Author: John Eglin
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0192888196
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 283
Book Description
Gambling captures as nothing else the drama of the "long eighteenth century" between the age of religious wars and the age of revolutions. The society that was confronted with games of chance pursued as commercial ventures also came to grips with unprecedented social mobility, floated by new wealth from new sources created fortunes from trade in sugar, cotton, ivory, silk, tea, or enslaved human beings. Likewise, play for money was prominent in the public imagination as money itself, deployed through an ever expanding and ever more sophisticated range of mechanisms, increasingly invaded public awareness, as when prospective spouses in period fiction were rated in terms of annual income as if they were municipal bonds. Similarly, the archetypal figure of the gambler captured the imagination of the public in fiction, media, and politics. At the same time, new interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics - encouraged and bankrolled by those in power - fostered a new and unprecedented appreciation for mathematical probability and its applications, opening the possibility that games of chance might be pursued as a profitable commercial venture. The Gambling Century focuses like no previous work on those who enabled, facilitated, and profited from gambling, as well as on efforts to regulate or outlaw it. Using extensive archival material as well as printed sources, it follows its subjects from the Court to the coffeehouse, to private clubs and "at homes" in townhouses, all of which prefigure that quintessentially modern gambling space, the casino.
The Gambling Century
Author: John Eglin
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0192888196
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 283
Book Description
Gambling captures as nothing else the drama of the "long eighteenth century" between the age of religious wars and the age of revolutions. The society that was confronted with games of chance pursued as commercial ventures also came to grips with unprecedented social mobility, floated by new wealth from new sources created fortunes from trade in sugar, cotton, ivory, silk, tea, or enslaved human beings. Likewise, play for money was prominent in the public imagination as money itself, deployed through an ever expanding and ever more sophisticated range of mechanisms, increasingly invaded public awareness, as when prospective spouses in period fiction were rated in terms of annual income as if they were municipal bonds. Similarly, the archetypal figure of the gambler captured the imagination of the public in fiction, media, and politics. At the same time, new interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics - encouraged and bankrolled by those in power - fostered a new and unprecedented appreciation for mathematical probability and its applications, opening the possibility that games of chance might be pursued as a profitable commercial venture. The Gambling Century focuses like no previous work on those who enabled, facilitated, and profited from gambling, as well as on efforts to regulate or outlaw it. Using extensive archival material as well as printed sources, it follows its subjects from the Court to the coffeehouse, to private clubs and "at homes" in townhouses, all of which prefigure that quintessentially modern gambling space, the casino.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0192888196
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 283
Book Description
Gambling captures as nothing else the drama of the "long eighteenth century" between the age of religious wars and the age of revolutions. The society that was confronted with games of chance pursued as commercial ventures also came to grips with unprecedented social mobility, floated by new wealth from new sources created fortunes from trade in sugar, cotton, ivory, silk, tea, or enslaved human beings. Likewise, play for money was prominent in the public imagination as money itself, deployed through an ever expanding and ever more sophisticated range of mechanisms, increasingly invaded public awareness, as when prospective spouses in period fiction were rated in terms of annual income as if they were municipal bonds. Similarly, the archetypal figure of the gambler captured the imagination of the public in fiction, media, and politics. At the same time, new interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics - encouraged and bankrolled by those in power - fostered a new and unprecedented appreciation for mathematical probability and its applications, opening the possibility that games of chance might be pursued as a profitable commercial venture. The Gambling Century focuses like no previous work on those who enabled, facilitated, and profited from gambling, as well as on efforts to regulate or outlaw it. Using extensive archival material as well as printed sources, it follows its subjects from the Court to the coffeehouse, to private clubs and "at homes" in townhouses, all of which prefigure that quintessentially modern gambling space, the casino.
Everything Worthy of Observation
Author: Paul G. Schneider Jr.
