JOANNA BAILLIE (1762-1851)

Details

JOANNA BAILLIE (1762-1851)
A 3-page autograph letter, signed, from Hampstead, August 28th [ca. 1836], to Mrs. Lawrence, stating: "You have been very kind in desiring Lady Dacre to let me read your verses on the Death of your lamented friend Mrs. Hemans ... I cannot say anything better of them than that they are characteristic of their subject and worthy of her ... The mention of her occupation while in your house, the books she read with you and the flowers she loved, give a very pleasing idea of the woman." In compliance with Mrs. Lawrence's request, she goes on to suggest minor changes to the poem, remarks how "Everyone nows speaks with admiration and regret of your lost friend," and approves of "one of her sons" being given a place in public office by Sir Robert Peel, "I believe by your means." Although "this same son comes ... frequently to Hampstead," she has not made closer acquaintance with him since "he comes to a family of his Father's relations where his Father also has lately been staying ... I was afraid of hearing things amongst them that though not believed would give me pain." She claims that the husband, "Capt. Hemans," has "pretended that all the blame of separation rested with her his wife and that he never received any part of her literary earnings, but contrary wise paid her so much every year for the education of his sons ... All this is inconsistent, incredible, but one has no means of contradicting it." With an attached criticism of the same poem in another hand.

Lot Essay

Felicia Dorothea Hemans (1793-1835) became very popular in America due to her romantic vision of the first British settlers in the colony popularised in poems such as "Casabianca" ("The boy stood on the burning deck"), "The Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers," "England's Dead" and "The Better Land". Her husband, Captain Alfred Hemans, is said to have deserted her in 1818. For a letter of related interest, see lot 153.

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