'I read Helps's Realmah yesterday and the day before. [...] His essays are old-womanish. I have to "set a paper" on that book and am quite unprepared to ask a single question about it. The last generation of readers was so fond of what is elegant.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Sir Walter Raleigh Print: Book
'Mary Holland has just received 'Notes from Books' from her friend Henry Taylor and said she liked them as well as 'Friends in Council'.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Holland Print: Book
'As you ask me for my opinion I shall try and give it as truly as I can; otherwise it will be of no use [...] In the first place you say you do not call The 3 paths a novel; but the work is in the form which always assumes that name, nor do I think it is one to be quarrelled with. I suppose you mean that you used the narrative form merely to {convey} introduce certain opinions & thoughts. If so you had better have condensed them into the shape of an Essay. Those in Friends in Council &c. are admirable examples of how much may be said on both sides of any question without any {dogma} decision being finally arrived at, & certainly without any dogmatism. [Gaskell then discusses the merits of the concise essay form] But I believe in spite of yr objection to the term 'novel' you do wish to 'narrate', - and I believe you can do it if you try, - but I think you must observe what is [italics] out [end italics] of you, instead of examining what is [italics] in [end italics] you. [Gaskell explains the merits of this at length]. Just read a few pages of De Foe &c - and you will see the healthy way in which he sets [italics] objects [end italics] not [italics] feelings [end italics] before you. [She advises Grey to use what he observes through every day contact with real people] Think if you can not imagine a complication of events in their life which would form a good plot. (Your plot in The Three paths is very poor; you have not thought enough about it - simply used it s a medium. [She discusses the advantages of tight plotting and advises] Don't intrude yourself into your description. If you but think eagerly of your story till [italics] you see it in action [end italics], words, good simple strong words will come. [she then criticises his overuse of epithets, overlong conversations and allusions, concluding] You see I am very frank-spoken. But I believe you are worth it.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell Print: Book
'Read chief part of Helps' "Conquerors of the New World".'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: John Ruskin Print: Book
'Which has indeed very much of good thought & happy expression & confirms the feeling of satisfaction that he in any way belonged to me'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: G. W. F. Howard, Lord Morpeth Print: Book
Charlotte Bronte to James Taylor, 20 September 1849:
'I read with pleasure "Friends in Council," and with very great pleasure "The Thoughts and Opinions of a Statesman." It is the record of what may with truth be termed a beautiful mind — serene, harmonious, elevated and pure; it bespeaks, too, a heart full of kindness and sympathy. I like it much.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charlotte Brontë Print: Book
