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1wcarter
Voltaire’s England with Hogarth Engravings 1950
In June 1726, Voltaire (yes, the same one who wrote Candide etc.) fled to England to escape persecution in France where he had just spent a couple of weeks in the Bastille for coming into verbal conflict with members of the French aristocracy. He remained in England for nearly three years, where he learnt English and wrote in that language.
This book is a collection of letters, compiled by Desmond Flower, that were written about his time in England. Many of the letters were never sent to the intended addressee, as Voltaire was concerned they may have been intercepted, and his opinions may have caused more conflict for himself and the intended recipient. The letters vary in length from a single sentence to a half-dozen pages, and are arranged under appropriate topic headings.
Voltaire was fascinated by England, which made a great impression on him, and in these letters, he describes and compares almost every facet of English life and culture with that in France. The social scene, prominent personalities in history (from Alfred the Great and Richard III to Cromwell and Joan of Arc), the style of government, religion, the arts (literature, theatre), religion, sea power and government are all covered as he lets us see his wonder at the differences, benefits and characteristics of the two countries.
Hogarth was a contemporary of Voltaire and drew many amusing and insightful pictures of English life. 15 of his engravings illustrate the book.
This publication is a fascinating outsider view of England as it was almost three centuries ago.
Voltaire’s England is wrapped in a green and black printed dust jacket (no slipcase – these started later in the history of the Folio Society) and is quarter-bound in green cloth blocked with a gilt design and spine title, while the boards are plain grey-green cloth. There are 193 pages in the 23x15cm. volume. My copy is in very good condition and cost £20 earlier this year.
Back of dust-jacket
Front and rear dust-jacket flaps
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
In June 1726, Voltaire (yes, the same one who wrote Candide etc.) fled to England to escape persecution in France where he had just spent a couple of weeks in the Bastille for coming into verbal conflict with members of the French aristocracy. He remained in England for nearly three years, where he learnt English and wrote in that language.
This book is a collection of letters, compiled by Desmond Flower, that were written about his time in England. Many of the letters were never sent to the intended addressee, as Voltaire was concerned they may have been intercepted, and his opinions may have caused more conflict for himself and the intended recipient. The letters vary in length from a single sentence to a half-dozen pages, and are arranged under appropriate topic headings.
Voltaire was fascinated by England, which made a great impression on him, and in these letters, he describes and compares almost every facet of English life and culture with that in France. The social scene, prominent personalities in history (from Alfred the Great and Richard III to Cromwell and Joan of Arc), the style of government, religion, the arts (literature, theatre), religion, sea power and government are all covered as he lets us see his wonder at the differences, benefits and characteristics of the two countries.
Hogarth was a contemporary of Voltaire and drew many amusing and insightful pictures of English life. 15 of his engravings illustrate the book.
This publication is a fascinating outsider view of England as it was almost three centuries ago.
Voltaire’s England is wrapped in a green and black printed dust jacket (no slipcase – these started later in the history of the Folio Society) and is quarter-bound in green cloth blocked with a gilt design and spine title, while the boards are plain grey-green cloth. There are 193 pages in the 23x15cm. volume. My copy is in very good condition and cost £20 earlier this year.
Back of dust-jacket
Front and rear dust-jacket flaps
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
2Constantinopolitan
I wonder if this tale is in the book?
Ian Buruma in Anglomania tells us: "In his silk Parisian clothes and long powdered wig, Voltaire was a natural target for English prejudice. Out walking one day in London he was set upon by a jeering mob, and he managed to save the situation only by climbing on a pedestal and shouting: "Brave Englishmen, am I not already unhappy enough in not having been born among you?" whereupon the crowd of true-born Britons carried the Frenchman home on their shoulders."
However I read a different variant of this story which has Voltaire turning the hostile London mob to fervent admirers, in these words: "My friends was ever a shilling better spent than in buying one hour with an English whore?" The enthusiastic crowd cheered him to the echo. I can't find this account online and spoilsports may suggest it's apocryphal.
Ian Buruma in Anglomania tells us: "In his silk Parisian clothes and long powdered wig, Voltaire was a natural target for English prejudice. Out walking one day in London he was set upon by a jeering mob, and he managed to save the situation only by climbing on a pedestal and shouting: "Brave Englishmen, am I not already unhappy enough in not having been born among you?" whereupon the crowd of true-born Britons carried the Frenchman home on their shoulders."
However I read a different variant of this story which has Voltaire turning the hostile London mob to fervent admirers, in these words: "My friends was ever a shilling better spent than in buying one hour with an English whore?" The enthusiastic crowd cheered him to the echo. I can't find this account online and spoilsports may suggest it's apocryphal.
3affle
>2 Constantinopolitan:
I don't think so, but there is this item from 1749:
'London, the city where they purvey the most inaccurate news and produce the worst possible arguments based on information which is entirely false.'
Brexit, anyone? Plus ca change, as the great man might have said.
I don't think so, but there is this item from 1749:
'London, the city where they purvey the most inaccurate news and produce the worst possible arguments based on information which is entirely false.'
Brexit, anyone? Plus ca change, as the great man might have said.
