Meredith ... and enjoyed them ..."'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Sir Edwin Arnold : The Light of Asia

'"Stilted prose" was the rapid and unhesitating reply to whether ... [George Meredith] reckoned "The Light of Asia" a very fine poem, to the dismay of his questioner, who had "read and re-read it with the greatest possible pleasure" ...'

Century:      Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

George Eliot : Adam Bede

Not long ago I happened to call at the railway carter, and found the wife of the man engaged in reading George Eliots' 'Adam Bede'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

unknown : Princess Novelette

'[Flora Thompson's] grandmother enjoyed the Princess Novelette and similar penny series, "and she had an assortment of these which she kept tied up in flat parcels, ready to exchange with other novelette readers".'

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

  

 : 

'. . . the cab driver reads a coloured comic paper . . .'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: [a cab driver] anon      Print: Newspaper

  

Marie Corelli : Holy Orders

'In Switzerland in 1908 Arnold Bennett met in his hotel an Anglo-Indian army major ... Bennett thought of engaging his opinions about Indian government reform until he noticed the book which the major was reading. It was Corelli's Holy Orders (1908), whereupon, Bennett recorded, "I then gave up hope".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

 : Lancashire Daily Post

Q: Did your father read? A: No. He was a poor reader. He would rather my mother read to him, I think, read him the book and tell him the plot. He would have the paper, of course. ... Q: Did you have a newspaper? A: Yes. We had the Post. Q: And presumably your mother read that to your father mostly? A: He read the Post. Q: He just wasn't a book reader. A: No.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper, Local newspaper

  

 : News of the World

Q: Did you have a regular newspaper in the family? A: We had the News of the World and People every Sunday. Q: Who read it? A: It was m'dad, he would read it from beginning to the end. Q: What about your mum? A: There used to be a paper called John Bull and we used to get that. I think it is called the Weekly News now. It went to Thomson's Weekly after that and then it went to the Weekly News. My dad had nowt else to do when he came home from work. I think we got the Post every night, ... Q: Did your mother ever read the newspaper or was it your dad mostly? A: It was my dad mostly. My mother used to like tuppeny novels.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : John Bull

Q: Did you have a regular newspaper in the family? A: We had the News of the World and People every Sunday. Q: Who read it? A: It was m'dad, he would read it from beginning to the end. Q: What about your mum? A: There used to be a paper called John Bull and we used to get that. I think it is called the Weekly News now. It went to Thomson's Weekly after that and then it went to the Weekly News. My dad had nowt else to do when he came home from work. I think we got the Post every night, ... Q: Did your mother ever read the newspaper or was it your dad mostly? A: It was my dad mostly. My mother used to like tuppeny novels.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book, Newspaper, Serial / periodical

  

Charlotte Bronte : Jane Eyre

Charlotte Bronte to William Smith Williams, 4 January 1848: '"Jane Eyre" has got down into Yorkshire; a copy has even penetrated into this neighbourhood: I saw an elderly clergyman reading it the other day, and had the satisfaction of hearing him exclaim "Why -- they have got ---- school, and Mr ---- here, I declare! and Miss ----" (naming the original of Lowood, Mr Brocklehurst and Miss Temple) ...'

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

  

 : [unknown books]

Q: Did your father read? A: No. He was a poor reader. He would rather my mother read to him, I think, read him the book and tell him the plot. He would have the paper, of course. ... Q: Did you have a newspaper? A: Yes. We had the Post. Q: And presumably your mother read that to your father mostly? A: He read the Post. Q: He just wasn't a book reader. A: No.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

 : The People

Q: Did you have a regular newspaper in the family? A: We had the News of the World and People every Sunday. Q: Who read it? A: It was m'dad, he would read it from beginning to the end. Q: What about your mum? A: There used to be a paper called John Bull and we used to get that. I think it is called the Weekly News now. It went to Thomson's Weekly after that and then it went to the Weekly News. My dad had nowt else to do when he came home from work. I think we got the Post every night, ... Q: Did your mother ever read the newspaper or was it your dad mostly? A: It was my dad mostly. My mother used to like tuppeny novels.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Lancashire Daily Post

Q: Did you have a regular newspaper in the family? A: We had the News of the World and People every Sunday. Q: Who read it? A: It was m'dad, he would read it from beginning to the end. Q: What about your mum? A: There used to be a paper called John Bull and we used to get that. I think it is called the Weekly News now. It went to Thomson's Weekly after that and then it went to the Weekly News. My dad had nowt else to do when he came home from work. I think we got the Post every night, ... Q: Did your mother ever read the newspaper or was it your dad mostly? A: It was my dad mostly. My mother used to like tuppeny novels.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper, local newspaper

  

 : Letters patent for governance of colony

As temporary President in Virginia, John Smith 'had the "letters patent" [for governing of the colony] read aloud "each week" in order to bolster his authority.'

Unknown
Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group:      

  

 : stories

'Ellice Hopkins ... writing about Nottingham, decribed the operation of the "Girls' Movement" there ... She claimed that the Recreative Evening Homes were an alternative to pubs, and described how the girls were fond of being read to, "listening quietly to a pathetic or comic story, either in prose or poetry."'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

Walter Besant : Self or Bearer

'[In The Saturday Review, 19 November 1904], "A Mother" records the books consumed since July by her sixteen-year-old daughter ... [who is] on the point of going in for the "Senior Cambridge" ... : "Old Mortality", "The Farringdons", "By Mutual Consent" (L. T. Meade), "To Call Her Mine", "Kathrine Regina", and "Self or Bearer" (Besant); "Christmas Carol", "The Cricket on the Hearth", "Hypatia", "Concerning Isabel Carnaby", "The Virginians", "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer", "The Head of the House" (E. Everett-Green), "A Double Thread", "The Heir-Presumptive and the Heir-Apparent", "Sesame and Lilies", "A Tale of Two Cities".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Charles Dickens : A Christmas Carol

'[In The Saturday Review, 19 November 1904], "A Mother" records the books consumed since July by her sixteen-year-old daughter ... [who is] on the point of going in for the "Senior Cambridge" ... : "Old Mortality", "The Farringdons", "By Mutual Consent" (L. T. Meade), "To Call Her Mine", "Kathrine Regina", and "Self or Bearer" (Besant); "Christmas Carol", "The Cricket on the Hearth", "Hypatia", "Concerning Isabel Carnaby", "The Virginians", "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer", "The Head of the House" (E. Everett-Green), "A Double Thread", "The Heir-Presumptive and the Heir-Apparent", "Sesame and Lilies", "A Tale of Two Cities".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Charles Dickens : The Cricket on the Hearth

'[In The Saturday Review, 19 November 1904], "A Mother" records the books consumed since July by her sixteen-year-old daughter ... [who is] on the point of going in for the "Senior Cambridge" ... : "Old Mortality", "The Farringdons", "By Mutual Consent" (L. T. Meade), "To Call Her Mine", "Kathrine Regina", and "Self or Bearer" (Besant); "Christmas Carol", "The Cricket on the Hearth", "Hypatia", "Concerning Isabel Carnaby", "The Virginians", "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer", "The Head of the House" (E. Everett-Green), "A Double Thread", "The Heir-Presumptive and the Heir-Apparent", "Sesame and Lilies", "A Tale of Two Cities".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Charles Kingsley : Hypatia

'[In The Saturday Review, 19 November 1904], "A Mother" records the books consumed since July by her sixteen-year-old daughter ... [who is] on the point of going in for the "Senior Cambridge" ... : "Old Mortality", "The Farringdons", "By Mutual Consent" (L. T. Meade), "To Call Her Mine", "Kathrine Regina", and "Self or Bearer" (Besant); "Christmas Carol", "The Cricket on the Hearth", "Hypatia", "Concerning Isabel Carnaby", "The Virginians", "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer", "The Head of the House" (E. Everett-Green), "A Double Thread", "The Heir-Presumptive and the Heir-Apparent", "Sesame and Lilies", "A Tale of Two Cities".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Ellen Thorneycroft Fowler : Concerning Isabel Carnaby

'[In The Saturday Review, 19 November 1904], "A Mother" records the books consumed since July by her sixteen-year-old daughter ... [who is] on the point of going in for the "Senior Cambridge" ... : "Old Mortality", "The Farringdons", "By Mutual Consent" (L. T. Meade), "To Call Her Mine", "Kathrine Regina", and "Self or Bearer" (Besant); "Christmas Carol", "The Cricket on the Hearth", "Hypatia", "Concerning Isabel Carnaby", "The Virginians", "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer", "The Head of the House" (E. Everett-Green), "A Double Thread", "The Heir-Presumptive and the Heir-Apparent", "Sesame and Lilies", "A Tale of Two Cities".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

William Makepeace Thackeray : The Virginians

'[In The Saturday Review, 19 November 1904], "A Mother" records the books consumed since July by her sixteen-year-old daughter ... [who is] on the point of going in for the "Senior Cambridge" ... : "Old Mortality", "The Farringdons", "By Mutual Consent" (L. T. Meade), "To Call Her Mine", "Kathrine Regina", and "Self or Bearer" (Besant); "Christmas Carol", "The Cricket on the Hearth", "Hypatia", "Concerning Isabel Carnaby", "The Virginians", "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer", "The Head of the House" (E. Everett-Green), "A Double Thread", "The Heir-Presumptive and the Heir-Apparent", "Sesame and Lilies", "A Tale of Two Cities".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Mark Twain : The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

'[In The Saturday Review, 19 November 1904], "A Mother" records the books consumed since July by her sixteen-year-old daughter ... [who is] on the point of going in for the "Senior Cambridge" ... : "Old Mortality", "The Farringdons", "By Mutual Consent" (L. T. Meade), "To Call Her Mine", "Kathrine Regina", and "Self or Bearer" (Besant); "Christmas Carol", "The Cricket on the Hearth", "Hypatia", "Concerning Isabel Carnaby", "The Virginians", "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer", "The Head of the House" (E. Everett-Green), "A Double Thread", "The Heir-Presumptive and the Heir-Apparent", "Sesame and Lilies", "A Tale of Two Cities".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Evelyn Everett-Green : The Head of the House

'[In The Saturday Review, 19 November 1904], "A Mother" records the books consumed since July by her sixteen-year-old daughter ... [who is] on the point of going in for the "Senior Cambridge" ... : "Old Mortality", "The Farringdons", "By Mutual Consent" (L. T. Meade), "To Call Her Mine", "Kathrine Regina", and "Self or Bearer" (Besant); "Christmas Carol", "The Cricket on the Hearth", "Hypatia", "Concerning Isabel Carnaby", "The Virginians", "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer", "The Head of the House" (E. Everett-Green), "A Double Thread", "The Heir-Presumptive and the Heir-Apparent", "Sesame and Lilies", "A Tale of Two Cities".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Ewing : 

Sybil Lubbock remembers ... the reading which prefaced Christmas: as she and her sister embroidered their father's slippers, or prepared things for the Hospital Box, 'our mother read aloud to us from Mrs Ewing or Miss Yonge, from "The Talisman" or "Quentin Durward".'

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

  

Charlotte Yonge : 

Sybil Lubbock remembers ... the reading which prefaced Christmas: as she and her sister embroidered their father's slippers, or prepared things for the Hospital Box, 'our mother read aloud to us from Mrs Ewing or Miss Yonge, from "The Talisman" or "Quentin Durward".'

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

  

Walter Scott : The Talisman

Sybil Lubbock remembers ... the reading which prefaced Christmas: as she and her sister embroidered their father's slippers, or prepared things for the Hospital Box, 'our mother read aloud to us from Mrs Ewing or Miss Yonge, from "The Talisman" or "Quentin Durward".'

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

  

Walter Scott : Quentin Durward

Sybil Lubbock remembers ... the reading which prefaced Christmas: as she and her sister embroidered their father's slippers, or prepared things for the Hospital Box, 'our mother read aloud to us from Mrs Ewing or Miss Yonge, from "The Talisman" or Quentin Durward".'

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

  

George Anson : Voyage Round the World

Elizabeth Sewell ... remembered her mother in the 1820s reading aloud Anson's "Voyages", Lempriere's "Tour to Morocco", and "the History of Montezuma".'

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

  

William Lempriere : Tour to Morocco

'Elizabeth Sewell ... remembered her mother in the 1820s reading aloud Anson's "Voyages", Lempriere's "Tour to Morocco", and "the History of Montezuma".'

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

  

 : History of Montezuma

'Elizabeth Sewell ... remembered her mother in the 1820s reading aloud Anson's "Voyages", Lempriere's "Tour to Morocco", and "the History of Montezuma"'.

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

  

 : books on hydraulics

'[Mary Cholmondeley's mother] " ... read and was deeply interested in books on hydraulics, astronomy, anything that had a law behind it ..."'

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

  

 : books on astronomy

'[Mary Cholmondeley's mother] " ... read and was deeply interested in books on hydraulics, astronomy, anything that had a law behind it ..."'

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

  

 : Concordance to Shakespeare

' ... [Dora Montefiore (b. 1851)] recalls her father's ... practice of looking up Shakespeare's views on any topic which came up in conversation in a Concordance ...'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Thomas Dick : Christian Philosopher

Phyllis Browne, "What Girls Can Do" (1880): '[Having agreed with her father that she would read only books approved by him] I begged him to give me something to read. He handed to me Dr. Dick's "Christian Philosopher," which he had just read himself and enjoyed exceedingly ... I tried hard to read it, but it was beyond me ...' (pp.104-05)

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

George Eliot : Adam Bede

'[On grounds of propriety] Lucy Caroline Lyttelton's grandmother ... left out one chapter of ... [Adam Bede] ... when she was reading it aloud to her grandchildren ...'

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Elizabeth Barrett Browning : Aurora Leigh

'A letter from Elizabeth Barrett Browning to Arabel Barrett tells of a sixty-year-old woman who believed that her morals had been injured by reading "Aurora Leigh" ...'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

anon : Robin Hood

'A South Wales miner, raised in an orphanage, acknowledged that "Robin Hood was our patron saint, or ideal. We sincerely believed in robbing the rich to help the poor". (Actually he stole from an old widow's tuck shop). "Our real heroes were robbers like Jack Sheppard, Dick Turpin, and Charles Peace, whose 'Penny dreadful' biographies we knew by heart". Yet in later life, even as a Calvinistic Methodist minister, he did not condemn that genre: "It introduced me to a romantic world when pennies were scarce and libraries seemed far beyond my reach. We read the badly printed booklets in all sorts of places, even in church; they gave us glimpses of freedom, abandon, and romance, heroism and defiance of fate... As a corrective to natural law-breaking propensities, the 'penny dreadful' always ended with the punishment of crime".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book, Serial / periodical

  

anon : Jack Sheppard

'A South Wales miner, raised in an orphanage, acknowledged that "Robin Hood was our patron saint, or ideal. We sincerely believed in robbing the rich to help the poor". (Actually he stole from an old widow's tuck shop). "Our real heroes were robbers like Jack Sheppard, Dick Turpin, and Charles Peace, whose 'Penny dreadful' biographies we knew by heart". Yet in later life, even as a Calvinistic Methodist minister, he did not condemn that genre: "It introduced me to a romantic world when pennies were scarce and libraries seemed far beyond my reach. We read the badly printed booklets in all sorts of places, even in church; they gave us glimpses of freedom, abandon, and romance, heroism and defiance of fate... As a corrective to natural law-breaking propensities, the 'penny dreadful' always ended with the punishment of crime".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book, Serial / periodical

  

anon : Dick Turpin

'A South Wales miner, raised in an orphanage, acknowledged that "Robin Hood was our patron saint, or ideal. We sincerely believed in robbing the rich to help the poor". (Actually he stole from an old widow's tuck shop). "Our real heroes were robbers like Jack Sheppard, Dick Turpin, and Charles Peace, whose 'Penny dreadful' biographies we knew by heart". Yet in later life, even as a Calvinistic Methodist minister, he did not condemn that genre: "It introduced me to a romantic world when pennies were scarce and libraries seemed far beyond my reach. We read the badly printed booklets in all sorts of places, even in church; they gave us glimpses of freedom, abandon, and romance, heroism and defiance of fate... As a corrective to natural law-breaking propensities, the 'penny dreadful' always ended with the punishment of crime".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book, Serial / periodical

  

anon : Charles Peace

'A South Wales miner, raised in an orphanage, acknowledged that "Robin Hood was our patron saint, or ideal. We sincerely believed in robbing the rich to help the poor". (Actually he stole from an old widow's tuck shop). "Our real heroes were robbers like Jack Sheppard, Dick Turpin, and Charles Peace, whose 'Penny dreadful' biographies we knew by heart". Yet in later life, even as a Calvinistic Methodist minister, he did not condemn that genre: "It introduced me to a romantic world when pennies were scarce and libraries seemed far beyond my reach. We read the badly printed booklets in all sorts of places, even in church; they gave us glimpses of freedom, abandon, and romance, heroism and defiance of fate... As a corrective to natural law-breaking propensities, the 'penny dreadful' always ended with the punishment of crime".'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book, Serial / periodical

  

William Paley : Natural Theology

'One unfortunate who had confounded together the opening paragraphs of the Evidences and the Natural Theology... [wrote as his exam answer] only this commencement of a sentence, 'If twelve men find a watch."'

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

  

William Cobbett : Political Register

'A customer of Old Willy's in the Leather and nail line, telling us he had heard Cobbett's register read lately, where he says in about a year or perhaps rather more from this time wheat will be at 3s 6d or 4s pr Bushell; I told him that I had heard that Cobbett was a false prophet...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: [A customer of Old Willy's in the Leather and nail line] anon      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Charles Dickens : A Christmas Carol

Jonathan Rose, "How Historians Study Reader Response: or, What did Jo Think of Bleak House?": " ... some of ... [Dickens's readers] found it difficult to share his anguish over the hardships of the clerkly classes. Growing up in the depressed steelworks town of Merthyr Tydfil between the world wars, some poor schoolboys were a bit baffled when their teacher read them A Christmas Carol: ' ... we never could understand why it was considered why Bob Cratchit was hard done by -- a good job, we all thought he had.'"

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

 : annotations in Life of Theobald Wolfe Tone, the Founder of the 'United Irishmen'

"An Irish nationalist annotating the autobiographical Life of Theobald Wolfe Tone, the Founder of the 'United Irishmen' (1845) identifies the pseudonymous author of the 'Dedication'' ... but is also moved to register his views about the history of his country ...[ eg 'The Irish Aristocracy always opposed to the independence of Ireland ...'] ... (In fact the spirit of these annotations is so strongly engaged that a later owner found it necessary to censor them: on several pages words are scribbled through and rewritten ...)"

Century:      Reader/Listener/Group:      Manuscript: annotations in printed text

  

Richard Watson : A Letter to His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury

H. J. Jackson discusses highly "adversarial" annotations made by anonymous reader in copy of Richard Watson, Bishop of Llandaff, "A Letter to His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury" (1783).

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

  

George Burder : Early piety: or, memoirs of children eminently serious. Interspersed with familiar dialogues, emblematical pictures, prayers, graces and hymns. Recommended by the Rev. Mr. Peckwell

[Marginalia]: 4 lines of ms notes on the binding page are now rubbed and difficult to decipher but appear to be notes of references to specific pages eg ;'joys 96, 95-6 to the end'.

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

 : The Holy Bible, containing the Old Testament and the New; translated out of the original tongues, ?

[Marginalia]: 3 pages of ms notes (pencil) on binding pages in form of references giving Book, chapter /verse and a short note on content eg 'Exodus ... 14 ... bees'. The notes are now rubbed and difficult to decipher.

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

  

James Thomson : Seasons, The

[Marginalia]: a few pencil marginal marks (in form of bracketed lines of text eg p 79 has lines 203-7 bracketed), plus some ms notes in ink on binding page. The ink notes read 'Envy-Love 78'; 'Hope - Grief 78'; 'The Deluge 79'; 'Effects of changing weather 80'.

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Robert Lambe : An exact and circumstantial history of the battle of Floddon in verse written about the time of Queen Elizabeth. In which are related many particular facts not to be found in the English history[...]

[Marginalia]: ms note on binding page appears to refer both to the battle of Flodden and to poems about it: '... The battle of Flodden Field which was fought between the English under the Earl of Surrey ( in the absence of Henery 8th) and the Scots under their valiant King James IV who was slain on the field of battle in the year 1513. An ... poem ... collected from .... ms by Joseph Philamoth ... These three poems differ ... from each other. British Topography Chpt. [?] p. 61'.

