Humorous Readings and Recitations by Leopold WAGNER (1858 - ?) Genre(s): Humorous Fiction, Short Stories Read by: DrPGould, BettyB, Julia Mikheeva, Lynda Marie Neilson, jimsvox4, annabellesmith, dvlnblkdrs, Tom Penn, Linda Olsen Fitak, Kathleen Moore in English Chapters: 00:00:00 - 00 - Preface 00:01:43 - 01 - Accompanied on the Flute 00:19:57 - 02 - The Troubles of a Triplet 00:24:57 - 03 - Slightly Deaf 00:45:04 - 04 - The Lady Freemason 01:04:15 - 05 - What Happened Last Night! 01:14:50 - 06 - The Fatal Legs 01:22:49 - 07 - The Caliph's Jester 01:29:12 - 08 - A Journey in Search of Nothing 01:52:08 - 09 - Gemini and Virgo 01:59:03 - 10 - King Bibbs 02:22:54 - 11 - Molly Muldoon 02:33:12 - 12 - The Harmonious Lobsters 02:50:07 - 13 - The Provincial Landlady 02:55:14 - 14 - My Matrimonial Predicament 03:06:47 - 15 - Etiquette 03:13:16 - 16 - Lost Shepherd 03:28:30 - 17 - Mathematic Madness 03:34:15 - 18 - Waiting at Tottlepot 03:49:02 - 19 - Married to a Giantess 04:03:38 - 20 - The Vision of the Alderman 04:07:19 - 21 - The Demon Snuffers 04:27:38 - 22 - The Walrus and the Carpenter 04:32:44 - 23 - My Brother Henry 04:41:56 - 24 - A Night with a Stork 04:50:42 - 25 - The Faithful Lovers 04:54:10 - 26 - The Wail of a Banner-Bearer 05:07:22 - 27 - The Dream of the Bilious Beadle 05:13:58 - 28 - My Friend Treacle 05:36:02 - 29 - The Voice of the Sluggard 05:40:06 - 30 - Artemus Ward's Visit to the Tower of London 05:51:45 - 31 - Mr. Caudle has lent an Acquaintance the Family Umbrella 06:01:11 - 32 - Domestic Asides 06:03:26 - 33 - The Charity Dinner 06:24:58 - 34 - Acting with a Vengeance 06:38:55 - 35 - My Fortnight at Wretchedville Before radio, television, and electronic mass media, lectures, recitations, public readings, and other public performances were important ways of sharing new works with the public or attracting public attention to issues and authors of the time. Public performance was, in a sense, the internet of its day, as people sought to learn of the world around them, as well as entertain themselves.This anthology of short humorous pieces was intended as a ready reference of material of all sorts to those who participated in public performance, whether professionally, or as part of a school or community program. The pieces themselves were intended to be read aloud, shared with, and appreciated by, an audience. This intent is not dissimilar to the mission of Librivox in the twenty-first century. They were written by popular authors of the period, some of whose names are still well known in the twenty first-century, such as J. M. Barrie (Peter Pan), Lewis Carroll (Alice in Wonderland), W.S. Gilbert (HMS Pinafore) and W.M. Thackeray (Vanity Fair), as well as others whose popularity has waned. (DrPGould) More information: https://librivox.org/humorous-readings-and-recitations-by-leopold-wagner/ LibriVox - free public domain audiobooks (https://librivox.org/)

The Cloister and the Hearth by Charles READE (1814 - 1884) Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Religious Fiction Read by: Tom Denholm in English Chapters: 00:00:00 - 103 - Chapter 97 00:04:17 - 104 - Chapter 98 00:06:37 - 105 - Chapter 99 00:22:36 - 106 - Chapter 100 'The Cloister and the Hearth', by Charles Reade, was published in 1861. It's a long and winding picaresque novel set in 15th century Europe, telling the story of the love between Gerard Eliason, an artist turned priest, and Margaret Brandt, the daughter of a poor scholar, and reflects the conflict between family and church which overshadowed the lives of so many in medieval times. Its uniqueness lies in the way Reade, having meticulously researched his subject and the period, gives us insights more detailed than any other writer of fiction into medieval lifestyles and morals, combined with vivid descriptions of his characters - many based on real historical figures - and locations. He deliberately strays towards a medieval writing style, with many an archaic word to tantalise the reader or listener (an education in itself).Until well into the twentieth century, ‘The Cloister and the Hearth' was considered one of the greatest novels in the English language. Its popularity may have faded, but those who have read it will tell you of the enduring power of Reade's tour de force. A revival is long overdue, and is deserved: it's an exceptional book. - Summary by Tom Denholm More information: https://librivox.org/the-cloister-and-the-hearth-by-charles-reade/ LibriVox - free public domain audiobooks (https://librivox.org/)