In 1805, Britain stands under constant threat of a French invasion. Napoleon has assembled his invasion force – Armée d’Angleterre – at Boulogne-sur-Mer in Northern France, ready to strike. Additionally, the French and Spanish fleets combine to take control of the English Channel. In Britain, about 252,000 men are part of the regular and voluntary military forces. The numbers employed by the Royal Navy expands from 36,000 in 1793 to 120,000 in 1805. After a flurry of British diplomatic missions Austria and Russia join Britain against France. The victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in October gives Britain fresh hope, though the country loses its greatest naval hero. What can you read to distract the mind in a period of tension and uncertainty?
The book market of 1805 holds about 100 new works of fiction for the reader. Of these, about 22% are Gothic novels. While genuine new Gothic novels see a notable increase (though some of its authors are one-hit-wonders, lost to oblivion), the bluebook industry — short, cheap abridgements or even only summaries of full-length Gothic novels — is on the decline. Yet, new bluebook publishers still appear on the market, trying to profit from the craze for sceptres and dark secrets.
With regards to the other genres of fiction, historical novels become popular, and the bildungsroman enjoys its usual popularity. Non-fiction sees a strong year for female authors, be they travel writers, scientists, or historians. However, many of them prefer to publish anonymously.
Check out my selection of popular fiction and non-fiction releases. I have added links to online versions of each book so you can actually read as if it’s 1805.
7 FICTION BOOKS OF 1805
1. Get the goosebumps about blood-curdling secrets
Louisa: or, The Black Tower by G.D. Hernon
An old manor in a gloomy forest in Lancashire is the home of Louisa and her widowed father, Mr. Gerrard, of high birth and ancient family. One day, Louisa is captured by bandits headed by the mysterious Captain Rifle. More dangers are ahead: why is the captain’s wife wandering around the woods at night, dressed as a white phantom? And what about Mr. Gerrard’s secret: a hidden apartment in the Black Tower, which he visits every day…?
Read volume 1 and 2 online:
Louisa or, The Black Tower (Volume 1)
Louisa or, The Black Tower (Volume 2)
2. Get lost in an old castle
The Castle of Roviego: or, Retribution by Mary Pickar
The only novel by Mary Pickar is heavily inspired by the Queen of Gothic Novels, Ann Radcliffe. This is the plot: Alfonso, the only son of the Count of Rialves, has been away at sea for five years. One day, a disembodied voice tells him to hasten back home, as his beloved Rosalia has mysteriously disappeared. Alfonso returns to Castle Roviego, where he encounters some supernatural surprises. Will the lovers be reunited?
The Monthly Review is more fascinated by the castle than by the romance: “Nothing seems to strike us more forcibly than the confusion which we experienced from the intricacies in the building of this cold castle. We are therefore led to suggest that (…) it might perhaps add to the (…) comprehension of the story if the writer would subjoin an architectural plan.”
Read it online: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/Retribution_%28IA_in.ernet.dli.2015.549141%29.pdf
3. Laugh about a satire of literary characters
Flim-Flams! or the Life and Errors of My Uncle and the Amours of My Aunt by Isaac D’Israeli (1766 –1848)
The writer and scholar who would be the father of a Prime Minister wrote a quirky satirical ‘romance’ about literary characters and curious philosophical dilettantes.
The Literary Journal thinks the book is a libel and fears its author will be prosecuted by the persons he pokes fun at.
Read it online here:
Volume 1: Flim Flams
Volume 2: Flim Flams
4. Enjoy love & drama in Portugal
The Banks of the Douro; or, The Maid of Portugal by Emily Clark, granddaughter of the late Colonel Frederick (fl. 1798–1833)
Emily Clark publishes her third novel. It is a historical fiction novel set in Portugal: beautiful and virtuous Maria lives in a small village near the Douro River. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she falls in love with the wealthy nobleman Don Pedro. Alas, he is already engaged to another woman! Maria’s love for Don Pedro leads to a series of events that will change her life forever.
The Literary Journal is displeased: “About the vast number of names that are introduced” (…) a parcel of puppets pass before us, and, having chattered about something not worth attending to, vanish out of sight.”
