My Commonplace Book

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

60637

Title

My Commonplace Book

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

J. T. Hackett's *My Commonplace Book* is a curated collection of quotations from the late Victorian era, spanning literature, philosophy, and science. Dedicated to his friend Richard Hodgson, the volume serves as both a literary archive and a personal reminder of the intellectual ferment of the 1870s and 80s. Hackett intentionally includes forgotten authors and controversial passages to preserve the atmosphere of a time defined by Darwinism, spiritualism, and fierce debates over religion and materialism. The book functions as a...

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1919, J. T. Hackett's *My Commonplace Book* serves as a unique anthology of quotations gathered primarily between 1874 and 1886. Deeply personal and dedicated to his childhood friend and philosopher Richard Hodgson, the work functions less as a systematic collection and more as a repository of reminders. Hackett deliberately omits famous canonical works like Shakespeare to preserve forgotten voices and lesser-known gems that had fallen out of favor. The text captures the turbulent intellectual climate of the late nineteenth century, a period where Darwinism challenged religious dogma, materialism rose to prominence, and new spiritual movements like Theosophy emerged. Hackett uses the book to recall the "aroma" of this era, featuring excerpts from poets like Shelley, Browning, and Swinburne, alongside philosophers and scientists. A significant portion of the content is dedicated to a critique of the classical scholar R. W. Livingstone, whom Hackett argues mistakenly dismisses the imaginative quality of English poetry in favor of a dry, "direct" Greek style. Hackett defends the necessity of imagination, asserting that it encompasses higher moral and spiritual faculties essential to human existence. The book includes extensive notes where Hackett shares his personal recollections, corrections of literary errors, and reflections on the nature of poetry and truth. He acknowledges the help of numerous friends and librarians in tracing the sources of many "orphan" quotations. The volume concludes with an index of subjects and authors, reflecting its nature as a reference tool for casual reading. Ultimately, the book stands as a testament to the richness of Victorian thought and a defense of the poetic imagination against the rising tide of positivism.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Quotations
• Commonplace books