Tag Archives: 19th century novelists

Was Squeers Misrepresented By Dickens In Nicholas Nickleby

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In his novel, Nicholas Nickleby, Charles Dickens portrays Wackford Squeers (the headmaster) as a sadist with no redeeming features. Squeers was based on the (actual) headmaster of a Yorkshire school named William Shaw who was prosecuted for child cruelty. However, according to a descendant of William Shaw he was, in fact a humane man who was liked by his students and by the community in which his school operated. Dickens therefore does Shaw a great injustice in his portrayal of him in Nicholas Nickleby.
To read the article please visit https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1316931/The-real-Squeers-was-no-Dickens-brute-claims-descendant.html

Benjamin Disraeli

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I must confess to nurturing a soft spot for the novelist and politician Benjamin Disraeli https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Disraeli.

The second of the 2 quotes is, I believe correctly attributed to Disraeli. There is, however some dispute regarding the first, with some attributing it to Disraeli, while others attribute this witticism to Moses Hadas. I, personally like to think that Disraeli was responsible for both witticisms, although the consensus of opinion is in favour of Hadas as regards the first one.

“Thank you for sending me a copy of your book – I shall waste no time in reading it”.

“A member of Parliament to Disraeli: ‘Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease.’

That depends, Sir,’ said Disraeli, ‘whether I embrace your policies or your mistress.”

Previously Unseen Letter By Jane Austen Goes On Display At Torquay Museum

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A previously unseen letter by Jane Austen has gone on display at Torquay Museum. The letter contains the first mention of Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice. For the article which contains a transcript of the letter please visit the following link http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2863601/Previously-unseen-letter-Jane-Austen-writes-Pride-Prejudice-goes-public-display-time.html