Author: TEMPLE (Laura Sophia):
Title: The Siege of Zaragoza, and Other Poems.
Description: London: Printed for William Miller..., 1812 FIRST AND ONLY EDITION. Large 8vo, 184 x 110 mms., pp. [vi], 150 [151 Errata. 152 blank], without half-title, bound in contemporary tree calf, gilt border on covers, spine gilt, black leather label; corners worn, front joint crudely repaired, rear joint cracked. One of the Poems, "The Days of Chivalry" elicited this comment by Diego Saglia: Poetic Castles in Spain: British Romanticism and Figurations of Iberida (2000) "Defining chivalry as the reign of Beauty, Temple's poem mourns the end of this system as the cause of the present troubles in Britain and Europe and, in particular, points out a historical evil in the preponderance of masculine politics not tempered by feminine guidance." The Monthly Review for 1812 was not enthusiastic: "We cannot encourage this fair writer to continue the publication of her poems. On pathetic subjects, indeed, she expresses herself occasionally with the reality of feeling: but such occasions are rare, and by much the greater portion of this volume is worthy only of the Della Cruscan school. It displays the same false glitter and flimsiness of expression; the same want of correct thinking and writing. Even the best parts, even those which are simple and natural, bear lamentable marks of feebleness; and we conceive to be very common in England at the present moment, for boys and girls of decent education to possess the undesirable faculty of scoring quires of copy-paper with poetical pot hooks and hangers that are equal in value to those before us." Laura Sophia Temple (1763 - 1848) was a British poet and novelist associated with the Romantic movement. During her lifetime, Temple published three volumes of poetry, as well as a novel, Ferdinand Fitzormond; or, The Fool of Nature (1806). Wordsworth appears to have read her poems. Jackson: Romantic Poetry by Women, page347. Jackson: Annals of English Verse, page 364

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