The Autobiography of William Jerdan
Felicia Hemans to William Jerdan, 8 May 1823
“Bronwhylfa, St. Asaph, May 8th, 1823.
“Dear Sir,
“As I am ignorant of the proper medium of
communication with the Royal Society of Literature, and am aware that you are
one of its members, may I request you would do me the favour of making known to
that society, in whatever manner you consider most expedient, that it is my
intention to publish, without delay, a poem of mine, ![]()
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now in their hands, and originally written for the prize
offered by them in 1821. The present season of the year being considered the
most favourable for publication, I have been advised, on that account, no
longer to wait the adjudgment of the prize. As I think it right that the
society should be made acquainted with this without delay, it will be a
satisfaction to me if you will have the kindness to inform me that it has been
done. My poem, which is the one with a motto from Horace—‘Barbarus, heu!
insistet victor, &c.,’ and another from
Montesquieu, ‘Sous les derniers Empereurs, l’Empire, reduit aux
faubourgs de Constantinople,’ &c, will be in
the hands of Mr. Murray by the time you
receive this.
“Should you be induced to visit this country in the
course of the ensuing summer, I trust you will not pass St. Asaph without
giving me an opportunity of assuring you that I am,
“Dear sir, very truly,
“Your obliged, &c,
Felicia Dorothea Hemans [née Browne] (1793-1835)
English poet; author of
Tales, and Historic Scenes (1819),
Records of Woman (1828), and other volumes. She was much in demand
as a contributor to the literary annuals.
Horace (65 BC-8 BC)
Roman lyric poet; author of
Odes,
Epistles, Satires, and the
Ars Poetica.
John Murray II (1778-1843)
The second John Murray began the
Quarterly Review in 1809 and
published works by Scott, Byron, Austen, Crabbe, and other literary notables.
