Flat Jane Austen in Providence, Rhode Island

 Flat Jane Austen in Providence, Rhode Island:

A Visit to the Circulating Library 

(and a peek into the future)

Back upstairs [1914 addition] I spy a map showing the English origins of the first settlers in Providence. I am pleased to see Hampshire represented, altho' rather surprised as Hampshire is not noted for dissenters. Nicholas Easton. Who was he? 

I peruse the shelves to learn more about the history of Rhode Island. Goodness this will take forever! Who knew there were so many books on this place? I certainly had never heard of it til now. Nicholas Easton  (1593-1675) was assistant to the governor and president of the four towns of the colony in Newport; a minister and Quaker! 

I find a quiet spot to sit and read on the mezzanine level I find myself gazing out the window.

I decided to leave off reading about history and look for a good novel. Should I choose an old favorite? Or something new?

We know Jane read Oliver Goldsmith

and even Tom Jones! 

She was a big fan of Sir Walter Scott but was slightly jealous of his success as a novelist

"Walter Scott has no business to write novels, especially good ones. —It is not fair. —He has Fame and Profit enough as a Poet, and should not be taking the bread out of other people's mouths."

Hmm Something else perhaps?

Turn to page 49 of the self-guided brochure!

Do my eyes deceive me?  No, I see my name of these books. How peculiar! My books have not been published in America, nor have they been published under my own name. 

Why are there books about me? Books about my books? How odd.

Austen biographies

Am I the most famous writer in America? How about of he century? Or in Rhode Island?

No?! Who is? 

This fellow? Edgar Allen Poe... a poet and short story writer. What type of story does he write? Horror? Is that like gothic? "The Telltale Heart", "The Cask of Amontillado", "The Fall of the House of Usher". Is this man deranged? These are all about death! Is his poetry as awful? "Once upon a midnight dreary..." I guess so. 

Who is the lady? His betrothed? Poetess Sarah Helen Whitman? Is she famous? No? This Poe person seems to have come to an untimely end and was lamented by no one aside from Miss Whitman. 

Editor's note: The Ath has reportedly been haunted by Edgar Allen Poe who courted Providence widow and poet Sarah Helen Whitman here in the Athenaeum reading room. They became engaged but her family forced her to break it off with him as he was unable to quit drinking. Poe left Providence and a short time later turned up in Baltimore, dead in the river wearing someone else's clothes. Sarah Helen Whitman sacrificed her own reputation to save his and make him famous. Read their story at the Athenaeum website.

The Athenaeum also boasts a lithograph of Poe's Raven from a painting by the French painter Edouard Manet.

"quoth the raven, 'Nevermore'", 

The "Raven Bookplate" inscribed lithographic print from by French author Stephane Mallarmé to Sarah Helen Whitman, from a French translation of Poe's works illustrated by Edouard Manet

Actually, the most famous writer of all would shock Jane even more- H.P. Lovecraft, writer of weird science fiction, lived in Providence and loved it here. His gravestone is inscribed "I am Providence." 

I must leave off now. I shall try to write again before I leave here. Until then, I am, as always,

Yours,
Jane

Flat Jane Austen in Providence, Rhode Island

 Flat Jane Austen in Providence, Rhode Island:

A Visit to the Circulating Library 

(and a peek into the future)

Editor's Note: All photos taken at the Providence Athenaeum (1836, close enough to Jane's time) one of the oldest subscription libraries in the country. All are welcome to stop in for a tour and browse. Jane had to view the brand new bust of Mary Wollstonecraft! While she was there, she got a peek into the future, in the later 19th-century and 20th-century as novels became more popular and literary criticism of HER novels became a thing. 

All are welcome to come take a tour and browse. 

June 18--

My dear friends,

At last! A visit to the circulating library! There are many volumes to browse, artwork to peruse and people to meet. 

I am a bit surprised to learn that the former colonists have received a classical education. The building resembles a Greek temple such as the ones that have recently been discovered. There are even statues and busts of classical poets, gods and goddesses! Of course they also have busts and sculptures of Benjamin Franklin. 

Providence Athenaeum 1836

Richmond Fountain built to provide clean drinking water in 1873 

recently refurbished and still drinkable! 

 “Come Hither Every One That Thirsteth.” A longtime LEGEND claims that all those who drink from it are bound to always return to Providence

A view of the circulation desk, virtually unchanged in over a century 

Behind the desk, above Jane's head, is a beautiful painting known as The Hours painted by Edward Greene Malbone, a Royal Academy artist in London. It depicts three female figures represent the Greek horae, goddesses that personify the orderly passage of time.

Minerva or Athena, perhaps? Athena Lemnia. Lord Elgin must have rescued this one from the Parthenon. She's missing an arm! That dreadful man! No appreciation for art. 

Plaster statue of Athena Lemnia 1913. Read the story at the Ath website.

Is this who I think it must be? Mary Wollstonecraft? I am uncertain why there is a bust of her but I approve. 

New in 2020, a plaster bust of Mary Wollstonecraft!
The editor- and Jane- were quite exited to see her on display at last. 

There are busts of good English writers as well: Shakespeare, Milton, Lord Byron (good writer, deplorable conduct). Even the Scottish poet Robert Burns is represented. Another one wanting conduct.

L-R : John Keats, Mary Wollstonecraft, John Milton

Another view of Mary and John Milton

On the other side we see the later mezzanine addition with busts of more writers.

Upper level L-R: Socrates, Demosthenes, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, William Ellery Channing and...

Louisa May Alcott!

(and also Frederick Douglass who didn't make it into the picture). Miss Alcott is a bluestocking writer for children and Mr. Douglass is a former slave, orator, writer and abolitionist. I have never heard of either of them, of course. I shall no longer be alive 50 years hence, else in my dotage! 

Also on the opposite side of the main room is Benjamin Franklin.

Mr. Benjamin Franklin, once an Englishman, then a traitor, now dead. He was quite witty and charming in his day though. We do miss his wit and charm and perhaps one day he will be forgiven for betraying  the British government. 

Another Englishman turned traitor, their American hero, Mr. George Washington. Pity he was such an English country gentleman. I think he too will one day be forgiven for turning against King and country. 

George Washington, ca. 1830s, anonymous, after Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828)

An extra large portrait of the late President hangs in the reading room [downstairs].

This portrait is a copy of one of the most well-known 18th-century American paintings. The painting was painted by American artist Gilbert Stuart for William Petty, first Marquis of Lansdowne, who helped shape the 1783 peace with America following the war for American independence. This copy of the Lansdowne portrait that hangs in the Athenaeum was painted by an unnamed "accomplished Italian artist." It was donated by merchant Samuel Larned (1788–1846), the Chargé d'Affaires to Chile and Peru, on the occasion of the opening of the Benefit Street building. The placement in the public halls of the library is to encourage the virtuous and patriotic character of Providence’s youth.

Belowstairs is the headquarters of the Franklin Society, a scientific and philosophic club (1838-1848). 

They say the Franklin Society reading room has been built into a hill and the building is being held up by the shelves. One day it may just sink! 

Look at this curiosity! What could it be?

They tell me this cabinet was built to house the Description de L'Égypte published between 1809-1828 by Napoleon’s Imperial Press ( Napoleon again!) It was designed by Ameican book collector John Russell Bartlett and English architect Frederick Catherwood in the manner of an Egyptian temple with exterior decoration based on plates in the Description. I see the plates behind the cabinet. Napoleon ordered this book published in 1802 to share the discovered of the french expedition to Egypt. This particular copy belonged to French statesman and ultra-royalist Jules Armand, Prince de Polignac. Read more in the Athenaeum's self-guided tour brochure.

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