unique_IDs_description """No private reading except a little in """"""""Eusebia de Praeparatio Evangelica""""""""'. """ """I read at night in the G[reek or Great]Testament but for a very short while'.""" """I am now so much alone, I have leisure to pass whole days in reading, but am not at all proper for so delicate an employment as choosing you books. Your own fancy will better direct you. My study at present is nothing but dictionaries and grammars...I find the study so diverting, I am not only easy, but pleased with the solitude that indulges it.'""" """Your news and your book very much diverted me: it is an old, but very pleasant, Spanish novel.'""" """Ten thousand thanks to you for Madame de Noyer's Letters; I wish Signor Roselli may be as diverting to you as [italics] she [italics]has been to me. The stories are very extraordinary, but I know not whether she has not added a few [italics] agremens [italics] of invention to them: however, there is some truth. I have been told, in particular, that the history of the fair unfortunate Madame de Barbesierre is so, by people who could not be suspected of romancing. Don't you think that the court of England would furnish stories as entertaining? Say nothing of my malice; but I cannot help wishing that Madame de Noyer would turn her thoughts a little that way. I fancy she would succeed better than the authoress of the """"""""New Atalantis"""""""". I am sure I like her method much better, which has, I think, hit that difficult path between the gay and the severe, and is neither too loose, nor affected by pride.'""" """Ten thousand thanks to you for Madame de Noyer's Letters; I wish Signor Roselli may be as diverting to you as [italics] she [italics]has been to me. The stories are very extraordinary, but I know not whether she has not added a few [italics] agremens [italics] of invention to them: however, there is some truth. I have been told, in particular, that the history of the fair unfortunate Madame de Barbesierre is so, by people who could not be suspected of romancing. Don't you think that the court of England would furnish stories as entertaining? Say nothing of my malice; but I cannot help wishing that Madame de Noyer would turn her thoughts a little that way. I fancy she would succeed better than the authoress of the """"""""New Atalantis"""""""". I am sure I like her method much better, which has, I think, hit that difficult path between the gay and the severe, and is neither too loose, nor affected by pride.'""" """Here is the work of one week of my solitude - by the many faults in it your Lordship will easily believe I spend no more time upon it; it was hardly finished when I was obliged to begin my journey, and I had not leisure to write it over again. You have it here without any corrections, with all its blots and errors: as I endeavoured at no beauty of style, but to keep as literally as I could to the sense of the author. My only intention in presenting it, is to ask your lordship whether I have understood Epictetus?'""" """When he [Johnson] was a child in petticoats, and had learnt to read, Mrs Johnson one morning put the common prayer-book into his hands, pointed to the collect for the day, and said, """"""""Sam, you must get this by heart"""""""". She went upstairs, leaving him to study it: But by the time she had reached the second floor, she heard him following her. """"""""What's the matter?"""""""" said she. """"""""I can say it"""""""", he replied; and repeated it distinctly, though he ciould not have read it over more than twice'.""" """He was first taught to read English by Dame Oliver, a widow, who kept a school for young children in Lichfield. He told me she could read the black letter, and asked him to borrow for her, from his father, a bible in that character'.""" """Transcribed in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand, Edmund Elys, 'Peccatum Redivivum: Or, The Rebellion of a Conquer'd Lust'.""" """Transcribed in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand, John Norris, 'Love'.""" """Transcribed in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand, Elizabeth I's 'On the words hoc est corpus meum', titled 'Queen Elizas answer to Bishop Gardner'.""" """Transcribed in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand, two couplets from Nathaniel Wanley's translation of Justus Lipsius, 'A discourse of constancy'.""" """Transcribed in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand, two couplets from Edward Reynolds, 'A Treatise of the Passions and Facvlties of the Soule of Man'.""" """Transcribed in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand, John Norris, 'Plato's Two Cupids'.""" """Transcribed in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand, John Norris, 'The Refinement'.""" """Transcribed in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand, an anonymous 'Moral dialogue'.""" """Transcribed in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand, Sir Thomas Browne, 'Of Consumptions'.""" """Transcription in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand of Walter Ralegh, 'Even such is time which takes in trust'.""" """Transcription in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand of Richard Corbett, 'To his Son Vincent Corbett'.""" """Transcription in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand of Psalm 56 v. 3.""" """In Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand, a paraphrase of Walter Ralegh's lines 'Like hermit poor', entitled 'A Christian paraphrase on those Verses Like Hermit poor, &c'.""" """Transcription in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand of John Donne, 'A Hymne to God the Father'.""" """Transcription in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand of Henry Savile, 'To the King'.""" """Transcription in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand of William Alabaster, 'Dr Alabasters verses upon Dr Reynolds & his Brother'.""" """Transcription in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand of an extract from Joshua Sylvester's translation of the second day from Guillaume Du Bartas's The Second Week (1598), ll. 663-6.""" """Transcription in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand of Richard Fanshawe, 'A Happy Life out of Martial'.""" """Transcription in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand of a Couplet from Charles Aleyn, 'The Battailes of Crescey and Poictiers'.""" """Transcription in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand of Katherine Phillips, 'A Virgin'.""" """Transcription in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand of 'The humble Addres of ye house of Commons to the Queen, March ye 7 1710'""" """Transcription in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand of lines attributed to Sir Thomas Browne, beginning, 'the Almond florisheth ye Birch trees flowe'.""" """Transcription in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand of Sir Thomas Browne, 'Fragment on meadowes'.""" """Transcription in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand of 'An Epitaph upon Felton, who was hang'd in Chains for murdering the Old Duke of Buckingham'.""" """Transcription in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand of 'A Turkish Prayer or Alhemdolilla'.""" """Transcription in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand of Richard Corbett, 'King James came in progres to the house of Sr Pope Knight, when his Lady was lately delivered of a daughter, which babe was Presented to the King with a Paper of verses in her hand...' """ """Transcription in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand of Sir Henry Wotton, 'Upon the Sudden Restraint of the Earl of Somerset then falling from favour'.""" """Transcription in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand of Sir Henry Wotton, 'The Character of a Happy Life'.""" """Transcription in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand of John Foxe, 'The Prayer of Luther at his death'.""" """Transcription in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand of John Foxe, 'The usuall Prayer of Docter Martyn Luther'.""" """Transcription in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand of John Foxe, 'Accounts of the deaths of Jan Huss and Jerome of Prague'.""" """Transcription in Elizabeth Lyttelton's hand of Philippe Quinault, 'Autre'.""" """[her mother having forbidden her to learn to read due to her weak eyes] I was at this time about five Years of Age, and my Mother being one Day abroad, I had happily laid hold on """"""""Alexander's Feast"""""""", and found something in it so charming, that I read it aloud; - but how like a condemned Criminal did I look, when my Father, softly opening his Study-door, took in the very Fact; I dropt my Book, and burst into Tears, begging Pardon, and promising never to do so again: But my Sorrow was soon dispell'd, when he bade me not be frighten'd, but read to him, which to his great Surprize, I did very distinctly, and without hurting