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THE

MAIDEN MONARCH;

OR,

ISLAND QUEEN.

LONDON:

Printed by J. Truscott, Blackfriars Road.

Just Published, in Demy 8vo., Price 2s. 6d.

MR. J. HEMMING WEBB'S

ESSAY ON THE

INFLUENCE OF POETRY ON THE MIND; which obtained a Prize, by the adjudication of Sir Edward Lytton Bulwer, Bart., M. P. "This essay is of high merit, and worthy of the fine subject of itfull of just thoughts, of felicitous conceptions, and of elegant expressions. A valuable production, which is calculated to please as well as to instruct and enlarge the mind. The analysis is ably conducted-of the principles of association in the history of human feelings and ideas, an exhaustless fund of beauty and sentiment of resistless appeals to emotion and passion-a mighty wand in the hands of the magician-and which must ever largely engage the speculation and wonder of him who examines the poet's resources and enchantments, in the delightful essay before us."-Monthly Review.

"The admirers of pure metaphysical essay will be exceedingly pleased with this pamphlet; and those who consider a highly-polished style as the first requisite of an author, will scarcely find in the present day more elegant sentences than in this prize essay, which has been so fortunate as to please the taste of Sir Edward Lytton Bulwer. There is great truth in the excellent remarks with which it abounds."-Court and Lady's Magazine.

"The author appears fully to appreciate the value of his subject, and has expressed himself in language which, though occasionally elaborate, conveys a very clear and critical view of the power and influence of poetry in softening and humanising the mind, and attuning it to the highest purposes."-Morning Herald.

"Mr. Webb has read much and thought deeply, and the result of his research and his reflection he has brought to bear upon his subject with excellent effect. Felicity of language-strong and bold definition of opinion-and a logical arrangement of argument, are the characteristics of his essay."-St. James's Chronicle.

"The author appears to us to have handled the subject in an able manner, and evinces, in many parts, a comprehensive imagination and felicitous powers of reasoning."-Weekly True Sun.

"To discuss the merits of this essay, literary and metaphysical, would be to enter upon an enquiry as extensive as that which the essay itself embraces. The task is unnecessary. * ✦✦✦ Mr. Webb is a man of talent."-Court Journal.

"To this work was awarded the prize of the Southwark Literary Society for the best essay on the subject of which it treats. The author, Mr. J. Hemming Webb, has appropriately dedicated his essay to Sir Edward Lytton Bulwer, Bart., M.P., who was the adjudicator on the occasion, and who displayed great judgment in fixing upon a work written with so much argumentation, ability, and clearness, and in so excellent a style."-Conservative Journal.

"Prize essays of all kinds are our greatest aversion, they generally being compounds of ignorant pretensions and inflated vanity; addressed to the whims, the passions, and the prejudices of some clique, literary, political, or religious, but of comparatively little interest to the world beside. Mr. Webb's essay appears, we must say, an exception to this rule, and contains many passages of great power and beauty. * * * * The essay proves him to possess an intimate knowledge of his subject,

and a capability of conveying that knowledge in appropriate and eloquent language."-Old England.

"We have read with great pleasure this essay, by J. Hemming Webb, Esq., to whom Sir Edward Lytton Bulwer, Baronet, adjudicated the prize. The subject does not come within the grasp of every writer. Taste, genius, sensitiveness, and 'ardour for the muse,' are essentially required. An inquiry into the influence of poetry, which leads to the study of the metaphysical, is no common task. In the essay before us, the writer makes a splendid display of talent. The power of poetry in general description, with its scenes of beauty and its picturings of objects of love, is admirably defined. ** * * The essay is a work of considerable merit. It will be appreciated by all who have taste and devotion at the shrine of the muses."-Morning Advertiser.

"He is a real benefactor of society who comes forward to advocate the claims of poetry, and, as Dr. Channing has eloquently expessed it, to endear and recommend this divine art to all who reverence and would cultivate and refine their nature.' And this object is well accomplished by the work we are noticing. Though not professedly a defence of poetry, yet, as a philosophic estimate of its effects upon the intellect and character, it discerns the true value, and displays the deep importance of this sublime and mighty agent. * * Our author takes up no mean position; but asserts, on behalf of poetry, advantages which can only be demonstrated by a careful examination and close analysis of the powers and propensities of the mind. In the pursuit of this investigation he has manifested an acuteness of reasoning, and a felicity of expression, which go far to remove that soporific quality, which, in the opinion of many, is the distinguishing attribute of metaphysics. We would recommend this essay, from the perusal of which few will rise unrefreshed in mind, or unrefined in feeling."-Hertford Reformer.

"A valuable and business-like treatise, on an attractive subject, logical in its arrangement, though rather diffusive in its style. It contains some passages of great merit, and with the truth of many of them we have been particularly struck. The work displays considerable critical acumen, accompanied by general justness of remark."-Bristol Mercury.

"The author of this essay has expressed himself in a graceful style, and with that true appreciation of the importance of the subject, which has gained him the prize offered by the Southwark Literary Society. Mr. Webb argues for the beneficial effect of poetry on the mind by arguments drawn from the nature of the mind itself. His remarks on the faculty of imagination are peculiarly good, and as true as they are striking. If poetry could be restored to our lives by an essay, we would willingly trust to the love and earnestness which Mr. Webb evinces for effecting the desirable change. This is impossible - but his pleasant style, embellished, but not overlaid, with a poetical diction that agrees well with his subject, will recommend itself to many readers, and if it induces them to turn to the golden urns of poetry, and draw hence a light and radiance for their own hearts, his will be no mean achievement, and no slight reward. Fully believing that such will be the effect of a right reception of the views and opinions in the essay before us, we cordially recommend it, and more especially to the young."-Devenport Independent.

"This essay is marked by careful and extended reading—fluency of language-fervor of sentiment-and an impassioned energy of expression. Kindliness of feeling, and sincerity, and amiability of heart and mind, pervade the whole. We hope and trust that the success which has attended this effort of the author's pen, will induce him again to employ it upon the same or another subject equally congenial to his taste and talent."-Leicester Journal.

R. HASTINGS, 13, CAREY STREET, LINCOLN'S INN.

THE

MAIDEN MONARCH;

OR,

ISLAND QUEEN.

"No scandal about QUEEN ELIZABETH, I hope !"

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. I.

THE CRITIC.

LONDON:

R. HASTINGS, 13, CAREY STREET, LINCOLN'S INN.

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