The Purpose of this Bibliography and Critique is to share something of the collection I am building. The reason for doing this is because Dr Darts (if you don't know then a google search is required) asked me for some information on texts and I thought why not put it all down. So I will share what I have and try and annotate it as best as I can.
THE TOWNITS MEMORABLE CHARACTERS AND EVENTSLeigh Hunt
Edited with an introduction and notes by Austin Dobson
HENRY FROWDE
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
1907
This work was first published in 1848 and is a well known text. Personally I don't find it that compelling, not the sort of book I pick up and can't put down. However, if you are prepared to delve away there are nuggets to be found, insights to be had and revelations to be revealed. A book for the researcher rather than for the genuine enthusiast I would suggest.
LIFE AND ADVENTURES ON THE OCEANA personal Narrative by Capt. Holmes
LONDON
R E King & Co Ltd
106 to 110 Tabernacle Street EC
There is no imprinted date in this work but 1902 can be deduced from the text as the possible year of publication. This is an absolute gem of a book and whilst it appears to be a self published work the story about Capt Holmes's disasterous shipwreck off the coast of Australia
and the subsequent naming of the reef after him
bears some credibility.
See article about this book.A TOUR IN A PHAETON THROUGH THE EASTERN COUNTIESJohn James Hissey
Richard Bentley and Sons, New Burlington StreetLondon1889
A treasure for anyone interested in pub history, the story of coaching and coaching inns and the villages of Victorian England. John James Hissey was a man who only knew callouses from the work of sitting in his buggy and traveling at his leisure. Fortunately for John, one of his ancestors emigrated to America and secured title to a lot of land which by our author's time was the financial district of Chicago. The income from the ground rent allowed him to liberally dispense a shilling to urchins who would show him the sights of any village he arrived in.
This text is fascinating but always remember the views are those of privilege and a life of ease whilst others struggled to survive. Hissey is not alone in the ranks of English gentlemen who traveled the countryside bemoaning the march of progress and the loss of times past, there is a tradition in this type of literature of a disparaging view of the times which is ever present in all centuries.
Nonetheless, what we have in this book is an absolute peach dripping with the juice of a past now lost.
REMINISCENCES OF A VICTORIANCharles Beadle
Privately Published
1924
These are the treasures of Victorian literature for the genuine enthusiast. You can find such works as these if you hunt around the antiquarian book fairs and they are sold for pennies, greatly undervalued by the booksellers. The reason for this is that works like this are Victorian Vanity Publishing, neither catalogued, widely distributed or written by individuals of "importance". However, for anyone serious about the subject of history these are priceless texts containing irretrievable social history from individual perspective which if the booksellers cannot rinse a couple of pounds sterling for will get dumped in skips.
Vanity Publishing may well be seen by predatory companies as a way to make money out of the real need for people to tell their stories, and most of the time the people who write are not professional authors or accomplished writers but they do tell their story their way. So too with this text, a piece of literature it is not, a finely groomed biography it cannot claim to be however for the historian works such as this reveal detail and insights which are invaluable.
CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE BY AN ENGLISH TOURIST
OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURYpart 1 of the Tour of 1789 from the Torrington Diaries by The Hon. John Byng
(1743 -1813)
Edited by Cyril Bruyn Andrews
Roy Patrick Smith, Marlow, BucksUndated Edition with a cover showing an embossed heraldic animal, possibly a hind, with the word TUEBOR in a scroll beneath. (Latin: I will defend)
This work falls outside the Victorian remit but is w work worthy of mention here. exactly 100 years before james John Hissey mounts his Phaeton, John Byng, Viscount Torrington, took to riding around the countryside with his friends and staying at inns by the roadside. the similarities in the disdane for their "present times" and the loss of the virtues of the past are almost a mirror image in these works.
This text contains reproductions of the bills Byng received, and often bemoaned as expensive, as he stayed with the common folk in the wayside inns. What is very interesting is the ability to find the pubs he stayed at still in operation today by simply searching their name and village on the internet.
Not a top quality work but more of a pleasant read that occasionally reveals something of common life but more often than not talks of the sport of 18th century gentlemen.