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Anon : Frederic le Grand

[Marginalia]: ms note, in pencil, in French, on verso of half-title, may relate to text or may refer to works by authors eg ' ...Esprit...,... La Fontaine...,... Rochefoucaut...'

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

  

Jonathan Pereira : Treatise on food and diet, A

[Marginalia]: some very brief marginal marks/notes eg p. 72/3 is bookmarked and has text '11. Calcium. - This metal is a component of part of all animals' marked by three horizontal lines; p.77 next to the text 'This arrangement is a very excellent one; but several reasons incude nme to adopt another...' is the ms note 'Saline aliment'.

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'[Martin] suffered but little violent pain until the day he died. Up to that period he sought amusement in cheerful and entertaining books. A child of his landlady read to him as he lay upon a sofa, while he endeavoured to fancy himself, as he said, a gentleman of fashion paying the penalty of a debouch.'

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

  

Oliver Goldsmith : Vicar of Wakefield

'His plan was to make use of me as a talking dictionary and grammar, confining my teachings exclusively to the answering of such questions as he thought fit to put. Having made this arrangement he produced a copy of the "Vicar of Wakefield", and, commencing at the title-page, read it after me, looking to me for translation as he went along. In this way we got through four or five pages in the course of the first hour.'

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

  

Robert Thomas : The modern practice of physic, exhibiting the characters, causes, symptoms, prognostic, morbid appearances, and improved method of treating, the diseases of all climates

[Marginalia]: pencil annotations on last binding page are in Latin and appear to be brief notes relating to 4 classes of disorders.

Century:      Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Patrick Gordon : Famous history of the renown'd and valiant prince, Robert sirnamed, the Bruce, King of Scotland, ... A history both pleasant and profitable, set forth and done in heroic verse, by Patrick Gordon, Gentleman, The

[Marginalia]: has pencil annotations, opposite the title page and inside front cover, relating to the history and purchase of the book "Mr Heber certifies to me, that this is very/ faithfully reprinted from the rare Dort edit: ? [?]/ so rare that I know not of a perfect copy. / Nor have I seen more that 4 copies of it imperfect [?]"[2nd para deals with another Dort. publication]; "Bought from Blackwood's cat. Edinburgh 1796 [?] ..."; and a pen annotation on the inside back cover, a 8 line quote from a poem, by Walter Quin on Bernard Stuart, Lord d'Aubigni praising Bruce.

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

  

Priscilla Wakefield : Mental improvement: or the beauties and wonders of nature and art. In a series of instructive conversations. By Priscilla Wakefield

[Marginalia]: 2 small ms notes laid into v.3 have references to items of interest eg.(1) 'Rupert's drops'; (2) 'From Mental improvement Vol 1st ... Of artificial coral [page] 130, Of painting on glass [page] 156 ...'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson marquise de Pompadour : Suite d'estampes gravees par Madame la marquise de Pompadour d'apres les pierre gravees de Guay graveur du Roy

[Marginalia]: 8 leaves of ms notes, in ink, in French, have been bound in at the beginning of the volume. They consist of an introduction praising those who protect and encourage the arts, including Madame la Pompadour, 'who brought fame to this series of etchings', followed by a description of each etching. There is also a single sheet, in a different hand, containing more notes related to the item.

Century:      Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Anon : Prospectus of a plan for the building and equipment of a frigate to be employed in sailing between London and Calcutta; touching at the Cape of Good Hope; for the conveyance of passengers only

[Marginalia]: Some blanks, left by printer, have been completed in either ink or pencil. The data entered covers numbers of crew, dates and costings. There are also copious marginal notes, connected to deleted lines of text: eg. p.25 has lines 2-9 deleted and in the margin 'It is proposed to obtain by contribution the sum of ?32000 the sum required for building & equipping the vessel; and x[ie continue with the text]'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

George Gordon, Lord Byron : 

'In the [italics]Autobiography[end italics] he tells us of the impact of Byron on him and his friend Dave: "His influence on Dave was so great that it was publicly shown to all the boys and girls in the chapel's schoolroom... While we were playing kiss in the ring, singing and laughing... Dave would lean his figure... against a pillar, biting his lips and frowning at our merrymaking"... His friend soon tired of this Byronic posing, but Davies marks the occasion as the first time he was really attracted to poetry with enjoyment and serious purpose. He went on to read Shelley, Marlowe's plays, and some further Shakespeare. Wordsworth failed to attract him, though he later studied him very diligently'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: [Dave, friend of W.H. Davies] anon      Print: Book

  

John Caird : Sermons

[Marginalia]: Each sermon has a ms date (or dates), possibly indicating use of material: e.g. p. 40 sermon on "Self-ignorance" has ms note 'Ex. F.G. [?] August 8th 1858/ Jany 27th 1861/ Feby 14th 1864/ Apr. 29th 1866; only p.133 has any comment ie "29th /Decr 1867 - very beautiful'.

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Alistair and Henrietta Tayler (eds) : Domestic papers of the Rose family

[Marginalia]: there are two annotators, one using blue ink and one red. All ms notes take the form of additional genealogical information ie pp. 4-7 added dates and people, p. 79 a family tree for William Cumming of Craigmill, and the beginning of an index on the inside back cover and facing page.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

William Hone : Political Litany

??we were soon in a free conversation on the subject of parliamentary reform. When objections were stated, they listened candidly to our replies, and a good-humoured discussion, half serious, half joking, was prompted on both sides. I and Mitchell had with us, and it was entirely accidental, a few of Cobbett?s "Registers" and Hone?s Political Pamphlets, to which we sometimes appealed, and read extracts from. The soldiers were delighted; they burst into fits of laughter; and all the copies we had, being given to them, one of them read the "Political Litany" through, to the further great amusement of himself and the company. Thus we passed a most agreeable evening and parted only at the last hour.?

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group:      

  

 : book

'As a child [...] [Charles Shaw] [...] accepted without much complaint that at the age of seven he should abandon his games and go to work. Then, about a year later, while enjoying a brief moment of leisure [...] he came across another boy reading a book: "[...] the sight of this youth reading at his own free will, forced upon my mind a sense of painful contrast between his position and mine [...] I went back to my mould-running and hot stove with my first anguish in my heart."'

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

  

 : books on theology

'The Dundee Factory Boy claimed that while an apprentice shoemaker, he read, "books on nearly all the disputed questions in theology and metaphysics, books on history, belle lettres, and science. I even read the celebrated Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire three times from beginning to end".'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

 : books on metaphysics

'The Dundee Factory Boy claimed that while an apprentice shoemaker, he read, "books on nearly all the disputed questions in theology and metaphysics, books on history, belle lettres, and science. I even read the celebrated Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire three times from beginning to end".'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

 : history books

'The Dundee Factory Boy claimed that while an apprentice shoemaker, he read, "books on nearly all the disputed questions in theology and metaphysics, books on history, belle lettres, and science. I even read the celebrated Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire three times from beginning to end".'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

 : books on belle lettres

'The Dundee Factory Boy claimed that while an apprentice shoemaker, he read, "books on nearly all the disputed questions in theology and metaphysics, books on history, belle lettres, and science. I even read the celebrated Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire three times from beginning to end".'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

 : books on science

'The Dundee Factory Boy claimed that while an apprentice shoemaker, he read, "books on nearly all the disputed questions in theology and metaphysics, books on history, belle lettres, and science. I even read the celebrated Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire three times from beginning to end".'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Edward Gibbon : The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

'The Dundee Factory Boy claimed that while an apprentice shoemaker, he read, "books on nearly all the disputed questions in theology and metaphysics, books on history, belle lettres, and science. I even read the celebrated Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire three times from beginning to end".'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

 : 

'The anonymous Stonemason [author of "Reminiscences of a Stonemason, By a Working Man" (London, 1848)] [...] employed as a roundsman, taught his horse the route and thereafter read as he travelled.'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

Henry : Life of Wallace

'"Blind Henry's Life of Wallace was the first book that stirred my mind, and set me on a career of reading and thinking that will only terminate with my life, or the complete prostration of my faculties," wrote the Dundee Factory Boy'.

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Thomas Robert Malthus : Essay on the Principle of Population

Mary Berry to a friend, 14 December, 1798: 'During my illness I have finished the 2nd vol. of Wraxhall which I had just begun at Brandsby, and which I like better and better the farther I go. I have consulted, too, one of his authorities for many things in the age of Henry the Third, Montaigne's Essays, a very curious and an [italics]astonishing[end italics] book, considering the times in which it was written, and which one never consults without entertainment. I have re-read, too, Condorcet's book, and compared his ideas and arguments on the subject of population with those of the Essay [by Malthus] we have been reading, and certainly the Essay has not only the best of the argument [...] but is absolute [italics]conviction[end italics]on the subject of the different ratios in which population, and the means of subsisting that population, increase'.

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

  

unknown : unknown ["solid reading"]

'Well, I think Civil Defence is a marvellous racket. It's given me the spare time I've been wanting for years?I've done more solid reading, for instance, than I've done since I was twenty-one.'

Unknown
Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: [M35B] Anon      

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

Sunday, Feb 4 (1940) 'Rose late. 11 o'clock. Breakfast. Went out to shovel snow off paths. Stayed in all day, reading, writing, etc. Thank goodness snow seems to be thawing.'

Unknown
Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      

  

unknown : [light readings]

'I'm getting on in age, I want light reading. You understand that, don't you? I don't want heavy reading. I don't want to study anything at my time of life. Perhaps I come in here two or three times a week. I'm a great reader.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [life of Joan of Arc]

'It was quite a thousand pages and they laughed at me for reading it. It was dry, but I could really live the life of that girl.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

J G Brandon : Death in Downing Street

'Well, it's written snappy, you see. . . . Modern writers may not be up to the standard of the old writers, Dickens, Thackeray and Scott, but they're snappy-they're quick reading.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'1.45. Paddington. All seats crowded, people eating, sleeping, reading, on seats and porters' trucks. Looking at Arrival Indicator, woman says "Trains not a bit late yet, the organization's wonderful!" People generally not talking about the Coronation but about trains, food, drinks, relatives, etc.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

[n/a] : [advertisement]

'Advert. S. side of Euston Road reading "Morris Commercial Vehicles-a Body for every Trade" heavily draped with decorations. Diversion round Euston Square. Extraordinary diversion at Albany Street: "Straight on all colours" says notice on road going due North.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Advertisement, Poster

  

[n/a] : Daily Mirror

'Girl sitting on soiled newspaper is reading Daily Mirror. The caption reads "Three women wait 25 hours; lead line up for the big parade".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[unknown] : [crime novel]

'I find myself between a well-to-do business man from the Midlands, who is reading a "crime" novel, and two good-looking twins who are speaking a language like Danish and are learning English words from a Pitman's book.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : Pitman's book

'I find myself between a well-to-do business man from the Midlands, who is reading a "crime" novel, and two good-looking twins who are speaking a language like Danish and are learning English words from a Pitman's book. '

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [pamphlet]

'Walking back to lunch I met an old lady wheeling another old lady in a bath-chair, and heard the one in the bath-chair reading aloud slowly from the leaflet I had been distributing: "Speed-up in Industry: 5 men now do the work that it took 6 men to do in 1932".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'Hostess is embroidering a fire-screen. Son, age 19, is reading. The wireless is on, and from time to time they consult the "Daily Telegraph Supplement"; host offers Observer a sweet but by mistake holds out bird's peanut tin.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

[n/a] : Daily Telegraph Supplement

'Hostess is embroidering a fire-screen. Son, age 19, is reading. The wireless is on, and from time to time they consult the "Daily Telegraph Supplement"; host offers Observer a sweet but by mistake holds out bird's peanut tin.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : [newspaper]

'Very few people appeared to be out, in fact it seemed like Sunday in the High Road, I called in a snack bar, ordered a cup of tea and a packet of cigarettes, I was the only customer at the time, and the waiter seemed reluctant to put down the newspaper he was reading to serve, I remarked it was a bad day, he agreed and said that some people would lose a lot of money as a result of it.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

Voltaire : Candide

'After that I read Voltaire's "Candide", and at 12 o'clock adjourned for a pint to the local pub. Switched on the wireless again at 2.0 for the same reason as before, and off at 2.30. Reading Pat Sloan's "Soviet Democracy" all the afternoon.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Pat Sloan : Soviet Democracy

'After that I read Voltaire's "Candide", and at 12 o'clock adjourned for a pint to the local pub. Switched on the wireless again at 2.0 for the same reason as before, and off at 2.30. Reading Pat Sloan's "Soviet Democracy" all the afternoon.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'On Coronation Day we had a holiday so I thought I would have a rest and so I stayed in bed all the morning reading.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

Emil Lucka : Evolution of love, The

'After tea I completed my notes on this subject and then finished a book I was reading, "The Evolution of Love", by Emil Lucka. He treats the subject in a sort of historical-philosophical manner.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Ethel Mannin : Green Willow

'Followed by the thought that, had I not been reading Ethel Mannin's "Green Willow", which gives a vivid description of this development, perhaps I would not have taken sides.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : A Guide to philosophy

'About 10.30 p.m. I took her for some refreshment, we talked of books, she said she was reading "A Guide to Philosophy", I made some laudatory remarks about "Eyeless in Gaza".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

unknown : Licensed houses and their management

'This landlord was new to the game and took me to see how he was studying to be master of it. He was busy reading three volumes- "Licensed Houses and Their Management".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[n/a] : [newspaper]

'A man is playing the piano briskly; on music stand is a newspaper, open at the sports page, which he is reading. A hunchback, brown suit, bow tie, sings songs about love.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : [newspaper]

'Tries to read sports page, but ends up reading news. One girl does bad piece of work in mill. Immense black-out purchasing in town.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : [newspaper]

'While an old working-class lady of 68 in Worktown, reading a newspaper, summed up her opinion of the war as follows.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[unknown] : [pamphlet]

'When one has finished reading through this pamphlet one comes to the inevit- able conclusion that there is absolutely no hope for Germany.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      

  

[n/a] : [newspaper]

'Housekeeping pupil (voluntarily) reading the paper over my shoulder yesterday morning. "I suppose Eden thought they'd go on their knees to get him not to resign. If there were many like him, there'd soon be a war".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : Daily Telegraph

'At work the sole topic was the new Conscription Bill, with discussion on how it will affect each one. After reading the "Telegraph" I worked out that it would be August at least before I was de-reserved, and that I should be out of work by then, for I cannot see us lasting another seven months.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[unknown] : [English novel]

'The English student said that he had read an English novel in which a similar idea was suggested. One German was very much annoyed at hearing that the idea had been put forward in England, and said that it was a great mistake to give the enemy warning.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Ignazio Silone : Bread and wine

'D. went. N. said he wasn't going to sleep, because it was too uncomfortable; would read a book. He read "Low Company", while I read the first chapter of Silone's "Bread and Wine".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

William Shakespeare : Othello

'I did not move from my chair but reached for a book. Picked up a Shakespeare and read the closing scene, "Othello".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Sigmund Freud : Introductory Lectures

'I read Freud's "Introductory Lectures".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'Also told me he had been commissioned to write a history of Dudley a few days back. Had declined. We went back and read until 12 o'clock.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

Edgar Wallace : Sanders of the River

'On the dressing table were three books, my own, "Sanders of the River", Snowden's "Wages and Prices", a relic of my student days, and "The Book of Mormon" which had been given me by a Mormon missionary. I picked up "Sanders" and got back into bed. I didn't read much of it. I could not concentrate, so continued to smoke and gaze around the room.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'6.30-8 p.m. read. 8 p.m. supper. 9 p.m. bath and bed. I saw nothing stirring or peculiar. The only funny thing was the name of a row of houses, Amble Tonia.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

[n/a] : [newspaper]

'Reporter. On May 12 I slept till ten. From ten to eleven I read the paper with interest until I came to a half column of news giving the time schedule of the Queen's dressing arrangements on that morning.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : [tomb inscriptions]

'I walked through the park for a few minutes and not finding anything of interest to see or hear, I turned into a lane nearby that led to the cemetery. Here I read the inscriptions on several tombs and thought how different Italian burial places were. Night was approaching, I was chilly, I turned and walked home.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: epitaphs on tombs at cemetery

  

[n/a] : [newspaper]

'My friend didn't want to shave, although he was no longer clean-shaven, so we had a brief wrangle about washing. Then he read to me out of the newspaper, still in his pyjamas, while I told him to get dressed.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

Leo Tolstoy : War and Peace

'I sat in a seat in the square, my neighbours were mainly old men wrapped in dowdy overcoats and growling spasmodically to each other. I continued to read "War and Peace" which I had started at breakfast time.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[n/a] : [newspaper]

'At 9.50 I went into the general office in order to await any cases of infectious diseases or nuisances which may arise during the day (inspector on duty) and chatted with the clerk on duty. He had a Coronation souvenir paper and read aloud the heading "Smiles that charm all subjects" and added in a disappointed tone "they have failed to charm me".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'I prepare supper and we eat it. Listen to news. I continue to read.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

[n/a] : Light and Dark

'9.15-12.0. Dressed. Wrote a poem. Annoyed by patriotic and religious activities at Church opposite. Read a magazine, "Light and Dark", to which I had contributed. Began to rewrite a criticism of Edgar Poe.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Serial / periodical

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'At half past two I was dry, and eating the remnants of my lunch. I switched on the wireless and listened to the Coronation ceremony. When this had finished I read a book till seven o'clock when my father came home.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[n/a] : [morning newspaper]

'Had extra hour in bed and read morning paper. Spent most of morning in garden making enclosure for tortoise as decide simple things are satisfying, but wireless sets are giving off loud cheers and wish secretly I was seeing procession.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

Emile Burns : Handbook of Marxism

' I am disappointed that it is not raining, but bethought myself that it might rain at the time of the procession. I washed, dressed and shaved in an even more leisurely manner than usual; for I dislike hurrying over this operation, since I often feel worried at the beginning of the day, and I feel the need of time to brood on my worries. I prepared and ate my breakfast, over which I read part of the Communist Manifesto from Emile Burns' "Handbook of Marxism".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[n/a] : [newspaper]

' I laid in bed till 6.15 a.m. and got up, washed and shaved. I ate my breakfast and read the paper.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

George Orwell : Road to Wigan Pier

'Started to read George Orwell's "Road to Wigan Pier" -Left Book Club choice for March. Arrived at Liverpool St. punctually at 9.30.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

 : Glasgow Herald

'Smoke a Players "medium" and a De Reszke "Minor". I read "Glasgow Herald" (Bus strike, Britain's new Navy, etc.) and "Ayrshire Post" (Report of Ayrshire Film Society, Dr. M'Rae's report of Glengall Mental Hospital, letter about- people-writer of letter doesn't like them- comments on Ayr's poor support of a resident repertory company "Pelican Players").'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : Ayrshire Post

'Smoke a Players "medium" and a De Reszke "Minor". I read "Glasgow Herald" (Bus strike, Britain's new Navy, etc.) and "Ayrshire Post" (Report of Ayrshire Film Society, Dr. M'Rae's report of Glengall Mental Hospital, letter about- people-writer of letter doesn't like them- comments on Ayr's poor support of a resident repertory company "Pelican Players").'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : Daily Worker

'Breakfast ready and finished dressing 7.45. Read "Daily Worker".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

E. M. Forster : A Passage to India

'I gave her E. M. Forster's "A Passage to India". She- "I'm not sure, but I believe I've read it. I don't really remember." Rest of conversation not recorded, above remarks noted an hour later.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [news bulletin]

'"I've been calm all week, but yesterday I listened to the news bulletin and I got a bad dose of jitters. I read somewhere that they're going to move London to Canada, and I can well believe it."'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper, Serial / periodical

  

 : information leaflets

'Thus under one-third had, on their own showing, attempted to read all the nformation leaflets. But further questioning indicated that many who said they had read all, did not know how many there really were, and many thought there were only two or three of the leaflets. As a man said, "Yes, I read them. I read them all. The one issued by the Government, another by the Borough Council. Very good."'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      

  

 : [information leaflets]

'I have read the P.I.L. I read them with contemptuous and cynical amusement. Some people, I suppose, will darken their windows and lay in stores of food, but I am completely unmoved by the leaflets.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      

  

[n/a] : [information leaflets]

'Have not read the P.I.L., neither has anyone in the house or anyone else I know. Will be read only if war breaks out. They are being carefully kept.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'Oh, I have strained my eyes trying to read, and had to give it up in the end. I call it dismal, sitting for half an hour or more in a dark, gloomy carriage, so's you can't read; can't even look at the girls sitting opposite you; can't see your station. That's not going to keep us cheerful and "bring us victory," is it?'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

 : Littlewood's Sports Log

'To the Poolites each week comes a packet containing two Pool coupons (one to pass on to a friend) and the current issue of "Littlewood's Sports Log", which is very interesting, and it's the first thing I read when I open the envelope'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Ernest Raymond : [various titles]

' "Well, because I do like Ernest Raymond's books and I read all of them as far as I can." '

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [thrillers]

'Well, I took it because it's a thriller. That's the reason. I like thrillers, you see. I always read thrillers.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

John Buchan : [unknown]

'Well, I've read John Buchan's books before. That's the reason.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

G B Stern : [unknown]

'On the whole I'd rather have a book like G. B. Stern's, or Hatter's Castle or The Stars Look Down. It's very sad to read, but it does give you life's problems, doesn't it?'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Archibald Joseph Cronin : Hatter's Castle

'On the whole I'd rather have a book like G. B. Stern's, or Hatter's Castle or The Stars Look Down. It's very sad to read, but it does give you life's problems, doesn't it?'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Archibald Joseph Cronin : The stars look down

'On the whole I'd rather have a book like G. B. Stern's, or Hatter's Castle or The Stars Look Down. It's very sad to read, but it does give you life's problems, doesn't it?'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Bishop of London : [speech]

'But when we read the long speech of the Bishop of London, addressed to his first Diocesan Conference, we were, we confess, filled with disappointment at its lack of definite vision and of spiritual force. The Church must do better than this.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

[unknown] : [newspapers]

'Course I know what you're talking about, I read about it all in the paper, used to read books about it, they've made a new car so's it's easier to drive, more profit for them isn't it, like Lord Nuffield. Wireless is all right though.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : [Newspapers]

'Read all about it chum in the papers, they don't interest me 'cept they don't do anything like for the likes of us, they talk about what we should eat, why don't they see we get it. . . . Vitamins-bread and bloody jam is what we get. . . . They think about more ways of making bloody money for the capitalists. . . . It's all right if they'd keep men in their bloody jobs.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

H G Wells : [unknown]

'I've read a book of H. G. Wells, he's good, I saw that film about "Things to Come", it's good, never read about science, they do some silly things, they're always talking about what should be, nobody takes any notice. My brother works in an electric works, he says they're always making new things. Gosh, I wouldn't like to go back to them old days . . . no buses or that . . . they only do it to make money.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [newspaper?]

