' Tea at 8. Then read aloud to my aunt the first 74pp Vol I, "Sayings and Doings'."Excellent. Dont know when I have laughed so much or so heartily. We both laughed. Came up to bed at 9.35.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Anne Lister Print: Book
John Wilson Croker to Mr C. Phillips, 3 January 1854:
'As to my novel reading I confess that in my younger days I used to read them all from Charlotte Smith to Maria Edgeworth; Scott I have by heart; but I so far differ from you about Hook's that I date my later indifference to novels from my disappointment at his.
'"Gilbert Gurney" is something of an autobiography, as you say [...] the book might have been called a picture, for which our society furnished the principal sitters; yet I could not read it. I diligently tried to do so, but never accomplished a volume, and I have often debated in my own mind how I, who looked with admiration and wonder at Hook's power of oral amusement, should be so repelled by his novels [...] it led me at first to read no novel, that I might have a better excuse to my poor dear Hook for not reading his; and insensibly I lost the taste for them altogether, partly from mu mind's growing less impressionable, but partly, or perhaps chiefly, from a very matter-of-fact cause, that I happened never to have subscribed to a circulating library, and since I left office I have had, I know not how, less spare time than I had at the Admiralty in the height of the war. I was greatly struck with some early detached tales of Mr. Dickens, and some stray livraisons of his longer works, but I found I could not read them continuously'.'
Century: 1800-1849 / 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: John Wilson Croker Print: Book
From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Under title 'Lord Snowdon': '"...and so he went on expatiating upon his honour and his feelings, his conviction and his independence, seeing before him more plainly and distinctly than the mighty murderer saw the 'air-drawn dagger'..." From Theodore Hook's "Love and Pride"'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: anon Print: Book
From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. Transcribed a paragraph from 'T. Hooke, Jack Bragg', beginning, 'The certain Nobodies, who happen to have fine houses, have been glad to let the few Somebodies they chance to know, invite the Everybodies of their acquaintance to ball and parties in order to make a display...'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: anon Print: Book
Thursday 21 February 1828:
'Last night after dinner I rested from my work and read third part of Sayings and Doings, which shows great knowledge of life in a certain sphere and very considerable powers of wit which somewhat damages the effect of his tragic [scenes]. But he is an able writer and so much of his work is well said that it will carry through what is manque.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Walter Scott Print: Book