Publisher: SUNY Press
ISBN: 1438475152
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 202
Book Description
Offers a firsthand account into early-nineteenth-century New York State and Lower Canada during a time of enormous growth and change. In the pre-dawn of August 2, 1826, Alexander Stewart Scott stepped aboard the steamboat Chambly in Quebec City, Canada. He was beginning a journey that not only took him across New York State but also ultimately changed his view of America and her people. A keen observer, the twenty-one-year-old meticulously recorded his travel experiences, observations about the people he encountered, impressions of things he saw, and reactions to events he witnessed. This firsthand account immerses the reader in the world of early-nineteenth-century life in both New York and Lower Canada. Whether enduring the choking dust raised by a stagecoach, the frustration and delays caused by bad roads, or the wonders and occasional dangers of packet boat travel on the newly completed Erie Canal, all are vividly brought to life by Scott’s pen. This journal also offers a unique blend of travel and domestic insights. With close family members living in both St. John’s, Quebec, Canada, and Palmyra, New York, his travels were supplemented by long stays in these communities, offering readers comparative glimpses into the daily lives and activities in both countries. Gregarious, funny, and inquisitive, Scott missed nothing of what he thought worthy of observation. “Everything Worthy of Observation charts the lively trip of Alexander Stewart Scott across New York State in 1826. From drinking the waters at Saratoga Springs to getting completely drenched by the spray at Niagara Falls. Scott’s fascinating diary is contextualized and expertly explained by Paul G. Schneider Jr. making the reader want to visit these places in order to compare Scott’s observations.” — Jennifer A. Lemak, coauthor of An Irrepressible Conflict: The Empire State in the Civil War “Everything Worthy of Observation is a delight to read. Not only does one see State landmarks such as Niagara Falls through fresh eyes (a neatly foiled snake attack at the Falls is recounted) but one almost feels the dust of stage coach travel. The hazards of canal travel are made clear—the large number of low bridges on the Erie Canal required that canal boat passengers ‘lie down flat on the Deck … or get down below’ to avoid receiving severe blows and getting knocked down. No doubt the pleasure of reading this book is greatly enhanced by the scholarship of Paul G. Schneider Jr. His extensive research is evident in the wonderful notes he provides that furnish context for the reader. I highly recommend this book.” — Margaret Lynch-Brennan, author of The Irish Bridget: Irish Immigrant Women in Domestic Service in America, 1840–1930 “Carefully transcribed and meticulously edited, the travel journal of Canadian Alexander Stewart Scott provides a close-up view of life in upstate New York in 1826. A cultivated devotee of the theater and of books and reading, Scott records many details during his canal and lake voyage. He describes meeting many interesting people during his travel, which included transportation not only on canal boats but also by stagecoach and steamboat. Scott has left us with a fascinating depiction of New York State during a significant period in its history.” — Paul R. Huey, Retired Senior Scientist (Archaeology), New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation
Publisher: SUNY Press
ISBN: 1438475152
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 202
Book Description
Offers a firsthand account into early-nineteenth-century New York State and Lower Canada during a time of enormous growth and change. In the pre-dawn of August 2, 1826, Alexander Stewart Scott stepped aboard the steamboat Chambly in Quebec City, Canada. He was beginning a journey that not only took him across New York State but also ultimately changed his view of America and her people. A keen observer, the twenty-one-year-old meticulously recorded his travel experiences, observations about the people he encountered, impressions of things he saw, and reactions to events he witnessed. This firsthand account immerses the reader in the world of early-nineteenth-century life in both New York and Lower Canada. Whether enduring the choking dust raised by a stagecoach, the frustration and delays caused by bad roads, or the wonders and occasional dangers of packet boat travel on the newly completed Erie Canal, all are vividly brought to life by Scott’s pen. This journal also offers a unique blend of travel and domestic insights. With close family members living in both St. John’s, Quebec, Canada, and Palmyra, New York, his travels were supplemented by long stays in these communities, offering readers comparative glimpses into the daily lives and activities in both countries. Gregarious, funny, and inquisitive, Scott missed nothing of what he thought worthy of observation. “Everything Worthy of Observation charts the lively trip of Alexander Stewart Scott across New York State in 1826. From drinking the waters at Saratoga Springs to getting completely drenched by the spray at Niagara Falls. Scott’s fascinating diary is contextualized and expertly explained by Paul G. Schneider Jr. making the reader want to visit these places in order to compare Scott’s observations.” — Jennifer A. Lemak, coauthor of An Irrepressible Conflict: The Empire State in the Civil War “Everything Worthy of Observation is a delight to read. Not only does one see State landmarks such as Niagara Falls through fresh eyes (a neatly foiled snake attack at the Falls is recounted) but one almost feels the dust of stage coach travel. The hazards of canal travel are made clear—the large number of low bridges on the Erie Canal required that canal boat passengers ‘lie down flat on the Deck … or get down below’ to avoid receiving severe blows and getting knocked down. No doubt the pleasure of reading this book is greatly enhanced by the scholarship of Paul G. Schneider Jr. His extensive research is evident in the wonderful notes he provides that furnish context for the reader. I highly recommend this book.” — Margaret Lynch-Brennan, author of The Irish Bridget: Irish Immigrant Women in Domestic Service in America, 1840–1930 “Carefully transcribed and meticulously edited, the travel journal of Canadian Alexander Stewart Scott provides a close-up view of life in upstate New York in 1826. A cultivated devotee of the theater and of books and reading, Scott records many details during his canal and lake voyage. He describes meeting many interesting people during his travel, which included transportation not only on canal boats but also by stagecoach and steamboat. Scott has left us with a fascinating depiction of New York State during a significant period in its history.” — Paul R. Huey, Retired Senior Scientist (Archaeology), New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation
The St. James's Magazine
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : English literature
Languages : en
Pages : 574
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : English literature
Languages : en
Pages : 574
Book Description
The Speaker
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 772
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 772
Book Description
A History of Solitude
Author: David Vincent
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1509536604
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 269
Book Description
Solitude has always had an ambivalent status: the capacity to enjoy being alone can make sociability bearable, but those predisposed to solitude are often viewed with suspicion or pity. Drawing on a wide array of literary and historical sources, David Vincent explores how people have conducted themselves in the absence of company over the last three centuries. He argues that the ambivalent nature of solitude became a prominent concern in the modern era. For intellectuals in the romantic age, solitude gave respite to citizens living in ever more complex modern societies. But while the search for solitude was seen as a symptom of modern life, it was also viewed as a dangerous pathology: a perceived renunciation of the world, which could lead to psychological disorder and anti-social behaviour. Vincent explores the successive attempts of religious authorities and political institutions to manage solitude, taking readers from the monastery to the prisoner’s cell, and explains how western society’s increasing secularism, urbanization and prosperity led to the development of new solitary pastimes at the same time as it made traditional forms of solitary communion, with God and with a pristine nature, impossible. At the dawn of the digital age, solitude has taken on new meanings, as physical isolation and intense sociability have become possible as never before. With the advent of a so-called loneliness epidemic, a proper historical understanding of the natural human desire to disengage from the world is more important than ever. The first full-length account of its subject, A History of Solitude will appeal to a wide general readership.