'Never thought much about it, took it for granted. One thing it's done is make people's nerves on edge all the time, wars and all that, get sick of it. . . . Pictures you get used to, they're all the same. . . . You can get about easier. . . . I don't blame them as finds things out, it's them as is let use the things wot they find out. . . . I read a bit about that new car, don't know what it means though. They're always finding things out now. All right if we knew how to use them, first thing they do is to put men on the shelf before they're grown up. . . . Sometimes think if they had a rest from thinking how they can make more money out of us-that's what they do it for.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

[n/a] : People

'I read where there's going to be a war soon, it said so in the "People", they tell you what's going to be, there's more than something in it.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Serial / periodical

  

[unknown] : [horoscopes]

'I read them every Sunday, many a time it's been true, but they don't give you so much bad news. When it was my birthday they said I should get a surprise. I got one. It was a good 'un, mister. No, I'm not telling you what it was, that's my business.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper, Serial / periodical

  

[n/a] : [newspapers]

'I read all the papers on it. I don't understand the politics of it, but they are all different. That's why people have less faith in the papers.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

Ann Temple : [unknown]

'My life is serious enough without worrying over things like that, so I don't read the papers-only read d'Alroy and Ann Temple. Anyhow-if there's a war I shall be in it, so it doesn't make any difference.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Marceline d'Alroy : The d'Alroy Diary

'My life is serious enough without worrying over things like that, so I don't read the papers-only read d'Alroy and Ann Temple. Anyhow-if there's a war I shall be in it, so it doesn't make any difference.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : Long ago!

[Item transcribed into a commonplace book]: [Title] 'Long ago!'; [Text] 'Long ago!` Oh long ago!/ Do not these words recall past years?/ And scarcely knowing why they flow/ Bring to the eye unbidden tears?/ ...' [total = 4 x 8 line verses]

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

[n/a] : Daily Herald

'I read an article in the "Daily Herald" on the Coronation Day survey. There was an invitation to write to Blackheath if any wished to assist. It appealed to me immensely. I think it is true to say I am naturally observant. I had frequently noticed various things that passed other people's notice.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : News Chronicle

'I read in the "News Chronicle" articles about the work, and especially the account by an ordinary housewife of her day. Mass-Observation, it was something new, something to talk about; the things I do in the house are monotonous, but on the 12th, they are different somehow, letting the dog out, getting up, making the dinner, it makes them important when they have to be remembered and recorded.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : Reynolds's Weekly Newspaper

'When I read about Mass-Observation in "Reynolds", I wrote straight away to join in. In fact, if there was a joining-fee I would have joined just the same.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : [newspapers]

'Well, it takes me enough time reading papers and the Sunday papers, and "John Bull" and the "Illustrated"'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : [Sunday newspapers]

'Well, it takes me enough time reading papers and the Sunday papers, and "John Bull" and the "Illustrated"'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : John Bull

'Well, it takes me enough time reading papers and the Sunday papers, and "John Bull" and the "Illustrated"'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Serial / periodical

  

[n/a] : Sports Illustrated

'Well, it takes me enough time reading papers and the Sunday papers, and "John Bull" and the "Illustrated"'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper, Serial / periodical

  

[n/a] : [magazines]

'I don't read books at all, chiefly magazines that I can pick up and put down without losing the thread of the story ...'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Serial / periodical

  

[unknown] : [thrillers]

'I like reading. I can sit down and read a good thriller and start on it again immediately I have finished it, but nothing else ... As I've tried to explain I can't find the time. When I've come home from work, helped the wife, and had a smoke, you look round, and it's time to go to bed.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'I do like reading, and I spend most of the evening reading because there's nowhere to go.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'Well, yes, but not good reading. I only read to pass the time away, - any old thing; any time when I happen to be stuck for an hour or so.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

[n/a] : News of the World

'Sunday evening is the only time I do read, - I spend over an hour reading the "News of the World".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : The Times

'I read the "Times", which takes a time, - I suppose about an hour a day.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : Telegraph

'I read the "Telegraph" reviews ... in trains and in the evening, lunch-time etc.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : [Newspapers]

'I've got too much to do (to read books). I read the newspapers mostly, morning and evening editions, and the midday, as I'm a racing man.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : [Newspapers]

'I spend some time reading the papers, morning and evening editions, roughly about 14 hours a week, about two hours each day ... I expect I'm too tired of an evening to settle down to books, - I like the newspaper better, there's bite of everything in it.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : Woman

'I don't read newspapers, but I get the magazine "Woman", and I spend about 2 hours reading that.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Serial / periodical

  

[n/a] : New Statesman

'The only reading I do outside the scope of my studies is that of newspapers, and the "New Statesman", - one hour.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Serial / periodical

  

[n/a] : [Newspapers]

'The only reading I do outside the scope of my studies is that of newspapers, and the "New Statesman", - one hour.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : [magazines]

'Three hours magazines, - scientific and travel'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Serial / periodical

  

[n/a] : [magazines]

'I read a lot of magazines ... They're bright and easy reading, and you can find out lots of useful things in them.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Serial / periodical

  

[n/a] : The Engineer

'I read one magazine, the "Engineer", which I peruse at odd times over a week or so. It would take sometimes as much as five hours to read straight off. No one ever does though with that type of magazine.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Dorothy Sayers : Man born to be king

'F 25 C is holding a slim book (looks new), approximate size 81/2" x 51/2", yellow jacket cover, title "Man Born to be King" by Dorothy Sayers. She does not open the book while the train is stationary, but once it starts she opens it at the first page and begins to read. Time take to read page 3, just under the minute. At Wood Lane she looks up for the first time, and her gaze rests on F 35 C, knitting, but she soon resumes reading.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'25 C was reading a book, waiting to be served, and reading with concentration, both elbows on table, head between hands. When served with pot of tea and a bun, continued to read, eating and drinking absently. At 5 o'c looked up, gazed round cafe for two minutes, lit a cigarette, asked for bill. Started to read again, but more casually, glancing round cafe from time to time. Left at 5.5. p.m'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [books]

'That I don't like refugees in fiction is perhaps easy to understand, but I don't even like the war and today's conditions ("Murder in the Home Guard" and similar titles) to figure in my novels..... In the greater part of my reading I have just the opposite taste; I read mostly books dealing with the questions of today and tomorrow. But I can't stand any of it in fiction. Funny isn't it?'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [detective novels]

'Detective stories and thrillers are by far the most numerous, in fact at the moment are all the fiction I seem to read... After reading them I always wonder why I read them and if I once pause and examine the profusion of adjectives I am almost compelled to stop.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[n/a] : Sunday Times

'Oh, I read the reviews in the "Sunday Times" and the "Times Literary Supplement", when I can get hold of it. I also read the book reviews in "John O' London's". Quite often I get interested in a book and this leads me on to reading more about the subject. For instance, I read the "Guide to Edinburgh" and that introduced me to James IV period, and then I read all about that. Other times I just glance at the title and open the book, and by reading a few lines at random I get some idea of the book, and if it interests me I'll take it out.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : Times Literary Supplement

'Oh, I read the reviews in the "Sunday Times" and the "Times Literary Supplement", when I can get hold of it. I also read the book reviews in "John O' London's". Quite often I get interested in a book and this leads me on to reading more about the subject. For instance, I read the "Guide to Edinburgh" and that introduced me to James IV period, and then I read all about that. Other times I just glance at the title and open the book, and by reading a few lines at random I get some idea of the book, and if it interests me I'll take it out.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[unknown] : Guide to Edinburgh

'Oh, I read the reviews in the "Sunday Times" and the "Times Literary Supplement", when I can get hold of it. I also read the book reviews in "John O' London's". Quite often I get interested in a book and this leads me on to reading more about the subject. For instance, I read the "Guide to Edinburgh" and that introduced me to James IV period, and then I read all about that. Other times I just glance at the title and open the book, and by reading a few lines at random I get some idea of the book, and if it interests me I'll take it out.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [books on James IV]

'Oh, I read the reviews in the "Sunday Times" and the "Times Literary Supplement", when I can get hold of it. I also read the book reviews in "John O' London's". Quite often I get interested in a book and this leads me on to reading more about the subject. For instance, I read the "Guide to Edinburgh" and that introduced me to James IV period, and then I read all about that. Other times I just glance at the title and open the book, and by reading a few lines at random I get some idea of the book, and if it interests me I'll take it out.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [novels]

'Novels, except of exceptional quality, I prefer to borrow as I read them, mainly for relaxation only and seldom wish to read the same book a second time, as my choice is usually very light. When I find a novel which appeals strongly. I buy it because I know I shall find pleasure in re-reading it.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[n/a] : Daily Herald

'I read the first page of the newspaper first, then turn to the back page, then fold the outside in. A chance headline may set me reading page 3 first, but usually it is page 2.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : Daily Herald

'I read the headlines and the adverts. If any particular headline strikes me I follow it up. Particularly comment on parliamentary debates. I don't read racing or Sports - save for occasional boxing matches (i.e. big matches). Keep off divorce and sensational twaddle.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Advertisement, Newspaper

  

[n/a] : Daily Herald

'First of all I read the main headlines, then the various news paragraphs in order of importance on the front page, then the back page. I then turn to the inside news page, then the leader, readers' letters. Hannes Swaffer's column, other articles, then a general run over the smaller news items.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : Daily Herald

'I have always adopted the principle of working the newspaper fairly carefully from beginning to end. There may be an occasional glance at principal headlines over breakfast, but after that the real reading consists of starting at the front page, first column, and going steadily through. I rarely read advertisements, but not much else is omitted. The degree of concentration of course varies with the subject matter. Articles have preference over everything, especially those of current interest, Personal stuffy, like the "Wonder of the War" anecdotes, tend to get skipped somewhat. I suppose I am more interested in ideas than individuals.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : Daily Telegraph

'At work the sole topic was the new Conscription Bill, with discussion on how it will affect each one. After reading the "Telegraph". I worked out t[h]at it would be August at least before I was de-reserved, and that I should be out of work by then, for I cannot see us lasting another seven months.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : Jack O' London

'Oh, I read the reviews in the "Sunday Times" and the "Times Literary Supplement", when I can get hold of it. I also read the book reviews in "John O' London's". Quite often I get interested in a book and this leads me on to reading more about the subject. For instance, I read the "Guide to Edinburgh" and that introduced me to James IV period, and then I read all about that. Other times I just glance at the title and open the book, and by reading a few lines at random I get some idea of the book, and if it interests me I'll take it out.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Serial / periodical

  

[unknown] : [books]

'Oh, I read the reviews in the "Sunday Times" and the "Times Literary Supplement", when I can get hold of it. I also read the book reviews in "John O' London's". Quite often I get interested in a book and this leads me on to reading more about the subject. For instance, I read the "Guide to Edinburgh" and that introduced me to James IV period, and then I read all about that. Other times I just glance at the title and open the book, and by reading a few lines at random I get some idea of the book, and if it interests me I'll take it out.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [novels]

'Novels, except of exceptional quality, I prefer to borrow as I read them, mainly for relaxation only and seldom wish to read the same book a second time, as my choice is usually very light. When I find a novel which appeals strongly. I buy it because I know I shall find pleasure in re-reading it.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'Have breakfast (next real interval is tea time, so breakfast includes prayers, reading and any urgent letters - this morning one short letter); listen to 7 a.m. news summary.'

Unknown
Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'I was reading the other day the story of an air flight. They had a long and dangerous journey to undertake, and before they set out, they made a list of the things they needed. But when they were ready to go, the plane was too heavy. They jettisioned much, but still they could not take off. They had to whittle down to a bare minimum. But they did not throw out a single pint of patrol.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

[n/a] : [Newspaper]

'I have been reading the papers lately and I am astonished read what Mr. Heathcot-Amery has done. His people are highly respected in the neighbourhood. His people have served this county ...educated at Eton and Christ Church, he didn't waste any time from what I can see. He must have been quite a speaker, too. He was the private secretary to Lord Leigh, while he was on the Palestine Commission. He has been out in East Africa, he is now living at Tiverton.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : [Newspaper]

'Well, see Miss. Christmas Day my father was reading his paper. His glass of beer was at his side. He feel asleep and when he woke up his glass was empty. That's how I had a drink.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : [Newspaper]

'"Oh here they are again! I'll be glad when the bloody election's over. Why don't they make their minds up, what they are going to call it - sometimes it's Labour and sometimes it's socialism" (Goes back to reading murder story in paper)'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : Daily Telegraph

'The newspaper today took my breath away. Such a landslide I had not expected. Yesterday morning, reading the "Telegraph" I felt a stalemate possible, or a small Tory Labour majority, with the Liberals holding the balance. Thank God that at any rate is destroyed. Liberals will now have to line up with one or other of the two main parties, and we'll have a clear-cut position.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : [periodical]

'At one of the three occupied tables by the windows sat two women, one about thirty, the other probably no more than 18. They were talking and laughing excitedly. The elder one took a newspaper cutting from her hand and handed it to the younger, and they were quiet while she read it. At the next table sat a middle aged man reading a periodical, and next to him sat two girls who neither moved nor spoke to each other. The man who was reading took out a cigarette and lit it without taking his eyes off the paper.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Serial / periodical

  

[n/a] : [newspaper cutting]

'At one of the three occupied tables by the windows sat two women, one about thirty, the other probably no more than 18. They were talking and laughing excitedly. The elder one took a newspaper cutting from her hand and handed it to the younger, and they were quiet while she read it. At the next table sat a middle aged man reading a periodical, and next to him sat two girls who neither moved nor spoke to each other. The man who was reading took out a cigarette and lit it without taking his eyes off the paper.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'After breakfast I postponed the things I ought to do by a little reading and knitting. Then I wrote letters till lunch. Continued this after lunch - this comes of refusing to write letters except on Sundays.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

[n/a] : [Newspapers]

'I should say in justice to myself that I am absolutely unmoved, except by impatience, at the daily twitterings of the leader writers in the press, I read them, Garvin and all, for they make light reading and are often entertaining, sometimes even instructive.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : [Left-wing newspapers]

'Reading the ordinary papers occasionally, listening to the B.B.C. news sometimes, reading the Left wing papers sometimes, and trying to sort out the wheat from the chaff.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : Manchester Guardian

'"Manchester Guardian". English news once a day. Lord Haw-Haw, conversations with as may people as possible, reading on international questions. From these sources I sort out things as well as I can.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

C E M Joad : [unknown]

'I am forming my opinions mainly from what I read in books on economies, politics, history, etc. I read the daily papers, but I do not take a lot of notice of what I read in them from the point of view of their opinions on the war, and what shall be done after it. I get far more satisfaction from reading articles or books by authors such as C.E.M. Joad, H.G.Wells and Huxley.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

H G Wells : [unknown]

'I am forming my opinions mainly from what I read in books on economies, politics, history, etc. I read the daily papers, but I do not take a lot of notice of what I read in them from the point of view of their opinions on the war, and what shall be done after it. I get far more satisfaction from reading articles or books by authors such as C.E.M. Joad, H.G.Wells and Huxley.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

A Huxley : [unknown]

'I am forming my opinions mainly from what I read in books on economies, politics, history, etc. I read the daily papers, but I do not take a lot of notice of what I read in them from the point of view of their opinions on the war, and what shall be done after it. I get far more satisfaction from reading articles or books by authors such as C.E.M. Joad, H.G.Wells and Huxley.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[n/a] : [Newspaper]

'I'm very amused reading in the paper about the trains yesterday. (reads): "Many trains had to run in duplicate and triplicate to accomodate the crowds." After all they said about running no extra trains at Christmas! My god! England is the place to live in.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'There was little time left before supper, and we decided to go for short walk to have a look at the moon. This done, we sat down for a modest and simple meal of a little bit of cold meat, some lettuce and cheese, and spent the rest of the evening peacefully around the fire, reading, and talking about nothing in particular."

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

[unknown] : Arise to conquer

'Exhilarated with a terrible sadness, after reading "Arise to Conquer", I wondered if, when young men have done with the fighting and can come forward to do some of the thinking, shaping and building again, will they then be able (or willing) to contemplate more than the conquest of Jean.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Dick Sheppard : [article in News Chronicle]

'When I realised that war made people around me feel hatred for their kinsmen (by which I mean mankind). People say they wish for peace, but are quite prepared to put a man against a wall and murder him in cold blood, which I cannot believe to be Christian or human. I signed a Peace Pledge after reading an article by Dick Sheppard in the "News Chronicle", and called the meeting which formed the local PPU group, but had nothing more to do with it than that.' "I was brought up in a Quaker atmosphere; my parents were not Quakers, but were inclined towards Quakerism and had many Quaker friends. I first gave vent to Pacifist views at 14. I signed a Peace Pledge after reading an article by Dick Sheppard in the "News Chronicle", and called the meeting which formed the local PPU group, but had nothing more to do with it than that."

