Monthly Archives: October 2011

Witches and goblins

Posted on October 31, 2011 by mercedes-c

Witchcraft is an important theme in Douce’s collection of prints and drawings. It has not been difficult, therefore, to find a few appropriate prints among his many images of witches, diableries, ghosts and goblins to celebrate Halloween: This etching, which … Continue reading →

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Quadrilling

Posted on October 26, 2011 by mercedes-c

This music-sheet kept among Douce’s prints on dancing is not just an example of popular music in the age of bonnets, but also a clever and mildly amusing satire on contemporary mores: Under the title Quadrille; a favourite song, the … Continue reading →

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Green boughs

Posted on October 11, 2011 by mercedes-c

As it happens with his creative etymologies, Douce’s explanations of particular details taken from the images that he collected are sometimes as difficult to believe as one of Munchausen’s tales. On 1 February 1801, Douce sent the following note to … Continue reading →

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Douce and William Godwin

Posted on October 3, 2011 by mercedes-c

You may have read the review of Pamela Clemit’s edition of William Godwin’s letters (recently published by OUP) in last month’s LRB. The reviewer, John Barrell, refers to an online resource provided by the Bodleian Library, which I have just … Continue reading →

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