the beauty of the Numbers. Instead of the whipping, of which I stood in Dread, he took me up in his Arms, and kiss'd me, giving me a whole Shilling, as a Reward, and told me, """"""""He would give me another, as soon as I got a Poem by Heart""""""""; which he put into my Hand, and prov'd to be Mr [italics] Pope[end italics]'s sacred Eclogue, which Task I perform'd before my Mother return'd Home. They were both astonish'd at my Memory, and from that Day forward, I was [permitted to read as much as I pleas'd'""" """[her mother having forbidden her to learn to read due to her weak eyes] I was at this time about five Years of Age, and my Mother being one Day abroad, I had happily laid hold on """"""""Alexander's Feast"""""""", and found something in it so charming, that I read it aloud; - but how like a condemned Criminal did I look, when my Father, softly opening his Study-door, took in the very Fact; I dropt my Book, and burst into Tears, begging Pardon, and promising never to do so again: But my Sorrow was soon dispell'd, when he bade me not be frighten'd, but read to him, which to his great Surprize, I did very distinctly, and without hurting the beauty of the Numbers. Instead of the whipping, of which I stood in Dread, he took me up in his Arms, and kiss'd me, giving me a whole Shilling, as a Reward, and told me, """"""""He would give me another, as soon as I got a Poem by Heart""""""""; which he put into my Hand, and prov'd to be Mr [italics] Pope[end italics]'s sacred Eclogue, which Task I perform'd before my Mother return'd Home. They were both astonish'd at my Memory, and from that Day forward, I was [permitted to read as much as I pleas'd'""" """I employed myself in the evening, reading Lord John Russell's life of his ancestor Lord William Russell. The preface is modest, dignified, and forcible; the narrative is lucid; and the style is unaffected, and devoid of ornament, yet elegant. It is like the author. How much the sobriety of a sensible English book strengthens and refreshes the understanding, especially when we have lived some time in a dearth of English literature'.""" """I read Lady Morgan's Florence Macarthy. There is originality and genius in all she writes'.""" """Read Sir Richard Steele's Dedication of his Account of the state of the Roman Catholic Religion to the Pope'.""" """I was very well pleased with having seen this entertainment [a marksmanship contest for the ladies of the Austrian court], and I do not know but it might make as good a figure as the prize-shooting in the Eneid, if I could write as well as Virgil.'""" """Sir Paul Rycaut is mistaken (as he commonly is) in calling the sect [italics] muterin [italics].'""" """I no longer look upon Theocritus as a romantic writer; he has only given a plain image of the way of life amongst the peasants of his country; who, before oppression had reduced them to want, were, I suppose, all employed as the better sort of them are now. I don't doubt, had he been born a Briton, his [italics] Idylliums [italics] had been filled with descriptions of threshing and churning, both which are unknown here, the corn being all trod out by oxen; and butter (I speak it with sorrow) unheard of.'""" """I read over your Homer here with an infinite pleasure, and find several little passages explained, that I did not before entirely comprehend the beauty of...It would be too tedious to you to point out all the passages that relate to present customs.'""" """I should have told you, in the first place, that the Eastern manners give us a great light into many Scripture passages, that appear odd to us, their phrases being commonly what we should call Scripture language.'""" """They have what they call the [italics] sublime [italics], that is, a style proper for poetry, and which is the exact Scripture style. I believe you would be pleased to see a genuine example of this; and I am very glad I have it in my power to satisfy our curiosity, by sending you a faithful copy of the verses that Ibrahim Pasha, the reigning favourite, had made for the young princess, his contracted wife...Thus the verses may be looked upon as a sample of their finest poetry...I have taken abundance of pains to get these verses in a literal translation'. """ """It is most wonderfully resembling [italics] The Song of Solomon [italics], which was also addressed to a royal bride.'""" """I hope we shall have soon the Odyssey from your happy hand, and I think I shall follow with singular pleasure the traveller Ulysses, who was an observer of men and manners, when he travels in your harmonious numbers.'""" """I endeavour to persuade myself that I live in a more agreeable variety that you do; and that Monday, setting of partridges - Tuesday, reading English - Wednesday, studying the Turkish language (in which, by the way, I am already very learned - Thursday, classical authors.'""" """Your whole letter is full of mistakes from one end to the other. I see you have taken your ideas of Turkey from that worthy author Dumont, who has written with equal ignorance and confidentiality. 'Tis a particular pleasure to me here, to read the voyages to the Levant, which are generally so far removed from truth, and so full of absurdities, I am very well diverted with them. They never fail giving you an account of the women, whom 'tis certain they never saw, and talking very wisely of the genius of the men, into whose company they are never admitted; and very often describe mosques, which they dare not peep into.'""" """Thus, dear sister, I have given you a very particular, and (I am afraid you'll think) a tedious account, of this part of my travels. It was not an affectation of shewing my reading, that has made me tell you some little scraps of the history of the towns I have passed through.'""" """He was first taught to read English by Dame Oliver, a widow, who kept a school for young children in Lichfield. He told me she could read the black letter, and asked him to borrow for her, from his father, a bible in that character'.""" """This is but too like (say you) the Arabian Tales: these embroidered napkins! and a jewel as large as a turkey's egg! - You forget, dear sister, those very tales were written by an author of this country and (excepting the enchantments) are a real representation of the manners here.'""" """I could also, with little trouble, turn over Knolles and Sir Paul Rycaut, to give you a list of Turkish Emperors'.""" """I could also, with little trouble, turn over Knolles and Sir Paul Rycaut, to give you a list of Turkish Emperors'.""" """I am more inclined, out of a true female spirit of contradiction, to tell you the falsehood of a great part of what you find in authors; as, for example, in the admirable Mr. Hill, who so gravely asserts, that he saw in Sancta Sophia a sweating pillar, very balsamic for disordered heads...'Tis also very pleasant to observe how tenderly he and all his brethren voyage-writers lament the miserable confinement of the Turkish ladies, who are perhaps freer than any ladies in the universe.'""" """Tis true they have no public places but the bagnios...I was three days ago at one of the finest in the town, and had the opportunity of seeing a Turksih bride recieved there, and all the ceremonies used on that occasion, which made me recollect the epithalamium of Helen, by Theocritus.'""" """But the Armenians have no notion of transubstantiation, whatever accounts Sir Paul Rycaut gives of them (which account I am apt to believe was designed to compliment our court in 1679).'""" """I can only tell you, that if you please to read Sir Paul Rycaut, you will there find a full and true account of the viziers, the [italics] beglerbeys [italics], the civil and spiritual government, the officers of the seraglio, &c., things that 'tis very easy to procure lists of, and therefore may be depended on; though other stories, God knows - I say no more - every body is at liberty to write their own remarks; the manners of people may change, or some of them escape the observation of travellers, but 'tis not the same of the government; and for that reason, since I can tell you nothing new, I will tell nothing of it.'""" """But I cannot forbear takng notice to you of a mistake of Gemelli (though I honour him in a much higher degree than any other voyage-writer): he says that there are no remains of Calcedon; this is certainly a mistake.'""" """I begin with telling you, that you have a true notion of the Alcoran, concerning which, the Greek priests (who are the greatest scoundrels in the universe) have invented out of their own heads a thousand ridiculous stories, in order to decry the law of Mahomet.'""" """One of my countrymen, Mr. Sandys (whose book I do not doubt you have read, as one of the best of its kind), speaking of these ruins, supposes them to have been the foundation of a city begun by Constantine, before his building Byzantium.'""" """Strabo calls Carthage forty miles in circuit.'""" """I read a good deal of Shakespeares works. Item Ben Johnsons, & Return'd them to the library'""" """I read