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

Winston Churchill : [speech]

'Another lovely day: almost too hot to do anything. I've been depressed all day after reading Churchill's speech. It's a grim thought that in the event of an invasion the powers that be will continue the war from somewhere in the Empire. Then we shall have the joy of an enemy in our midst, and the RAF bombing us overhead.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

Ministry of Information  : [invasion leaflet]

'The leaflet makes a special point of common sense but the way it urges people to use it is unconsciously the upper class talking to the stupid mass. This unconscious attitude, so noticeable on the red Government posters at the beginning of the war, underlies the leaflet as a whole-see below, on Little Squash borough and Great Midtown. The lack of emotional or layout appeal is reflected in many comments. Thus, after reading it carefully, a barmaid sums up: "It's plain enough. I should have to read it again."'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      

  

Ministry of Information  : invasion leaflet

'And a housewife, after reading it, says she is satisfied the she has done everything and knows everything that can be done in civil defence: "We've got enough, I mean, we've got a pail of water handy. That's all you can do and bandages and that."'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      

  

[n/a] : [Newspaper: Article on Mussolini's death]

'I was absolutely horrified about the Italians, the way they took revenge on Mussolini. I can't imagine what we're fighting for, if that's the way the Anti-Fascists behave. I was just reading in the paper that they hung them up in the most lewd, indecent positions, and spat at them, and threw stones. And laughed. The Italian people don't seem to feel any horror at this either. I think it's just too ghastly for words.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : [Daily Worker: Article on Mussolini's death]

'There was a wonderful account in the "Daily Worker" of Mussolini's death, how he was shot in the head and his brain spattered out, and he looked awful, but his mistress was hanged beside him in a new white blouse and looked lovely.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'I heard that peace was declared on May the 7th, about 7 or 8 o'clock in the evening, at home with my parents. We had not long finished dinner, the table was still set, my father was reading in the armchair, my stepmother was busy about the house, I was in the garden, mending a puncture on my bicycle. The end of the programmes came to an end on the wireless, the announcer gave the news that tomorrow, Tuesday, May the 8th, would be V-Day, and the day following a holiday. Quietly, my father said, "It's over."'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

Kennedy : [unknown]

'(after reading story): " I see what he (Kennedy) means. The government's all Labour at the moment except Mr. Churchill. What he means to say is that the Premier will be a Labour man too. There'll only be the one party. That's what he means. It's not the end of democracy though. That's not what he means.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

[unknown] : [works/news on Hitler and Nazi-Germany]

'I have dreamt of Hitler twice recently, I put this down [to] reading books in the international situation rather than to anxiety or worry. I do not consciously worry about the eventuality of war, but I do feel very deeply concerned about the suffering which has already been caused.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

Mary Border : Passport for a girl

'I had been reading Mary Border's book "Passport for a girl" and the day following my dream, I was interested to read in Page 201 describing the Austrian Anschluss, how old men and pregnant women were kept marching round till they dripped from exhaustion.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [a thriller]

'Before the deed was done, however, the person in question awakened (I found the said person had been reading a thriller along such lines and had partaken of a somewhat heavy supper).'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [books]

'I am forming my opinions mainly from what I read in books on economies, politics, history, etc. I read the daily papers, but I do not take a lot of notice of what I read in them from the point of view of their opinions on the war, and what shall be done after it. I get far more satisfaction from reading articles or books by authors such as C.E.M. Joad, H.G.Wells and Huxley.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[n/a] : [daily newspapers]

'I am forming my opinions mainly from what I read in books on economies, politics, history, etc. I read the daily papers, but I do not take a lot of notice of what I read in them from the point of view of their opinions on the war, and what shall be done after it. I get far more satisfaction from reading articles or books by authors such as C.E.M. Joad, H.G.Wells and Huxley.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

Daniel Defoe : Robinson Crusoe

'Jenny & James [the Austen's servants] are walked to Charmouth this afternoon; - I am glad to have such an amusement for him - as I am very anxious for his being at once quiet and happy. - He can read, & I must get him some books. Unfortunately he has read the 1st vol. of Robinson Crusoe. We have the Pinckards Newspaper however, which I shall take care to lend him.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: James anon      Print: Book

  

anon [A Labour MP] : article

'I was reading an article by a Labour M.P. who wants to harbour refugees. He's all wrong. Good job we haven't got dictators here.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

 : Fuel economy leaflet 15

'Well you know I think I'd read number 15 first. I did read it the other day as a matter of fact. It's got a bit of a kick to it, you want to see what they say after the bit at the beginning. The other is too dull; it doesn't get one's attention and I think one would forget it straight away.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      

  

 : Information leaflet

'Oh I did see that (15). I read it - actually it makes you read it because you have to go through to the end to find out want it's all about. I did read it, but only because it caught my eye - something about five games to one or something.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      

  

 : newspaper

'Army officer: The first I heard of the invasion was when I was reading the papers in the mess after breakfast, when someone stuck his head round the door and said in a matter of fact voice - "well, they ve landed." People were interested, wanted more details? But didn't seem excited.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

unknown : [book]

'A young middle class man comes and sits on a seat nearby, and reads a book. Behind the rank on the top people are sitting. Noone seems very interested in the soldiers. Two kids, girls, crawl on the grass near one end of the rank, but they appear to be as much interested in their own game as in the soldiers. Two prams. Mothers gossiping - about five. Young girl, reading.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

unknown : unknown

'A young middle class man comes and sits on a seat nearby, and reads a book. Behind the rank on the top people are sitting. Noone seems very interested in the soldiers. Two kids, girls, crawl on the grass near one end of the rank, but they appear to be as much interested in their own game as in the soldiers. Two prams. Mothers gossiping - about five. Young girl, reading.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

anon : Internees Leaflet

'Looks at cartoon first. "Oh, quite right, you know. It is these people who - I love those two. Yes". Turns to Priestley quotation, "He's come out lately, this Priestley, hasn't he? He's a bit of a radical on the lay, isn't he?" Starts to read printed matter, but gets no farther than than first paragraph. "I expect they've got to intern them, to be on the safe side. But I think they should have some sort of a tribunal, don't you."'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      

  

anon : Internees Leaflet

'Reads the front page, turns to the back, looks at the cartoon intently as if trying to understand it; then opens it and says, "What's all this?" "Have I got to read it all?" He is told it is just as he likes, so he reads about two paragraphs and then gives it up. "I quite agree with it, it's wrong to lock all these people up like that. They're useful to us I suppose."'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      

  

anon : Internees Leaflet

'Reads part. "This is very interesting". Reads carefully. "Of course it was ridiculous jamming all foreigners into concentration camps. I call that a good leaflet -very interesting."'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      

  

Adolf Hitler : Speeches

'was reading Hitler's speech (oddly enough I read Hitler's speeches but very seldom read Churchill's I feel there is much truth in what he says. This statement, is, I suppose, more or less treasonable. While I was reading the speech, Vi. said "Our Manager was reading aloud bits of Hitler's speech. "What did you all think of it?" I asked. "Well, Mr. B., (the Manager) said it was all bluster, but I thought that Hitler is a very clever man cos he's done everything he said he was going to do in "Mein Kampf". I dont hate him at all now, somehow, because he hates all the aristocracy and is for our class, and that's what I like".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

 : Gas mask poster

'Let me see. (Then, after reading it all through very carefully) - But we know all about this. They sent round leaflets telling me about it. They only thing is they didn't have the pictures on. But there's no need for them.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Poster

  

 : Newspaper

'When I arrived home for tea that evening she asked as if I felt hungry. I replied, yes, and went on reading the paper, "Here is a piece of bread and butter for you to go on with" she said. A most unusual thing for her to say as we had not yet sat down to tea. I did not take much notice and went on reading, but she again reminded me of it and I thought "Ah ! she wants me to try a new kind of bread, or butter", so I ate it critically.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Advertisement for margarine

'Some time ago I was convinced (I think through reading advertisements) that it was almost as rich in vitamins as butter. Then a friend whose opinion are usually sound told me this was not so.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Advertisement

  

 : Chronicle

'A housewife, 25, says she likes the Chronicle's "spring fashions for women etc.", and a Times reader likes reading the Women's page. Another Chronicle reader aged 64 likes "talks and articles on Home gadgets".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Serial / periodical

  

 : Times

'A housewife, 25, says she likes the Chronicle's "spring fashions for women etc.", and a Times reader likes reading the Women's page. Another Chronicle reader aged 64 likes "talks and articles on Home gadgets".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Chronicle

'A housewife, 25, says she likes the Chronicle's "spring fashions for women etc.", and a Times reader likes reading the Women's page. Another Chronicle reader aged 64 likes "talks and articles on Home gadgets".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Serial / periodical

  

 : Newspapers

'First you read the papers, and then you form your own opinion after reading them and thinking about them. There's always something you don't agree with.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

unknown : Insanity Bir

'I'm off reading this period, glance at Insanity Bir, and open Marjorie's British Commonwealth by Ramsay Muir, at the every page that shows so plainly how Napoleon first won Europe and then set about Britain. Just as Hitler would like to do now. So nicely put. These two books suddenly show me how we stand in this war and how we must fight for our very existence. . . .Yes, I see all at once what we are up against -- How British would fight against any invasion here.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Ramsey Muir : A Short History of the British Commonwealth

'I'm off reading this period, glance at Insanity Bir, and open Marjorie's British Commonwealth by Ramsay Muir, at the every page that shows so plainly how Napoleon first won Europe and then set about Britain. Just as Hitler would like to do now. So nicely put. These two books suddenly show me how we stand in this war and how we must fight for out very existence. . . .Yes, I see all at once what we are up against -- How British would fight against any invasion here.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

 : Newspapers

'I think I really read newspapers from a sense of duty to keep in touch with the news of the world. Under certain conditions I am vitally interested in the news, and I am only too eager to read the papers when there is a crisis or something touching me personally to some extent. Some news such as the Spanish war now, I read to keep up with conversations etc, but find no interest there. Cricket and sports I read for conversations too, personally I have never been able to steer [?stir] up any lasting feelings for sport, but one must be keen on the Test. Sometimes I feel bored and enjoy reading all the petty scandals in the smaller columns of the news. In Sunday papers I read the articles (medical, political, and social) from sheer interest, they are very good. Advertisements always attract me, and the comic strips are perhaps the biggest attraction of all more than even news!'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Newspapers

'Why? Largely to find out so far as possible, what is happening. Sometimes I am so much in despair about the possibility to [of] finding out this from papers, that I can't bear to read them for a few days. I find though that [if] I am out of papers for a short time, I get very worried and jumpy. I feel very much that I am a part of the world and I must know about it. Yet I am almost always disappointed in my reading and finish it in discomfort.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Newspapers

'I read newspapers because of an intense desire to get in touch with the world. A day missed in reading gives one a sense of isolation. When I have had a weekend away, say, in the Lakes, although I delight in the wildness and loveliness of the hills, yet as soon as I near home in the industrial area, I feel the need to stretch out and see what everybody else had been and is doing.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Newspapers

'On the surface I should say- because I want to know what is on in the world, but looking deeper into it I think I do so to feel the excitement that comes from reading not only what is sensational but that which, despite corruptions, is mainly true.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Daily Express

'Ex shop assistant, about 63. Reads Daily Express, News of the world, Evening News. Chief interest in the short stories. Reads big news items, but prefers to get them from the wireless. Reads sports page for important matches, etc. for conversation at the pub.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : News of the World

'Ex shop assistant, about 63. Reads Daily Express, News of the world, Evening News. Chief interest in the short stories. Reads big news items, but prefers to get them from the wireless. Reads sports page for important matches, etc. for conversation at the pub.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Evening News

'Ex shop assistant, about 63. Reads Daily Express, News of the world, Evening News. Chief interest in the short stories. Reads big news items, but prefers to get them from the wireless. Reads sports page for important matches, etc. for conversation at the pub.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Daily Herald

'Reads Daily Herald. Likes best and spends most time on the racing and sports page. Considers the other stuff a lot of tripe.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Daily Herald

'I read the Daily Herald. I don't read much of the general news. The pages I prefer are the items on sport, horse racing and football, and I spend most time on these pages.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Sunday Chronicle

'Reads Evening News and Sunday Chronicle. Likes best any sort of outspoken article that's exposing anything, and sport. Reason:' tickles me, I suppose.' Spends most time on sport.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Evening News

'Reads Evening News and Sunday Chronicle. Likes best any sort of outspoken article that's exposing anything, and sport. Reason:' tickles me, I suppose.' Spends most time on sport.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Times

'Woman, 55, middle class. Reads Times, Yorkshire Post. Likes best 'Society news and editorials when I agree with them.' Reason:' Well, I'm like that'. Spends most time on sport.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Yorkshire Post

'Woman, 55, middle class. Reads Times, Yorkshire Post. Likes best 'Society news and editorials when I agree with them.' Reason:' Well, I'm like that'. Spends most time on sport.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Sunday Chronicle

'Dad, who is usually very anxious for his dinner, is often late on Sunday, when he is busy studying the sports pages in the Sunday Chronicle'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Sunday Graphic

'I read the Daily Herald because it gives full account of the news, It is rather inclined to be "partly" and sometimes rather dull. The Sunday Graphic is an excellent paper, containing interesting articles and something of everything, I like the Daily Sketch because of its wonderful photographs and its good news accounts.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Daily Sketch

'I read the Daily Herald because it gives full account of the news, It is rather inclined to be "partly" and sometimes rather dull. The Sunday Graphic is an excellent paper, containing interesting articles and something of everything, I like the Daily Sketch because of its wonderful photographs and its good news accounts.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Daily Telegraph

'"I prefer the Daily Telegraph because I feel that the news is more genuine than the other daily newspaper print. I like my news presented to me without emotional 'colouring'. It is observed facts that I want presented to me, not 'chatty' news or editorial rhetoric."'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Daily Mirror

'I read mainly the papers my parents take and they are not therefore my choice: Daily Mirror, Daily Mail. The former I find amusing though rather like a novelette but I prefer the general outlook to the latter which I dislike in every way.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Daily Mail

'I read mainly the papers my parents take and they are not therefore my choice: Daily Mirror, Daily Mail. The former I find amusing though rather like a novelette but I prefer the general outlook to the latter which I dislike in every way.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Times

'I always read sports page at breakfast and the rest in the evening. I read the Times in the train going to business, the Mirror at odd moments and the People on Sunday mornings. I always read hurriedly at breakfast and usually leave things of importance until the evening.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Mirror

'I always read sports page at breakfast and the rest in the evening. I read the Times in the train going to business, the Mirror at odd moments and the People on Sunday mornings. I always read hurriedly at breakfast and usually leave things of importance until the evening.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : People

'I always read sports page at breakfast and the rest in the evening. I read the Times in the train going to business, the Mirror at odd moments and the People on Sunday mornings. I always read hurriedly at breakfast and usually leave things of importance until the evening.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Newspapers

'I glance through the papers at breakfast time, and give them careful attention before and after lunch. I glance through the evening papers when I get home at night.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Newspapers

'Sometimes I read the paper in the morning train, after a casual glance at breakfast time. More usually I read it lunchtime and in the train home at night. The morning paper lasts me all day and I get a good general idea of the news in this way and can usually say I have heard of most items which different people mention. When I read the news in the morning train I read casually and finish with the paper in the twenty odd minutes. When reading lunchtime and evening I read more thoroughly, also at week-ends.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Newspapers

'Breakfast time - that is 8 to 8.30. I rarely pick up the newspaper again during the day, unless there happens to be a feature article I haven't managed to glance through in the morning. I might then pick it up after lunch or after tea.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Daily sketch

'Let me describe my reading of the Daily Sketch. I first look and read beneath the front page pictures. The chief news feature on page 3 is read carefully and any other bits with attractive (usually unusual ) headings. Then through the rest of the paper in order, reading all the cartoons and beneath most of the pictures. On a normal day I should not bother to read any more except perhaps a glance at the sports page and a look at the share movements.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Daily Telegraph

'I first glance at the personal columns, probably because they are on the front of the paper. Then I turn to the middle pages where the leading articles appear. Otherwise I have no special order in which I read the paper, - except that during Wimbledon I turn first to the tennis results.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

John Keynes : article in The Times

'On reading an article by Lord (then Mr) Keynes in The Times on working-class saving, I wrote to him about our survey. As well as a letter of encouragement, he sent me a copy of The General Theory of Employment.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Newspapers

'I keep reading and reading the news, and I can't make out why I'm not more excited. I mean, it's so marvelous, really, isn't it? But I kind of feel I can't believe in it any more - after all these years I can't believe it can ever really finish. I think the other girls feel the same; they all say: Wouldn't it be lovely, but it can't be true.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Newspaper

'Well, I'm a great admirer of her when she sings serious songs though I don't like her in films. There may be something in what the papers are saying about her, but I'm not sure. She's done a lot in the past to half [?help] the country. I was reading only the other day how she entertained the troops when she was ill.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

unknown : The case for federal union

'Reading The Case for Federal Union, one of the excellent Penguin Series. The prospect of Union seems to be remoter every day. Oh, if only one could wake up one morning and find it practical politics and war banished. It would be worth sacrificing a good many British Empires.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Robert Vansittart : Black Record

'I have been reading Sir. Robert Vansittart's little book "Black Record". I have found it very interesting. He certainly has no use for the Germans, and I am wondering whether a place can be found for him at the Peace conference. He warns up that after defeat Germany will be full of self pity and will try to organize sympathy, and says that as usual there will be fools among us willing to listen. Indeed as proof of this attitude I notice there has already been a protest against this book in Parliament, and a request for its banning. When this war is over the Battle of Words will begin and the world be fill[ed] with the sound of clamouring tongues.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Jeans-Jaques Rousseau : Emile

'...he proclaimed himself a disciple of Rousseau. But he can hardly have followed the teaching of "Emile" very closely, since...'

Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Walter Scott : Kenilworth

'Your common student wrote to me about Blackwood's Magazine, shewing who wrote in it and who spoke of it; he talks about 'Kenilworth a Romance'; he then describes his stomach-complaints, and wishes me better fortune, sometimes the dog even pities me.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: [unknown student] anon      Print: BookManuscript: Letter

  

 : Blackwood's magazine

'Your common student wrote to me about Blackwood's Magazine, shewing who wrote in it and who spoke of it; he talks about 'Kenilworth a Romance'; he then describes his stomach-complaints, and wishes me better fortune, sometimes the dog even pities me.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: [unknown student] anon      Print: Serial / periodicalManuscript: Letter

  

A.E. Housman : unknown

'Hobbies. Mentioned 10 times. Twice as normal, three times increased (walking, stamp collecting, reading). One "war outlook; making of aeroplanes, etc", one "Juniors play 'Germans and English' and 'Shoot the Dictator'". One "reading now of Houseman [sic], Eliot, and Owen", one "extra keenness in inter-school conferences", one "debates on hobbies".'

Unknown
Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      

  

 : Mirror

"If the foreman and checker were on good terms, then the checker could leave early. If not, he had to stay, biting his nails or reading the Mirror." [this was a repeated occurrence]

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

Paul Scarron : The Fruitless Precaution

'In the afternoon upon the Quarter-deck, the Doctor told Mr North and me an admirable story called "The Fruitlesse Precaution": an exceeding pretty story and worth my getting without book when I can get the book.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

unknown : report on miners' conditions

'I've been reading about miners' food difficulties. Isn't it disgusting-we starve the men who do one of the most important jobs of the war-well it's more important than the Army because they've taken men out of the Army to go back to their old jobs in the mines.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

unknown : horoscope

'I don't really believe in any superstitions. Sitting down 13 at a table would never worry me in the slightest. However I enjoy having my fortune told and reading my horoscope just for fun.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

Robert Vansittart : Black Record

'I suppose I retained this view for about nine months. My thoughts have now radically changed, and this is due in a marked degree to the reading of Sir Robert Vansittart's "Black Record" that I really woke up, and eliminated from my system all the ridiculous ideas I had about the German man and woman being "a decent person just like you and me". There was a saying in the last war which should never have been forgotten "once a German always a German". This is [an] almost eternal truism, for I am convinced now that the average German revels in brutality and perfidiousness, taking the view that ends justify the means.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

unknown : letter about the post-war world

'(I am reading from her reply): "I hope I shall remember to go Church and thank God for our victory and our safety. I expect I shall talk of the future and its prospects with my friends. One thing I shall not do is to celebrate with the idea that everything henceforth is rosy".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Manuscript: Letter

  

Hannen Swaffer : unknown

'It's funny isn't it. Looks as if they want to get him out of the way. He's a bit too forward looking for them I think. And he's been giving one or two straight talks with the Archbishop too. I was reading Hannen Swaffer on Sunday and he said it seemed that Churchill's the stumbling block to any planning ahead.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Peace News

'About twenty people gathered and sat on chairs - some in meditation, others obviously praying. At first I thought this to be a preliminary ritual to the meeting, and so in my ignorance started reading my Peace News.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : newspaper

'I was just reading how he was going to attack Ireland in the next five days. I don't like the sound of that., . . . Ireland isn't ready yet.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

unknown : unknown

'Every night when I go home I swear there are not more than three English people on the bus. The rudeness of them. A woman said the other night "If there was a gentleman present they wouldn't let a lady stand". A girl sitting in the bus reading just glanced at her and said "If you're a lady, I've never seen one". Everyone was amused.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

unknown : unknown

'A fortnight in London in June-July 1940, recuperating from Oxford Univ. Finals, I most clearly remember summer evening as yet undisturbed by bombs, spent reading and chatting with friends sprawled in deckchairs in Kensington Gardens.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

Lindoe : astrology books / articles

'I think astrology is the most reliable way of telling the future. Astrologers are so often right. I read him and study him regularly, and I find it's a great help......... things don't seem to go wrong anywhere near so much as before I started reading him. I really have great faith in him. I certainly think it's the only way of getting near the truth - it's thousands of years old and people have trusted, so I don't see why I shouldn't now.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book, Serial / periodical

  

 : clothes rationing questionnaire

'In reading the whole thing, I get a slight feeling of "leaning about" from question to question of the questionnaire. Maybe this is largely a subjective feeling, and anyone not so painfully familiar with the actual order of the question would not feel it at all.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: questionnaire

