'This volume provides some essential introductory essays ... it strengthens interest both in individual acts of reception and consumption and in new methods of research aimed at putting cultural variation over two centuries into its proper contexts.' - - James Raven, Times Literary Supplement'These are most important arguments, many will dip into it, and many more would certainly benefit from doing so' - - Business History

• List of Tables List of plates Notes on contributors Preface Introduction Ann Bermingham Part I: The Formation of a Public for Art and Literature Part II: Engendering the Literary Canon Part III: Consumption and the Modern State Part IV: The Social Order: Culture High and Low Part V: What Women Want Tables

'This volume provides some essential introductory essays ... it strengthens interest both in individual acts of reception and consumption and in new methods of research aimed at putting cultural variation over two centuries into its proper contexts.' - - James Raven, Times Literary Supplement'These are most important arguments, many will dip into it, and many more would certainly benefit from doing so' - - Business History

• List of Tables List of plates Notes on contributors Preface Introduction Ann Bermingham Part I: The Formation of a Public for Art and Literature Part II: Engendering the Literary Canon Part III: Consumption and the Modern State Part IV: The Social Order: Culture High and Low Part V: What Women Want Tables

'This volume provides some essential introductory essays ... it strengthens interest both in individual acts of reception and consumption and in new methods of research aimed at putting cultural variation over two centuries into its proper contexts.' - - James Raven, Times Literary Supplement'These are most important arguments, many will dip into it, and many more would certainly benefit from doing so' - - Business History

• List of Tables List of plates Notes on contributors Preface Introduction Ann Bermingham Part I: The Formation of a Public for Art and Literature Part II: Engendering the Literary Canon Part III: Consumption and the Modern State Part IV: The Social Order: Culture High and Low Part V: What Women Want Tables