• Home
  • Audio/Podcasts
  • Austensites
  • AV/E-Texts
  • History
  • Links
  • Novels
  • Original Sources/19th C. Texts
  • Social Customs During the Regency
  • Teacher/Student
  • Writer/Literature Resources

Jane Austen's World

This Jane Austen blog brings Jane Austen, her novels, and the Regency Period alive through food, dress, social customs, and other 19th C. historical details related to this topic.

Feeds:
Posts
Comments
« PBS Masterpiece Mystery: A Review of Counter Culture Blues, an Inspector Lewis Mystery
A Tour Through Bath With Jane Austen »

The Circulating Library in Regency Resorts

August 30, 2010 by Vic

Circulating libraries in the 18th and 19th century were associated with leisure, and were found  in cities and towns with a population of 2,000 and upward. They were as much of an attraction in wealthy resorts, where people came to relax and look after their health, as in cities and small towns, like Basingstoke, where Jane Austen subscribed to Mrs. Martin’s circulating library.

In 1801, it was said that there were 1,000 circulating libraries in Britain. Book shops abounded as well, but in 1815 a 3-volume novel cost the equivalent of $100 today. Such a price placed a novel beyond the reach of most people. Worried about a second edition for Mansfield Park, Jane Austen wrote in 1814:

“People are more ready to borrow and praise, than to buy –which I cannot wonder at.”

Circulating libraries made books accessible to many more people at an affordable price.  For two guineas a year, a patron could check out two volumes. Which meant that for the price of one book, a patron could read up to 26 volumes per year.

By 1800, most copies of a novel’s edition were sold to the libraries, which were flourishing businesses to be found in every major English city and town, and which promoted the sale of books during a period when their price rose relative to the cost of living. The libraries created a market for the publishers’ product and encouraged readers to read more by charging them an annual subscription fee that would entitle them to check out a specified number of volumes at one time. – Lee Ericson, The Economy of Novel Reading

The leisurely classes had plenty of time for reading, late 18th c.

The practice of borrowing books was not a new concept in the Regency era. Records from the 17th century show that people were borrowing books from booksellers. As early as 1735, Samuel Fancourt advertised a circulating library in Salisbury for his religious books and pamphlets.

Circulating libraries attracted many patrons, even those who did not necessarily come to borrow or book or read, for they were also places for fashionable people to “hang out” and meet others.

In the resorts the circulating libraries became fashionable daytime lounges where ladies could see others and be seen, where raffles were held and games were played, and where expensive merchandise could be purchased.  – Lee Ericson, The Economy of Novel Reading

Jane Austen well knew the attractions of libraries at sea side resorts. Mrs. Whitby’s Circulating Library operated in Sanditon, and Lydia visited one in Brighton.  In her letters to Cassandra, Jane frequently mentioned circulating libraries, in particular visiting one in Southampton.

Circulating Library and Reading Room, Milsom Street, Bath. Image, Tony Grant

Circulating libraries tended to be located in a convenient location in the center of a resort. Newcomers would find out about them from guide books, such as the one in Brighton. The Royal Colonade Library advertised itself as thus:

MESSRS. WRIGHT AND SON’S ROYAL COLONADE LIBRARY, MUSIC SALOON, AND READING ROOMS.

This establishment is situated in North-street, at the corner of the New Road, and contains between seven and eight thousand volumes of History, Biography, Novels, French and Italian, and all the best Modern Publications. The Reading Room is frequented both by Ladies and Gentlemen, and is daily supplied with a profusion of London morning and evening papers, besides the French and weekly English journals, magazines, reviews, and general popular periodicals. – Brighton As It Is, 1836

In 1836, Cassandra Austen would have been familiar with the costs associated with the Royal Colonade Library’s terms of subscriptions:

Terms of subscription

By the end of the 18th century, Scarborough, a resortt located in the county of North Yorkshire, boasted several circulating libraries. The town’s population had risen to 7,067 by 1811, and one can imagine that, with the many leisurely hours available to tourists and visitors, these libraries managed a booming business.


A circulating library in Scarborough around 1818, from Poetical Sketches of Scarborough

The Poetical Sketches of Scarborough, first published in 1813, features twenty-one illustrations of humorous subjects about the many features available in the resort, including a satiric poem about the Circulating Library:

As in life’s tide by careful fate
The mind is made to circulate
Just so each watering place supplies
It’s CIRCULATING LIBRARIES:

Where charming volumes may be had
Of good indifferent and bad
And some small towns on Britain’s shore
Can boast of book shops half a score
Scarbro and with much truth may boast
Her’s good as any on our coast
AINSWORTH’S or SCAUM’S no matter which
Or WHITING’S all in learning rich
Afford a more than common measure
Of pleasant intellectual treasure

One wonders if the following publication could be checked out a Scarborough circulating library at the turn of the 19th century, for the book was written by a local schoolmaster:

A Short Grammar of The English Language. In Two Parts By John Hornsey. Schoolmaster, Scarborough.