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1509536604
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 269
Book Description
Solitude has always had an ambivalent status: the capacity to enjoy being alone can make sociability bearable, but those predisposed to solitude are often viewed with suspicion or pity. Drawing on a wide array of literary and historical sources, David Vincent explores how people have conducted themselves in the absence of company over the last three centuries. He argues that the ambivalent nature of solitude became a prominent concern in the modern era. For intellectuals in the romantic age, solitude gave respite to citizens living in ever more complex modern societies. But while the search for solitude was seen as a symptom of modern life, it was also viewed as a dangerous pathology: a perceived renunciation of the world, which could lead to psychological disorder and anti-social behaviour. Vincent explores the successive attempts of religious authorities and political institutions to manage solitude, taking readers from the monastery to the prisoner’s cell, and explains how western society’s increasing secularism, urbanization and prosperity led to the development of new solitary pastimes at the same time as it made traditional forms of solitary communion, with God and with a pristine nature, impossible. At the dawn of the digital age, solitude has taken on new meanings, as physical isolation and intense sociability have become possible as never before. With the advent of a so-called loneliness epidemic, a proper historical understanding of the natural human desire to disengage from the world is more important than ever. The first full-length account of its subject, A History of Solitude will appeal to a wide general readership.
Parliamentary Debates
Author: Victoria. Parliament
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 1730
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 1730
Book Description
Revisiting The Polite and Commercial People
Author: Elaine Chalus
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0192523635
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 289
Book Description
For some time before his death in July 2015, former colleagues and students of Paul Langford had discussed the possibility of organising a festschrift to celebrate his remarkable contribution to eighteenth-century history. It was planned for 2019 to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the appearance of his seminal A Polite and Commercial People, the opening volume in the New Oxford History of England series, Paul's best-known and most influential publication. He was delighted to hear of these plans and the tragic news of his death only made the contributors more determined to see the project through to completion. The importance of A Polite and Commercial People within its own time is unquestionable. Not only did it provide a powerful new vision of eighteenth-century Britain, but it also played a vital part in reviving interest in, and expanding ways of thinking about, Georgian history. As the thirteen contributors to this volume amply testify, any review of the field from the 1980s onwards cannot ignore the profound effect Paul's research had on the social and political publications in his field. This collection of essays combines reflection on the impact of Paul's work with further engagement with the central questions he posed. In particular, it serves to re-connect various recent avenues of Georgian studies, bringing together diverse themes present in Paul's scholarship, but which are often studied independently of each other. As such, it aims to provide a fitting tribute to Paul's work and impact, and a wider reassessment of the current direction of eighteenth-century studies.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0192523635
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 289
Book Description
For some time before his death in July 2015, former colleagues and students of Paul Langford had discussed the possibility of organising a festschrift to celebrate his remarkable contribution to eighteenth-century history. It was planned for 2019 to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the appearance of his seminal A Polite and Commercial People, the opening volume in the New Oxford History of England series, Paul's best-known and most influential publication. He was delighted to hear of these plans and the tragic news of his death only made the contributors more determined to see the project through to completion. The importance of A Polite and Commercial People within its own time is unquestionable. Not only did it provide a powerful new vision of eighteenth-century Britain, but it also played a vital part in reviving interest in, and expanding ways of thinking about, Georgian history. As the thirteen contributors to this volume amply testify, any review of the field from the 1980s onwards cannot ignore the profound effect Paul's research had on the social and political publications in his field. This collection of essays combines reflection on the impact of Paul's work with further engagement with the central questions he posed. In particular, it serves to re-connect various recent avenues of Georgian studies, bringing together diverse themes present in Paul's scholarship, but which are often studied independently of each other. As such, it aims to provide a fitting tribute to Paul's work and impact, and a wider reassessment of the current direction of eighteenth-century studies.
Publishers' circular and booksellers' record
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 776
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 776
Book Description
The Library of Wit and Humor: Dickens to Kipling
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : American wit and humor
Languages : en
Pages : 316
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : American wit and humor
Languages : en
Pages : 316
Book Description
Roundabout papers, and The second funeral of Napoleon
Author: William Makepeace Thackeray
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 464
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 464
Book Description