Founded in early 1990, C18-L is an international, interdisciplinary forum for discussing all aspects of 18th-century studies -- that is, the "long 18th century," which extends roughly from 1660 to 1830.

C18-L subscribers can expect to receive frequent bulletins of professional interest (notices of conferences, grants, fellowships, calls for papers, etc.), and are welcome to post or forward such bulletins. Subscribers who send queries (asking for help with identification of quotations, recommendations for reading, research support, &c.) report they have received answers within 24 hours, and sometimes even within minutes. We also enjoy debates on a wide variety of topics, so that the tone of the discussion is something like a particularly stimulating coffeeroom discussion or seminar. We are usually able to avoid the rancor that afflicts other internet discussion groups.

This is how it works, briefly -- when you subscribe, your name is enrolled by our mailing program (known to its friends and admirers as "LISTSERV"), and whenever any subscriber sends C18-L a message, you get a copy. Signing on and off is easy.

1) Although most of the messages on C18-L are in English, we welcome messages in any other language.

2) Queries concerning nearly anything related to our field are welcome. Those who have issued a query and have received helpful information should acknowledge those who've helped at some point. It's nice and it makes everybody feel good.

3) The C18-L community is unlikely to welcome queries that appear to be requests for doing somebody's research for term-papers, &c. ("I have an essay on Swift due next week, can anybody help?" -- this is a real message once received), though we really do not mind at all talking about research tips and sharing research resources.

4) Because of the demographics of academic careers, many of our active participants are involved in English literature -- but C18-L is not exclusively an English literature discussion group. Those who wish to discuss English literature will kindly remember that the phrase "an 18th-century survey course" will have a different meaning to many other subscribers, and thus they will adjust their subject lines and phrasing to accommodate the interdisciplinarity of the audience.

5) Those who wish to see topics other than English literature discussed should consider initiating such a discussion.

6) Although the majority of C18-L subscribers are residents of the United States, this is an international forum, and participants in the discussion should be aware of the problems implicit in assuming a shared national experience.

7) Be nice. Be aware that irony may be invisible online, that sarcasm may appear much more acerbic and hurtful than intended online, that people's feelings may be more sensitive than textual evidence might suggest, that nobody ever benefited from wholesale attacks on theoretical, ideological, and historical positions or lack thereof.

8) Be rhetorically aware: if at all possible, compose your responses to a discussion, reread them and rewrite them if necessary -- it's always a good idea to check to make sure your message really says what you mean it to say. And it's not a bad idea to reread the message to which you are replying to ascertain whether it really says what you have taken it to mean...

9) Be careful. You may be embarrassed more than somewhat if you send a personal message to the entire group. But if you do, you join an august company of dixhuitièmistes who should have known better -- everybody does it at some time. Relax. Laugh about it.