Rosalia St. Clair

Rosalia St. Clair. Ulrica of Saxony:  A Romantic Tale of the Fifteenth Century

London:  A. K. Newman and Co., 1828.

 

Contemporary Reviews

There appear to have been no reviews ofthis novel.

The following reviews or review summaries appeared for other published work under the pseudonym of Rosalia St. Clair:

Clavering Tower (1822)

Monthly Censor / JAS, 1823
vol. 2 (1823): 115-6
http://www2.shu.ac.uk/corvey/cw3/ContribPage.cfm?Contrib=386 on 23 Feb 05
Art. XLII. Clavering Tower. A Novel. By Rosalia St. Clair, Author of the Blind Beggar, Son of O'Donnel, Highland Castle and Lowland Cottage, &c. 4 Vols. 12mo. Newman and Co. 1822.

To those, who are fond of relations of love and courtship, of the hopes and fears of the tender passion, of warm declarations, agitated hesitations, and timid acceptations, the volumes before us will afford a treat; for this regular routine of interesting detail, occurs about eight times, we believe, in the four thin duodecimos in question. We can allow for a little diffuseness of relation on these subjects towards the end of a novel, and in an in-[116]dividual case; for in the common course of fictitious narrative such is the natural termination of all the cares and woes of the hero and heroine, to whom our attention has been called; but it is a little too much to go through a thrice and double thrice repeated tale of love; we get tired of seeing lovers upon their knees, and mistresses lisping their blushing consents, and of hearing the description of fine handsome youths and beautiful girls. We had rather be amused with something more uncommon, and less hacknied [sic]. On the whole, we think that Clavering Tower may find admittance to the dressing rooms of those to whose comfort it is positively necessary to see a novel on their toilet tables, but we do not imagine it to possess novelty or interest sufficient to introduce it to the attention of those whose tastes have been formed on productions of a superior order of merit.
[complete]

Provided by Julie A. Shaffer, January 2000

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The First and Last Years of Wedded Life (1821)

Literary Chronicle
No. 392, (Nov 18, 1826), 732-3

WHATEVER may be the disposition of the legislature, with respect to the claims of Ireland, there is at least on class of individuals, not inconsiderable in number of contemptible influence, who seem resolved to do justice to her history, her scenery, and the character of her children. Miss Edgeworth and Lady Morgan no longer stand alone; we have novel, and romance, and story, from every grade of intellect, -- all aiming at the elucidation of the affairs of our sister isle. The powerful agitation of certain important political and polemical questions may, perhaps, occasion this influx; and we conceive it possible that these works, humble instruments though they be, may prove in some measure efficacious in softening asperities, removing prejudices, and enlightening the general mind; thus preparing it for deeper and more enduring reflections than these publications seem, at first sight, calculated to produce.

These remarks are occasioned by the scene of the present novel being Ireland; the period, that of the king's visit; and the materials chiefly drawn from Irish wrongs and Irish sufferings. There is considerable intricacy in the plot, which is least interesting when most romantic; and we beg to be excused from following the youthful Terence through his adventures in Italy, when kidnapped by the wily monk McGuire; nor are we at all more inclined to trace the domestic differences, indifferences, and reconciliations, of two of the principal personages of the story. These are Sir Patrick and Lady Mary Fitzgerald, who were cousins; but the latter entertaining tender, though unreturned sentiments in favour of Sir Patrick, she is nearly consigned to the most-affecting of death-beds, -- that of
'The martyr to unwhispered love.'

Sir Patrick, -- who is absorbed in melancholy in consequence of the loss of a beloved brother, whose estate he possesses, believing him to have left no heir, -- learns the cause of Lady Mary's illness, and, with a combined feeling of pity and generosity, saves her life, by entreating her to preserve it for his sake. Lady Mary recovers, and they are married; but the first twelve years of their union are embittered by her unfeeling and capricious conduct, the folly and cruelty of which are fed and flattered by her designing waiting-woman. Sir Patrick is pourtrayed as an amiable but too unresisting husband, who, finding persuasion useless, has not spirit to try coercion, but yields tacitly to the whims of his wife, and endeavours to veil his indifference by an assumption of the most minutely-scrupulous and polite attention. The mischievous attendant is at length dismissed, and an entire reconciliation is effected through the gentle agency of their daughter Emily, whose character is sweetly and naturally drawn. The child has been rejoicing in the altered aspect of the family arrangements; and is affectionately dismissed by her mother, 'Lady Mary appeared deeply affected by the prattle of her daughter; and no sooner was the door closed after her, than she approached Mrs. Ramsay, and burst into tears.
"'Be composed, my friend," said that admirable woman, "and confide to me the cause of your uneasiness."

"'Will you indeed be to me a friend? - will you not rather view with contempt the weak and perverse being who has for years sported, not only with her own happiness, but the happiness of those dear to her as her own being?"

'Mrs. Ramsay pressed the hand she had taken in silence, and Lady Mary proceeded, "From what Sir Patrick is at present, you may form some imperfect idea of what he was, when, young, gay, and happy, he came to reside with his uncle. I was then only eighteen, and soon he became the idol of my youthful idolatry. For me he always evinced the kindness of an affectionate relative; but this was insufficient to satisfy the ardour of my affection; and unused to self-control, I became wretched and unhappy.

'"This state of suffering at length terminated in a violent fever, which nearly brought me to the gates of the tomb. Weakened by disease, and each moment expecting death would release me from my sufferings, my nearly-distracted parent drew from me the secret of my love for my cousin. How it was managed I never knew; but soon I was cozened back to life and hope, by and assurance of his attachment, and an offer of his hand.

