Poetry of the Anti-Jacobin: Comprising the Celebrated Political and Satirical Poems, of the Rt. Hons. G. Canning, John Hookham Frere, W. Pitt, the Marquis Wellesley, G. Ellis, W. Gifford, the Earl of Carlisle, and Others.
History
Poetry of the Anti-Jacobin: Comprising the Celebrated Political and Satirical Poems, of the Rt. Hons. G. Canning, John Hookham Frere, W. Pitt, the Marquis Wellesley, G. Ellis, W. Gifford, the Earl of Carlisle, and Others.
English poetry; France -- History -- Revolution, 1789-1799 -- Poetry; Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 1789-1820
Our ingenious correspondent, MR. HIGGINS, has not been idle. The
deserved popularity of the extracts which we have been enabled to give
from his two didactic poems, the _Progress of Man_, and the _Loves of
the Triangles_, has obtained for us the communications of several other
works which he has in hand, all framed upon the same principle, and
directed to the same end. The propagation of the New System of
Philosophy forms, as he has himself candidly avowed to us, the main
object of all his writings. A system, comprehending not politics only
and religion, but morals and manners, and generally whatever goes to the
composition or holding together of human society; in all of which a
total change and revolution is absolutely necessary (as he contends) for
the advancement of our common nature to its true dignity, and to the
summit of that perfection which the combination of matter, called MAN,
is by its innate energies capable of attaining.
Of this system, while the sublimer and more scientific branches are to
be taught by the splendid and striking medium of didactic poetry, or
_ratiocination in rhyme_, illustrated with such paintings and
portraitures of essences and their attributes as may lay hold of the
imagination while they perplex the judgment;—the more ordinary parts,
such as relate to the conduct of common life and the regulation of
social feelings, are naturally the subject of a less elevated style of
writing; of a style which speaks to the eye as well as to the ear,—in
short, of dramatic poetry and scenic representation.
“With this view,” says MR. HIGGINS (for we love to quote the very words
of this extraordinary and indefatigable writer),—“with this view,” says
he, in a letter dated from his study in St. Mary Axe, the window of
which looks upon the parish pump,—“with this view I have turned my
thoughts more particularly to the German stage, and have composed—in
imitation of the most popular pieces of that country, which have already
met with so general reception and admiration in this—a Play; which, if
it has a proper run, will, I think, do much to unhinge the present
notions of men with regard to the obligations of civil society, and to
substitute, in lieu of a sober contentment, and regular discharge of the
duties incident to each man’s particular situation, a wild desire of
undefinable latitude and extravagance,—an aspiration after shapeless
somethings that can neither be described nor understood,—a contemptuous
disgust at all that _is_, and a persuasion that nothing is as it ought
to be;—to operate, in short, a general discharge of every man (in his
own estimation) from every tie which laws, divine or human, which local
customs, immemorial habits, and multiplied examples, impose upon him;
and to set them about doing what they like, where they like, when they
like, and how they like,—without reference to any law but their own
will, or to any consideration of how others may be affected by their
conduct.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account