CHARLES READE
1814-1884
CHARLES READE
If no judgment is here attempted of the work of Charles Reade, it is because he refuses to be “placed,” in the opinion of the present writer. At times he is so fine, so resilient, so impressive; at others, the dullest of pamphleteers, a cramped Meredith in style, a very waxwork among sensationalists. Fortunately certain aspects of his powerful but clumsy mind have of late been admirably presented. The “London Mercury” for June, 1921 (Vol. IV., No. 20), contained an article by E. W. Hornung which all interested would do well to read. In the matter of biography proper students may be referred (but without confidence) to:
CHARLES READE: DRAMATIST, NOVELIST, JOURNALIST. A memoir compiled chiefly from his literary remains by Charles L. Reade and the Rev. Compton Reade. 2 vols. London: Chapman and Hall Ltd., 1887.
This pious work is too rhapsodical to possess more than personal interest.
CHARLES READE AS I KNEW HIM. By John Coleman. London: Treherne and Co. 1903.
Reference is made below to the useful list of plays which concludes this otherwise rather chaotic book.
I.—EDITIONES PRINCIPES
A.—FICTION, ESSAYS, ETC.
1853
PEG WOFFINGTON: A Novel. By Charles Reade. London: Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street. 1853. 1 vol. Ex. Cr. 8vo (4¾ × 7¾). Pp. (iv) + 331 + (1). No half-title. Paper boards (half cloth), paper label. White end-papers. Also maroon cloth, gilt, blocked in blind. Pale yellow end-papers.