  

unknown : article about Oswald Mosley

'Anyhow, their wives are being sent away. Mosley and his wife shouldn't be allowed to live together, but I suppose they've got plenty of money. And income Tax- I was reading an article the other day that said some of them were quite glad to be where they are because they don't have to pay income tax: Saves them a lot!'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper, Serial / periodical

  

unknown : unknown

'Except sometimes when my wife sits on the arm of my chair when I am reading, and proceeds to perform on my own nails, mine would always be fairly described as dirty (Wife's term is filthy).'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

Negley Farson : Bombers Moon

'He is about to go when he sees a copy of Bombers Moon by Negley Farson (8/6?). He picks it up to look at it. It interests him and he stands reading this completely oblivious.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

 : New Stateman

'... only paper I read is the New Statesman once a week, this gives me condensed news of the week, is worth reading because it is well written and gives some food for thought.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

unknown : [light books]

'I read more-not so much of the paper as light books and escapist stuff. I listen to the radio about the same.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

unknown : [light books]

'I read more as I spend more time at home. Also I read fewer political works and more fiction.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

unknown : [light reading]

'I read more. But cannot concentrate on the type of literature I like, preferring now, a light novel or auto-biography to escape the present day. With the loss of "US" cling desperately to "The New Statesman" & "Nation" in the hopes of gleaning a few facts which newspapers and radio studiously avoid.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

 : The New Statesman

'I read more. But cannot concentrate on the type of literature I like, preferring now, a light novel or auto-biography to escape the present day. With the loss of "US" cling desperately to "The New Statesman" & "Nation" in the hopes of gleaning a few facts which newspapers and radio studiously avoid.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Nation

'I read more. But cannot concentrate on the type of literature I like, preferring now, a light novel or auto-biography to escape the present day. With the loss of "US" cling desperately to "The New Statesman" & "Nation" in the hopes of gleaning a few facts which newspapers and radio studiously avoid.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

unknown : unknown

'I now very rarely go out in the evening, mainly on account of wife and family; spend more time reading and playing indoor games.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

unknown : unknown

'In common with thousands of other people I have been doing knitting during the raids. In normal times I never have time to knit as all my spare time is spend in reading or playing the piano, both pastimes which cannot be indulged in when there are a lot of people in the room.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

Phyllis Bottome : The Mortal Storm

'Yes, I read more as have more time- but have gone onto novels and escapist literature- cannot read such books as The Mortal Storm and books like Fallen Bastions now. I also try to keep up with political reading but find it rather difficult- for example to follow the communist line- but still read the Daily worker, Tribune, New Statesman, each week to try and get a composite picture but get depressed as the papers differ so from the daily papers such as the Telegraph, Mail and Express.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

G.E.R. Gedye : Fallen Bastions

'Yes , I read more as have more time- but have gone onto novels and escapist literature- cannot read such books as The Mortal Storm and books like Fallen Bastions now. I also try to keep up with political reading but find it rather difficult- for example to follow the communist line- but still read the Daily worker, Tribune, New Statesman, week to try and get a composite picture but get depressed as the papers differ so from the daily papers such as the Telegraph, Mail and Express.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

 : Daily Worker

'Yes, I read more as have more time- but have gone onto novels and escapist literature- cannot read such books as The Mortal Storm and books like Fallen Bastions now. I also try to keep up with political reading but find it rather difficult- for example to follow the communist line- but still read the Daily worker, Tribune, New Statesman, week to try and get a composite picture but get depressed as the papers differ so from the daily papers such as the Telegraph, Mail and Express.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Tribune

'Yes, I read more as have more time- but have gone onto novels and escapist literature- cannot read such books as The Mortal Storm and books like Fallen Bastions now. I also try to keep up with political reading but find it rather difficult- for example to follow the communist line- but still read the Daily worker, Tribune, New Statesman, week to try and get a composite picture but get depressed as the papers differ so from the daily papers such as the Telegraph, Mail and Express.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : The New Statesman

'Yes, I read more as have more time- but have gone onto novels and escapist literature- cannot read such books as The Mortal Storm and books like Fallen Bastions now. I also try to keep up with political reading but find it rather difficult- for example to follow the communist line- but still read the Daily worker, Tribune, New Statesman, week to try and get a composite picture but get depressed as the papers differ so from the daily papers such as the Telegraph, Mail and Express.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : News Chronicle

'I hardly read at all - I read the News Chronicle, it's all I have time for.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Wizard

'I never buy books, I only read the "Wizard".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : The Woman

'I only read weekly magazines, like the "Woman". I prefer sewing and knitting.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Serial / periodical

  

 : ration books

'The only books I have the opportunity of reading are ration and points books.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

 : points books

'The only books I have the opportunity of reading are ration and points books.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

E S Stevens : Ishtar

'I started to read a book called "Ishtar". It's not very good but I was very vague as to who Ishtar was - apparently the Babylonian goddess of love, war and fertility. Persepone, Artemis and Freya all in one. Normally Iwould not have bothered with it but a remark in Durrell's "Black Book" had set me wondering about Ishtar, vis - "From music we demand our whole life if it is to move us; every modulation of dream, despair, love, yearning. It is the past and the future going down into the tomb; the descent of Ishtar among the soiled roses; the entry into the chamber of the Cosmos; the first kicking in the womb and the last elegant spasm of cessation, lull, status". "Ishtar" by E.S. Stevens is badly written and rater trite, but quite interesting. I like stories about "digs" and I am rather interested in Baghdad though I know very little about that part of the world.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Douglas Reed : Disgrace Abounding

'Started to read "Disgrace Abounding" by Douglas Reed. He has got a bee in his bonnet about the Jews. Very insidious because when he gives chapter and verse one immediately recalls cases of which one has personal knowledge.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Louis MacNeice : Autumm Journal

'Reading, MacNeice "Autumm Journal". I enjoyed it very much and think it good. A. Werth, "Moscow '41". Very good - clear - interesting. One of these books which fill out the mind a bit.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

H V Morton : I James Blunt

'Reading H.V. Morton, "I James Blunt". I read it in half an hour. It is propaganda but first-class propaganda and interesting and very readable and horribly convincing. It should shake up the complacent. If invasion succeeded it would be like that here. The weak point was the suggestion that all the dominions had been overthrown too - at least New Zealand had.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Peter Quennell : Byron in Italy

'My library book now is "Byron in Italy" by Peter Quennell. I have not read much of Byron's poetry for many, many years. You probably remember the large volume of his work in C.V. with its voluptuous illustrations. I had that, but it has vanished with all my other books which were taken to Marten by my family. The book I am now looking at does not impress me with the bits of verse it quotes. I suppose that Byron could rhyme "beautiful" and "full" and "annul" and get away with it, but they don't seem to be right to me. I expect that he wrote "Don Juan" from his own experiences.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Adolf Hitler : Mein Kampf

'I prefer to go as soon as I can to the fountainhead, and to read, say, "Mein Kampf," to reading about Hitler. Such books I buy and read through without skipping or skimming, - marking, annotating and "grangerising". Other books dealing with the subject can then be got from the library and read quickly.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

unknown : [cheap editions of books]

'On the whole in these casual ventures I go no further than about 2/6 a book, and most of my reading comes from such editions as Penguin, Pelican, Evergreen, Everyman etc., all of which, note, have attractive covers and fair print for cheap books ... I am afraid I have left the impression that the look of the thing is all that worries me.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Brandon : Night club Murder

'I'm afraid I just pick any books. I go in for light reading mostly. I've get two detective books for light reading, one by Scott, and "Night club Murder" by Brandon, and then this ("Shabby summer," by Deeping) that's to spend Sunday afternoon with.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Walter Scott : unknown

'I'm afraid I just pick any books. I go in for light reading mostly. I've get two detective books for light reading, one by Scott, and "Night club Murder" by Brandon, and then this ("Shabby summer," by Deeping) that's to spend Sunday afternoon with.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Deeping : Shabby Summer

'I'm afraid I just pick any books. I go in for light reading mostly. I've get two detective books for light reading, one by Scott, and "Night club Murder" by Brandon, and then this ("Shabby summer," by Deeping) that's to spend Sunday afternoon with.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Ruby M Ayres : unknown

'"I like books by Ruby M Ayres and Anne Duffield. The young lady usually chooses the books for me - she knows what I want. Something light to take my mind off the war - a straight romantic tale.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Anne Duffield : unknown

'"I like books by Ruby M Ayres and Anne Duffield. The young lady usually chooses the books for me - she knows what I want. Something light to take my mind off the war - a straight romantic tale.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

unknown : [light reading]

'I like light reading - something to occupy my mind so that I can knit and read at the same time - something that I can pick up and put down again without a feeling of being jolted.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

unknown : [western stories]

'I don't mind any author, so long as it's a genuine western story. I always read purely western, because they're more or less full of action, and I can get into it in the first chapter. No war books for me, I can read all that boasting and piffle in the papers.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Ian Hay : Night on Wheels

'I'm not keen to read books dealing with the current situation. War's grim enough, I prefer to choose books without war interest. For that reason I try and get books of the humourous kind, such as "Night on Wheels" by Ian Hay, and "The Diary of a Provincial Lady" by E.M. Delafield. Books that provoke a laugh. During the winter months reading's been my main hobby. As I'm a quick reader, naturally I choose fairly thick books of average size with medium print. Never the large type. I like a substantial book, not one that I can finish quickly. On the other hand I don't like books of the size of "Gone with the Wind" or "Anthony Adverse", some 900 pages. Either of these books should have been issued in two volumes.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

E M Delafield : The Diary of a Provincial Lady

'I'm not keen to read books dealing with the current situation. War's grim enough, I prefer to choose books without war interest. For that reason I try and get books of the humourous kind, such as "Night on Wheels" by Ian Hay, and "The Diary of a Provincial Lady" by E.M. Delafield. Books that provoke a laugh. During the winter months reading's been my main hobby. As I'm a quick reader, naturally I choose a fairly thick books of average size with medium print. Never the large type. I like a substantial book, not one that I can finish quickly. On the other hand I don't like books of the size of "Gone with the Wind" or "Anthony Adverse", some 900 pages. Either of these books should have been issued in two volumes.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

unknown : [detective fiction]

'My husband usually buys the penguin books. They're cheap and easy to carry about and afterwards he gives them away to the Forces. He's working very hard and seems to derive a lot of pleasure form reading detective and crime stories.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

unknown : ["love" stories]

'The girl has joined the library. She's a big reader. Reads about 2 books a week. She's begun to start bringing home "love" books now. The boy isn't a bit keen on reading.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Charles Dickens : unknown

[I read] 'Good books - Dickens, and Scott, and all that, but I don't believe I've opened a book since I got married, and that's nearly 30 years now.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Walter Scott : unknown

[I read] 'Good books - Dickens, and Scott, and all that, but I don't believe I've opened a book since I got married, and that's nearly 30 years now.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Evelyn Waugh : Decline and Fall

'An author's name carries weight with me, but results are sometimes disappointing - e.g. I enjoyed Evelyn Waugh's "Decline and Fall", and so I bought "Vile Bodies" only to find it not so good.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Evelyn Waugh : Vile Bodies

'An author's name carries weight with me, but results are sometimes disappointing - e.g. I enjoyed Evelyn Waugh's "Decline and Fall", and so I bought "Vile Bodies" only to find it not so good.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Gerald Samson : Warning Light of Asia

'Just now I'm reading books [of] what I call Geography plus books that give great insight in [to] different places. I'm reading now the causes and conditions that brought about this war. (Warning Light of Asia, Samson)'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Arthur Findlay : The Unfolding Universe

'Lately I've got interested in Spiritualism. I've read one book about it, I thought it was a lot of rubbish. That was written by a Minister; this one is just by an ordinary man - and I thought I'd hear the other point of view. (The Unfolding Universe: Findlay)'.

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Sigmund Freud : War and death

[I am reading] 'An endeavour to see whether or not war can sort of be got under control for the future. (Freud; War & Death)'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Pat Sloan : Russia, Friend or Foe

'I'm interested in Russia and want to know all about socialism. (Russia, Friend or Foe: Sloan)'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Hover : Salesmanship

'I thought it would be interesting to me in my work (Salesmanship - Hover)'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Michael McLaverty : Lost Fields

'It appealed to me - I like books about the country and farms and country life in general. (Lost Fields: McLaverty)'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Allen : Practical Psychology

[I am reading this] 'Because I've got a ten week's old baby. (Practical Psychology: Allen)'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Doreen Swinburne : Hospital Nurse

'I'm taking up nursing, and I thought I would get a good inside knowledge from a book of this kind. (Hospital Nurse: Swinburne)'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

unknown : synopsis of book

'Most of the books I choose from the free library are for the wife. I cast my eye over the books vaguely searching for likely looking binding. If one catches my eye, such as a new looking book, I glance at the title and author. If that looks promising, I take the book out and scan the synopsis, if there is one, and then scan the first page, before flicking over the pages and reading snatches of the dialogue. If there seems to be plenty of action, I choose the book. I avoid books about the present or last war.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Sinclair Lewis : World's End

'I've nearly finished "World's End" by Sinclair Lewis. It's a grand book. I started it because I enjoyed 'Between Two Worlds' so much. I enjoy a good novel.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

unknown : Time is the Spur

'I am reading now "Time is the Spur". No, I don't know whom it is by. I was recommended to it by a friend, It's very good.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Bessie Myers : Escape

'I read various types of novels. Some books give long involved descriptions. I don't mind a little of that, but in addition the story has to have a certain amount of faction....I've just finished "Escape" by Bessie Myers. I rather liked it. I admired the efficiency of the girls, as well as the incidents they experienced as a result of their flight. Part of it is in Diary Form, it gave you a certain sense of intimacy, and it didn't seem a bit fantastic.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Phillip Gibbs : Nettle Danger

'I read what I call semi-serious novels. That is, it's got to have a love story woven through it, but at the same time well written, unlike the trashy love stories of Ethel M. Dell or Ruby M. Ayres, kin...I liked books by Phillip Gibbs: "The Nettle Danger", "The Sons and Others": "The Amazing summer", and now his newest "Through the Dark Night", which brings war events almost up to date. It isn't anything new, but at the same time, I enjoyed reading them.....'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Phillip Gibbs : The Sons and Others

'I read what I call semi-serious novels. That is, it's got to have a love story woven through it, but at the same time well written, unlike the trashy love stories of Ethel M. Dell or Ruby M. Ayres, kin...I liked books by Phillip Gibbs: "The Nettle Danger", "The Sons and Others": "The Amazing summer", and now his newest "Through the Dark Night", which brings war events almost up to date. It isn't anything new, but at the same time, I enjoyed reading them.....'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Phillip Gibbs : The Amazing Summer

'I read what I call semi-serious novels. That is, it's got to have a love story woven through it, but at the same time well written, unlike the trashy love stories of Ethel M. Dell or Ruby M. Ayres, kin...I liked books by Phillip Gibbs: "The Nettle Danger", "The Sons and Others": "The Amazing summer", and now his newest "Through the Dark Night", which brings war events almost up to date. It isn't anything new, but at the same time, I enjoyed reading them.....'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Phillip Gibbs : Through the Dark Night

'I read what I call semi-serious novels. That is, it's got to have a love story woven through it, but at the same time well written, unlike the trashy love stories of Ethel M. Dell or Ruby M. Ayres, kin...I liked books by Phillip Gibbs: "The Nettle Danger", "The Sons and Others": "The Amazing summer", and now his newest "Through the Dark Night", which brings war events almost up to date. It isn't anything new, but at the same time, I enjoyed reading them.....'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Pearl Buck : The Home Divided

'I can't be bothered reading heavy stuff. I don't seem able to concentrate for long. I like books of the romantic and family kind. Just now I've got at home the "Home Divided" by Pearl Buck - it's the simple love-story kind of book, but it holds your interest.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

P.G. Wodehouse : unknown

'I like thrillers and mysteries and oriental tales. Anything mystery which has nothing whatever to do with the war. I can read all I want about war in the newspapers. I like something bright, such as Wodehouse - he acts as a kind of tonic on me. I can read a book of this type in a couple of hours.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Ernest Hemingway : For whom the Bell Tolls

'Oh, I like funny books, like Thorne Smith, you know, nothing too serious. ("For whom the Bell Tolls", Hemingway, was very good).'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Thorne Smith : unknown

'Oh, I like funny books, like Thorne Smith, you know, nothing too serious. ("For whom the Bell Tolls", Hemingway, was very good).'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Leslie Charteris : Saint stories

'My children like to get hold of Charteris, the Saint Stories, you know. But it's a funny thing we can't get any of his books in this library now. I don't know where they've all gone....'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Naomi Jacobs : [early works]

'I like good modern books - I'm very fond of American books - or Dorothy Conyer's - good racy stories. I hate detective stories, I like Naomi Jacobs' early ones. I read 'props' three times - I do like well written books. I hate anything in the first person....I won't read war books...I like 'How Green was My Valley"...and 'Conflict' by Faith Baldwin - it was really interesting: I read it about the time China came in the war with us.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Richard Llewellyn : How Green was My Valley

'I like good modern books - I'm very fond of American books - or Dorothy Conyer's - good racy stories. I hate detective stories, I like Naomi Jacobs' early ones. I read 'props' three times - I do like well written books. I hate anything in the first person....I won't read war books...I like 'How Green was My Valley"...and 'Conflict' by Faith Baldwin - it was really interesting: I read it about the time China came in the war with us.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Faith Baldwin : Conflict

'I like good modern books - I'm very fond of American books - or Dorothy Conyer's - good racy stories. I hate detective stories, I like Naomi Jacobs' early ones. I read 'props' three times - I do like well written books. I hate anything in the first person....I won't read war books...I like 'How Green was My Valley"...and 'Conflict' by Faith Baldwin - it was really interesting: I read it about the time China came in the war with us.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Dorothy Conyer : unknown

'I like good modern books - I'm very fond of American books - or Dorothy Conyer's - good racy stories. I hate detective stories, I like Naomi Jacobs' early ones. I read 'props' three times - I do like well written books. I hate anything in the first person....I won't read war books...I like 'How Green was My Valley"...and 'Conflict' by Faith Baldwin - it was really interesting: I read it about the time China came in the war with us.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Richard Llewellyn : How Green was My Valley

'Oh, I like all kinds of books - historical, semi-biography, well written. I liked "How Green was My Valley": and "All this and Heaven Too" ....I must say I can't read novels when I'm all upset. Now what have I read lately? Oh, I loved "Portrait of a Village", Brett Young: it was enchanting - "Royal Escape", "Spanish Bride", Georgette Heyer; Frankau's "Royal Regiment', oh and "Elizabeth of Bohemia". I loved that.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Rachel Field : All this and Heaven Too

'Oh, I like all kinds of books - historical, semi-biography, well written. I liked "How Green was My Valley": and "All this and Heaven Too" ....I must say I can't read novels when I'm all upset. Now what have I read lately? Oh, I loved "Portrait of a Village", Brett Young: it was enchanting - "Royal Escape", "Spanish Bride", Georgette Heyer; Frankau's "Royal Regiment', oh and "Elizabeth of Bohemia". I loved that.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Brett Young : Portrait of a Village

'Oh, I like all kinds of books - historical, semi-biography, well written. I liked "How Green was My Valley": and "All this and Heaven Too" ....I must say I can't read novels when I'm all upset. Now what have I read lately? Oh, I loved "Portrait of a Village", Brett Young: it was enchanting - "Royal Escape", "Spanish Bride", Georgette Heyer; Frankau's "Royal Regiment', oh and "Elizabeth of Bohemia". I loved that.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Georgette Heyer : Royal Escape

'Oh, I like all kinds of books - historical, semi-biography, well written. I liked "How Green was My Valley": and "All this and Heaven Too" ....I must say I can't read novels when I'm all upset. Now what have I read lately? Oh, I loved "Portrait of a Village", Brett Young: it was enchanting - "Royal Escape", "Spanish Bride", Georgette Heyer; Frankau's "Royal Regiment', oh and "Elizabeth of Bohemia". I loved that.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Georgette Heyer : Spanish Bride

'Oh, I like all kinds of books - historical, semi-biography, well written. I liked "How Green was My Valley": and "All this and Heaven Too" ....I must say I can't read novels when I'm all upset. Now what have I read lately? Oh, I loved "Portrait of a Village", Brett Young: it was enchanting - "Royal Escape", "Spanish Bride", Georgette Heyer; Frankau's "Royal Regiment', oh and "Elizabeth of Bohemia". I loved that.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Frankau : Royal Regiment

'Oh, I like all kinds of books - historical, semi-biography, well written. I liked "How Green was My Valley": and "All this and Heaven Too" ....I must say I can't read novels when I'm all upset. Now what have I read lately? Oh, I loved "Portrait of a Village", Brett Young: it was enchanting - "Royal Escape", "Spanish Bride", Georgette Heyer; Frankau's "Royal Regiment', oh and "Elizabeth of Bohemia". I loved that.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

unknown : Elizabeth of Bohemia

'Oh, I like all kinds of books - historical, semi-biography, well written. I liked "How Green was My Valley": and "All this and Heaven Too" ....I must say I can't read novels when I'm all upset. Now what have I read lately? Oh, I loved "Portrait of a Village", Brett Young: it was enchanting - "Royal Escape", "Spanish Bride", Georgette Heyer; Frankau's "Royal Regiment', oh and "Elizabeth of Bohemia". I loved that.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

John Monk Saunders : A Yank at Oxford

'I've read one book since the war "A Yank At Oxford". I liked that.....'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Daphne Du Maurier : Rebecca

'I liked Rebecca and 'Gone with the Wind".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Margaret Mitchell : Gone with the Wind

'I liked Rebecca and 'Gone with the Wind".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Stephen Leacock : unknown

'I like autobiography and I love a good thriller - I can't bear funny books other than Stephen Leacock. I don't like a man who sets out to be funny.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Margaret Mitchell : Gone with the wind

'I like anything good....something like "The Stars Looked Down" or "Gone with the Wind"...."Fame is the Spur" is a lovely book.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Archibald Joseph Cronin : The Stars Looked Down

'I like anything good....something like "The Stars Looked Down" or "Gone with the Wind"...."Fame is the Spur" is a lovely book.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Howard Spring : Fame is the Spur

'I like anything good....something like "The Stars Looked Down" or "Gone with the Wind"...."Fame is the Spur" is a lovely book.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

unknown : [books about China and Russia]

'Lately I've been reading books about China and Russia. I figure it out this way: I read the newspapers and meet different kinds of people, and they all have to say something different. It makes me want to read and know more myself. I don't think the ordinary person knows much about the people in other countries except what we hear now. If we can get some idea of the way they live and work, go a long way towards understanding them."