THE publick are much indebted to Mr Hornsey for this able and excellent compendium of English grammar. We acknowledge that we perused it with singular satisfaction; and are well persuaded that a more useful introduction to the English language cannot be placed in the hands of our youth. That this work should reach a second edition, did not excite our wonder; may it pass through many succeeding ones!- The Nichols, John.Gentleman’s Magazine, Vol 86, 1799, p 1144.

  • The History of Scarborough
  • The Economy of Novel Reading:Jane Austen and the Circulating Library, Lee Erickson

Share with others:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Posted in jane austen, Jane Austen's life, Jane Austen's World, Regency Customs, Regency Life, Regency style, Regency World | Tagged 18th century Library, Booksellers, Brighton, Circulating Libaries, Circulating libraries, Regency library, Regency seaside resorts, Scarborough | 12 Comments

12 Responses

  1. on August 30, 2010 at 12:17 Meredith R.

    Thanks for this information. I wondered how circulating libraries compared to our library system today. Except for the cost, it seems remarkably similar.


  2. on August 30, 2010 at 23:01 Karen Field

    Thank you for that information. I have read in a couple of places that one could also purchase cards, gloves, and other sundry items at circulating libraries. Is that true or were they misinformed?


  3. on August 30, 2010 at 23:09 Tweets that mention The Circulating Library in Regency Resorts « Jane Austen's World -- Topsy.com

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by victoriajanssen, Vic and Liz Caldwell, KV. KV said: RT @ecdesignz: RT @janeaustenworld: The Circulating Library in Regency Resorts, Jane Austen's World, http://bit.ly/czXbpn […]


  4. on September 1, 2010 at 04:38 Cora Harrison

    What a wonderful blog – I am so filled with admiration for what you do, Vic. I hope you getg a Ph.D. out of it!

    I thought I had noticed everything to be noticed in Bath but totally overlooked that ‘Circulating Library’ notice in stone high above the head.

    I suppose every author will feel sympathy for Jane when she observes that she wishes people would buy her book rather than borrow it from the library – I always wince slightly when I get an ecstatic letter of praise ending with ‘I will look in the library to see whether they have book 2’.

    Also from an author’s perspective, it’s interesting to see that she made a profit of almost five thousand pounds on 750 copies of ‘Sense and Sensibility’: nowadays she would probably have to have sold about ten times that for a similar profit – (and no publisher would touch her again!)


    • on September 1, 2010 at 08:58 Vic

      Cora, I think I might wince if I were an author too. Besides libraries, I might also be frustrated with the second hand book market or online places like Scribd.


  5. on September 2, 2010 at 00:18 Mary Simonsen

    As usual, a very interesting post.


  6. on January 28, 2011 at 12:11 yvonne@thequietzone.com

    I would be interested to know if the circulating libraries in Jane Austen’s time worked as ours do now – where one can look along the shelves and choose books which seem interesting. From the pictures it looks as though one would have to ask for a book by name. Does anyone know?


  7. on May 4, 2011 at 00:27 Sanditon and the Development of New Settlements « Jane Austen's World

    […] The Circulating Library in Regency Resorts […]


  8. on May 12, 2011 at 12:04 The Library of an 18th Century Gentleman « Jane Austen's World

    […] The Circulating Library in Regency Resorts […]


  9. on October 24, 2011 at 01:17 Regency Circulating Libraries — Why, How and Who? | The Regency Redingote

    […] would did not live year round in the town. For more detail and some period images, click over to The Circulating Library in Regency Resorts at Jane Austen’s […]


  10. on November 9, 2012 at 07:11 Regency Libraries: Which Came First–The Books or the Libraries?

    […] The Circulating Library in Regency Resorts […]


  11. on November 9, 2012 at 07:44 Regency Libraries: Which Came First–The Books or the Libraries? « Sharon Wray

    […] The Circulating Library in Regency Resorts […]



Comments are closed.

  • Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

    Join 6,696 other followers

  • Follow Jane Austen's World on WordPress.com
  • Blog Stats

    • 14,702,918 hits
  • Editing Constancy: A Jane Austen Story

    Book cover of Editing Constancy

    Click on this link to read an excerpt of Gerard Charles Wilson’s most recent book. You can download the Kindle version of the book from Amazon.com

  • The Obituary of Charlotte Collins by Andrew Capes

    Click on image to read the story.

  • Comments

    “My idea of good company…is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation.” – Jane Austen, Persuasion

     

    Gentle readers: Please feel free to post your comments and continue the conversation!

    Regretfully, due to SPAMMERS, we will no longer accept comments on posts that were published over 30 days ago. In some instances, links will be removed from comments as well.