the 2 Vol of the Tatler'""" """May 24th. My black mare fell down and threw me over her head, but God be praysed I got not the least harm. I rode a slow trot reading the Northampton news paper [...] it was upon Bury Heath.""" """""""""""The church in Lichfield, in which we had a seat, wanted reparation, so I was to go and find a seat in other churches; and having bad eyes, and being awkward about this, I used to go and read in the fields on Sunday. This habit continued till my fourteenth year"""""""".'""" """Lady Mary Wortley Montagu was simultaneously complemented and embarrassed by Pope's tribute in """"""""Epistle to Mr Gay"""""""". She sent a copy of the verses to her sister in Paris, but she explained she had """"""""stiffle'd"""""""" them in England... Lady Mary characteristically felt the impropriety as much as the flattery of Pope's admiration'.""" """When 8 or 9, 'my Father seeing I took Pleasure in learning my Book, he bestowed a Tutor on me ...' Reads Talmud etc. -- 'in all those Books, I made such Progress, that I became the Darling of my Father's Heart'. But 'I then read the New Testament, and compared it with the Old, I found many Prophecies ... fulfilled'""" """To Richard's where I stayed all afternoon ... I met mr Graham of our college formerly, and he showed me some Verses about Lord Cateret that were made in Ireland, pretty good.'""" """I went to the Library; read Bramhall against Hobbes'""" """[Transcript in Journal of Chapter One, in shorthand]""" """I called at Squire's [...] my advertisement was not in the Daily Courant. Went into St Dunstan's Church to hear Dr Lupton [is too late] went to the [Royal]Society, Sir Isaac presiding. [Listens to several papers read by Dr Jurin].'""" """Whether it was owing to her own Desire, or the Envy of those who survived her, I know not; but of her various and beautiful Writings, except one poem of her's in Mrs [italics] Barber [end italics]'s Works; Ii have never seen any published; 'tis true, as her turn was chiefly to philosophical or divine Subjects, they might not be agreeable to the present Taste; yet could her heavenly Muse descend from its sublime height to the easy epistolary Stile, and suit itself to my then gay Disposition' [Pilkington then reproduces two poems by Constantia Grierson]""" """Whether it was owing to her own Desire, or the Envy of those who survived her, I know not; but of her various and beautiful Writings, except one poem of her's in Mrs [italics] Barber [end italics]'s Works; Ii have never seen any published; 'tis true, as her turn was chiefly to philosophical or divine Subjects, they might not be agreeable to the present Taste; yet could her heavenly Muse descend from its sublime height to the easy epistolary Stile, and suit itself to my then gay Disposition' [Pilkington then reproduces two poems by Constantia Grierson]""" """During my Stay in the Country, he wrote me a great many poetical Compliments, and subscrib'd himself, [italics] Amintas [end italics]: as they were really very elegant; my Mother, who always examined my Letters, exprest great Curiosity to know the Writer'""" """During my Stay in the Country, he wrote me a great many poetical Compliments, and subscrib'd himself, [italics] Amintas [end italics]: as they were really very elegant; my Mother, who always examined my Letters, exprest great Curiosity to know the Writer'""" """[Pilkington reproduces her poem 'The Petition of the Birds', written for her fiance] This little poetical Essay met with more Applause than it really merited, on Account of my Youth, and was extremely acceptable to Mr [italics] Pilkington [end italics], who with the Raptures of an enamour'd Bridegroom, read it to every Person whom he thought possesst of Taste or Genius'.""" """Read a sermon of Dr Stanhope's to the sons of the clergy. Bed past 11.""" """No rest for me in bed, therefore rise 1/2 past 4... summerhouse till 1/2 past 7 read Baker's Chronicles""" """Read after supper the contempt of the clergy.""" """Read one sermon and part of another of Dr Stanhope's of Death and Judgement, and of the sufficiency of the scriptures. I think he is a better orator than casuist: his argument is not so clear a stile.""" """After dinner, garden 1 1/2 hours feeding the foul. Drank coffee. Made an end of the sermon.""" """After dinner 1 hour reading 'Contempt of the Clergy'.""" """I sat in the Parlor; drank coffee and read a sermon of Dr Stanhope's...""" """Read 4 acts of 'The Rehearsall'. Bed 11.""" """I know not why but too late for Church. Read 1 hour in the summerhouse, Dr Clark on the Evengelists.""" """Very miserable. 'Like a poor Lunitick that Makes his Moan And for a time beguiles the Lookers-On He reasons well, his Eyes their Wildness lose And vows the keepers his wrong'd sense abuse. But if you hitt the cause that hurts his Brain Then his Teeth gnash; he foams; he Shakes his Chain, His Eyeballs roll, and he is madagain'. (Lee, 'Caesar Borgia')""" """Tatlers (borrow'd of Mrs Helen D'Enly) 1 1/2 hours.""" """Read an act of 'The Rehearsall' and one of 'All for Love'. Bed 12.""" """Read an act of 'The Rehearsall' and one of 'All for Love'. Bed 12.""" """Summerhouse reading 'contempt of the clergy' till 1/2 past 5.""" """Din'd alone in own room. Read part of 'All for Love'.""" """Sup'd by myself in own chamber. Read 'Tale of a Tub'. Bed 11...""" """Came home before 7. Dr Clark 1 hour. Bed past 10.""" """Read 2 sermons of Dr Stanhope's, one to sea men, the other on the 5th November.""" """Some of Dr Clark's paraphras.""" """Afternoon read Lady's Letter to a Popish Gentleman etc.""" """None went to Church. Read Clark's 'Attributes' and writt.""" """Read 'Tale of Tub' 1 hour. Bed past 10.""" """Sup'd alone. Read 'The Perplex'd Duches' a novell. Bed 11.""" """He told me, that his father had put Martin's account of those islands into his hands when he was very young, and that he was highly pleased with it; that he was particularly struck with the St. Kilda man's notion that the high church of Glasgow had been hollowed out of a rock; a circumstance to which old Mr. Johnson had directed his attention.'""" """Dr Percy, the Bishop of Dromore, who was long intimately acquainted with him, and has preserved a few anecdotes concerning him, regretting that he was not a more diligent collector, informs me, that """"""""When a boy he was immoderately fond of reading romances of chivalry, and he retained his fondness for them through life; so that (adds his Lordship) spending part of a summer at my parsonage-house in the country, he chose for his regular reading the old Spanish romance of """"""""Felixmarte of Hircania"""""""", in folio, which he read quite through. Yet I have heard him attribute to these extravagant fictions that unsettled turn of mind which prevented his ever fixing in any profesion'.""" """Dr Percy, the Bishop of Dromore, who was long intimately acquainted with him, and has preserved a few anecdotes concerning him, regretting that he was not a more diligent collector, informs me, that """"""""When a boy he was immoderately fond of reading romances of chivalry, and he retained his fondness for them through life; so that (adds his Lordship) spending part of a summer at my parsonage-house in the country, he chose for his regular reading the old Spanish romance of """"""""Felixmarte of Hircania"""""""", in folio, which he read quite through. Yet I have heard him attribute to these extravagant fictions that unsettled turn of mind which prevented his ever fixing in any profesion'.""" """he read a great deal in a desultory manner, without any scheme of study, as chance threw books in his way, and inclination directed him through them. He used to mention one curious instance of his casual reading, when but a boy. Having imagined that his brother had hid some apples behind a large folio upon an upper shelf in his father's shop, he climbed up to search for them. There were no apples; but the large folio proved to be Petrarch, whom he had seen mentioned in some preface, as one of the restorers of learning. His curiosity having been thus excited, he sat down with avidity and read a great part of the book'.""" """""""""""Sunday (said he) was a heavy day to me when I was a boy. My mother confined me on that day, and made me read """"""""The Whole Duty of Man"""""""", from a great part of which I could derive no instruction. When, for instance, I had read the chapter on theft, which from my infancy I had been taught was wrong, I was no more convinced that theft was wrong than before; so there was no accession of knowledge"""""""".'""" """He told me, that his father had put Martin's account of those islands into his hands when he was very young, and that he was highly pleased with it; that he was particularly struck with the St. Kilda man's notion that the high church of Glasgow had been hollowed out of a rock; a circumstance to which old Mr. Johnson had directed his attention.'""" """O heart, Why dost thou leap against my Bosom like a Cag'd Bird, and beat thyself to Death for an impossible freedom'. ('Constantine')""" """Read 