Author: WEBB (Francis):
Title: Somerset a Poem.
Description: London: Sold by Edward Bentley...and by Norris, Tahkunton; and Jollife,Crewkerne, 1811. FIRST AND ONLY EDITION. 4to, 292 x 235 mms., pp. [iv], 42, engraved vignette at top margin of first page of text, recent boards, paper label on spine. A fine copy. The Baptist minister and writer Francis Webb (1735 - 1815) trained first to be a pastor, but retired in 1777 to pursue a literary career. He didn't have much luck with this poem, and The Monthly Review gave it a paralyzing notice: "Descriptive blank verse is an unpromising species of entertainment to the reader, however amusing it may have been to the writer: -- but, moreover, Mr. F. Webb seems to be of that class of outrageous patriots who, in the estimate of beautiful scenery, prefer Somerset to Swisserland, and Norton Sub-Handon (the author's residence) to St. Dizier sur Marne. With these two recommendations with poetry that appals and patriotism that provokes, Mr. F. Webb advances a very powerful claim to our attention: -- but alas! that attention is diverted by a third sources of delight, even more engaging than the others: -- we mean a vapid versification of the stalest mythological details of the Classical Dictionary; and a re-introduction of the reader to the happily-forgotten friends of his boyhood, Jason, and Phryxus, and Helle." The British Critic, and Quarterly Theological Review was a bit more sympathetic: "Though we cannot place Mr. Webb in the highest class of poets, we very willingly assign to him an honourable situation. His disadvantage seems to be that of not having written earlier in life, with a view to publication; but his feelings of the beauty of nature are at once warm and just, his taste elegant, and what is best, his moral sentiments correct, and his gratitude to the Giver of all good, active, and energetic."

Keywords: poetry topography literature


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