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

 : The Times

'I despise all these novels and so on. I'm a retired Civil Servant and I chiefly read the Times, politics and things of that sort. I don't read many books at all, but when I do they are on travel or places abroad I've worked in. Mostly I read papers.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Serial / periodical

  

H. Rathbone : What Next in Germany

[I read] 'Oh, anything political - I'm mad about politics -you know, India today and all that sort of thing and all those red books that aren't allowed, I get all those... one of the best books I've read is 'What Next Germany' or some such title - I can't remember. It was wonderfully interesting.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

unknown : [biography and travel]

'For light reading I like biography and travel - I see there are one or two out about the South Seas that should be interesting - I've only read two American books that I thought any good: I can't stand this Park Avenue stuff...there's nothing worth reading these days - nothing - in fact I'm turning more and more to the old books.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Negley Farson : Travels

'I enjoy most autobiographies and biography - you know Negley Farson's Travels - at the moment I'm reading Thackeray. I've never read "Pendennis" and I'm simply adoring it - I love detective stories too - I read the "Forsyte Saga" again - it's wonderful, isn't it...Do you know for the first year of the war I hardly read anything "Take Courage": there they were wanting a dictator and when they got him, well he wasn't the hero they thought - I do think Civil War is awful - then of course, I loved all those "Heavenly Trouser" ones.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

W.M. Thackeray : The History of Pendennis

'I enjoy most autobiographies and biography - you know Negley Farson's Travels - at the moment I'm reading Thackeray. I've never read "Pendennis" and I'm simply adoring it - I love detective stories too - I read the "Forsyte Saga" again - it's wonderful, isn't it...Do you know for the first year of the war I hardly read anything "Take Courage": there they were wanting a dictator and when they got him, well he wasn't the hero they thought - I do think Civil War is awful - then of course, I loved all those "Heavenly Trouser" ones.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

John Galsworthy : Forsyte Saga

'I enjoy most autobiographies and biography - you know Negley Farson's Travels - at the moment I'm reading Thackeray. I've never read "Pendennis" and I'm simply adoring it - I love detective stories too - I read the "Forsyte Saga" again - it's wonderful, isn't it...Do you know for the first year of the war I hardly read anything "Take Courage": there they were wanting a dictator and when they got him, well he wasn't the hero they thought - I do think Civil War is awful - then of course, I loved all those "Heavenly Trouser" ones.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

unknown : Heavenly Trouser

'I enjoy most autobiographies and biography - you know Negley Farson's Travels - at the moment I'm reading Thackeray. I've never read "Pendennis" and I'm simply adoring it - I love detective stories too - I read the "Forsyte Saga" again - it's wonderful, isn't it...Do you know for the first year of the war I hardly read anything "Take Courage": there they were wanting a dictator and when they got him, well he wasn't the hero they thought - I do think Civil War is awful - then of course, I loved all those "Heavenly Trouser" ones.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

unknown : My Son Absalom

'"I don't read much - oh, a very mixed lot - "My Son Absalom" and "Fame is the Spur"' [then in response to question from interviewer] '- who, them? I enjoy travel books, that one there was so famous .!.. "Something in Tartary", extremely nice". (Fleming).'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Howard Spring : Fame is the Spur

'"I don't read much - oh, a very mixed lot - "My Son Absalom" and "Fame is the Spur"' [then in response to question from interviewer] '- who, them? I enjoy travel books, that one there was so famous .!.. "Something in Tartary", extremely nice". (Fleming).'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Peter Fleming : News from Tartary

'"I don't read much - oh, a very mixed lot - "My Son Absalom" and "Fame is the Spur"' [then in response to question from interviewer] '- who, them? I enjoy travel books, that one there was so famous .!.. "Something in Tartary", extremely nice". (Fleming).'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

unknown : [Travel books]

'I like Travel books - something uplifting - teaches you something. Of course, I like dirty books too....Have you read John Blunt - you ought to - "Mein Kampf". Oh, I liked "Rebecca" and "Gone with the Wind".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

John Blunt : unkown

'I like Travel books - something uplifting - teaches you something. Of course, I like dirty books too....Have you read John Blunt - you ought to - "Mein Kampf". Oh, I liked "Rebecca" and "Gone with the Wind".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Adolf Hitler : Mein Kampf

'I like Travel books - something uplifting - teaches you something. Of course, I like dirty books too....Have you read John Blunt - you ought to - "Mein Kampf". Oh, I liked "Rebecca" and "Gone with the Wind".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Daphne Du Maurier : Rebecca

'I like Travel books - something uplifting - teaches you something. Of course, I like dirty books too....Have you read John Blunt - you ought to - "Mein Kampf". Oh, I liked "Rebecca" and "Gone with the Wind".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Margaret Mitchell : Gone with the Wind

'I like Travel books - something uplifting - teaches you something. Of course, I like dirty books too....Have you read John Blunt - you ought to - 'Mein Kampf'. Oh, I liked 'Rebecca' and 'Gone with the Wind'.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

unknown : Happy World

'"Happy World" is a very charming description of the best bits of the old landed way of life. The race as a whole seems to me to emphasise only its bad characteristics, so that to me, who remembers those days so well, it is a pleasure to read, so true an account of the mutual happiness that existed between all members of such a household. We must go forward, possibly to better ways of of the beauty of a very simple existence.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

H Williamson : Norfolk Farm

'H. Williamson's "Norfolk Farm", for the detail making me feel I had lived those hard days myself.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Eric Knight : This Above All

'"This Above All", Eric Knight. Believe me I lived and smelt through that book all the horrors of nights and days of bombing and Dunkirk conveys and putrid dressings and various limbs blown off and men coming out of other and talking and men talking their heads off to ease the strain. If I could write a book on what I went through, seeing, smelling and hearing those days it would sound very similar. I just lived that book in parts.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

James Joyce : Dubliners

'Dubliners, James Joyce. First time I read it I was not much impressed, but on reading them again I found much that I had missed. They are immensely real and intimate sketches. Whenever I feel fed up I read one of these sketches and find myself in another world - Dublin, 20 years ago. Dublin saloon bars, street children, catholic priests, and inconspicuous clerks - all ordinary people but real. The stories are slightly tinged with melancholy. That soothes me.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

unknown : [political and social books]

'Since the war began I have read less because my working hours have been lengthened and ARP duties and various social activities leave me less leisure. My reading howver is much more purposeful (as I have no time to waste). I read little fiction now, but much political and social books. This is, I think a natural development, but much hastened by the war and the conditions which caused it.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

unknown : unknown

'I read less now than before the war, owing to pressure of work - of a mental nature - and consequently prefer to spend most of my leisure in exercise. Thus what I read now is more carefully chosen, and read over several times. I squeeze more of the innards from my reading. I copy out passages here and there and make my own anthology.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

unknown : [lighter literature]

'Since the war began I have read less, chiefly because I am more tired and have less time. I never read until bed-time nowadays and I generally fall asleep before I've read much I have tended to read lighter literature, as an opiate probably. On the other hand my older children and I have had far more discussions and spend hours discussing vital problems personal and national.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Jane Austen : Emma

'I can no longer settle to fiction to anything like the extent I did before the war. Could read nothing but Jane Austen's Emma when war broke out. I read about the same amount of non-fiction, but far more biographies and autobiographies.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

 : newspaper

'Housekeeping pupil (voluntarily) reading the paper over my shoulder yesterday morning.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

D H Lawrence : Lady Chatterley's Lover

'Lady Chatterly's Lover is the absurdest pornography I have ever read, but The Man Who Died is one of the finest pieces of literature I remember reading and the idea strikes me as being one of the most brilliant that I have met in my small experience. Poetry equally good in places.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

D H Lawrence : The Man Who Died

'Lady Chatterly's Lover is the absurdest pornography I have ever read, but The Man Who Died is one of the finest pieces of literature I remember reading and the idea strikes me as being one of the most brilliant that I have met in my small experience. Poetry equally good in places.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

D H Lawrence : Red Trousers

'His novels rather date, but his essays are vivid and stimulating. Red Trousers comes to the mind as being real hot stuff.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Aldous Huxley : Ends and Means

'Ends and Means contains much that is good and new. Also his essays are quite attractive, his novels are utter tripe.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Aldous Huxley : Brave new world

'I like his Brave New World but I do not think any of his other books are much good, in fact they bore me profoundly.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

 : newspaper

'We took our deck chairs into the garden and from 3 o' clock until 3.20 I read the paper whilst my wife knitted. At 3.20 I tired of reading and fetched out the mower and cut the lawn. At 3.40 the first bath-water was taken up - my wife's. 20 stairs and much perspiration.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

Charles Dickens : unknown

'Modern writers may not be up to the standard of the old writers, Dickens, Thackeray and Scott, but they're snappy-they're quick reading." (Man 45, borrowing Death in Downing Street, by J. G. Brandon.)'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

 : newspapers

'I read a newspaper chiefly from a sense of shame, because I dislike being ill-informed, and I am a social creature, and like to be able to hold my own fin conversation.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : newspapers

'I look through a newspaper very much in the mood in which I go out for a stroll or light a cigarette by the front door late on a summer evening.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Daily Express

'I read the Daily Express because I like its human interest, the Telegraph because of its fairly accurate reporting... I do not like the way the Express gives undue publicity to undesirables, e.g. the "Mayfair Playboys" and the "hot coals father". The Telegraph lacks snap.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Telegraph

'I read the Daily Express because I like its human interest, the Telegraph because of its fairly accurate reporting... I do not like the way the Express gives undue publicity to undesirables, e.g. the "Mayfair Playboys" and the "hot coals father". The Telegraph lacks snap.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Daily Telegraph

'I prefer the Daily Telegraph because I feel that the news is more genuine than the other daily newspapers print. I like my news presented to me without emotional 'colouring'. It is observed facts that I want presented to me, not 'chatty' news or editorial rhetoric.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : News Chronicle

'I consider the News Chronicle as unbiassed as any of the dailies, and, having the habit of reading that paper, do not feel sure that I appreciate the relative importance of the news until I have seen it in its appropriate setting.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Sunday Express

'We have the Sunday Express because it is more newsy, and the People because my mother likes the women's page and father likes the 'Plan with the Planets' astrological forecasts. The People always strikes me as being rather low and common in style and none of us really like it although we have it.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : People

'We have the Sunday Express because it is more newsy, and the People because my mother likes the women's page and father likes the 'Plan with the Planets' astrological forecasts. The People always strikes me as being rather low and common in style and none of us really like it although we have it.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Serial / periodical

  

 : Daily Mail

'I begin at the back page of the Daily Mail, and read straight through till I come to the front. I don't know why I do this. I don't remember when I began to do so.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Evening Standard

'On Monday, January 15, saw an Evening Standard placard with the words, "Hitler Will March, says Paris". But in the Star the same evening was a summary of an article by Pertinax, who said Hitler was bluffing and would not march. The opinion I formed form this was that in future I could place no reliance upon news from Paris.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Star

'On Monday, January 15, saw an Evening Standard placard with the words, "Hitler Will March, says Paris" But in the Star the same evening was a summary of an article by Pertinax, who said Hitler was bluffing and would not march. The opinion I formed form this was that in future I could place no reliance upon news from paris.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Daily Herald

'Man, 35, Jew. Entered at 6.10. Walked towards Daily Herald. A Cockney was reading it, Jew held one side of paper and read for 5 secs. The Cockney said, "Wait a bit, I shall soon have finished, you don't own the bloody paper."'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : letter from his mother

'Siegfried Line with Two French soldiers. The chief is reading a letter from his mother: "How are you getting on?" Air raid shelter at end with notice: "Keep out of the shelter, no one is allowed to go into the air raid shelter, only the ones that are allowed." Two German planes, and three bombs dropped, "no damage was done". The sun is shining because it is a nice day. The German sign (swastika) is on the corner.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Manuscript: Letter

  

Lodge : unknown

'After carrying out psychic research and reading reports and hypotheses by Lodge, Crookes, J.A. Findlay etc. I know to my own satisfaction that death is a mere passing on to a continued existence. This is no Christian "Heaven".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Crookes : unknown

'After carrying out psychic research and reading reports and hypotheses by Lodge, Crookes, J.A. Findlay etc. I know to my own satisfaction that death is a mere passing on to a continued existence. This is no Christian "Heaven".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

J A Findlay : unknown

'After carrying out psychic research and reading reports and hypotheses by Lodge, Crookes, J.A. Findlay etc. I know to my own satisfaction that death is a mere passing on to a continued existence. This is no Christian 'Heaven'.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [Henry VIII]

'At Wormwood Scrubs I lent a work on Henry VIII to a jewel thief. When he returned it, he remarked that he had enjoyed it very much and, if I had another similar book, he would like to read it. As he did not strike me as being the type of man to take so keen an interest in history as his praise of the book seemed to imply, I asked him what aspects of Henry the Eight had aroused his interest. He replied that it was Henry's penchant for women that had intrigued him. Only he didn't put it quite like that. What he really said was something like this: "Gor blimey! Wasn't 'e a b- (son of a bachelor) for wimmin! Tork abaht us blokes bein' 'at stuff, why the b- had a bleedin' 'Arem! Them kings, and blokes like 'im, were the dirtiest lot of b-'s I've ever read abaht. Tork abaht Marie Monk! Why there ain't a bloke in this nick, or Dartmoor, or Pankhurst, as is a quarter as bad as these blokes yer reads abaht in 'istory!"'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : Katherine Ashton

Elizabeth Missing Sewell on the model for the domineering husband Colonel Forbes, in her novel [italics]Katherine Ashton[end italics]: 'Colonel Forbes has not in appearance, position and surroundings the least resemblance to his prototype; yet that the character is in the main true was shown to me strangely by the fact that the gentleman who gave me the idea of it came to me after he had read [italics]Katherine Ashton[end italics] and owned that Colonel Forbes resembled himself, though no one else ever suggested the likeness.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

James Boswell : Life of Johnson

'It was about noon, and the officers had all gone home to their dinners, when, as I sat on my stool munching my loaf and reading Boswell's "Life of Dr Johnson", I heard a shuffling of feet outside and my cell-door was thrown open by the patrol'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Elizabeth Missing Sewell : works

Eleanor L. Sewell, niece of Elizabeth Missing Sewell, in chapter 20 of [italics]The Autobiography of Elizabeth Missing Sewell[end italics]: 'Among many casual instances [of Elizabeth Missing Sewell's influence] is that of a girl who was detained at the foot of the Lollards' Tower, Lambeth, and showing her impatience of delay, was addressed by a little lady, who was also waiting her turn with a party, and asked to spend the time in learning more about the Lollards and the locality. The girl afterwards saw the lady's name in the visitors' book, was led to read her works and learnt for life the love of study, though she never met Miss Sewell again.'

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

 : Visitors' book, Lollards' Tower, Lambeth

Eleanor L. Sewell, niece of Elizabeth Missing Sewell, in chapter 20 of [italics]The Autobiography of Elizabeth Missing Sewell[end italics]: 'Among many casual instances [of Elizabeth Missing Sewell's influence] is that of a girl who was detained at the foot of the Lollards' Tower, Lambeth, and showing her impatience of delay, was addressed by a little lady, who was also waiting her turn with a party, and asked to spend the time in learning more about the Lollards and the locality. The girl afterwards saw the lady's name in the visitors' book, was led to read her works and learnt for life the love of study, though she never met Miss Sewell again.'

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

 : Daily Mail

'I have the Daily Mail and the News of the World for sport. They're getting a bit better than they were, but they're still a bit poor. Yes, I should like to see more sports news. It'd be a bit of a diversion from all our troubles, wouldn't it?'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : News of the world

'I have the Daily Mail and the News of the World for sport. They're getting a bit better than they were, but they're still a bit poor. Yes, I should like to see more sports news. It'd be a bit of a diversion from all our troubles, wouldn't it?'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

Dick Shepherd : unknown

'A master's debate at school set me thinking, and I decided for myself as far as I could at that age. At 16 I joined the Under Thirty movement where I heard a debate on Pacifism. I read a book by Dick Shepherd about the PPU, but did not think of joining it. Also a book called "Why War?" and parts of Aldous Huxley's "Encyclopaedia of Pacifism." At first books were the main influence and then debates developed it.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Aldous Huxley : Encyclopaedia of pacifism

'A master's debate at school set me thinking, and I decided for myself as far as I could at that age. At 16 I joined the Under Thirty movement where I heard a debate on Pacifism. I read a book by Dick Shepherd about the PPU, but did not think of joining it. Also a book called "Why War?" and parts of Aldous Huxley's "Encyclopaedia of Pacifism." At first books were the main influence and then debates developed it.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Adolf Hitler : [a speech]

'I read it three times, and I can't make head or tail of it. Doesn't seem nothing in it somehow.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Unknown

  

unknown : unknown

'She is a woman of the artisan class, aged about 35. She was dressed in a brown coat with a fur collar, and had a scarf on her head. With her she brought two blankets, two cushions, some sweets and a book. She came with a man of 35, presumably her husband, and another of 50. At first she lay on the bench in the position marked 6 in the diagram with her head against a case; later she lay on the floor. At first she read, but by 10 o'clock she put the book away. Until one o'clock she lay doing nothing, twice falling asleep for a few minutes but both times waking up again soon.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book, Unknown

  

unknown : prayer

'A study was made on Armistice Day reactions, comparable to those made in previous years. Even at the Cenotaph there was only a low degree of interest, and in Westminster Abbey at 11 a.m. there were 7 civilians, one soldier and 4 poppy-sellers outside ; 30 women and 5 men at the tomb of the Unknown Warrior, where a priest read a prayer, and there were five wreaths. The level of reaction generally was exceedingly low, even when compared with Nov. 11th, 1939.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: [a priest] anon      Print: Unknown

  

 : Telegraph

'Well, I've only read the Telegraph, and I don't like it. Everything is contradicted later.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

Ministry of Information : public information leaflets

'I have read the four PIL which we have had . They seem to give all the information required accurately and clearly, but sometimes they have tried to put things too clearly, almost childishly, and seem to underrate the intelligence of the public.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      

  

Russell Thorndyke : Dr Syn

'Two books I remember reading at one sitting are "Dr. Syn" and "The return of Dr. Syn" (Russell Thorndyke), these I read straight off, mainly because I could not take my eyes off the pages, nor my mind from unfolding the plot at express speed. Otherwise, apart from plays which I have to read straight off preferably after a large dinner in order to get full advantage of dramatic technicalities such as Irony, I like to read at leisure. I have said I read fairly slowly taking in each word. I dislike reading by snippets - just as I dislike reading with the wireless on - but I find it hard to read more than one half of a heavy book at one time, for slow reading makes it a long job and also gives you a lot to chew. Two hours is my optimum stretch, this does not apply to light reading or reading when ill in bed.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Russell Thorndyke : The return of Dr. Syn

'Two books I remember reading at one sitting are "Dr. Syn" and "The return of Dr. Syn" (Russell Thorndyke), these I read straight off, mainly because I could not take my eyes off the pages, nor my mind from unfolding the plot at express speed. Otherwise, apart from plays which I have to read straight off preferably after a large dinner in order to get full advantage of dramatic technicalities such as Irony, I like to read at leisure. I have said I read fairly slowly taking in each word. I dislike reading by snippets - just as I dislike reading with the wireless on - but I find it hard to read more than one half of a heavy book at one time, for slow reading makes it a long job and also gives you a lot to chew. Two hours is my optimum stretch, this does not apply to light reading or reading when ill in bed.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[n/a] : Bible

Conversion of hardened convict, as a result of a storm which brought terror to his mind: 'It was then I thought of Jesus Christ, of whom I had heard, but almost entirely forgotten; and to the Lord Jesus Christ I was directed to uplift my soul by my messmate, who lay by my side, and exhorted me to search the Bible, that I might there read of His great love to the worst of sinners. I read the first, third and fifteenth chapters of St John's gospel; and I thank and praise the Lord, I have found, to my soul's comfort and peace...'