THE MYSTERIES OF LONDONGeorge Reynolds
Vol IV
Vol II Second Series
G. Vickers, 334, Strand.
London
MDCCCXLVIII
(1848)
An absolute pearler of a book, a veritable cornucopia of fascination. Perhaps you are beginning to think that I like this text with a particular favour; you would be understating the case.
This is a fictional narrative, a soap opera, a two penny novel, a collection of serialised stories written for newspaper publication and bound into a volume. Despite the fact that as literature it is found wanting on many levels this is a treasure beyond compare.
The reason for my high praise rests in one fact and several features. The fact is that the author was a newspaper proprietor, which at his time meant he probably wrote every word published, and a staunch chartist supporter. The first feature of note is his tendency in writing to mix political statements of the day with the fictional narrative. So where a pub scene is entered through the journey of hero or villain, like as not we hear the discussion between two protaganists standing in a corner of the smoky inn discussing the issues of political freedom.
In addition to this wonderful window into the world of political dissent in the mid nineteenth century he also has a tendency to add historical footnotes to the fictional narrative, something I have never seen before.
As an example, there is one footnote attached to an event of the characters in the fiction meeting soldiers which describes and details the debate against the flogging of soldiers with historically verifiable references.
Leaving aside the paucity of the literature, the topography of London and its social conditions are revealed within the text to such an extent as to be palpable.
A real, valuable, splendid treasure of a book.
SURVEY OF LONDON WRITTEN IN THE YEAR 1598John Stow
A New Edition
Edited by
William J. Thoms, ESQ. F.S.A.
Secretary of the Camden Society
Whittaker and Co., Ave Marie Lane
London
MDCCCXLII
(1842)
A standard text for anyone serious about the history of London. Though way out of the Victorian date range this is a useful base from which to chart changes and developments.
Not an easy read, not exactly compelling or captivating, more a tool for a researcher serious about his subject.
A JOURNAL OF A YOUNG MAN OF MASSACHUSETTSWritten by Himself
[Benjamin Waterhouse]
Milledgeville, (Geo.)
Re-printed by S. & F. Grantland
1816
Whilst outside the "Victorian" date range, this work is one of the most prized treasures in my collection. The volume I have is signed all over the inside covers with the names of the Bush family ancestors of the 19th century. On purchase I was given a validation of this fact by the seller. The book is old and brown and quite beautiful to hold.
In terms of the text it is a fascinating work. The content is based on the diary and reminiscences of an American prisoner of war held by the British on the prison hulks of the Medway. The detail of life on board is stark as well as comprehensive. The prisoner describes the various hulks and their occupants, daily routine and the habits of the people so imprisoned. The journey then continues to the prison at Dartmoor where equally detailed accounts of life in that prison are provided.
The full title of the work provides a good insight into the content:
"A Journal, of a Young Man of Massachusetts, Late a Surgeon on Board an American Privateer, Who Was Captured at Sea by the British and Was Confined First, at Melville Island, Halifax, Then at Chatham, in England, and Last, at Dartmoor Prison. Interspersed With Observations, Anecdotes and Remarks, Tending to Illustrate the Moral and Political Characters of Three Nations. to Which Is Added, a Correct Engraving of Dartmoor Prison, Representing the Massacre of American Prisoners"
HAND-BOOK OF LONDON PAST AND PRESENTPeter Cunningham, F.S.A.
John Murray,
Albemarle Street,
1850
An important reference work which details the streets of London at the time. They are presented in alphabetical order and prominent buildings, inns and clubs also feature. Each entry provides a potted history of the street and identifies history grand and obscure about
the comings and goings through time.
Thoroughly good solid work and a "bible" for any study of London history of the time.
See article regarding this bookCOACHING DAYS AND COACHING WAYSW. Outram Tristram
Illustrated by Herbert Railton and Hugh Thomson
MacMillan & Co
London
1894
An interesting work full of anecdote and romance. This book has real value for the illustrations but the text is not of the quality of Hissey's writing in my opinion. Still a good work to possess
but defintely would be second rank if it were not for those 214 illustrations of villages, inns, pubs and coaches!
