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| Archive Reference / Library Class No. | D8760/F/FEP/1/2/2 |
| Former Reference | D3311/19/89 |
| Title | Letter from William Porden to his daughter Eleanor Anne Porden, on the respective merits of Homer and his translators, and on the failings of the Institution |
| Date | 30 Jun 1808 |
| Description | Eleanor may be right to say Homer is superior to his translators, being the first poet in the world communicating his ideas in his own superior language: Pope's translation "embellished with beauties", which Porden found difficult in comparison with Cooper's plain story-telling, albeit frequently flat; when Eleanor translates the whole into literal English, he will versify it, which he will try when she has finished one book. The Institution is rapidly declining, and he wonders whether the new one of which she is a member will prove to be better; it would have been more useful as a school if its directors had contrived to fill it, as a lecturer need a full audience. Sorry to hear Miss Brown is still low in spirits, not helped by the hot weather. Love to all their friends, particularly the Flaxmans. |
| Extent | 1 sheet |
| Level | Item |
| Repository | Derbyshire Record Office |
| Sender | William Porden |
| Sender Location | Eaton Hall [Cheshire] |
| Recipient | Eleanor Anne Porden |
| Recipient Location | No address |
| Archive Creator | Eleanor Anne Porden, later Eleanor Franklin (1795-1825) |
| Gell family of Hopton Hall, Wirksworth |