The Mark Rutherford Society
Aims
The aims of the Mark Rutherford Society are to:
- Unite all those who appreciate the work of Mark
Rutherford.
- Encourage publishers to make all the Mark Rutherford
novels and other writings available in print.
- Produce a scholarly journal devoted to the study of
the work of Mark Rutherford.
- Hold conferences as appropriate to present the results
of study and to bring together those who appreciate Mark
Rutherford.
- Publish the proceedings in the society's journal.
The Mark Rutherford Society (William Hale White) is no
longer a membership society producing a journal, but
existing members and others are welcome to submit articles
via Nick Wilde, who will remain secretary for the time
being. Any submitted articles will be considered for
publication on the website by Professor Bob Owens, Dr Mark
Crees and Nick Wilde, to whom they should be sent nickwilde@myphone.coop
William Hale White's Observations on Literary Societies
I duly attended the meeting of the Wordsworth Society,
and must confess I was more than ever convinced of the
folly of these assemblies. All the papers are read, and
what purpose can be served by sitting and listening to
people reading for hours documents which are going to be
printed, I cannot imagine.
Mr Browning was present, and there was a touch of irony
in his silence, whilst half-a-dozen persons, whose names
we hardly knew were discoursing on matters indifferent,
including what had been picked up from the old butcher boy
whom Wordsworth honoured with their orders for mutton or
beef. If butcher boys find their observations upon the
families whose areas they visit are saleable in literature
we shall have some remarkable discoveries. While the
butcher boy's revelations were being promulgated, Mr.
Browning, as I have said, was dumb.
If he would but have told us what were his
thoughts of Wordsworth, I should not have grudged the loss
of time. I very much doubt whether these new-fangled
personal societies are not the cause of much harm, and
whether they really promote genuine sympathy with and love
of their centre. That they provoke an immensity of vanity
is only too obvious.
From Our London Letter, May 13th 1882 |