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

  

Thomas Babington Macaulay : Lay of the Battle of Lake Regillus

Elizabeth Missing Sewell, in letter to '_____', from Albano, April 1861 [re Remains of Roman theatre at Tusculum]: 'The seats of this Theatre are quite perfect [...] We sat down there, and L -- read out Macaulay's Lay of the Battle of Lake Regillus.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

 : 'Italian play'

Elizabeth Missing Sewell, 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.': 'At this moment we are occupying a dirty room, in a dirty house, in a dirty street, in a dirty village, amongst the mountains [...] M __ __ places an Italian grammar on her lap for show, and reads an Italian play for amusement.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

John Wilkins : An essay towards a real character, and a philosophical language

'and so home, and made my boy read to me part of Dr Wilkins's new book of the " Character", and so to bed.' (Book purchased 15 May)

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

John Wilkins : An essay towards a real character, and a philosophical language

'and then made the boy to read to me out of Dr Wilkins his "Real Character", and perticularly about Noah's arke, wherein he doth give a very good account thereof, showing how few the number of the several species of beasts and fowls were that were to be in the arke, and that there was room enough for them and their food and dung; which doth please me mightily - and is much beyond whatever I heard of that subject.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'Thence walked to Barne elmes; and there, and going and coming, did make the boy read to me several things, being nowadays unable to read myself anything for above two lines together but my eyes grow weary.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'My boy was with me, and read to me all day'

Unknown
Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group:      

  

John Dryden : A defence of an essay

'And so to dinner alone, having since church-time heard my boy read over Dryden's reply to Sir R Howard's answer about his "Essay of Poesy" - and a letter in answer to that, the last whereof is mighty silly in behalf of Howard.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Richard Flecknoe [?] : A letter from a gentleman to the Hon. Ed. Howard, Esq.

'And so to dinner alone, having since church-time heard my boy read over Dryden's reply to Sir R Howard's answer about his "Essay of Poesy" - and a letter in answer to that, the last whereof is mighty silly in behalf of Howard.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'So to supper, and the boy to read to me, and so to bed.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'So back home to supper, and made my boy read to me a while, and then to bed.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'And so back to my chamber, the boy to read to me; and so to supper and to bed.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'and so home to supper, and the boy to read to me; and so to bed.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'And so to hear my boy read a little, and supper and to bed.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'and after dinner, all the afternoon got my wife and boy to read to me.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'and so made the boy read to me'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Peter Heylyn : Cyprianus Anglicus, or The history of the life and death of William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury

'and there I made my boy to read to me most of the night, to get through the "Life of the Archbishop of Caterbury".'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

John Wilkins : An essay towards a real character, and a philosophical language

'and then home and made my boy read to me Wilkins's "Reall Character", which doth please me mightily.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

John Wilkins : An essay towards a real character, and a philosophical language

'and so with great content and joy home - where I made my boy to make an end of the "Reall Character", which I begun a great while ago and doth please me infinitely, and endeed is a most worthy labour - and I think mighty easy, though my eyes makes me unable to attempt anything in it.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Clement Edmonds : 'Life' prefaced to 'The commentaries of C. Julius Caesar'

'making the boy read to me the life of Julius Caesar and Des Cartes book of music - the latter of which I understand not, nor think he did well that writ it, though a most learned man.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Renatus Descartes : Compendium: Renatus DesCartes excellent compendium of musick: By a Person of Honour

'making the boy read to me the life of Julius Caesar and Des Cartes book of music - the latter of which I understand not, nor think he did well that writ it, though a most learned man.'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [unknown]

'and after dinner, to get my wife and boy, one after another, to read to me - and so spent the afternoon and evening'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[unknown] : [documents on the history of the Navy]

'and so spent the whole morning with W. Hewer, he taking little notes in short-hand, while I hired a clerk to read to me about twelve or more several rolls which I did call for'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group:      Manuscript: Roll

  

Margery Kempe : The Book of Margery Kempe

'Written by a scribe named Salthows between 1140 and 1450, probably in Norfolk, [British Library] MS Add. 61823 is considered to be an early copy [of The Book of Margery Kempe] of the original written by Margery's second amanuensis; it was owned and extensively annotated by the Carthusians at Mount Grace Priory in Yorkshire. The most prolific of these annotators, using red ink and in a late fifteenth- or early sixteenth-century hand, has inscribed both in the margins and between the lines, a lively, fascinating and fully-engaged reading of the Book.'

Century: 1450-1499 / 1500-1599     Reader/Listener/Group:      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Mary Russell Mitford : Fanny's Fairings

'We have not got a circulating library. It was too near Glasgow to thrive, and I am no ways acquainted in Glasgow. I am, therefore, famishing for the want of books. I have to pick up all my news of literature from the newspapers. I saw a delightful piece of yours quoted there lately from a book called "The Coronet, or Literary and Christian Remembrancer." It was entitled "Fanny's Fairings."'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : newspaper

'When I get home my noble aunt is reading the papers. At the time I was writing this the number of people reading the papers was more than usual.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Daily Mirror

'Every day for a fortnight at the end of February, an observer brought a copy of the "Daily Mirror" into the canteen and handed it round among immediate neighbours (about a dozen usually had some kind of a look at it), and noted down afterwards all the items in the paper that had attracted any comments of any kind. During the whole of this period there was a total of not more than four remarks about the war news at all, and these were of the briefest. Here is a typical set of reactions to looking at the paper - the particular day being February 26th, the day when a Cripps speech was headlined all over the front page: "What's your birthday, Peg?" "June. First half of June. What's it say?" "'No great excitements, but a pleasant, easy-going sort of day.'"...'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Daily Herald

'Hundreds of men and women were standing on the stairs leading to the basement. They read newspapers, they chatted, they seemed strangely amiable.... I sat beside two workmen who swallowed food and news simultaneously (steamed ginger pudding, the "Daily Herald" and the "Daily Express").'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Daily Express

'Hundreds of men and women were standing on the stairs leading to the basement. They read newspapers, they chatted, they seemed strangely amiable.... I sat beside two workmen who swallowed food and news simultaneously (steamed ginger pudding, the "Daily Herald" and the "Daily Express").'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

Robert Southey : Roderick: The Last of the Goths

'Southey's long epic poem, called "Roderick the Last of the Goths", is the new work. Every one is busy reading it, or sleeping over it'.

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

  

Humphry Davy : unknown

'Sir H. Davy is going to publish a volume of poetry. I saw one of the poems; it is very abstruse, and metaphysical, on the nature and essence of man, beginning with him as a suckling at the living rill, and going on until death infuses the natural parts into the dew and the firmament. Yet it does not cover a sheet of paper all this process!'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group:      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Richard Cumberland : Memoirs of Richard Cumberland: written by Himself

'I have become acquainted with a Mr Cumberland, who must be agreeable, for he has an hereditary right to it. I have been reading his father's life. It explains the story of a paper in the Observer, written by him, that always interested me much, of his going to see a friend's place after his death, with the circumstance of his decease. It was the late Lord Sackville'.

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

  

Richard Cumberland : Observer, The: Being a Collection of Moral, Literary and Familiar Essays

'I have become acquainted with a Mr Cumberland, who must be agreeable, for he has an hereditary right to it. I have been reading his father's life. It explains the story of a paper in the Observer, written by him, that always interested me much, of his going to see a friend's place after his death, with the circumstance of his decease. It was the late Lord Sackville'.

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

  

[unknown] : [French novels]

'The clerk who cashes my cheques at the bank is quite a bright, intelligent-looking boy. To-day I had a copy of [italics] Bouvard et Pecuchet [end italics]. He looked at it with curiosity then said "I expect you think I'm rude, looking like that. But I used to read a lot of those sorts of books once" "What sort of books?" "Oh, yellow books like that. I picked up a lot in a booksellers. But mine were much bigger than that" "What were they?" "Oh I don't remember their names or what they were about" "Do you remember the authors?" "Can't say I do. I seem to remember one was some sort of a Japanese story" "And they were in French?" "Oh yes, in French of course".'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Laetitia Pilkington : [notice in her shop window]

'One day as I was sitting in my Shop, a Woman who though very badly drest, had a Dignity in her Air which distinguish'd her from the Vulgar, stood reading the paper I had stuck up, with Regard to writing Letters and Petitions.'

Century: 1700-1799     Reader/Listener/Group:      Manuscript: Sheet

  

 : Time

' "Junior," she said to him, "you reeely must look. You remember Mrs Furnivall said that the part between Dieppy and Purris was vurry vurry interesting." Junior merely grunted and went on reading "Time". And I, pretending to read Charles Lamb, wondered how a woman of over forty could still suppose Dieppe was called Dieppy.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Serial / periodical

  

Ford Madox Ford : Holbein

'I had a long conversation in the tram yesterday with an old maid who had just come back from Florence & talked about pictures, & when I said that I thought Giotto was more decorative than Holbein she... quoted my own "Holbein" against me, without knowing my name... But I think she had a shrewd suspicion that I was... Maurice Hewlett. For she said that someone in the Hotel Montfleuris had pointed me out as "writing" & immediately began to rave about [underlined] "Little Novels from Italy" [end underlining]. So I got off at the next stopping place - at little Africa.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Maurice Hewlett : Little Novels of Italy

'I had a long conversation in the tram yesterday with an old maid who had just come back from Florence & talked about pictures, & when I said that I thought Giotto was more decorative than Holbein she... quoted my own "Holbein" against me, without knowing my name... But I think she had a shrewd suspicion that I was... Maurice Hewlett. For she said that someone in the Hotel Montfleuris had pointed me out as "writing" & immediately began to rave about [underlined] "Little Novels from Italy" [end underlining]. So I got off at the next stopping place - at little Africa.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Ford Madox Ford : Good Soldier, The

'a fervent young admirer exclaimed: "By Jove, the [underlined] Good Soldier [end underlining] is the finest novel in the English Language!" whereupon my friend Mr John Rodker who has always had a properly tempered admiration for my work remarked in his clear, slow drawl: "Ah yes, it is, but you have left out a word. It is the finest French novel in the English language!"'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Jean Jacques Rousseau : Julie; ou, la Nouvelle Heloise

'In my own day all mothers strictly forbade their daughters to read Rousseau's "Nouvelle Heloise", and all daughters, of course, longed to read nothing so much. I knew one young lady who owned to me that she stole a reading of it standing on the top steps of her father's library-ladder; and another, who procured it and carried it into the country with her on her wedding day, as the first fruits of being her own mistress. Yet within these few years I happened to hear a girl of very warm feeling, enthusiastic, romantic, just the person whose head it would have turned of old, declare she had tried to read it, but been so disgusted that she threw it away before she got through half the first volume'.

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

  

Jean Jacques Rousseau : Julie; ou, la Nouvelle Heloise

'In my own day all mothers strictly forbade their daughters to read Rousseau's "Nouvelle Heloise", and all daughters, of course, longed to read nothing so much. I knew one young lady who owned to me that she stole a reading of it standing on the top steps of her father's library-ladder; and another, who procured it and carried it into the country with her on her wedding day, as the first fruits of being her own mistress. Yet within these few years I happened to hear a girl of very warm feeling, enthusiastic, romantic, just the person whose head it would have turned of old, declare she had tried to read it, but been so disgusted that she threw it away before she got through half the first volume'.

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

  

Jean Jacques Rousseau : Julie; ou, la Nouvelle Heloise

'In my own day all mothers strictly forbade their daughters to read Rousseau's "Nouvelle Heloise", and all daughters, of course, longed to read nothing so much. I knew one young lady who owned to me that she stole a reading of it standing on the top steps of her father's library-ladder; and another, who procured it and carried it into the country with her on her wedding day, as the first fruits of being her own mistress. Yet within these few years I happened to hear a girl of very warm feeling, enthusiastic, romantic, just the person whose head it would have turned of old, declare she had tried to read it, but been so disgusted that she threw it away before she got through half the first volume'.

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

  

Walter Scott : Tales of my Landlord

'With the same amusement [of secret knowledge about Scott's authorship] I now sit by the fire, sucking in the sagacious remarks I hear. Says one, who has a favourite relation that writes - what nobody reads - "I am clear this is not by the author of "Waverley"; it is too good. "Waverley" was certainly Scott's: now Scott could not write this, it is above him, and there is not that constant description of scenery that makes him so tiresome".'

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

  

Anne Louise Germaine, Baronne de Stael : Dix Années d'exil

'Mrs Scott (here) is as thorough-paced a lover of those books [The Waverley Novels] as either of us. I have been looking over the Ayrshire Legatees, which I do not like at all. Mme de Stael's "Dix Annees d'Exil" is here, but a lord of the creation has got possession of it and reads so slowly that I have no chance of it while I stay'.

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

  

[n/a] : Court Journal

'in came the Rector with, "I have just been at the Hall, Ly Maria has just got the "Court Journal", which says "Trevelyan" was written by Ly S. of Petersham".'

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

  

Jane Scott : Trevelyan

'I had a letter from Ly. -- on Tuesday that gave me great content, for I, like you, felt a little afraid that the Lady Augusta might give offence. However, her withers are altogether unwrung, and she speaks of "Trevelyan" just as I could wish, enumerating all her bothers and businesses, but saying she cannot resist taking it up at odd times, "it is so very, very interesting!!" She has not yet come to the end; however, this has quite dispelled my fears. For that matter, when we all read "Emma" together at poor Bothwell - the duchess one - we could not help laughing a little more at the devotion of father and daughter to their respective apothecaries, and all the coddling that ensued from it, but we did not find that it struck the devotees in existence. People are so used to themselves! One of Foote's most comical farces represented to the life a certain Mr. Ap. Rees, whom, as old people told me, it did not in the least exaggerate. They swore to having heard him utter the very things the farce put in his mouth. But he himself never found it out. He was intimate with Foote, read the play, told him it was d- stupid and would not suceed, wondered it did, yet went to it and laughed for company, till some good-natured friend informed him he was the person ridiculed; then he went in a rage to the Lord Chamberlain and desired it might be suppressed'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: Lady [anon]      Print: Book

  

Caroline Lamb : Glenarvon

'Do you not think the contrast of the manners between Melbourne House and Devonshire House [in "Glenarvon"] well drawn? One of our friends, well read in Johnson, told me most of the serious parts were extracts from the "Rambler". I have not had time or patience to compare them.'

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

  

Samuel Johnson : Rambler, The

'Do you not think the contrast of the manners between Melbourne House and Devonshire House [in "Glenarvon"] well drawn? One of our friends, well read in Johnson, told me most of the serious parts were extracts from the "Rambler". I have not had time or patience to compare them.'

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

  

Walter Scott : Tales of my Landlord

'Pray read "Tales of my Landlord". They are charming. I think there can be no doubt but that they are written by the Author of "Waverley" altho' it is not avow'd who that is. If it is not Walter Scott it is marvellous. I saw a gentleman the other day who told me that he had seen the manuscript in America in the hands of Walter Scott's Brother who there avow'd himself the Author'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group:      Manuscript: Unknown

  

Kenneth Macaulay : History of St Kilda

'A Lady of Norfolk, by a letter to my friend Dr. Burney, has favoured me with the following solution [to the question of why the St Kildans always got a cold when visited by outsiders]: "Now for the explication of this seeming mystery, which is so very obvious as, for that reason, to have escaped the penetration of Dr. Johnson and his friend, as well as that of the author. Reading the book with my ingenions friend, the late Reverend Mr. Christian of Docking—after ruminating a little, 'The cause, (says he,) is a natural one: The situation of St. Kilda renders a North-East wind indispensably necessary before a stranger can land. The wind, not the stranger, occasions an epidemick cold'."'

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

  

Vera Brittain : The Dark Tide

'The note announced, a little defiantly, that the writer had read, "with the utmost pleasure," my novel "The Dark Tide", and asked me in return to accept "the enclosed" - which, it said, there was no necessity to acknowledge.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Alexander Pope : Ethic Epistles

'An Officer in the Army once asked old Major Markham how he could make any Pleasure out of such a Book, it was Pope's Ethic Epistles - why says the Major did you ever try? Not [italics] this very [end italics] Book replies the Friend: then take and read it now says Markham, and read the Notes too for that explains the Text: Our Officer sate awhile with the Book in his Hand - why now Major says he after a Quarter of an hour's Study - what Stuff this is - explain quotha - why the Notes as you call 'em only make t'other more unintelligible. The Truth was he read fairly down the Page without ever stopping - Text - Notes and all.'

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

  

William Chillingworth : Religion of Protestants a Safe Way to Salvation

'We were talking of people who read awkwardly not knowing what they were about: Mr Johnson protested he knew two Lads at Pembroke who lived in the same department and one of him [sic] told him that the other had been reading Chillingworth for the last week very diligently leaving a [italics] Mark [end italics] always in the place he left off, which his [italics] Chumm [end italics] moved a few pages backward every Day, & so forced him unknown to himself to go over the same Ground without advancing one Jot or ever finding the Joke out'.

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

  

Robert Nelson : Companion for the festivals and fasts of the Church of England: With collects and prayers for each solemnity , A

'A Mother was making her Little Son read Nelson's Feasts and Fasts - this says he is a very good book to be sure Mama, all about our Saviourand the Apostles - but surely it is [italics] monstrous dull fun [end italics] '

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

  

[n/a] : Bible

Tues 27 Mar 1849 - Sat 31 Mar 1849: chaplain had accident on board ship, Matron reads Scriptures to convicts every morning and evening

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

  

[n/a] : Bible (probably)

Words of a gentleman, well known to Fry, desirous of seeing and judging for himself effects of the experiment in Newgate Gaol, visited Newgate, and wrote: 'I was conducted by a decently-dressed person, the newly appointed yards-woman, to the door of a ward, where, at the head of a long table sat a lady belonging to the Society of Friends. She was reading aloud to the prisoners, who were engaged in needle work around it ... They all rose on my entrance, curtsied respectfully, and then at a signal given resumed their seats and employments.'

