The Corvey Novels Project at the University of Nebraska
— Studies in British Literature of the Romantic Period —
Sarah Green
Mrs. Green. Gretna Green Marriages; or, The Nieces. A Novel. 3 vols.
London: A. K. Newman and Co., 1823
Contemporary Reviews
Published Reviews of Selected Works by Mrs. Sarah Green
Although I was unable to find any reviews for Gretna Green Marriages
[it was reviewed at least once, however; see
Edinburgh Review, 39: 272; Oct. 1823], I was able to find
several reviews for Mrs. Green's works. I chose some works published under
Mrs. Green's name and some that she published anonymously. Some novels that
she published anonymously were later revealed to have been written by her,
as evidenced by later reviews. Before I present a small sampling of her
reviews, I would like to look critically at several of the magazines these
reviews appeared in.
Both the Critical Review and the Monthly Review
were established to pass judgment upon pamphlets and books of the time.
Both magazines held similar views. Their reviews dealt with the trivial
and significant. For the first time, reviewers were called upon to be candid
in their critiques. However, the Critical Review has since
come to be known for its rejection of new and radical ideas and works. Even
when it appreciated the work of a writer, it attempted to fit the ideas
presented in it to a classical mold of the pre-Romantic era. Its main goals
seemed to be preserving the public's sense of morality.
Another publication concerned with morality and taste was the Ladies'
Monthly Museum. It was strongly in favor of a conservative order,
and was against female education. These views were also shared by La
Belle Assemblee. Both magazines were more concerned by the fashions
of the day then by political thought and works. However, while Ladies'
Monthly Museum was strongly against "idle romances," La
Belle Assemblee received the works of Mrs. Green quite favorably.
Information retrieved from English Literary Periodicals by
Robert Donald Spector, Mentor and Co., 1966.
The Private History of the Court of England. 2 Vols. 12mo. 12s. Crosby
1808. Anonymous.
The Critical Review, v14, June 1808
It is a sign of great depravity of manners when such books as that before
us are encouraged and multiply. The court of France (the most dissolute
in the universe) has abounded with them in her most dissolute periods; and
the court of England under Charles the second followed the example. We have
been tolerably free from similar pests during the reign of the Brunswicks,
till within the last few years, when the very weak and unguarded conduct
of some persons of the highest rank in the country has opened again the
floodgates of scandal.
The present publication, though there is some paltry ingenuity in the contrivance
of the veil which covers it, is not indeed so gross and immodest as the
Atalantis and Utopia of the 17th century; but in dullness it may challenge
a competition with the most infamous of its prototypes.
We can only add that this is one of the few instances in which we are almost
induced to form a wish for new restrictions on the liberty of the press.
The wish, indeed, is suppressed almost as soon as formed; but we shall never
cease to account those writers among the most prejudicial to society who
exposes vices and errors which all true patriots would rather wish to be
concealed in the thickest darkness, however the shameful imprudence or more
shameful indifference of the principal actors may blazon them forth in daylight.
The Private History of the Court of England. Crosby and Co. Anonymous.
Ladies' Monthly Museum, v6, February 1809
This work represents occurrences with a faithful hand is altogether amusing
enough; but why there has been such an extraordinary demand for it as to
have occasioned it to run through so many editions, we are at a loss to
guess, except that the love of anecdote outstrips every other object in
readers of the present age. The characters are delineated with judgment
and taste-some are sufficiently obvious, such as the P---e and P---s of
W---, Mrs. R---bs-n, Lady J---Y, and many of public notoriety; but the "mystery"
we own either to be an impenetrable one, or the creation of an active imagination.
The language is elegant, and we think we may with truth ascribe it to the
pen of Miss Robinson, though concealment still envelops the name of the
fair author.
Good Men of Modern Date. A satirical Tale. By Mrs. Green,
author of "Romance Readers and Romance Writers," "Reformist,"
&c. 3 Vols. 12mo. 15s.sewed. Tegg. 1811.
