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Art XIII. The Widow; or, A Picture of Modern Times. A Novel, in a Series of Letters. In Two Volumes. By Mrs M Robinson, Author of Poems, Ainsi va le Monde, Vancenza, Modern Manners, &c. &c. pp. 369. 12mo. London: printed for Hookham and Carpenter, Bond-Street. 1794.
Julia, a beautiful and accomplished girl, the daughter of an American merchant, marries an English officer, who shortly afterwards quits Philadelphia with his regiment. Julia, supposing he has departed for England, leaves her family to follow him. On her passage the ship is wrecked, and only a few passengers survive; amongst others, Julia and a Mr Morton escape. - Sidney, her husband, returns to Philadelphia, and, finding Julia gone, obtains leave to return home. He arrives in England, hears of the shipwreck, and concludes that she has perished. In a few months after he marries a second wife, rich, but of the most vulgar and detestable mind. Here the story commences: Julia, not daring to return to her family, with the assistance of Mr Morton, an amiable character, hires a cottage in Devonshire, in the neighbourhood of the castle of Sir Charles Seymour, which is the scene of much fashionable dissipation. - She becomes the object of curiosity and envy in the women, and universal admiration in the men. Accompanies Lady Seymour to London - is persecuted by a profligate peer, who by a base stratagem entraps her in his snare - she is rescued by Sir Charles Seymour - the libertine draws his sword, is wounded, and dies. Sir Charles flies to the continent, but leaves Julia under the protection of an honourable friend. She is dangerously ill - loses her senses - this friend visits her, and proves to be her husband, who had changed his name, and succeeded to the title of Lord Allford. His second wife, by a course of gaming, intrigue, and every species of depravity, is at length divorced. He remarries Julia, she recovers, and is restored to happiness.
The story is interspersed with a variety of scenes that it would be difficult to describe, though they are evidently taken from nature. The most striking characters are Julia, Mrs Vernon, Lord Woodley, Sir Charles Seymour, and Mr Howard. The following extracts will exhibit a just specimen of this composition:
'Lord Allford to Sir Charles Seymour.
Lyons, April 179--
With some difficulty we passed through this hostile country, and are now safely arrived within a few posts of the Alps; those stupendous mountains covered with snow, and replete with wonders! [60] My adorable Julia is already much recovered, and I have hopes that the temperate air of Naples will perfectly restore her.
It is impossible to describe the beauty of the scenes through which we have travelled; but a warlike spirit seems to prevail, and to inspire every bosom, with the maddest enthusiasm. I lament, my dear Seymour, that anarchy treads so closely upon the heels of emancipation; and when I see the devastation spreading around me, I bless my native land, and think the poorest peasant an object to be envied. Nothing shall persuade that virtue is not the natural inmate of the human breast; and I believe that the vast difference of rank, and the vices of those favoured with the gifts of fortune, are entirely productive of all the ills that threaten humanity.
The insolence of what is called the higher order of society, creates that sort of murmuring which awakens the slumbering mind; in those who are most enlightend [sic], it produces a restlessness which soon grows into contempt! contempt banishes respect, and produces hatred. The next idea is revenge! Reason then begins to ruminate on what are the real claims of superiority, and the powers of intellect assert their right to pre-eminence. We shudder at the horrors of a civil war! We shrink when we behold a torrent of human blood appeasing the thirst of an incensed multitude. But the ignorance in which the obscure order of the people are nursed, and the perpetual subjection in which they are educated, prevent the expansion of the mind, and make them only sensible of wrongs, and eager for redress. Take the tyger from his den, will he not seek for blood? Will not the solitude in which he has grown into strength render him savage? and the sight of an assailant urge him on to slaughter? It is not thus with the domestic animal; he, tamed by mercy, nourished with gentleness, and prompted by instinct to gratitude, licks the hand that fed him, and, familiarised by kindness, in his turn, protects his humane preserver.
The brute creation are subdued to our service, because they are unconscious of their strength. But MAN IS A SUPERIOR CREATURE; he is guided by more than instinct; and oppression is the certain means of awakening reflection. How far it is safe to rouse the thinking multitude, time will discover. But while the enlightened mind knows and values its own claims, as well may the waves attempt to remove the rock from its foundation, as proud oppression to triumph over reason.
Seymour, you are happy in Britain. Its glorious constitution (as long as its native purity is preserved) will make it the envy of the world! You are a legislator; be it your task to prop the fabric, and you will enjoy repose under its sublime protection. Let the philosopher travel before he forms his opinions; and he will, I think, unite with the laurels of CONQUEST the roses of PHILANTHROPY.
The following is written in a strain of profound admiration for a prince, who is certainly possessed of many amiable and princely qualities:
[61] Where a people, prosperous and liberal, not only feel their present happiness, but look forward to its continuance under a prince, graced with all the attributes of nature! whose exalted birth, receives the proud confirmation of superior splendour, by the virtues of his heart! and whose mind (improved by education and experience) deserves that adoration which it is beyond the reach of earthly power to exact! Allford, you are sensible that I am no courtier; but where the man at an early period of life soars beyond the highest claims of rank; where illustrious sentiments shed glory on hereditary rights; I am the first to acknowledge their supremacy!
There are some elegant pieces of poetry occasionally introduced; a great variety of incidents appear in succession throughout the work, which cannot be described in the limits of our critique: but they are all of a moral tendency, and are written in an easy and familiar style. Many of the sentiments do honour to the mind and heart of our authoress. [complete]
Provided by Julie A. Shaffer, January 2000
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