E590108A. Poems (New York, 1859).
Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, 8 January 1859, p. 10.
As reprinted in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 26, 369–370.
This edition particularly addresses itself to the public approbation, since it is an exact imprint from the last London edition, with the latest corrections of the fair author. There is something so womanly, and yet so reflective in even the faintest whisperings of Mrs Browning’s muse, that we predict for her the undivided admiration of all true women in the next generation. Educated as they are now, her subtle turns of thought and classicalities of expression sound like pedantries to the present age. This faculty, however, is doubtless the chief cause she is so much prized by poets and scholars. It must be confessed, though, that to the common mind her allusions are somewhat too recondite; but despite this demand upon the reader, there is no woman who more nobly vindicates the right of woman to be the poetical equal of man. Some have complained of her redundancy, but this is the natural result of the abundant richness of her thoughts. But it is needless at this hour to criticise the sister of Shakespeare, as Landor calls her, and we therefore recommend every husband or father who wishes to elevate the mental standard of his wife or daughter, to place in her hands a copy of this most beautiful edition of the great poetess of woman. We are glad to inform the public that Messrs. C.S. Francis & Co. have lately received a most flattering letter from her husband, transmitting to them the last portrait taken of his illustrious wife, and that they intend very shortly to issue a limited edition of this interesting photograph to gratify her admirers. We take this opportunity of referring our readers to an article on the Brownings in Frank Leslie’s New Family Magazine for August last.
Reviewed:
Poems (EBB), 3 vols., New York: C.S. Francis, 1859.
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