“The A ikin School”: Adopting an Aesthetic

Abstract

In the summer of 1773 John and Anna Aikin, still at Warrington, appeared for the first time as coauthors, and although the title page of Miscellaneous Pieces in Prose shows “J. and A. L. Aikin” on the byline, the individual pieces are unsigned, and the authors made no effort in their lifetimes publicly to identify who wrote what. Needless to say, this led to more than one case of misattribution. An anecdote related by Samuel Rogers in his Table Talk (1856) tells of Charles James Fox (MP, 1768–1774) meeting John Aikin at a dinner party and offering praise for the collection:

“I am greatly pleased with your Miscellaneous Pieces, Mr. Aikin,” said Fox … Aikin bowed. “I particularly admire,” continued Fox, “your essay, Against Inconsistency in our Expectations.” “That,” replied Aikin, “is my sister’s.” “I like much,” returned Fox, “your essay, On Monastic Institutions.” “That,” answered Aikin, “is also my sister’s.” Fox thought it best to say no more about the book. (Qtd in Rodgers 61)

To my sister and yourself Mr. Barbauld and I have a request to make, in which, though perhaps it may be rather singular, we are very seriously in earnest; and therefore, whether you grant or deny, we hope you will neither laugh at us nor take it amiss. Without further preface, it is this. You enjoy a blessing Providence has hitherto denied to us,—that of children: you have already several, and seem very likely to have a numerous family. As to ourselves, having been thus long without prospect of any, it is, to say the least, very uncertain whether that hope, which most I believe form when they marry, will ever be fulfilled. Some, indeed, say to us, that considering how large a family we have of others’ children, ’tis rather fortunate we have none of our own. And true it is, that employed as we are in the business of education, we have many of the cares and some of the pleasures of a parent; but the latter very imperfectly. We have them not early enough to contract the fondness of affection which early care alone can give; we have them not long enough to see the fruit of our culture; and we have not enough the disposal of them to follow our own plans and schemes in their education. We wish for one who might wholly be ours: and we think that if a child was made ours by being given into our hands, we could love it, and make it love us so well, as to supply in a great measure the want of the real relationship … Our request then, in short, is this: that you will permit us to adopt one of your children; which of them, we leave to you … Now I know not what to say to induce you to make us such a gift. Perhaps you will entirely deny it; and then we must acquiesce: for I am sensible that it is not a small thing we ask; nor can it be easy for a parent to part with a child. This I would say, from a number, one may more easily be spared … Now, my dear brother and sister, if you consent, give us which of your boys you please … only let him be healthy, inoculated, and as young as you can possibly venture him to undertake the journey. This last circumstance is indispensable: for if he were not quite young, we should not gain over him the influence, we could not feel for him the affection, which would be necessary … We now leave the matter before you.

—Anna Barbauld to John and Martha Aikin (ca. 1776) Works 2.10–13