Record Number: 24364

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Reading Experience:

Evidence:

Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 22 November - 2 December 1793: 'Do not imagine that I am vindicating the stile of Candide when I differ with you in judgement. no book perhaps is more subversive of morality — but has not the poignant ridicule many advantages? were ever the pride of birth & of heroism better held up to the contempt they merit? against these vices that have so long infected society ridicule is the best weapon. had Voltaires heart been equal to his head such a man might have reformd the world. to argue against the arrogance of hereditary honors — or the glory of military atchievements is labor lost. their absurdity & injustice are evident as noon-day light — ridicule shews them in their strongest colours. when you laugh at the Baron of Thundertentroach & Candides heroism do you feel a satisfaction superior to common merriment?'

Century:

1700-1799

Date:

Until: 22 Nov 1793

Country:

England

Time

n/a

Place:

n/a

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

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Reader / Listener / Reading Group:

Reader:

Robert Southey

Age:

Adult (18-100+)

Gender:

Male

Date of Birth:

12 Aug 1774

Socio-Economic Group:

Professional / academic / merchant / farmer

Occupation:

writer

Religion:

n/a

Country of Origin:

England

Country of Experience:

England

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

n/a

Additional Comments:

n/a

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Text Being Read:

Author:

Voltaire

Title:

Candide, ou l'Optimisme

Genre:

Fiction, Philosophy

Form of Text:

Print: Book

Publication Details

n/a

Provenance

unknown

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Source Information:

Record ID:

24364

Source - Manuscript:

Other

Author:

"The Collected Letters of Robert Southey," Romantic Circles Electronic Edition, Letter 70. http://www.rc.umd.edu/editions/southey_letters. Accessed 24 April 2009. ,

Citation:

"The Collected Letters of Robert Southey," Romantic Circles Electronic Edition, Letter 70. http://www.rc.umd.edu/editions/southey_letters. Accessed 24 April 2009. , http://can-red-lec.library.dal.ca/Arts/RED/record_details.php?id=24364, accessed: 19 April 2024

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Additional Comments:

None