Record Number: 28604

---

Reading Experience:

Evidence:

Charlotte Bronte to her publisher, W. S. Williams, 31 July 1848:

'I have lately been reading "Modern Painters," and have derived from the work much genuine pleasure and, I hope, some edification; at any rate, it made me feel how ignorant I had previously been on the subject which it treats. Hitherto I have only had instinct to guide me in judging of art; I feel more as if I had been walking blindfold — this book seems to give me eyes [...] I like this author's style much: there is both energy and beauty in it; I like himself, too, because he is such a hearty admirer. He does not give Turner half-measure of praise or veneration, he eulogises, he reverences him (or rather his genius) with his whole soul. One can sympathise with that sort of devout, serious admiration (for he is no rhapsodist) — one can respect it; and yet possibly many people would laugh at it. I am truly obliged to Mr Smith [Williams's publishing partner] for giving me this book, not having often met with one that has pleased me more.'

Century:

1800-1849

Date:

Between 1 Jul 1848 and 31 Jul 1848

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

---

Reader / Listener / Reading Group:

Reader:

Charlotte Brontë

Age:

Adult (18-100+)

Gender:

Female

Date of Birth:

21 Apr 1816

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

---

Text Being Read:

Author:

John Ruskin

Title:

Modern Painters

Genre:

Essays / Criticism, Arts / architecture

Form of Text:

Print: Book

Publication Details

n/a

Provenance

owned

---

Source Information:

Record ID:

28604

Source:

Print

Author:

n/a

Editor:

Thomas James Wise and John Alexander Symington

Title:

The Brontes: Their Lives, Friendships, and Correspondence

Place of Publication:

Oxford

Date of Publication:

1980

Vol:

1:2

Page:

240-241

Additional Comments:

n/a

Citation:

Thomas James Wise and John Alexander Symington (ed.), The Brontes: Their Lives, Friendships, and Correspondence, (Oxford, 1980), 1:2, p. 240-241, http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=28604, accessed: 22 November 2024

---

Additional Comments:

None