'Double Falshood' a play of Shakespear's never acted till this winter. I think it a poor one for his. Bed 12.""" """Read 2 plays after supper - 'The Guardian' and 'The Devil of a Wife'. Bed 1.""" """Read 2 plays after supper - 'The Guardian' and 'The Devil of a Wife'. Bed 1.""" """tis in clearing one's charicter, as in taking spotts outof one's cloaths. You make it ten times bigger and seldom or never efface the first stains'. (Chit-Chat)""" """Lay till 11. All day alone... Lay on the bed as much as I coud. Read 2 books of the Life of the Baron Debross, an old story.""" """Mary read to me a little before dinner, (which she does tolerable); 'Cyrus' a Romance. I wound silk.""" """Came up and din'd alone. Writt little. Read 'All for Love'.""" """Home past 8 a fier in the Parlor. Read Mrs Behn's novels, a book of Abraham's [cut by editor].""" """I sat with Aunt till 7. Read Dr Clark's 'Paraphras' 1 1/2 hours.Bed near 11.""" """Aunt sup'd with me. Read 4 Acts of 'The Gratefull Servant'. Bed 12. More amused and quiet than of late.""" """With mother to Clapham Common. Read to her 'Agnes de Castro' by Mrs Behn. Home before 8. Read one hour of the book before supper.""" """With mother to Clapham Common. Read to her 'Agnes de Castro' by Mrs Behn. Home before 8. Read one hour of the book before supper.""" """None went to Church. Aunt gave us coffee. Mother read scriptures.""" """Read part of 'Fair Gilt' by Mrs Behn.""" """Last night sleep departed, I read almost all night Nelsons life of Bp Bull James Clre""" """Read part of 'Oroonoko' after supper.""" """Made an end of the Novell [the Fair Jilt].""" """Lay till near 11. Mary read 'cyrus', I winding silk.""" """Would not go to Church. Read Dr Clark's 'paraphras'.""" """Writt from 6 to 9. Sup'd alone. Read 'The Mulberry Garden', a pretty play. Bed 12.""" """Read part of a sermon of Dr Stanhope's.""" """Bought... sugar at Cossen's, 2 vols of Dr Clark's exposition of the 4 Evengellists (cost 10s), sermons by Dr Stanhope. Cost 5s. Mother paid half of that... Read Philip of Macedon after supper. Does not read as well as I expected.""" """Brother and Lady Savile came at 5. Sup'd here and went near 11. Most of the time compareing the pedigree of the Saviles (in a book of the Baronets lately come out), with the account Brother sent to be inserted.""" """Summerhouse and garden till past 8, cutting shift neck and reading 'The Grounds of the Contempt of the Clergy' by Eachard; a book with much truth and much witt, but too ludicrase I think for the subject. It belongs to our [Quaker] Landlady.""" """Did not go to Church morn. nor afternoon. Read Dr Clark paraphras.""" """Afternoon read a sermon of Dr Stanhope's. of Prayers not being granted immediately.""" """Read 'travells of Cyrus' alone 2 1/2 hours. A fine book. Bed near 12.""" """I was glad to hear Mr. Remond's history from you, though the newspapers had given it to me [italics] en gros [italics].'""" """Had a fire in my own Room. Mother sup'd with me there. Read 'The Lucky Mistake' - Mrs Behn.""" """Read some spectators in great anguish of mind. 'Im weary of my part My torch is out, and the world stands before me Like a black desart at th' approach of night I'll lay me down and stray no further on' (All for Love)""" """After dinner, summerhouse, read the Life of Count Venivill - silly.""" """Did not go to church. Read a funeral sermon of Dr Stanhope's.""" """I left the old woman with mother as soon as supper was done. Read Baker's Chronicles 1 1/2 hours. Bed at 11.""" """Afternoon read Clarke's Attributes 2 hours.""" """""""""""Is there yet left the least unmortgag'd hope"""""""" ('All for Love')""" """Home past 10. 'Noble Slaves'. Bed past 12.""" """what he read during these two years [between Stourbridge school and Oxford] , he told me, was not works of mere amusement, """"""""not voyages and travels, but all literature, Sir, all ancient writers, all manly: though but little Greek, only some of Anacreon and Hesiod; but in this irregular manner (added he) I had looked into a great many books, which were not commonly known at the Universities, where they seldom read any books but what are put into their hands by their tutors; so that when I came to Oxford, Dr Adams, now master of Pembroke College, told me I was the best qualified for the university that he had ever known come there"""""""".'""" """what he read during these two years [between Stourbridge school and Oxford] , he told me, was not works of mere amusement, """"""""not voyages and travels, but all literature, Sir, all ancient writers, all manly: though but little Greek, only some of Anacreon and Hesiod; but in this irregular manner (added he) I had looked into a great many books, which were not commonly known at the Universities, where they seldom read any books but what are put into their hands by their tutors; so that when I came to Oxford, Dr Adams, now master of Pembroke College, told me I was the best qualified for the university that he had ever known come there"""""""".'""" """what he read during these two years [between Stourbridge school and Oxford] , he told me, was not works of mere amusement, """"""""not voyages and travels, but all literature, Sir, all ancient writers, all manly: though but little Greek, only some of Anacreon and Hesiod; but in this irregular manner (added he) I had looked into a great many books, which were not commonly known at the Universities, where they seldom read any books but what are put into their hands by their tutors; so that when I came to Oxford, Dr Adams, now master of Pembroke College, told me I was the best qualified for the university that he had ever known come there"""""""".'""" """Read 'The British Recluse'.""" """Din'd and sup'd with Aunt. Play'd Pickett till past 9. Read some Tatlers. Bed 11.""" """Supper alone. Read life of Mr Savage.""" """Tent all day light. Read Ugania [?] and Bajesett. Bed past 11.""" """Did not go to Church. Read Clark's Attributes morn.""" """Sup'd alone. Read 'The Sophy', a play of Sir J Deham's.""" """Tent till Dark. Read 'Nunnery Tales'. What a Stuped Life is my lott!...""" """Read a Novell after supper. Bed past 11.""" """Home past 9. Read 4 Tatlers. Bed past 11.""" """Supper alone. Tatlers. Bed past 11.""" """Sat humdrum some time. Read a storry out of 'Nunnery Tales'. At 5 to Mrs Drydens...""" """Mrs Newton, Lady Palmerston, Lady Clavering and 2 daughters (great fortunes), and 3 Mrs Fox's here. While the last 2 were here, and Mrs D'Enly alone in Mother's room, I read 'The Beggar's Opera' to them in intervals before and after supper.""" """Supper alone. 4 Tatlers. Bed 1/2 past 11.""" """Tis th' infirmity of noblest mind When ruffled with an unexpected woe To speak what settled prudence wou'd conceal: As the vex'd oceean [sic] working in a storm Off brings to light the wrecks which long lay calm, In the dark bosom of the secret deep. ('Mariamne')""" """Read 'The travells of Cyrus' after supper.""" """Home near 10. Read 4 Tatlers. Bed 12.""" """Home 9. Supper below. 3 Tatlers. Bed 11.""" """Afternoon went to the chaple. Home. Coffee. Read Clarke's 'Parraphras on the Evangellists'.""" """Supper below. Read 'The Life, Roberies, etc. of Dalton', an evidence against several of the Robers which are to be Hang'd. Bed past 11.""" """Writt till supper. Read 'Sesostris'. Bed near 12.""" """Din'd in own room alone... Read 'A Journy to London', Sir J Vanburg's -part of what is made 'The Provoked Husband' by Cibber, vastly mended by him I think.""" """After supper read 'The City Widow' and part of the 'Adventures of Abdella' - 2 new books got tonight. Bed past 12.""" """News. Writt. After supper read 'The Perplex'd Dutches'.""" """Took phisick. Mary read Cyrus.""" """Read 'The Adventures of Six Days'. 1 hour. Bed 11.""" """Play'd tunes in 'The Beggars Opera' 2 hours after dinner.""" """Home past 9. Supper alone, Read 'Cyrus', Bed 12.""" """Read 'Six Days Adventures' after supper. Bed 11.""" """Rise at 10. Mary read 'Cyrus'. Knited [knitted] till 7.""" """None went to Church. Read a book of Luther's.""" """Read the 'Universal Passion'""" """Adventures of Six Days' 1 hour after supper. Bed 11.""" """Home past 9 almost starv'd to death...Read 'Gill Blas'. Bed 12.""" """Made an end of 'The Unniversall Passion'... 'Tis exceeding seveer, 'tis all satir[e] but mighty pretty and too just. He is grown a favouritt Author of mine. I am not content with once reading it, but design to bye it.""" """Slept in the chair - knew not what to do with myself. Read a New Tragidy in Maniscript that has not been acted; the story of the first Brutus that putt his 2 sons to death.""" """Lay till past 9. Read Dr Clark little. Went to King Street chapel...""" """Home near 11. 