Poems. Original and translated. By "S. H. F." With illustrations.
(London : Longmans, 1863.) —This is a very interesting little volume. The original poems it contains—" Autumn Leaves," as the writer names them—are chiefly of the quiet, reflective order, more retrospective than prospective, as far as this side of time is concerned, more didactic than impulsive. The authoress does not seem to aim at sensational or startling effects, but in her various verses there is the revelation of a fancy that can be both serious and sportive, of a clear discerning intellect, of a wide range of sympathy, of careful culture, and deep religiousness. There are, besides, two pieces, the "Legend of the Brown Nuts," and the "Romance of the Still-room Maiden,'—the latter a tale like that of the "Lord of Burleigh," but with a happier ending—which show, as it seems to us, a decided talent for ballad- writing. The lines which, on the whole, are to us more impressive are —"Death and its Aspects," "One more Unfortunate," and the sonnet "Not Yet." The translations are all spirited, some of them very graceful, and the rendering of the fine old legend of the " Repentance of Charlemagne" is admirable. The illustrations, by a young amateur, as we understand, show here and there both truth of con- ception and clever drawing. It has often occurred to us that this volume would have been a great favourite with William Cowper, and we cannot but believe that at least in those homes where Cowper is loved "S. H. F." will be a very welcome guest.
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