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Art. 40. Octavia. By Anna Maria Porter. 12mo. 3 Vols. 10s. 6d. Boards. Longman. 1798.
The incidents and personages of this work are trite and trifling, and the cant language of fashion is repeated till it fatigues: but some of the characters are well delineated, the dialogue is often sprightly, and the tendency of the whole is the promotion of virtue. To this end, instructive sentiments are sometimes delivered in a superior strain; as the advice of Colonel Greville to Octavia respecting marriage. The playfulness of Antonia and the amiable sensibility of Octavia are exhibited with ability: but neither the coquetry of the former, or the latter's forward surrender of her affections, is consistent with the strict and rustic notions of propriety which are ascribed to them, and which are particularly asserted by Octavia herself, in opposition to the fashionably dissolute manners of Granby Hall. - Miss Arabin seems nearly related to Mrs. Arlbery, in Mrs. D'Arblay's Camilla. [346]
Provided by Julie A. Shaffer, August 1999.
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