H05010 RABELAIS CLUB QUESTION - 2/2/05 - HARDY FORUM ARCHIVES ____________________________________________________________________________

From: jacky@wilkibob.me.uk

Subject: Rabelais

Date: February 2, 2005 7:37:55 AM PST

Continuing my research on the carnivalesque in FFMC, I notice that Millgate

states that Hardy belonged to the Rabelais Club. I have found several

references to it but little detail. I wonder if anyone has, or can tell me

where to find, more detail on this club and its aims?

Thanks

Jacky Wilkinson

jacky@wilkibob.me.uk

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From: jacky@wilkibob.me.uk

Subject: Rabelais Club

Date: February 14, 2005 10:17:56 AM PST

Judging by the resounding silence on the forum info on the Rabelais Club appears to be lacking, so I thought I would share with you the info I have gathered so far - sparse though it is.

The info is taken from an article about Sir Walter Besant, a Rabelais Club member in Nineteenth Century Fiction, Vol 10, no. 4, 1956 (courtesy of JSTOR). The idea of the club was conceived by Charles Godfrey Leland, and contrary to what Hardy's biography states regarding 'virility in literature', Rabelais was chosen because he was "the very aristocracy of intellect". Many authors across Europe and the US were persuaded to join and to "do remarkable things of a nature not clearly defined" (!) [my exclamation mark] Members published "literary triflings" many being penned by Besant himself in privately printed as Recreations of the Rabelais Club. I notice that there appear to be three copies of this in Hardy's own library. Concerning 'virility in literature' Henry James, rather than being rejected for a lack of virility - er - literary virility, was a founder member. Having perused Rabelais's Gargantua and Pantagruel, one can only guess at what "the remarkable things of a nature not clearly defined"

Jacky Wilkinson

jacky@wilkibob.me.uk

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From: Rosemarie.morgan@yale.edu

Subject: Re: Rabelais Club

Date: February 14, 2005 12:02:41 PM PST

In the interests of accuracy, the reference to "virile" literature alludes not to Rabelais but came, in reference to Hardy himself, directly from Besant. In writing to accept (1879) membership of the Rabelais Club Hardy wrote to Besant:

"I am gratified by your asking me, & I am quite willing to join such good company. But I ought to tell you that I shall be a mere dummy, & that I could not pass a very satisfactory examination in the works of the author whose name you have chosen. I like the principles of the club immensely. Unfortunately the name of Rabelais has been so ill used as to make it misleading to many -- but you & the others know best.

Believe me

Very truly yours

Thomas Hardy"

(Letters. v1.63)

Millgate's note is as follows: "Walter Besant (1836-1901), novelist and man of letters ... had invited TH to join the Rabelais Club as 'the creator of the Native -- the author of the most original the most virile and most humorous of all modern novels'."

Cheers,

Rosemarie

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From: jacky@wilkibob.me.uk

Subject: RE: Rabelais Club

Date: February 14, 2005 12:23:22 PM PST

Yes, thank you, Rosemarie, I have produced a very confused quote there.

Jacky

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