'Gil Blass'. Bed past 12.""" """Tuned harpsichord and play'd some of Beggars Opera songs after supper alone.""" """Read 'A True Estemate of Human Life' by Mr Young, a Sermon preach'd in St George's Church upon the King's death. Extreordinary stile. Poeticall, exceeding entertaining.""" """Read 'Adventures of Six Days'. Bed 1.""" """Took Phisick. Rise at 10. Mary read Cyrus.""" """Made an end of 'Gil Blas'.""" """Aunt had the coach at 5 to visit. I drank tea and read Mr Young's sermon. Mrs D'Enly went when the coach came back with Aunt near 10.""" """Life of Count De Venivill' after supper. Bed near 12.""" """Read after supper 'The Noble Slaves'. Bed 12.""" """His figure and manner appeared strange to them [the company on the night of Johnson's arrival in Oxford]; but he behaved modestly, and sat silent, till upon something which occurred in the course of conversation, he suddenly struck in and quoted Macrobius; and thus he gave the first impression of that more extensive reading in which he had indulged himself'.""" """Went into the park...Back to our dinner at 2. Spent the afternoon walking and sitting, and I read 3 Acts of 'The Conscious Lovers'.""" """Having given such a specimen of his poetical powers, he was asked by Mr Jorden to translate Pope's Messiah into Latin verse, as a Christmas exercise. He performed it with uncommon rapidity, and in so masterly a manner, that he obtained great applause from it, which ever after kept him high in the estimation of his College and, indeed, of all the University'.""" """Home near 9. Read 'The Prude' comfortably by a fire.""" """Read 'The Prude'.""" """Masenger - Believe ye are to blame, much to blame Lady; [...] That Feel a Weight of Sorrow through their Souls.""" """I fear to tempt this stormy sea the World, Whose every Beach is strew'd with wrecks of wretches, That daily perish in it. - Rows Ambitious Stepmother""" """Mrs Prade set me down past 9. Read Dr Clark 1/2 hour after supper. Bed 11.""" """Tent till dark. Read the 3rd part of 'The Prude', and the 'The Beautifull Pyrate'.""" """Read... """"""""The Beautifull Pyrate"""""""".""" """Read 'Sesostris, a new Tragydy'; a so-so one.""" """at home all day [...] at Oaks I met with Mr Laws practical discourse on christian perfection [...] I am now reading it""" """Adrian Johns notes """"""""the extensive record of John Byrom's days in the 1720s spent 'reading in a pamphlet shop,' 'reading at a bookseller's stall,' staying at Vaillant's shop 'looking over the books a good while,' going into Innys's and 'read[ing] there all afternoon till after six' ..."""""""" """ """Adrian Johns notes """"""""the extensive record of John Byrom's days in the 1720s spent 'reading in a pamphlet shop,' 'reading at a bookseller's stall,' staying at Vaillant's shop 'looking over the books a good while,' going into Innys's and 'read[ing] there all afternoon till after six' ..."""""""" """ """Adrian Johns notes """"""""the extensive record of John Byrom's days in the 1720s spent 'reading in a pamphlet shop,' 'reading at a bookseller's stall,' staying at Vaillant's shop 'looking over the books a good while,' going into Innys's and 'read[ing] there all afternoon till after six' ..."""""""" """ """Adrian Johns notes """"""""the extensive record of John Byrom's days in the 1720s spent 'reading in a pamphlet shop,' 'reading at a bookseller's stall,' staying at Vaillant's shop 'looking over the books a good while,' going into Innys's and 'read[ing] there all afternoon till after six' ..."""""""" """ """[referring to his translation of Lobo's """"""""Voyage to Abyssinia""""""""] Johnson upon this exerted the powers of his mind, though his body was relaxed. He lay in bed with the book, which was a quarto, before him, and dictated while Hector wrote'.""" """[Matthew Pilkington was in England and was staying with Pope, upon Swift's recommendation. Having received a letter in which he said Pope was treating him handsomely, Laetitia took it to show Swift] 'The Dean read it over with a fix'd Attention, and returning it to me, he told me, he had, by the same Pacquet, receiv'd a Letter from Mr [italics] Pope [end italics], which, with somewhat of a stern Brow, he put into my Hand, and walk'd out into the Garden [the letter is full of abuse from Pope of M. Pilkington's manner and behaviour] By the time I had read it thro', the Dean return'd, and ask'd me what I thought of it? I told him, I was sure Mr [italics] Pilkington [end italics] did not deserve the Character Mr [italics] Pope [end italics] had given of him; and that he was highly ungenerous to caress and abuse him at the same Time. Upon this the Dean lost all Patience, and flew into such a rage that he quite terrify'd me'""" """[Matthew Pilkington was in England and was staying with Pope, upon Swift's recommendation. Having received a letter in which he said Pope was treating him handsomely, Laetitia took it to show Swift] 'The Dean read it over with a fix'd Attention, and returning it to me, he told me, he had, by the same Pacquet, receiv'd a Letter from Mr [italics] Pope [end italics], which, with somewhat of a stern Brow, he put into my Hand, and walk'd out into the Garden [the letter is full of abuse from Pope of M. Pilkington's manner and behaviour] By the time I had read it thro', the Dean return'd, and ask'd me what I thought of it? I told him, I was sure Mr [italics] Pilkington [end italics] did not deserve the Character Mr [italics] Pope [end italics] had given of him; and that he was highly ungenerous to caress and abuse him at the same Time. Upon this the Dean lost all Patience, and flew into such a rage that he quite terrify'd me'""" """Whoever reads the Part of the Fairies in the [italics] Midsummer Night's Dream [end italics] may easily perceive how many beautiful Images [italics] Milton [end italics] has borrowed thence to adorn his Masque of [italics] Comus [end italics].'""" """Whoever reads the Part of the Fairies in the [italics] Midsummer Night's Dream [end italics] may easily perceive how many beautiful Images [italics] Milton [end italics] has borrowed thence to adorn his Masque of [italics] Comus [end italics].'""" """The following Ode of [italics] Horace [end italics] bearing some Similitude to my then present Circumstances, I took the Liberty of paraphrasing and sent it to my husband, notwithstanding his former Lectures [that women should not write. There follows LP's version of 'The Seventh Ode of the Third Book of Horace']""" """[Letter from Jonathan Swift, Pilkington having sent him her verses on paper - printed in a London newspaper, attributed to another, and a poem for his birthday] 'I send you your Bit of News-paper with the Verses, than which I never saw better in their Kind; I have the same Opinion of those you were pleased to write upon me, as have also some particular Friends of Genius and Taste, to whom I ventured to communicate them, who universally agree with me.'""" """[Letter from Jonathan Swift, Pilkington having sent him her verses on paper - printed in a London newspaper, attributed to another, and a poem for his birthday] 'I send you your Bit of News-paper with the Verses, than which I never saw better in their Kind; I have the same Opinion of those you were pleased to write upon me, as have also some particular Friends of Genius and Taste, to whom I ventured to communicate them, who universally agree with me.'""" """Read over Rosewell's """"""""Life 7 Tryal"""""""" 8vo 17[18]'.""" """He appears, from his early notes or memorandums in my possession, to have at various times attempted, or at least planned, a methodical course of study, according to computation, of which he was all his life fond, as it fixed his attention steadily on something without, and prevented his mind from preying upon itself. Thus I find in his handwriting the number of lines in each of two of Euripides' Tragedies, of the Georgicks of Virgil, of the first six books of the Aeneid, of Horace's Art of Poetry, of three of the books of Ovid's Metamorphosis, of some parts of Theocritus, and of the tenth satire of Juvenal; and a table, shewing at the rate of various numbers a day (I suppose verses to be read), what would be, in each case, the total amount in a week, month, and year'.""" """He appears, from his early notes or memorandums in my possession, to have at various times attempted, or at least planned, a methodical course of study, according to computation, of which he was all his life fond, as it fixed his attention steadily on something without, and prevented his mind from preying upon itself. Thus I find in his handwriting the number of lines in each of two of Euripides' Tragedies, of the Georgicks of Virgil, of the first six books of the Aeneid, of Horace's Art of Poetry, of three of the books of Ovid's Metamorphosis, of some parts of Theocritus, and of the tenth satire of Juvenal; and a table, shewing at the rate of various numbers a day (I suppose verses to be read), what would be, in each case, the total amount in a week, month, and year'.""" """He appears, from his early notes or memorandums in my possession, to have at various times attempted, or at least planned, a methodical course of study, according to computation, of which he was all his life fond, as it fixed his attention steadily on something without, and prevented his mind from preying upon itself. Thus I find in his handwriting the number of lines in each of two of