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

  

[n/a] : Bible

ms journal of Sophia de C-, one of the ladies of the Visiting Society for Newgate, entry dated 1 May 1817: 'Most of the prisoners were collected in a room newly appointed for the purpose to hear a portion of the Sacred Scriptures read to them, either by the matron, or by one of the Ladies' Committee; which last is far preferrable ... I think I can never forget the impression made upon my feelings at this sight. Women from every part of Great Britain; of every age and condition, below the lower-middle rank; were assembled in mute silence, except when the interrupted breathing of their suckling infants informed us of the unhealthy state of these innocent partakers in their parents' punishment. The matron read; I could not refrain from tears; the women wept also; several were under the sentence of death. Swain for forging, who had just received her respite, sat next to me; and on my left hand sat Lawrence, alias Woodman, surrounded by her four children, and only waiting the birth of another, which she hourly expects, to pay the forfeit of her life, as her husband had done for the same crime a short time before'

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

  

[n/a] : Bible

Fry explains reading to prisoners to Committee of House of Commons on the Prisons of the Metropolis, 27 Feb 1818: 'our habit is constantly to read the Scriptures to them twice a day; many of them are taught, and some of them have been enabled to read a little themselves; it has an astonishing effect: I never saw the Scriptures received in the same way, and to many of them they have been entirely new, both the great system of religion and of morality contained in them; and it has been very satisfactory to observe the effect on their minds; when I have sometimes gone and said it was my intention to read, they would flock upstairs after me, as if it were a great pleasure, I had to afford them'

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

  

[n/a] : Bible

Account of the gifts given to several female prisoners who burnt their playing cards: 'she called the first to her, and telling her intention, produced a neat muslin handkerchief. To her surprise, the girl looked disappointed; and, on asking the reason, she confessed that she had hoped Mrs [Fry] would have given her a Bible, with her own name written in it, which she should value beyond any thing else, and always keep and read. Such a request, made in such a manner, could not be refused; and the Lady assures me, that she never gave a Bible in her life, which was received with so much interest and satisfaction, or one, which she thinks more likely to do good. It is remarkable that this girl, from her conduct in her preceding prison, and in court, came to Newgate with the worst of characters; she has read her Bible with tolerable regularity, and has evinced much propriety of conduct, and great hopes are entertained of her permanent improvement'

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

  

[n/a] : Bible

'Mary Joy was convicted in July, 1834 ... She remained in Newgate till the month of January, when a pardon was obtained for her; and she removed to a very humble lodging, where she was under the care of a sister. Here, though exposed to fresh trials, she was also peculiarly favoured by the constant visits of a lady, who read the Scriptures to her and was in every way her comforter and friend.'

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

  

[n/a] : Bible

'Eliza Cooper was first visited in Newgate in the summer of 1849. She was committed for unlawfully deserting her infant ... On passing through the infirmary one day, I found poor Cooper in bed, apparently in a very low and declining state of health. I spoke a few words to her, but she covered her face and seemed unable to reply, and thinking her too ill for conversation, I passed on to the door, but found it unexpectedly locked, the matron having forgotten to leave it open for me. Finding it impossible to make her hear, I turned back to poor Cooper, and offered to read with her if it would not tire her: "Tire me!" she said, "Oh, no!" and she looked up with eyes streaming with tears, and a countenance expressive of the deepest emotion. That half-hour at Newgate glided rapidly away, for the poor prisoner opened all her heart to me, and manifested the deepest concern for her soul. She told me that she should never forget the narrative of the rich man and Lazarus, which had been read and explained to her the previous week. She said, "I felt myself so weak and so miserable that I thought I am just like Lazarus - a poor forgotten diseased creature - Oh! that my soul were like his, so that when I die angels may carry me to heaven."'

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

  

[n/a] : Bible

'Eliza Cooper was first visited in Newgate in the summer of 1849. She was committed for unlawfully deserting her infant ... On her discharge from prison she was found so ill that the governor kindly gained her admission into St Bartholomew's Hospital ... She also evinced an earnest desire for the salvation of her fellow-sufferers. On one occasion she entreated me to speak to a dying woman who lay in the bed opposite to her, and she listened with trembling anxiety while I read and talked to her'

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

  

[n/a] : Bible (Psalms)

'Eliza Cooper was first visited in Newgate in the summer of 1849. She was committed for unlawfully deserting her infant ... On her discharge from prison she was found so ill that the governor kindly gained her admission into St Bartholomew's Hospital ... On July 28th, having been prevented from seeing her for a week, I found her much worse in body, but evidently growing in grace. She was overjoyed to see me ... on some of the beautiful verses of the 103d Psalm being repeated, her countenance beamed with such love and thankfulness as can hardly be described.'

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

  

[n/a] : Bible (Psalms)

'The case of Maria Manning is not one which it can be in any measure satisfactory to dwell upon ... Manning requested to see the visitor who had attended her in Newgate on the day before that fixed for her execution, and a strange contrast was exhibited by the heartless mob that thronged every avenue to the prison and the quiet demeanour of the culprit seated in her lonely cell. The Chaplain entered with the visitor, and at the prisoner's request read the fifty-first Psalm, and then engaged in prayer with deep solemnity; but on his leaving the two together, there was no attempt at confession - no evidence of repentance; and we fear we must conclude the wretched woman to have been shut up to a proud and haughty spirit, which scorned to acknowledge she merited the abhorrence her dark crime had called forth'

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

  

Nathan Bailey : Dictionarium Britannicum

'It was while serving here [Willenslee at the farm of Mr Laidlaw] , in the eighteenth year of my age, that I first got a perusal of "The Life and Adventures of Sir William Wallace", and "The Gentle Shepherd"; and though immoderately fond of them, yet (which you will think remarkable in one who hath since dabbled so much in verse) I could not help regretting deeply that they were not in prose, that every body might have understood them; or, I thought if they had been in the same kind of metre with the Psalms, I could have borne with them. The truth is, I made exceedingly slow progress in reading them. The little reading that I had learned I had nearly lost, and the Scottish dialect quite confounded me; so that, before I got to the end of a line, I had commonly lost the rhyme of the preceding one; and if I came to a triplet, a thing of which I had no conception, I commonly read to the foot of the page without perceiving that I had lost the rhyme altogether. I thought the author had been straitened for rhymes, and had just made a part of it do as well as he could without them. Thus, after I got through both works, I found myself much in the same predicament with the man of Eskdalemuir, who had borrowed Bailey's Dictionary from his neighbour. On returning it, the lender asked him what he thought of it. "I dinna ken man", replied he: "I have read it all through, but canna say that I understand it; it is the most confused book that ever I saw in my life!".'

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

  

John Foxe : Book of Martyrs (the title by which Foxe's Acts and Monuments of these Latter and Perilous Days was popularly known)

'After priuat prairs I went about the house and wrought amonge my Maides, and hard one read of the Booke of Marters'

Century: 1600-1699     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

[n/a] : [newspaper]

Prisoner's statement in trial for theft: Joseph Smith: 'There was a gentleman in the tap-room, reading the newspaper—I said, "Let me look at the paper, I wish to see an advertisement"'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

[n/a] : [newspaper]

witness statement in trial for theft: Frederick Shaw: 'Q. Were there any persons at the tap? A. There was one person at the bar reading a newspaper—I never lost sight of Jacobs during the whole of this time'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

anon [Trad.] : 

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Dated Garrow, 1823, is transcribed the traditional Scottish folk song "Chevy Chase", beginning "God prosper long our noble King/ Our lives and safeties all."

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

  

William Cowper : John Gilpin

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Transcription of 'The Diverting History of John Gilpin, Shewing how he went farther than he intended and came safe home again', beginning 'John Gilpin was a Citizen /Of credit and renown.'

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

  

Edward Jenner : Signs of Rain

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Transcription of 'Signs of Pain: An excuse for not accepting the Invitation of a Friend to make a Country Excursion', beginning 'The hollow winds begin to blow,/ The clouds look black, the glass is low...'

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

  

Barry Cornwall : Anacreontic Lay

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Transcription of 'Anacreontic Lay', beginning 'Sing! - who sings!/ To her who weareth a hundred rings? / Ah who is this Lady fine? The Vine boys! the Vine!...'

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

  

Traditional : The Sportsman and the Countryman

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Transcription of the traditional story of the 'Sportsman and the Countryman', beginning 'A sportsman had been out all day with his Gun, and was wending his way homeward greatly dissatisfied...'

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

  

Anon. Traditional : A Conservative Song

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Transcription of 'A Conservative Song, to the tune of "There's nae luck about the House"', beginning 'How happy we, the sun and moon/ Are placed so very high...' At the end of the song is written "Essex Standard, Feb. 2 1833"

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Newspaper

  

St. George Tucker [attrib.] : Days of my Youth

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Transcription of 'Lines written on the Author's being asked why he ceased his Poetical effusions', beginning, 'Days of my youth - ye have glided away/ Hairs of my youth - ye are frosted and grey...'

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

  

 : 'Oh could we read on every brow'

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Transcription of lines beginning 'Oh, could we read on every brow/ The inward grief in silence bred...' At the bottom of the two stanzas is written 'Rob. Bland'.

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

  

Merivale : On a Laurel, cut down by a Hatchet

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Transcription of two lines from 'On a Laurel, cut down by a Hatchet. Merivale', beginning 'Oh! where was Phoebus, when the God of arms/ Dared to profane his Daphne's virgin charms.' (unidentified).

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

  

 : Magazine of Health

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Transcription of advice from the 'Maga. of Health, 1836', beginning, 'Beware of studying, reading or straining the head while at table. Laughter is one of the greatest helps to digestion: and the custom, prevalent among our forefathers, of exciting it at table by jesters and buffoons, was founded on true medical principles...'

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

  

Robert Southey : March to Moscow

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Transcription of 'March to Moscow, Southey', beginning, 'Buonaparte he would set out/ For a summer excursion to Moscow...'

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

  

Creech : 'Do not slay him...'

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Transcription of two lines 'Do not slay him who deserves alone/ A whipping for the fault that he has done. Creech'.

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

  

 : Lines written in East Barnet Churchyard

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Transcription of lines 'In East Barnet Churchyard': 'Couldst thou but view the distant shores, / Where endlass joys I find/ You'd weep not that I went before / But that you staid behind.' Dated '1827'.

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

  

anon [Traditional] : The Old and Young Courtier

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. 'These very pretty rhymes were written in the times of Elizabeth and James!!'. Follows a transcription of 'The Old Courtier', beginning 'An old song made by an aged fate,/ Of an old worshipful Gentleman that had a great estate...' and 'The Young Courtier', beginning 'Like a flourishing young gallant, newly come to his land'.

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

  

anon [Traditional] : The Old English Gentleman

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Transcription of 'Ballad "The old English Gentleman" sung by Mr Phillips, May 10th 1833 - at Mr Anderson's concert', and beginning 'We sing you an ancient song, which was made in ancient days...'

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

  

William Bray (ed.) : Life of John Evelyn

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Transcription of 'Extract from the Life of John Evelyn Esq published by (and edited) William Bray Esq., Fellow and treasurer of the Society of Antiquaries in London. 1819 - ' and beginning '"July 7th 1656. I began my journey to see some parts of ye North East of England...' and ending with '"Jan. 1 1657. Having praised w. my family and celebrated ye anniversary, I spent some time in imploring God's blessing the yeare I was enterd into."'

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

  

 : 2 Kings 5: 18-19

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Transcription of 2 Kings, 1:18-19, prefaced by 'Naaman to the Prophet Elisha, after he had cured him of his Leprosy.'

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

  

William Stephen Gilly : Waldensian Researches, during a Second Visit to the Vaudois of Piemont...

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. 'From Gilly's Waldensian Researches'. Transcription of several lines beginning '"A very little experience and observation will soon teach the travellor to conjecture, from the appearance of vegetation, the probable height of the mountains which he has ascended..."'

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

  

Horace : 

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. 'The intrepidity of a just and good man nobly set forth by Horace. "The man resolved and steady to his trust,/ Inflexible to ill and obstinately just,/ May the rude rabble's insolence despise"...Spec. Vol.8 No. 615.'

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

  

Stéphanie Félicité Ducrest de St-Albin Comtesse de Genlis : Memoirs of the Countess of Genlis, Written by Herself

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. 'Translation of Madame la Countess de Genlis invocation at the beginning of her own history. London 1825'. This begins, 'If I were conscious in my heart of the slightest resentment - of any rancour against the persons of whom I am to speak...'

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

  

George Crabbe : Parish Register

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Transcription of '"Crabbe's Paris Register" - Burials', beginning '"True, I'm a sinner", feebly he begins/ "But trust in Mercy to forgive my sins..."'

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

  

Thomas Abercromby Trant : Two Years in Ava, from May 1824-May 1826

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Transcription of information about the Burmese, 'Vid. 2 Years in Ava, 182'.

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

  

Marie Blanche de Grignan : unidentified

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Transcription of lines by '"Maria Blanche - eldest daughter of Madame de Grignan. She became a Nun in the Convent of St Marie D'Aix and died there at the age of 62."' The lines read: '"Would you know a soldiers life, it is this, when the army is on the march, we work like horses, when it halts nothing can exceed our idleness. We are always in extremes. For three or four days perhaps we do not close our eyes or else for three or four days we never quit our beds; we feast, or we starve."'

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

  

Marie de Rabutin-Chantal marquise de Sévigné : The Letters of Madame de Sévigné, to her Daughter and her Friends

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. 'March 1837'. Transcription of various of Madame de Sévigné's letters.

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

  

Marie de Rabutin-Chantal marquise de Sévigné : The Letters of Madame de Sévigné, to her Daughter and her Friends

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. 'Of M. De Glessir, Tutor to the young Marquis Grignan (Admirable advice!), "The Chevalier is of more use to the dear boy, than can easily be imagined; he is continually striking the full chords of honour and respectability, and takes an interest in his affairs, for which you cannot sufficiently thank him, he enters into everything, attends to every thing, and wishes the Marquis to regulate his own accounts, and incur no necessary expenses..." M. de Sevigne to Mad de Grignan Letter DCCCXXII. Vol. VL.'

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

  

Theodore Hook : Love and Pride

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Under title 'Lord Snowdon': '"...and so he went on expatiating upon his honour and his feelings, his conviction and his independence, seeing before him more plainly and distinctly than the mighty murderer saw the 'air-drawn dagger'..." From Theodore Hook's "Love and Pride"'

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

  

Lord Eldon : Speech against the appeal of the Test and Corporation Act

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Under title 'Lord Eldon's speech against the appeal of the Test and Corp. Act. April 1828' is transcribed a paragraph, in full here: 'The Church of England if properly furnished within, might defy all danger from without; but if those who ought to be its pillars are to be mere weights hanging from the roof - dragging down that which it is their duty to support - it must follow the fate of the Brunswick Theatre, and in that calamity, it will be little consolation that its authors will be the first victims."'

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

  

Theodore Hooke : Jack Bragg

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Transcribed a paragraph from 'T. Hooke, Jack Bragg', beginning, 'The certain Nobodies, who happen to have fine houses, have been glad to let the few Somebodies they chance to know, invite the Everybodies of their acquaintance to ball and parties in order to make a display...'

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

  

James Boswell : Life of Johnson

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. 'In the following lines, by that pious and most excellent of men, Dr Johnson, we are consoled with the assurance that happiness may be attained if we "apply our hearts" to piety' Transcribes poem beginning "Where then shall hope and fear their object find? / Shall dull suspense corrupt the stagnant mind?..." and ends '1749- aged 40.'

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

  

 : Bell's Weekly Messenger (obituaries)

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. 'From Bell's weekly Messenger, April 13 1834. "The late Rudolph Ackermann, Esqr, whose death we announced in our last weeks paper, was born at Schneeberg, in the Kingdom of Saxony, in 1764, and bred to the trade of a coach-builder...." Mr and Mrs Ackermann were my neighbours for the seven years I have lived at Finchley. CMG. April 16 1834. Finchley Common.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: C.M.G. [anon]      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Gospel of St Luke, 23: 20-30

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. '"Weep not for me ye daughters of Jerusalem" St Luke 23 Chapters 20 to 30'. Here follows a poem, by "CMG", dated March 26, 1834, Finchley which is clearly a reflection on the Biblical text.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: C.M.G. [anon]      Print: Book

  

George Crabbe : The Mother's Funeral

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. 'Then died lamented in the strength of life 1827 "Called not away, when time had loosed each hold/ On the fond heart, and each desire grew cold; / But when to all that knit us to our kind,/ He felt fast-bound, as Charity can bind..." Crabbe.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: C.M.G. [anon]      Print: Book

  

 : The Life of Thomas Sydenham M.D.

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Transcribed two pages starting '"Aug 3rd 1664. During the Plague which raged at that season Terror and apprehension now led the multitude into a thousand weak and absurd things...". This is attributed to 'Sydenham . M.D. Life of. Family Library.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: C.M.G. [anon]      Print: Book

  

William Bray : Life of John Evelyn

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Transcribed a letter from 'Mr Evelyn to Mr Pepys, Wotton August 9 1700', beginning, 'The confirmation of your health under your own hand, and that I still live in your esteem revives me...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: C.M.G. [anon]      Print: Book

  

Anna Brownell Jameson : Diary of an Ennuyee

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Several pages are transcribed from the 'Diary of an Ennuyee'.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: C.M.G. [anon]      Print: Book

  

Dante Alighieri : Divina Commedia: Inferno

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Under title 'Naples, 1826', C.M.G. describes the city and (mis)quotes a line from Dante, "Inferno," Canto 7: "Qui vid'i gente, piu che altrove troppa..."

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: C.M.G. [anon]      Print: Book

  

James Hogg : Queen Hynde

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. C.M.G. transcribes, under title 'The Ettrick Shepherd, Queen Hynde' poem beginning 'As when, in ages long agone,/ The Sons of God before the throne / Of their almighty Father came...'. At end of poem is written 'Queen Hynde. Ettrick Shepherd - J. Hogg - Died 21 Nov 1835.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: C.M.G. [anon]      Print: Book

  

Rev. J.E. Hankinson : St Paul at Philippi

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. 'St Paul at Philippi, from the Seatonian Prize Poems. - By the Revd. J.E. Hankinson M. A. - 1833.' A poem beginning 'Twas a lone spot, that shrine of prayer!/ Some river nymph's deserted haunt/ Whose sacred springlet diamond clear/ Welled bubbling from its rocky front...' is then transcribed.

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: C.M.G. [anon]      

  

Hannah More : Essay on Saint Paul

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. 'Mrs Hannah More says in her "Essay on Saint Paul," that he had the loftiness of Isaiah, the devotion of David, the pathos of Jeremiah, the vehemence of Ezekiel, the didactic gravity of Moses...' etc. Various other parts of the Essay are transcribed in the next 3 pages.

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: C.M.G. [anon]      

  

 : Salisbury Herald

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. 'Approved remedies for Everyday Maladies. For a Fit of Passion. - Walk out in the open air, you may speak your mind to the wind and without hurting anyone, or proclaiming yourself to be a simpleton....[other maladies include A fit of Idleness, A Fit of Extravagance and Folly, a Fit of Ambition, a Fit of repining, a Fit of Despondency, and All Fits of Doubt Perplexity and Fear]. Salisbury Herald - John Bull, April 9th 1837.'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: C.M.G. [anon]      Print: Newspaper

  

 : Bible

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Notes are made on relationships in the Bible, e.g. two columns entitled 'Husband' and 'Wife' have below them Adam ---- Eve; Abram---Sarai...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: C.M.G. [anon]      Print: Book

  

Richardson : unknown

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Transcribed: '"I compare marriage, even where there is no unhappiness, to a journey in a stage Coach, six passengers in it. Very uneasy do they sit at first, though they know by the number of places taken what they are to expect...' This is attributed to 'Richardson, Cor..t'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: C.M.G. [anon]      

  

Bishop Middleton : Maxims

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. 'Maxims of Bishop Middleton'. Various maxims follow, including 'Keep your temper', 'Employ leisure in study,' and [doubled underlined] 'remember the final account.'

Unknown
Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: C.M.G. [anon]      

  

 : John Bull Newspaper

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. 'Copied from the John Bull Newspaper, Novr 19 1837. Speech of the Vicar, the Red Walter Farquer Hook D.D. at a meeting at Leeds, for the proposed enlargement of the Leeds Parish Church...'

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group: C.M.G. [anon]      Print: Newspaper

  

Hare : Confidence and Distrust

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Transcription of 'Confidence and Distrust, 1840 Hare', beginning "Righteously have jealousy and suspicion been ever regarded as among the meanest and most hateful features which cannot coexist with any gentle or generous feeling...'

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

  

Red. G. Walker : sermon

From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. 'Given me by the Revd. G. Walker.' Follows transcription of a sermon on the history of the sects of the Church.

Century: 1800-1849     Reader/Listener/Group:      Manuscript: Sheet

  

Joseph Conrad : [unknown]

'If one may judge from the young men and women in their twenties who call here - one must accept that exceptionally few of them have any interest in serious or solid reading; indeed, many seem to read hardly anything at all. Last night, for example, M- admitted that she had never read a book through; and her boyfriend claimed that once as a test of will-power he had forced himself to read through three books by Conrad. It would certainly appear that the interwar years had produced a generation restless, and recreated by light amusements.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

  

Harriet Beecher Stowe : Uncle Tom's Cabin

'Another [woman prisoner] read and re-read "Uncle Tom's Cabin," till she must have known by heart every incident of that famous work. She was partial to telling the story to those women who were unable to read; and she would relate with such animation the villainies and atrocities of Legree, that considerable virtuous indignation would be aroused in the breasts of her listeners. "What an awful wretch that man must have been!" was the remark made on that personage, by a woman suffering a long sentence for the cold-blooded murder of her child.'

Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group:      Print: Book

 

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