Author: HEMANS (Felicia):
Title: Songs of the Affections, With Other Poems.
Description: Edinburgh: William Blackwood, and T. Cadell..., London. 1830. FIRST EDITION. 12mo, 167 x 98 mms., pp. [iv], iii [iv blank, v half-title, vi blank], 259 [260 blank], contemporary diced russia, gilt border on covers, spine ornately gilt in compartments, olive morocco label (very slightly chipped); some slight wear to covers, spine a little dried, but generally a very good copy, with the following inscription on the recto of the second blank front end-paper, "A small token of/ Regard, from/ J J Hollingsworth". Felicia Dorothea Hemans (1793–1835; née Browne) had written her first book of poems by 1807, and,according to ODNB its" 'simplicity', 'richness', and linguistic attainments 'quite surprised and delighted' William Roscoe, Liverpool's literary leader ." Thereafter she published numerous works, which were all well received. The American Quarterly Review was positively dithyrambic in its praised of her works: "We have no hesitation in placing Mrs. Hemans in the highest rank of those who profess her beautiful art.... Endowed with a vivid imagination, she has a ready faculty of investing with a rich and harmonious colouring every object in nature or art, of mind or matter, upon which she exercises the spell of her fancy. She grasps the prominent point of her subject with bold hands; and under the rapid and beautiful analysis of genius, unfolds it various combinations, that rise like lights upon her march of inspiration...."

Keywords: songs poetry women


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