Euripides' Tragedies, of the Georgicks of Virgil, of the first six books of the Aeneid, of Horace's Art of Poetry, of three of the books of Ovid's Metamorphosis, of some parts of Theocritus, and of the tenth satire of Juvenal; and a table, shewing at the rate of various numbers a day (I suppose verses to be read), what would be, in each case, the total amount in a week, month, and year'.""" """He appears, from his early notes or memorandums in my possession, to have at various times attempted, or at least planned, a methodical course of study, according to computation, of which he was all his life fond, as it fixed his attention steadily on something without, and prevented his mind from preying upon itself. Thus I find in his handwriting the number of lines in each of two of Euripides' Tragedies, of the Georgicks of Virgil, of the first six books of the Aeneid, of Horace's Art of Poetry, of three of the books of Ovid's Metamorphosis, of some parts of Theocritus, and of the tenth satire of Juvenal; and a table, shewing at the rate of various numbers a day (I suppose verses to be read), what would be, in each case, the total amount in a week, month, and year'.""" """He appears, from his early notes or memorandums in my possession, to have at various times attempted, or at least planned, a methodical course of study, according to computation, of which he was all his life fond, as it fixed his attention steadily on something without, and prevented his mind from preying upon itself. Thus I find in his handwriting the number of lines in each of two of Euripides' Tragedies, of the Georgicks of Virgil, of the first six books of the Aeneid, of Horace's Art of Poetry, of three of the books of Ovid's Metamorphosis, of some parts of Theocritus, and of the tenth satire of Juvenal; and a table, shewing at the rate of various numbers a day (I suppose verses to be read), what would be, in each case, the total amount in a week, month, and year'.""" """He appears, from his early notes or memorandums in my possession, to have at various times attempted, or at least planned, a methodical course of study, according to computation, of which he was all his life fond, as it fixed his attention steadily on something without, and prevented his mind from preying upon itself. Thus I find in his handwriting the number of lines in each of two of Euripides' Tragedies, of the Georgicks of Virgil, of the first six books of the Aeneid, of Horace's Art of Poetry, of three of the books of Ovid's Metamorphosis, of some parts of Theocritus, and of the tenth satire of Juvenal; and a table, shewing at the rate of various numbers a day (I suppose verses to be read), what would be, in each case, the total amount in a week, month, and year'.""" """He appears, from his early notes or memorandums in my possession, to have at various times attempted, or at least planned, a methodical course of study, according to computation, of which he was all his life fond, as it fixed his attention steadily on something without, and prevented his mind from preying upon itself. Thus I find in his handwriting the number of lines in each of two of Euripides' Tragedies, of the Georgicks of Virgil, of the first six books of the Aeneid, of Horace's Art of Poetry, of three of the books of Ovid's Metamorphosis, of some parts of Theocritus, and of the tenth satire of Juvenal; and a table, shewing at the rate of various numbers a day (I suppose verses to be read), what would be, in each case, the total amount in a week, month, and year'.""" """I have perused the last lampoon of your ingenious friend, and am not surprised you did not find me out under the name of Sappho, because there is nothing I ever heard in our characters or circumstances to make a parallel, but as the town (except you, who know better) generally suppose Pope means me, whenever he mentions that name, which appears to be irritated by supposing her writer of the verses to the Imitator of Horace.'""" """In a 1735 letter to Lady Hertford, [Elizabeth Singer] Rowe observes that the """"""""Epistle to Dr Arbuthnot"""""""" """"""""Seems to be writ with a malice more than human, and has surely something infernal in it. It is surprising, that a man can divest himself of the tender sentiments of nature so far, as deliberately to give anguish and confusion to beings of his own kind"""""""".'""" """[Mary] Jones particularly admired Pope's letters. In August 1735, not long after the publication of """"""""Letters of Mr Pope and Several Eminent Persons"""""""", she wrote Martha Lovelace that """"""""I've at last had the inexpressible Pleasure of reading Mr Pope's Letters; and am so well satisfied with 'em, that I shall read all future Letters (Except Miss Lovelace's) with a great deal less Pleasure for their sake. In his other Productions I have always admir'd the Author, but now I love the Man"""""""".'""" """Mr Peter Garrick told me, that Johnson and he went together to the Fountain tavern, and read it over, and that he afterwards solicited Mr Fleetwood, the patentee of Drury-lane theatre, to have it acted at his house'.""" """[NOT A READING EXPERIENCE BUT PLEASE KEEP] 'because I lov'd reading, Mr [italics] Pilkington [end italics] took with him the Key of his Study, into which he had remov'd all my Books, Presents to me from my Friends before I was married' [when the Pilkington marriage was ending]""" """Mr Peter Garrick, the elder brother of David, told me that he remembered Johnson's borrowing the """"""""Turkish History"""""""" of him, in order to form his play from it'.""" """""""""""The Gentleman's Magazine"""""""", begun and carried on by Mr Edward Cave , under the name of SYLVANUS URBAN, had attracted the notice and esteem of Johnson, in an eminent degree, before he came to London as an adventurer in literature'.""" """Mr Peter Garrick told me, that Johnson and he went together to the Fountain tavern, and read it over, and that he afterwards solicited Mr Fleetwood, the patentee of Drury-lane theatre, to have it acted at his house'.""" """The Reverend Dr Douglas, now Bishop of Salisbury, to whom I am indebted for some obliging communications, was then a student at Oxford, and remembers well the effect which """"""""London"""""""" produced. Every body was delighted with it; and there being no name to it, the first buzz of the literary circles was """"""""here is an unknown poet, greater even than Pope"""""""".'""" """as he [Mr Worsdale] was not willing that either of us shou'd believe him incapable of Writing, he used to shew Mr [italics] Pilkington[end italics]'s Work to me, and swear it was his own, and in return, he, with the same modest Assurance, presented mine to him, but we were too well acquainted with each other's Stile to be deceiv'd'""" """as he [Mr Worsdale] was not willing that either of us shou'd believe him incapable of Writing, he used to shew Mr [italics] Pilkington[end italics]'s Work to me, and swear it was his own, and in return, he, with the same modest Assurance, presented mine to him, but we were too well acquainted with each other's Stile to be deceiv'd'""" """At night I read some of the lives and characters of of the Ejected ministers in Dr Calamys account and was much affected with their piety, Zeal and steadiness[...] concluded with reading Mr Baxters Saints. Rest and prayer as usual.""" """At night I read some of the lives and characters of the Ejected ministers in Dr Calamys account and was much affected with their piety, Zeal and steadiness[...] concluded with reading Mr Baxters Saints. Rest and prayer as usual.""" """I told the Doctor, my Writings might amuse, but his made the World the wiser and the better, as I had had the Pleasure of reading them.'""" """I was deeply engag'd in Homer & Burgesdicius, otherwise should have answer'd it [letter from John Potter] sooner. I hope you don't think I preferr'd the old musty Greek, or the trifling Logician to a correspondence with a valuable friend: no; twas neccesity not choice that restrained my pen.'""" """An example of vivid, if not particularly fair, criticism occurs in a letter from Lady Hertford to the countess of Pomfret in 1739. """"""""Mr Pope has seen fit to publish a new volume of poems. It contains his 'Sober Advice', 'Seventeen Hundred and Thirty-Eight', his 'Epistle to Augustus', and several things which he had sold singly... I presume [the poem """"""""Engraved on the collar of a dog which I gave to his royal highness""""""""] is to prove that he can descend into Bathos, with the same alacrity that he has formerly soared to the summit of Parnassus'.""" """One of your brothers was brought to a liking of reading by my putting some Books which I had told amusing stories out of, in a place where they were difficultly come at and desiring that none of you might be allowed to spoil my books with your dirty Thumbs while I was abroad. He read them in a few daies [sic] and has continued to be fond of reading ever since.'""" """[LP reproduces her poem 'to the Hon. Colonel Duncombe', which she sent to Lord Augustus Fitz Roy] 'Lord Augustus did not fail