A little scandal is attached to the author’s claim to be the granddaughter of the late Colonel Frederick. It is true that this gentleman was the author of Memoirs of Corsica, Containing the Natural and Political History of that Important Island. However, his place of origin is unknown. While he claimed to be the son of King Theodore of Corsica and adopted the title of Prince of Caprera, he was probably an impostor.
Read the novel online here: The banks of the Douro
5. Admire how Godwin takes on Rousseau
Fleetwood: Or, The New Man of Feeling by William Godwin (1756 – 1836)
In his third eponymous tale, Godwin criticises Jean-Jacques Rousseau and his ideas about the virtue of the natural man. Like Emile, the protagonist of Rousseau’s treatise, who grows up with no formal social or academic education, Casimir Fleetwood only has a simple childhood education in the wilderness of northern Wales. However, what is ideal for Rousseau turns out to be problematic in Fleetwood. The novel shows the consequences of the hero’s arrival at adulthood unprepared for social challenges: Fleetwood is the easy victim of manipulations. Rousseau is featured as the character Monsieur Ruffigny, an old friend of Fleetwood’s rich father.
Read it online here:
Fleetwood or, the new man of feeling
6. See how virtue is rewarded
The Nuns of the Desert or The Woodland Witches by Eugenia de Acton (pseudonym) (1749 – 1827)
Sounding to our ears like the title of a modern B-movie for adults, The Nuns of the Desert is the latest novel by prolific writer Eugenia de Acton, or rather Alethea Lewis, as she is really called. The plot is about a Miss Blenheim being understood to be ‘what in that country is denominated a love-child’. De Acton’s subject matter centres on her belief in the rewards of virtue.
The Literary Journal is not enthusiastic: “The language of this story is possessed of all the extravagance which is so ridiculous when employed upon trifling matters. The incidents are very improbable, and often flat and uninteresting, and the tale is constructed with very little taste or judgment.”
Read it online: The nuns of the desert (volume 1)
The nuns of the desert (volume 2)
7. Be awed by loyalty, country, and traditions
The Lay of the Last Minstrel by Walter Scott (1771 – 1832)
Early in his career, Walter Scott publishes a narrative poem in six cantos with copious antiquarian notes. The story is set in the Scottish Borders in the mid-16th century. The plot: An aging minstrel seeks hospitality at Newark Castle and, in recompense, tells his hostess, the Duchess of Buccleuch, and her ladies a tale of a Border feud. The story features a deadly quarrel, a goblin page, and a child restored to its family. Michael Scott, the polyglot wandering scholar allegedly having magical powers, has a cameo role and is conquering an indefatigable demon.
The Lay of the Last Minstrel was a publishing phenomenon, bringing Walter Scott instant fame. The lines of the final canto, “Breathes there the man, with soul so dead, Who never to himself hath said, / This is my own, my native land!“, inspired Jane Austen. She has Fanny Price (of her novel Mansfield Park) quote them when she visits the chapel at Sotherton and is disappointed it does not live up to her romantic expectations.
Read it online: The lay of the last minstrel
8 NON- FICTION BOOKS OF 1805
Armchair travel to Northern Europe
A Northern Summer; or, Travels Round the Baltic, Through Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Prussia, and Part of Germany in the Year 1804 by John Carr (1772–1832)
The travel book tells the experiences and little adventures of a six-month voyage from Britain to Northern Europe. Learn about Danish gin, Prussian dinners, Swedish carriage rides, the wonders of the Russian Hermitage, and profit from Sir John Carr’s knowledge of Northern Europe’s currencies, taxes, customs, etc.
Read it online here: A Northern summer
Discover butterflies of Australia
Prodromus Entomology. Natural History of Lepidopterous Insects of New South Wales, collected, engraved, and faithfully painted after nature by John William Lewin (1770 – 1819)
Learn about butterflies and moths of Australia with this beautiful book comprising 18 colour plates. Scientific artist John William Lewin travelled to Australia in 1799 to create this work. His patrons included Lady Arden, a natural history collector, Dru Drury, a London merchant with an interest in entomology, and the Duke of Portland. Lewin was accompanied by his wife Anna Maria. She made drawings of plants and helped with the colouring of prints from the engravings. Alexander Macleay of the Linnean Society of London assisted in the identification and classification of the depicted species. Prodromus Entomology is one of the earliest books about Australian natural history.
