The London Mercury, Vol. I, Nos. 1-6, November 1919 to April 1920Various
General
The London Mercury, Vol. I, Nos. 1-6, November 1919 to April 1920
Various
English literature -- Periodicals; London (England) -- Periodicals
One of the great autobiographies, and a very important document for any
one who undertakes the most rudimentary study of the English romantic
movement, is the _Life of B. R. Haydon_, drawn from his journals. He
was the friend of Keats, Lamb, Wordsworth, Leigh Hunt; he moved in
many different spheres, among Dukes and politicians, and artists, and
the debtors in King's Bench Prison. A man of boundless energy, an able
writer capable of rendering his impressions vividly and with force, he
was, indeed, everything but what he believed himself with passionate
faith to be, what he even succeeded in persuading others that he was--a
great painter. He was convinced--as firmly convinced as of the fact
that two and two are four--that he was a genius as overwhelmingly great
as Michael Angelo. He was, as a matter of fact, one of the second-rate
romantic painters of the early nineteenth century, in some things a
little better, in others a good deal worse, than his contemporaries in
the same line of trade. The book is a fascinating study in psychology
as well as one of the most vivid pictures of an interesting society.
It is, therefore, unfortunate that it should now be a matter of some
difficulty to lay one's hand on a copy. The first edition of the book
appeared in 1853, the second and last some ten years later--more than
half a century ago. We venture to express the pious hope that some
beneficent publisher will reprint what is certainly one of the most
peculiar human and historical documents of the nineteenth century.
* * * * *
We learn from Mr. Leslie Chaundy, of Oxford, that he has purchased
intact the whole library of the late Provost of Worcester. Dr. Daniel's
collection comprises a great number of rare and interesting books,
including, of course, all the volumes issued from the famous Daniel
Press. A catalogue is, we understand, in course of preparation and will
be issued shortly.
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account