to shew the Lines to all the Noblemen at [italics] White's[end italics], who heartily bantered the Colonel on his Generosity to his Mistress'.""" """Wee are much obliged to you for sending in Pamela, but I must tell you how it entertained us, Miss Jenny and I cryed most heartily at the Reading of it. I believ it is true, for I verely think I know the Gent. & Lady that occasioned it, indeed it is sweetly wrote & I hope will shew both sexes how right it is to marry upon a good foundation.""" """This Epitaph [on 'Philips, a musician'] is so exquisitely beautiful that I remember even Lord Kames, strangely prejudiced as he was against Dr Johnson, was compelled to allow it very high praise'.""" """[Edmond Curll said to LP] 'I have received from [italics] Ireland [end italics], from your Husband, the Life of Alderman [italics] Barber [end italics], wherein there is an Account of the amours of [italics] Cadenus [end italics] and [italics] Vanessa [end italics], to which the Alderman was privy, and related them to Mr Pilkington: Now I have been informed you have some Letters of the Dean's, which may embellish the Work; and also, a true Character of the Alderman, written by his Chaplain; I will make you a handsome Consideration for them if you will give them to me to publish.'""" """[Sir Hans Sloane] considered my Letter over, and finding, by the contents, Doctor [italics] Mead [end italics] recommended me to him, said """"""""Poor Creature! I suppose you want Charity; there's Half a Crown for you"""""""".'""" """[bailiffs burst into her room to take her to the Marshalsea; one of them] 'who had employed himself in looking over my Papers, cried, """"""""Ay the [italics] Irish [end italics] Whore, here is something about some [italics] Roman [end italics] Father, that's the Pope, and be damn'd to you is it?'''""" """[various benefactors including Colley Cibber having helped her, LP is released from the Marshalsea] 'When I read over these Words, [italics] Discharge from your Custody the body of, &c. [end italics], as I was by nine Weeks Confinement, Sickness, and Fasting, rendered quite weak, the joyful Surprize made me faint away several Times, and, indeed, my kind Benefactor had like to have frustrated his own generous Design of preserving me.'""" """I have read the Italian - nothing in it is well' """ """[On New Year's Day, 1743, LP published verses in the 'Gazette' in honour of Colley Cibber] 'My dear old Friend was pleased with my Sense of his Goodness to me; only he told me, my Lines were more proper to be addressed to an Archbishop than to him, who had nothing to boast of more than a little common Humanity.'""" """[LP reproduces her poem 'To Colley Cibber, Esq.] 'Mr [italics] Cibber [end italics] received these Lines with his usual Partiality to me, and my Performances'.""" """[having been given some money by Samuel Richardson] 'I really was confunded, till, recollecting that I had read [italics] Pamela [end italics], and been told it was written by one Mr [italics] Richardson [end italics], I asked him whether he was not the Author of it? He said, he was the Editor: I told him, my Surprize was now over, as I found he had only given to the incomparable [italics] Pamela [end italics] the Virtues of his own worthy Heart'.""" """what a charming instance have you given me, good sir, of the Restoration of [your health], if I may be permitted to infer it from the noble strength and Vigor of your verses. It is impossible, Sir, not to be animated by the Subject and the Poem'.""" """[I am] pleased with Mr Whitehead's Essay on Ridicule, a Piece which shews the Goodness of the Author's Heart, so much preferable to that of the Head alone'""" """""""""""Doctor Gregory's Book was published at Edin [r] just two Days before I left that Place...I read it, tho butin the hurried Way which the Eve of Journey allowed of...I also think that the Publication of it, when one considers that the young Ladies to whom it is address'd are alive & unmarried, is liable to Objection...""""""""""" """After dinner our conversation first turned upon Pope. Johnson said, his characters of men were admirably drawn, those of women not so well. He repeated to us, in his forcible melodious manner, the concluding lines of the """"""""Dunciad"""""""". While he was talking loudly in praise of those lines, one of the company ventured to say, """"""""Too fine for such a poem:— a poem on what?"""""""" Johnson, (with a disdainful look,) """"""""Why, on [italics] dunces [italics]. It was worth while being a dunce then. Ah, Sir, hadst [italics] thou [italics] lived in those days! It is not worth while being a dunce now, when there are no wits."""""""" Bickerstaff observed, as a peculiar circumstance, that Pope's fame was higher when he was alive, than it was then. Johnson said, his Pastorals were poor things, though the versification was fine. He told us, with high satisfaction, the anecdote of Pope's enquiring who was the author of his """"""""London,"""""""" and saying, he will be soon [italics] deterré [italics]. He observed, that in Dryden's poetry there were passages drawn from a profundity which Pope could never reach. He repeated some fine lines on love, by the former, (which I have now forgotten,) and gave great applause to the character of Zimri. Goldsmith said, that Pope's character of Addison shewed a deep knowledge of the human heart. Johnson said, that the description of the temple, in """"""""The Mourning Bride,"""""""" was the finest poetical passage he had ever read; he recollected none in Shakspeare equal to it'.""" """Sir Joshua Reynolds told me, that upon his return from Italy he met with it [Johnson's """"""""Life of Savage""""""""] in Devonshire, knowing nothing of its authour [sic], and began to read it while he was standing with his arm leaning against a chimney piece. It seized his attention so strongly, that, not being able to lay down the book till he had finished it, when he attempted to move, he found his arm totally benumbed'.""" """ 'I have bought Mr Pope over so often, and his """"""""Dunciad"""""""" before his last new-vampt one, that I am tired of the Extravagance; and wonder every Body else is not. Especially, as now by this, he confesses that his Abuse of his first hero was for Abuse sake, having no better object for his Abuse. I admire Mr Pope's Genius, and his Versification: But forgive me, Sir, to say, I am scandaliz'd for human Nature, and such Talents, sunk so low'.""" """[according to Thomas Campbell] he begged of me that when I returned to Ireland, I would endeavour to procure for him a poem of Dr Madden's called """"""""Boulter's Monument"""""""". The Reason (said he) why I wish for it, is this: when Dr Madden came to London, he submitted that work to my castigation; and I remember I blotted a great many lines, and might have blotted many more, without making the poem worse. However, the Doctor was very thankful, and very generous, for he gave me ten guineas, [italics] which was to me at that time a great sum [end italics]'.""" """I was one Day exceedingly surprised when the Penny-post brought a Letter, directed to my Son; as it was marked [italics] Teddington [end italics] I open'd it, judging it was some business that Mrs [italics] Meade [end italics] wanted to have transacted; when, O shameful! it was a Love-letter to the Child, who was but sixteen Years of Age, and she is four Years older than I am, with a Direction to him to meet her at a Coffee-house in [italics] London [end italics], and an Offer of Marriage to him'.""" """While I read [your letter], I have you before me in person: I converse with you and your dear Anna, as arm in arm you traverse the happy terrace...'""" """The Persons who have seen [the manuscript of """"""""Clarissa""""""""], and whom I could not deny, are Dr Heylin, and his Lady, both excellent Judges and fond of Writings of Amusement: Miss Cheyne, Daughter of my late dear Friend the Doctor; a young Lady of Taste and Reading. Mr Freke, the Surgeon, whom once I mentioned to you, and who read it with a Friend of his. Dr Young has seen a great Part of it; and Mr Cibber Senior, having heard of it, and liking """"""""Pamela"""""""", was very desirous to see it; and I being put in hope, that he would not spare it, was desirous he should'.""" """The Persons who have seen [the manuscript of """"""""Clarissa""""""""], and whom I could not deny, are Dr Heylin, and his Lady, both excellent Judges and fond of Writings of Amusement: Miss Cheyne, Daughter of my late dear Friend the Doctor; a young Lady of Taste and Reading. Mr Freke, the Surgeon, whom once I mentioned to you, and who read it with a Friend of his. Dr Young has seen a great Part of it; and Mr Cibber Senior, having heard of it, and liking """"""""Pamela"""""""", was very desirous to see it; and I being put in hope, that he would not spare it, was desirous he should'.""" """The Persons who have seen [the manuscript of """"""""Clarissa""""""""], and whom I could not deny, are Dr Heylin, and his Lady, both excellent Judges and fond of Writings of Amusement: