Elizabeth Barrett to Mary Russell Mitford, 4 August 1841: 'I have seen & read [italics]the book[end italics] [...] It is written by an enthusiast in the cause of genius upon the spectacle of its misery, lighted up to ghastliness by the torchlight of [Isaac] D'Israeli & other memorialists [...] Its thunderbolts are hurled against all false media -- such as interpose between men of genius & the public, in the form of [italic]readers[end italics] for publishers & Theatrical managers, &c &c [...] There is, in fact, with much talent & power, a sufficiency of acrimony & indiscretion [...] notwithstanding the sense forced upon me of the overweight of certain words -- I did feel myself taken off my feet & carried along in the brave strong generous current of the spirit of the book -- It is a fearless book, with fine thoughts on a stirring subject'.