Monthly Review, v68, May 1812
We have already expressed our incredulity as to the pretended sex of this
writer, (see M.R. February, 1811*,) and we are induced to maintain our former
opinion by several passages in the present work which, however, contains
some grammatical errors that savour not of a classical education. We must
all censure the imprudence of the fair Eliza, who brings herself into situations
of danger and discredit from which none but a novel writer could have rescued
her. The discoveries of mysterious birth and unexpected fortune, with which
the tale concludes, are ill contrived: but many characters are skilfully
(sic) drawn; the description of a lady who adopts Rousseau's system of education
for her children is amusing; and the author has judiciously avoided the
introduction of politics or notorious living characters.
*According to the reviewer of Mrs. Green's "Reformist," which appeared in the February 1811 edition of the Monthly Review, "While, however, we own that we have been diverted by the broad humor which runs through this work, we cannot be such dupes of the preface as to believe that the experience of a lady could have furnished all the scenes which are here delineated; and much less would we attribute to a female pen the great illiberality which occasionally displays itself."
Good Men of Modern Date, a Satirical Tale, in Three Volumes.
By Mrs. Green, author of Romance Readers, and Romance Writers, Reformist,
Royal Exile, &c. 12mo. 15s. Tegg. 1812.
The British Critic, v 39, March 1812
The author of these volumes, who appears to be well qualified for much better
undertakings, complains in her introduction of having had some of her former
production pirated. She must content herself with the reflection that is
no inconsiderable proof of her merit. The present work is entertaining,
but appears to have been hastily put together; let us hope from no other
want than the want of time.
Who is the Bridegroom? or Nuptial Discoveries; a Novel, by
Mrs. Green, author of "Romance Readers and Romance Writers, Reformist,
Carthusian Friar," &c, &c, &c, London, 3 vols. 12mo.
La Belle Assemblee, v26, 1822
We may justly say that Mrs. Green's novels are never too voluminous, and
their lightness alone would be sufficient to tempt us to read them through,
without the fear of weariness: however, we are generally repaid by the amusement
they afford us; for the modern domestic novel seems to be particularly Mrs.
Green's forte: from a knowledge of the world, and the advantages of travel,
she proves herself mistress of her subject, whether in describing the frivolous
pursuits of fashion, or the workings of passion and principle on the human
mind.
Certainly we must say that some of the characters in the above volumes
are rather too lightly colored; a fault which the author seems herself aware
at the conclusion, by her apology; to her reasons we cannot forbear, in
part, acceding.
Parents and Wives, a Novel, by Mrs. Green, author of "Gretna-Green
Marriages,
La Belle Assemblee, v2, 1825
"Parents and Wives," a novel, by Mrs. Green, author of "Gretna-Green
Marriages," &c, presents all the ingredients for a fashionable
romance-mystery, an unfortunate marriage, an elopement, a duel, &c.
&c.; and , with a little more attention to probabilities and the usage
of feelings of real life, our author would have succeeded in producing a
very lively and interesting work. The story opens with the introduction
of the heroine, Clarissa Dorrington, to the family of Colonel and Lady Emily
Ardenbrooke, the inmates of which she speedily succeeds in "setting
together by the ears." She excites, and very justly, the jealousy of
Lady Emily; falls in love with the son; determines, with the most laudable
motives, to elope with him; falls into the hands of Major Featherington,
who had planned an elopement with Lady Emily; is carried by him to Dover,
escapes from him, and returns to Colonel Ardenbrooke. Fresh difficulties
arise: Lady Emily suspects her to be the daughter of Colonel Ardenbrooke;
Henry Ardenbrooke is induced to consider her in the same light, and his
love is quickly changed into aversion. The mystery is not cleared up till
after the death of Colonel Ardenbrooke, when it appears that Clarissa is
the daughter of one of his early friends, whom her mother had married in
opposition to paternal injunctions. Clarissa has a large fortune left her
by an old great uncle, upon conditions of her being removed from her mother,
of residing with Colonel Ardenbrooke or Mr. Hartington, and of not marrying
until she is one-and -twenty, in default of which she is to be left penniless.
Lady Emily discovers too late how unfounded were her suspicions of the fidelity
of her husband; Henry's affection for Clarissa revives; and they are united
on her twenty-first birth-day. We have numerous other characters, among
whom an intriguing soubrette makes no inconsiderable figure. This is upon
the whole a light and amusing work, and will agreeably while away a rainy
morning at a fashionable wateringplace.
- Prepared by Jamie Mraz, University of Nebraska, December 2002