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In the course of collecting materials for my “Handbook of Fictitious
Names of Authors of the Nineteenth Century,” I came across the titles of
a number of works purporting to be written by “A Lady,” the authorship
of which appeared to be unknown.
It occurred to me that I might probably ascertain the names of many of
the authors, and also proper descriptions of such of the books as I had
not seen, and was unable to see, if I printed a list of them. As
however, the essential points to be attended to, in the proper
description of a book, are little understood, I thought it would be
desirable to prefix to the list a few suggestions on the way to supply
correct information. These gradually developed, so that I soon found the
subject required more space, more time, and more consideration than I at
first imagined.
In the hope that I might obtain assistance from others, and with a view
to getting hints and exciting discussion, I wrote an article for “Notes
and Queries,” which was printed in the numbers for January and April of
1872, entitled, “How to describe a Book.” I now go more fully into the
matters that I consider require attention in the proper description of a
book.
An explanation of the title of this essay will no doubt be looked for in
the preface. It is very simple. In my searches for the Authors’ names,
the ladies in this list have resisted all enquiry in the most
aggravating manner. Therefore I took the title of Aggravating Ladies as
being concise and appropriate.
The information asked for relates only to English Literature of the 19th
century, to which period I confine myself entirely. The anonymous and
pseudonymous writers during this century being more than sufficient to
occupy a whole life of laborious application.
I have not included in the list any phrases such as:—A Lady of Rank—A
Lady of Distinction—A Lady of Hebrew faith—A Banished Lady—A Young
Lady—A too generous Young Lady—nor, A Lady of distinction, who has
witnessed and attentively studied what is esteemed truly graceful and
elegant amongst the most refined nations of Europe (!) The pseudonym of
the author of The Mirror of the Graces, or an English lady’s costume
[treating of] ... taste ... grace; modesty ... dress ...; rank ... in
life; ... of accomplishments; ... the mind ... means of preserving
beauty ...; by a lady, &c. London, Crosby & Co., 1811.
On the other hand I have inserted some titles which have been entered in
different catalogues as by “a lady,” when those words do not occur on
the title. Such works probably being really written by a lady, the
publisher naturally desired they should go forth with that impress of
good faith and with all the prestige attaching to that talismanic little
word.
As I have already explained, my list comprises only works published in
the present century, whose authors are unknown to me. I have a longer
list of works by “a lady,” whose names are known, and who have therefore
ceased to be aggravating. I do not give the title when I know the name
of the author because I am now seeking not supplying information.
Another list as long as that I give at the end I have not printed, not
having been able to see the books themselves so as to describe them from
actual inspection.
I shall be grateful for information as to any of the works, or the lives
of these Aggravating Ladies.
38, Doughty Street, W.C.
July, 1880.
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