Pasted in: newspaper clippings announcing the death of Thomas Eagles.

Tipped in: printed proposal for republication of The Crier.

Woodforde published parts of these letters in 1818.

Binding: green paper. Pasted on spine: Letters on Literature T. Eagles MSS.

In English.

Manuscript copies, by R.D. Woodforde, of a collection of several dozen letters written by Eagles, the anonymous author of The Crier, to Woodrforde, in response to Woodforde's initiation of their correspondence; the volume also contains several of Woodforde's letters to Eagles. The letters discuss literature and literary study; the importance of education and learning; and include many of Eagles' suggestions for Woodforde to enhance his study of the humanities. The first several letters also emphasize the importance of secrecy in their correspondence, so as to protect Eagles' anonymity. Later letters provide advice for Woodforde's law practice.

The volume is prefaced by a letter addressed to his son, Edward Montagu Woodforde, in which Woodforde explains how, dissatisfied with his own knowledge of classical learning and feeling limited in his study by his choice of the law as a profession, he wrote to the author of The Crier and established a correspondence that would continue for twenty years.

Education > Great Britain > 18th century.

English literature > 18th century.

Law > Great Britain > 18th century.

Great Britain > Intellectual life > 18th century.

Great Britain > Social life and customs > 18th century.