Read the book online: Prodromus Entomology
Learn how to dance a Scottish Reel
Sketches Relative to the History and Theory, but More Especially to the Practice of Dancing in 1805 by Francis Peacock (1723 – 1807)
Francis Peacock, the “father of Scottish Country dancing”, writes this book as the final chapter of his long and prolific career as an Aberdonian dancing master. He intends it to be a hint to the young teachers of the art of dancing. The special focus is on observations of the Scotch Reel, and the book describes the fundamental steps of that dance: the kemshoolé (forward step), the single and double kemkóssy (setting or footing steps), the lematrast (cross springs), and the seby-trast (chasing step).
Read it online: Sketches … The practice of dancing in 1805
Understand THE literary scandal of the age
The Confessions of William Henry Ireland by William Henry Ireland (1775 – 1835)
In 1795, a boy aged 19, dreaming of becoming a writer, started the ultimate literary scandal of the age. He forged letters and plays by Shakespeare. He did it so well that many experts believed them to be authentic. William Henry Ireland’s game was busted a year and a half later. Social snubs, money troubles, and literary rejections awaited him. In 1805, William Henry Ireland publishes his “confessions”.
Read them online: The Confessions of William Henry Ireland
Daydream of Italy
Description of Latium or La Campagna di Roma by Ellis Cornelia Knight (1757 –1837)
Multitalented but impoverished gentlewoman Ellis Cornelia Knight was a traveller, landscape artist, and writer. She had lived in Italy for more than 20 years before returning to London with the Hamiltons and Lord Nelson. For her work Description of Latium or La Campagna di Roma, she created her own etchings. The book is dedicated to the Queen. E.C. Knight was appointed a Lady Companion to Princess Charlotte of Wales in 1805.
Read it online: Description of Latium or La Campagna di Roma
Discover the marvels of Chemistry
Conversations on Chemistry, Intended More Especially for the Female Sex by Anonymous (Jane Marcet, 1769 – 1858)
Jane Marcet is the skilled woman behind an amazingly successful science textbook that was published anonymously. The daughter of a wealthy Genevan merchant and banker, she studied Latin, chemistry, biology, and history in her youth. Her husband, Alexander Marcet, a physician, was strongly interested in chemistry. He and Jane conducted experiments together in a home laboratory and discussed the scientific principles involved. After reading the proofs of one of her husband’s books, Jane decided to write her own science book. She also did the illustrations herself. Conversations on Chemistry is her first work, and one of the first elementary science textbooks. It is believed her book was an early inspiration for young Michael Faraday.
Jane was only identified as the author of her numerous scientific books in 1832.
Read the book online: Conversations on Chemistry
Have a close-up look at the American Revolution
History of the Rise, Progress, and Termination of the American Revolution by Mercy Otis Warren (1728 – 1814)
This book in three volumes is one of the few great comprehensive histories of the Revolution and formative years of the Republic written by a contemporary. Its author is a woman heavily active in the independence movement: In her poems and plays, Mercy Otis Warren uses to attack royal authority in Massachusetts and urge colonists to resist British infringements on colonial rights and liberties. She corresponds with and advises many political leaders. It is thus of little surprise that President Thomas Jefferson orders subscriptions of History of the Rise, Progress, and Termination of the American Revolution—her final work—for himself and his cabinet. But the book is not uncontroversial: Warren’s sharp comments on John Adams (her literary mentor) lead to a heated correspondence with him and a breach in their friendship.
Read it online: History … of the American Revolution
Propose a toast to the hero
Memoirs of the Professional Life of the Right Honourable Horatio, Lord Viscount Nelson by Joshua White
The nation is in mourning when it learns about Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson death in battle on 21 October 1805. The naval hero is commemorated in countless memoirs and biographies. One of the first of these is written—or rather, compiled—by Joshua White. It contains all the official papers about Lord Nelson’s actions and his speeches in parliament. The book costs 6s 6d and sells so quickly that White publishes a second, improved edition in the same year. The second edition is supposed to be particularly acceptable to seamen as it contains all practical information about Nelson’s career and plans of the engagements in Aboukir, Copenhagen, and Trafalgar.
Read the 2. edition online: Memoirs of the Professional Life of the Right Honourable Horatio, Lord Viscount Nelson
Related articles
Article by Anna M. Thane, author of the novel
“Von tadellosem Ruf” (http://amzn.to/2TXvrez)