LONDON TOPOGRAPHICAL RECORDIlustrated
Including the fifth and the sixth annual report
of the London Topographical Society
Volume III
Issued for the years 1903-1904
Printed at the Chiswick Press and issued from
the Office of The London Topographical Society
at 16, Clifford's Inn,
Fleet Street, E.C.
MCMVI
(1906)
Once again a text out of the basic remit of the Victorian era but none the less very much a work about that era. This is really special text which looks at various subject about London in very erudite detail.Besides the workings and speeches of the society there are three published articles in this volume which are priceless.
Notes on Salway's Plan of the Road from Hyde Park Corner to Counter's Bridgeby Colonel W.F. Prideaux, C.S.I.
A superb account of the development of the road through Knightsbridge which up until this point was a muddy bog beset by thieves. The narrative looks at Salway's plan of 1811 which by all accounts was of immense detail and extensive mapping. Included by the venerable Colonel is an account of all the pubs and inns on the road as well as detail about other buildings.
Changing London: Notes on alterations in North St Maryleboneby J.G. Head
A superb account of the acquisition of a massive tract of land in order to build Marylebone Station in London. The process began in 1890 and involved an act of parliament against protest from those whose homes were scheduled for demolition in the plans. Rare photographs of the areas demolished are included with the text and the history and places of a swath of London lost to this demolition re-counted.
Signs of Old Londonby F.G. Hilton Price Dir. S.A.
A marvelous list of the signs from which people traded in St Paul's Churchyard area of London. Annotated with historical notes gleaned from published references, mostly newspaper adverts, relating to the signs. Today all that remains of this tradition are our pub and inn signs but in this text the relationship between them and the trades and practices of the past is brought into a sharp focus.
The society still exists today and the subscription is astonishingly cheap. I am going to join for certain!
Crowned Masterpieces of EloquenceRepresenting the Advance of Civilisation
International University Society
London
1919
The quality of this text is very simple, it records public speeches in exact detail. Imagine if you could have a tape recording of Charles Dickens for example, well this is the next best thing. Here in this volume we have his speech on "Intellectual Progress of the People: Education and Progress." presented at a "Soiree of the members of the Manchester Athenaeum, October 5th, 1843.
In reading this speech it is just a simple flight of fancy to hear Dicken's voice and smell the whiff of gas lamp as the audience respectfully sit dressed in their finery to hear the great man talk.
This volume has many such speeches from the 19th century and is a valuable resource for researching the thoughts of political, social and academic leaders of the day.
OLD AND NEW LONDONA narrative of its history, its people, and its places
by
Walter Thornbury
Volume 1
Cassell and Compnay
London, Paris and New York.
Undated but approximately published sometime after 1880
and probably not later than 1890.
Really very good source book with a number of interesting illustrations. The text deals with London area by area and provides good referencing to older works.
See article regarding this bookPICCADILLY TO PALL MALLManners, Morals, And Man.
by
Ralph Nevill
and
Charles Edward Jerningham
(Marmaduke)
Duckworth & Co
3 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden
1908
When I first picked this book up I wasn't that impressed, its excellent condition, the title and the date didn't hold out much promise and I thought I had a rather second rate text on my hands. If ever there was a case of "Don't judge a book by its cover!" then this was it. Once I started reading I quite literally could not put it down until I had finished it. A quite magnificent work.
The book covers with wit the loss of the manners and morals of the old days, the style and fashion of the Victorian era. The viewpoint is that of two English gentlemen of the old school who inhabited the "West End", the province of society and the fashionable class. The collection of stories and tales are anecdotal if not actually downright gossip and details the lives of those who were of the highest level in society and not representatives of the vulgar wealth gained through the stock exchange.
Clubs, inns and pubs are detailed as well as brothels and the lives of notorious prostitutes. Hyde Park is revealed as the place where women of a certain character would line up in their carriages awaiting "liasons" with eager gentlemen. The story of the Iron Duke trying to gain entry to the home of a lady of great reputation only to be turned away by a government minister disguised as a serving maid is something I have never heard the like of!