Miss Cheyne, Daughter of my late dear Friend the Doctor; a young Lady of Taste and Reading. Mr Freke, the Surgeon, whom once I mentioned to you, and who read it with a Friend of his. Dr Young has seen a great Part of it; and Mr Cibber Senior, having heard of it, and liking """"""""Pamela"""""""", was very desirous to see it; and I being put in hope, that he would not spare it, was desirous he should'.""" """The Persons who have seen [the manuscript of """"""""Clarissa""""""""], and whom I could not deny, are Dr Heylin, and his Lady, both excellent Judges and fond of Writings of Amusement: Miss Cheyne, Daughter of my late dear Friend the Doctor; a young Lady of Taste and Reading. Mr Freke, the Surgeon, whom once I mentioned to you, and who read it with a Friend of his. Dr Young has seen a great Part of it; and Mr Cibber Senior, having heard of it, and liking """"""""Pamela"""""""", was very desirous to see it; and I being put in hope, that he would not spare it, was desirous he should'.""" """The Persons who have seen [the manuscript of """"""""Clarissa""""""""], and whom I could not deny, are Dr Heylin, and his Lady, both excellent Judges and fond of Writings of Amusement: Miss Cheyne, Daughter of my late dear Friend the Doctor; a young Lady of Taste and Reading. Mr Freke, the Surgeon, whom once I mentioned to you, and who read it with a Friend of his. Dr Young has seen a great Part of it; and Mr Cibber Senior, having heard of it, and liking """"""""Pamela"""""""", was very desirous to see it; and I being put in hope, that he would not spare it, was desirous he should'.""" """The Persons who have seen [the manuscript of """"""""Clarissa""""""""], and whom I could not deny, are Dr Heylin, and his Lady, both excellent Judges and fond of Writings of Amusement: Miss Cheyne, Daughter of my late dear Friend the Doctor; a young Lady of Taste and Reading. Mr Freke, the Surgeon, whom once I mentioned to you, and who read it with a Friend of his. Dr Young has seen a great Part of it; and Mr Cibber Senior, having heard of it, and liking """"""""Pamela"""""""", was very desirous to see it; and I being put in hope, that he would not spare it, was desirous he should'.""" """My wife read to me in the Even 4 No. of the Freeholder.'""" """[extract of a letter from the Earl of Orrery to Dr Birch] I have just now seen the specimen of Mr Johnson's dictionary, addressed to Lord Chesterfield. I am much pleased with the plan, and I think the specimen is one of the best that I have ever read. Most specimens disgust, rather than prejudice us in favour of the work to follow; but the language of Mr Johnson's is good, and the arguments are properly and modestly expressed'.""" """Dr Taylor told me, that Johnson sent his [italics] Plan [end italics; for Johnson's dictionary] to him in manuscript, for his perusal; and that when it was lying on his table, Mr William Whitehead happened to pay him a visit, and being shewn it, was highly pleased with such parts of it as he had time to read, and begged to take it home with him, which he was allowed to do; that from him it got into the hands of a noble Lord, who carried it to Lord Chesterfield'.""" """ 'You did not tell me before, that you had read """"""""the Hermit"""""""" and """"""""Alfrida"""""""". There are charming Things in both. I read them when they first came out, having a great opinion of the poetical capacity of both gentlemen. I was not disappointed. I forget the story of the Hermit, and its management: But in general I was pleased with it. Mr Mason has a fine genius... But I thought his piece was rather too poetical. - A strange censure of a fine piece of poetry. In other words, that he was too lavish, in other words. of his poetical talents...'""" """I wrote, in order to gain Relief, to a Prelate of [italics] Ireland [end italics], then resident in [italics] London [end italics]; I sent the letter by the Daughter of a Dissenting Clergyman, of whose Honour and Virtue I was confident. He received her civilly, read over my Letter, and declared he did not know me; but as he had some slight Knowledge of my Father, there was a Guinea for me'..""" """I can't but let my Readers see my Vanity, in inserting the following Poems, written to me since I came to [italics] Dublin [end italics], and do assure them, I have as many Pacquets of a Day, as a Minister of State; some praising, and some abusing me; the best of which in my Praise, I have chosen out for their Perusal' [various laudatory poems follow]""" """Mary Lepel Hervey, although Pope's friend before her marriage,disparaged the poet in her mature correspondence. Attributing his polished style to Lord Bolingbroke's influence, she declared in 1748 that Pope """"""""would certainly never have wrote so elegantly, but that, as he bragged, envy must own he lived among the great"""""""".'""" """I was going to proceed, when Mr [italics] Cibber [end italics] interrupted me; I was, said he, at the Duke of [italics] Richmond[end italics]'s last Summer, when his Daughter, a most accomplished young Lady, and a very early Riser, sat reading in a beautiful Portico, about Six in the Morning; I accosted the fair Creature, and asked her the Subject of her Contemplation? So in a most elegant, and agreeable Stile, she related to me Part of a very entertaining Novel, she held in her Hand, and, I believe, in better words than the Author wrote it.'""" """[Mr Rooke tells LP] 'as I had, in the Shop, read your [italics] Apology for the Minister [end italics], I was greatly surprized to hear it was the Product of a Lady's Pen'""" """Every Poem, as I occasionally introduced them, he [Colley Cibber] made me give him a Copy of, and communicated them to the Earl of [italics] Chesterfield [end italics], who positively insisted on it, that I must understand [italics] Greek [end italics], and [italics] Latin [end italics], otherwise I never could write [italics] English [end italics] so well.'""" """However, at all Hazards, I'll venture to stand the Test of publishing the Following, because Mr [italics] Cibber [end italics] approved it.' [LP then reproduces several pages worth of her tragedy, 'The Roman Father']""" """I had the good Fortune to divert him [Lord Galway] with my comical stuff so well that he left me a Task, which was, to translate a [italics] French Chanson a boire [end italics].'""" """I cannot, except my own Countrywoman, Mrs [italics] Grierson [end italics], find out another female Writer, whose Works are worth reading, she indeed had a happy and well-improved Genius; I remember she wrote a very fine poem on Bishop [italics] Berkley's Bermudian [end italics] Scheme' [LP then summarises and quotes from the poem]""" """Your Lordship's poetry in my Praise I can never forget, and as it would be a Loss to the World if any Part of so justly an admired Author's Works shold be buried in Oblivion, take, oh World! the following lines:' [she reproduces the poem]""" """Dulness is not confined to them [Bishops], it descends to their Sons, witness our celebrated Comedy, [italics] The Suspicious Husband [end italics], which, but for its neither having one Character well drawn, any Plot, any thing like a Sentiment, and wrote too in a gallimawfry Stile, might be a good Performance; but as long as it is stamped with a Name, it passes current, though Sterling Nonsense.'""" """Indeed if I had printed all the poetry that has been sent to me for that Purpose, since I came to this Kingdom, it would have proved as odd a Medley as any thing ever yet exhiited to publick View; I suppose everyone who fancied they had Wit, had a Mind to see how it would look in print, but I must beg to be excused; though the learned Mr [italics] Timothy Ticle Picker [end italics] pressed very hard for a place, it would be a strong Proof of my Vanity to insert his anti-sublime compliments to me'.""" """Indeed it were to wished that either this learned and excellent Divine [Dr Delany], or some other of equal Abilities, if such may be found, would oblige the World with a new translation of the [italics] Old Testament [end italics], since, as we now have it, it seems filled with Incongruities, Indecencies, and shocking Absurdities, such as the Holy Spirit could never have dictated, [italics] whose Body is light, and whose Shadow Truth'.""" """The authorities [for the definitions in Johnson's Dictionary] were copied from the books themselves, in which he had marked the passages with a black lead pencil, the traces of which could easily be effaced'.""" """There was no need to bespeak my Patience, nor anything but my Gratitude, on reading such a Letter as you have favoured me with. Indeed I admire it; and have reason to plume myself upon the Interest you take in my Story...from many passages in your Letters [I look upon you] as a Daughter of my own Mind'.""" """Have you seen two volumes called """"""""Deism Revealed""""""""? 'Tis a well written piece, and much approved here. I think it is not harsh against the religion of France; but scourges our infidels, sceptics, deists, &c. as well by name as by works.'"""