  • Administrators and Contributors

    Vic Sanborn, founder of this blog, is supported by a team of talented and knowledgeable writers about Jane Austen and the Regency era. They are:

    • Tony Grant,
    • Brenda Cox, and
    • Rachel Dodge.

    Click on their names to enter their own blogs.

    In addition, we thank the many experts and authors who frequently contribute their posts and opinions, and who continue to do so freely or at our request.

  • The Anne of Green Gables Devotional by Rachel Dodge, one of this blog’s writers!

    Find a book  description and order information on Rachel Dodge’s website. Click on this link.

    Find a review of the book by Brenda Cox, another JAW author, on her website. Click on this link.

  • Podcast Reviews: First Impressions-Why All the Austen Haters Are Wrong

    Image of Victorian woman listening to a podcast with earphonesIn this podcast series First Impressions (59 episodes so far), hosts Kristin and Maggie hilariously discuss the brilliance of Jane Austen and how her novels give us unparalleled insight into our own lives and characters. There’s no shame in loving (and obsessively re-reading) Austen’s novels, which are just as fresh and relevant as they were 200 years ago. Kristin and Maggie are here to give a big [lady] finger to any haters who say otherwise!

    Click here to enter the site.

  • Pin It!

    Follow Me on Pinterest
  • Top Posts

    • The Vyne, The Chute Family & The Austens, by Tony Grant
      The Vyne, The Chute Family & The Austens, by Tony Grant
    • Social Customs During the Regency
      Social Customs During the Regency
    • Highclere Castle Floor Plan: The Real Downton Abbey
      Highclere Castle Floor Plan: The Real Downton Abbey
    • Regency Fashion: Men's Breeches, Pantaloons, and Trousers
      Regency Fashion: Men's Breeches, Pantaloons, and Trousers
    • Ladies Underdrawers in Regency Times: Regency Underwear
      Ladies Underdrawers in Regency Times: Regency Underwear
    • You can watch Persuasion 2007 online
      You can watch Persuasion 2007 online
    • Regency Hygiene: The Bourdaloue
      Regency Hygiene: The Bourdaloue
    • Regency Fashion: Keeping Hems Clean
      Regency Fashion: Keeping Hems Clean
    • Awkward! The Regency Court Gown: Regency Fashion
      Awkward! The Regency Court Gown: Regency Fashion
    • The heaving Regency bosom, or was it? Some facts laid bare.
      The heaving Regency bosom, or was it? Some facts laid bare.
  • Recent Posts

    • The Vyne, The Chute Family & The Austens, by Tony Grant
    • New Beginnings at Chawton Cottage
    • A Day in Catherine Morland’s Bath
    • The Contents of a Lady’s Reticule: Part 2
    • The Contents of a Lady’s Reticule: Part 1
  • Bookmark

    Add to DeliciousAdd to DiggAdd to FaceBookAdd to Google BookmarkAdd to MySpaceAdd to NewsvineAdd to RedditAdd to StumbleUponAdd to TechnoratiAdd to Twitter
  • Links to Jane Austen Blogs

    Click here to enter the page. Topics include Regency fashion, historic foods, Jane Austen societies, British sites, related topics. Click on image.

  • Find Jane Austen on Google

  • This blog has no commercial purpose

    Any ads you see are placed here by Wordpress. I make no profit off my blog. I do receive books and DVDs for review.
  • Hello, my name is Vic and I live in Maryland, USA. I have adored Jane Austen almost all of my life. I am a proud lifetime member of the Jane Austen Society of North America. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I do not accept any form of cash advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions. However, I do accept and keep books, DVDs and CDs to review.

    If you would like to share a new site, or point out an error, please email me. (Yes, I am fallible. I'll own up to my mistakes and will make the corrections with a polite smile on my face.) Write me at

    gmailbw

    Thank you for visiting my blog. Your comments and suggestions are most welcome.

  • Copyright Statement

    © Vic Sanborn and Jane Austen's World, 2010. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Vic Sanborn and Jane Austen's World with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
  • Top Posts & Pages

    • The Vyne, The Chute Family & The Austens, by Tony Grant
    • Social Customs During the Regency
    • Highclere Castle Floor Plan: The Real Downton Abbey
    • Regency Fashion: Men's Breeches, Pantaloons, and Trousers
    • Ladies Underdrawers in Regency Times: Regency Underwear
    • You can watch Persuasion 2007 online
    • Regency Hygiene: The Bourdaloue
    • Regency Fashion: Keeping Hems Clean
    • Awkward! The Regency Court Gown: Regency Fashion
    • The heaving Regency bosom, or was it? Some facts laid bare.
  • Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape

Blog at WordPress.com.

WPThemes.


Cancel
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
%d bloggers like this: