[in prefatory essay by A. L. Barbauld] Quoted from 'a lady's' account of stays in Samuel Richardson's family home (c.1750s): 'We [...] spent the evening in Mrs Richardson's parlour, where the practice was for one of the young ladies to read, while the rest sat with mute attention, round a large table, and employed themselves in some kind of needle-work. Mr Richardson generally retired to his study, unless there was particular company.'