Whilst I have a real interest in uncovering the hidden histories of ordinary people this book provides a pull at the curtains to reveal a glimpse of the unwritten histories of more prominent
people. Brilliant book!
See article referencing this book.A LONDONER'S LOG BOOKby
The Right Hon. G.W.E. Russell
Smith, Elder, & Co.
15, Waterloo Place
London
1910
This is a cracking little book. The volume is a third edition of an original publication from November 1902. The text covers life in London as seen from the upper middle class. All the prejudices and traits of social interaction are covered with a very wry humour. This humour is interesting because you need to have a good grasp of the culture of the day to pick up on some of the more subtle witticisms.
THE OCEANby
P.H. Gosse
Printed for THe Society for promoting Christian Knowledge:
Sold at the Depository,
Great Queen Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields;
and by all booksellers.
1845
This was a really fortunate acquisition, in excellent condition, with numerous illustrations and a marvellous text. Don't let the "Christian Knowledge" factor be a too off putting, this extends merely to the recognition that all in nature is the work of the
Almighty. Here we have a text about the flora and fauna of the seas which is in astonishing detail and described by a man who has sailed the world's oceans. There are obvious errors of perception, such as the saw fish being a dangerously armed animal threatening to humanity. There are also mention of monsters of the deep but aside from what we see as a lack of understanding this work really reveals just how much our sea going nation really did know about the oceans and all within them.
See The Saw-Fish in the Gulf of PariaTHE LECTURE(As delivered at the Egyptian Hall, London.)
by
Artemus Ward
edited by his Executors
T.W. Robertson and E.P. Hingston
John Camden Hotten
Piccadilly
London
G.W. Carleton & Co.,
Broadway
New York
1869
Priceless volume which gives an incredible insight into what made Victorians laugh, or not laugh as the case may be. Charles Farrer Browne created the character of Artemus Ward and travelled America and the UK providing lectures from which he made substantial amounts of money. Here we have the great grandfather of stand up comedians touring theatres and arenas of the day to single handedly entertain substantial audiences, he was packing them in!
What makes this text extraordinary is that it has been compiled from his lecture notes by his agent and another friend. They have included illustrations of the lantern slides Ward used to illustrate his talks. In addition, they have annotated the notes with what essentially are stage notes on ward's delivery from stance to intonation. As if this wasn't enough they have also provided the main text in three different sizes of font. These are meant to indicate where Ward spoke boldly, in an ordinary manner or as a quite aside. The result is that you have, limited only by your own imagination and perception, as close to an audio visual record of the performance of a Victorian comedian of the 1860's as is possible to have.
The agent also kindly tells us of the story of Artemus Ward, his success and failings during a career which took him as a travelling comedian both across the plains of America at a time when the native population still held sway and into the hearts and minds of some Victorians.
I say some, because, like all comedy, it was a matter of taste and as his agent tells some people did not like ward's style. The instance where this highly rehearsed incompetence of presentation of a "lecture" was taken at face value and one lady on walking out was recorded to say, "Really, it is not good enough all these people laughing at that poor imbecile."
THE BOYS INDUSTRIAL INFORMATION ILLUSTRATED by
Elisha Noyce
With Three Hundred and Seventy Engravings
by
The Brothers Dalzeil
Ward, Lock, & Tyler,
Warwick House
Paternoster Row
1860
As a reference work on the industrial processes of mid Victorian England this work can surely have few peers. A comprehensive coverage of industrial activity explained with enough simplicity for young boys but with enough technical detail to provide a solid understanding of how things are done. When you add to this text the fabulous illustrations of all of these industrial processes then you have an excellent source.
Wonderful book.
See BrewingENGLISH INNSby
Thomas Burke
With 8 Plates in Colour and
24 illustrations in black and white.
William Collins of London
MCMXXXXIII
(1943)
A really good standard text on English Inns with strong reference to the history of signs. Many fine illustrations, notably "A bedroom at an Inn": coloured engraving from Eugene Lami's
Voyage en Angleterre, 1830., which provide solid images of life in and around inns.