'"I cannot plead that I was self-deceived; for at the moment I selfishly accepted the sacrifice, I was fully aware that pity for his venerated uncle, and gratitude to me, led the generous youth a victim to the altar.

'"Never, by word or look, did Sir Patrick, however, remind me of the humiliating truth. His attentive kindness never slumbered nor slept; he bore all my errors, all my caprices, with the most undeviating sweetness, and but for my own folly, I might, as a wife, have gained the love which I had before failed to awaken in his youthful bosom.

'"Irritated by my incorrigible folly, and the destructive career I was madly pursuing, Earl Mortimer upbraided me for my conduct, and lamented the chains he had forged for his unhappy nephew. This unwise disclosure, by wounding my pride, produced an effect the reverse of what he had intended, for now set no limits to my folly; and but for the ardent, unconquerable love I bore to my husband, I shudder to think what I might now have been.

'"Once, and once only, the voice of Sir Patrick rose in reproof against his erring wife; but his disapprobation was tempered with a generosity which concealed my fault from the knowledge of my father. Ah, Mrs. Ramsay, never can I think of that dreadful night without horror - never call it to memory without the most heart-rending feelings of remorse.

'"From that night I became sick of the world, and relinquished for ever the haunts of dissipation. But despairing of being able to recover my husband's esteem, I had long despaired of ever gaining his love - I became a teazing, discontented wife. To the want of domestic comfort, was added grief for the exile of his brother, of whose fate he was ignorant, having, after the strictest and most extended inquiries, been unable to ascertain in what corner of the earth he had found an asylum or grave.
'The news of the death of this beloved brother, and that of his infant family of five children, in the United States of America, at length reached him in a letter from the heart-broken widow, who appeared to have arrived in her native island only to find a premature grave. This letter was transmitted after her death, which happened almost immediately after her landing, overcame the fortitude of Sir Patrick, whose health and spirits sunk under the overwhelming stroke.

'"A warmer climate was prescribed by the physicians, and for three years Switzerland became our abode. During the whole of this period, my wayward humours rendered me the torment rather than the comforter of my husband. The lenient hand of time, however, and the tender consolations of friendship and affection of the part of Earl Mortimer, imparted a healing balm to the sick soul of Fitzgerald, and his health partook of the salutary change. We returned to England, and I once more mixed in the giddy throng; but neither the peaceful happy vallies of Switzerland, nor the crowded apartments of fashion, in the British metropolis, had power for one moment to chase the foul fiend, discontent, from my bosom. Like the wretched Medias, I knew, nay, ever loved what was right yet as if impelled by some [following lines blurred].…succeeded in alienating his regard. I ask you, has so suddenly transform grave philosopher in the gallant man of fashion! - what has diffused such a renovated and manly grace over the fond features of Sir Patrick, as even to stony eye of oar Emily - what but the smile and kind manners of his Mary? I , Mrs. Ramsay, added, more gravely, "… my dear friend, again sport with your happiness, and the happiness of all … render life valuable. You are still in meridian of your days, yet may you see ..ing race flourishing around you, yet gild the … of Earl Mortimer's days with the ca… shine of peace."

'"Oh, my monitor, my friend," Lady Mary, "teach me how to real … delightful picture - how to ---"

'"Continue to what you have since my arrival in Ireland, and each day will impart added tone and bri… to the imperfect sketch I have drawn.
Lady Mary now plays the part of affectionate wife and judicious mother, to these the qualities of a real patri… exhibiting much acquaintance with economy, the state of Ireland, her eve… their safest remedies. The Terence to… we have already alluded, is discovered, the son of Sir Patrick's brother: he … Emily, and the novel ends just as i… for the youthful lovers, 'a bright vista of happiness and peace.'

Transcribed from microfiche by David C. Wood, 16 April 2006

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Morning Chronicle
Thu, 5 Jun 1828. (2.1.22).
'[Books published this day]'. 3v 12mo. 16s. 6d.
Notes: 'I have a tale t' unfold, so full of wonder/ But 'tis true'. Shakespeare. [also: Uncle Peregrine's Heiress; Italian Vengeance; Young John Bull; Contrast; Tower of Clanmalloch]
Mon, 9 Jun 1828. (2.2.16).
'[Books published this day]'. 3v 12mo. 16s. 6d.
Notes: 'I have a tale t' unfold, so full of wonder/ But 'tis true'. Shakespeare. [also: Uncle Peregrine's Heiress; Italian Vengeance; Young John Bull; Contrast; Tower of Clanmalloch]

Star
Mon, 9 Jun 1828. (1.2.2).
'This day was published'. 3v 12mo. 16s. 6d.
Notes: 'I have a tale t' unfold, so full of wonder!/ But 'tis true'. Shakespeare. [also: published this spring: Uncle Peregrine's Heiress; Italian Vengeance; Young John Bull; Contrast; Tower of Clanmalloch.]
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SOURCE: ---- http://www2.shu.ac.uk/corvey/cw3/ContribPage.cfm?Contrib=386 on 23 Feb 05
© 2004 Project Director: Professor Peter Garside;
Research Associates: Dr Jacqueline Belanger, Dr Sharon Ragaz;
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Circulating Libraries:
Bettison's Library, High Street, Cheltenham. Additions 1. (Catalogue: 1829)
(ps)
Mackenzie's Circulating Library, 129 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. (Catalogue: 1832)
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Gerrard Tyrrell Circulating Library, Lower Sackville Street, Dublin. (Catalogue: 1834)
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-- Prepared by David C. Wood, University of Nebraska, April 2006
© David C. Wood, 2006.