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

Reading Experience Database UK Historical image of readers
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Record Number: 19057


Reading Experience:

Evidence:

'Several of the officers [participating in military review at Wilmingtown] came up to dine, amongst others Coll: Howe, who with less ceremony than might have been expected from his general politeness stept into an apartment adjoining the hall, and took up a book I had been reading, which he brought open in his hand into the company. I was piqued at his freedom, and reproved him with a half compliment to his general good breeding. He owned his fault and with much gallantry promised to submit to whatever punishment I would inflict. You shall only, said I, read aloud a few pages which I will point out, and I am sure you will do Shakespear justice. He bowed and took up the book, but no sooner observed that I had turned up for him, that part of Henry the fourth, where Falstaff describes his company, than he coloured like Scarlet. I saw he made the application instantly; however he read it thro', tho' not with the vivacity he generally speaks; however he recovered himself and coming close up to me, whispered, you will certainly get yourself tarred and feathered; shall I apply to be executioner?'

Century:

1700-1799

Date:

Between 1 Jan 1775 and 31 Dec 1775

Country:

North Carolina

Time

n/a

Place:

city: Wilmington

Type of Experience
(Reader):
 

silent aloud unknown
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

Type of Experience
(Listener):
 

solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown


Reader / Listener / Reading Group:

Reader:

Janet Schaw

Age:

Adult (18-100+)

Gender:

Female

Date of Birth:

n/a

Socio-Economic Group:

Professional / academic / merchant / farmer

Occupation:

none

Religion:

unknown

Country of Origin:

Scotland

Country of Experience:

North Carolina

Listeners present if any:
e.g family, servants, friends

n/a


Additional Comments:

n/a



Text Being Read:

Author:

William Shakespeare

Title:

Henry IV

Genre:

Drama, Poetry

Form of Text:

Print: Book

Publication Details

n/a

Provenance

unknown


Source Information:

Record ID:

19057

Source:

Print

Author:

Janet Schaw

Editor:

Evangeline Walker Andrews with Charles MacLean Andrews

Title:

Journal of a Lady of Quality; Being the Narrative of a Journey from Scotland to the West Indies, North Carolina, and Portugal, in the Years 1774 to 1776

Place of Publication:

New Haven

Date of Publication:

1934

Vol:

n/a

Page:

191

Additional Comments:

n/a

Citation:

Janet Schaw, Evangeline Walker Andrews with Charles MacLean Andrews (ed.), Journal of a Lady of Quality; Being the Narrative of a Journey from Scotland to the West Indies, North Carolina, and Portugal, in the Years 1774 to 1776 (New Haven, 1934), p. 191, http://can-red-lec.library.dal.ca/Arts/RED/record_details.php?id=19057, accessed: 29 March 2024


Additional Comments:

Source ed. conjectures that reader between 35 and 40 years old.

   
   
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