Author: Lickbarrow, Isabella (dates uncertain; fl. 1814-18)
Title: Poetical Effusions.
Date: 1814
Contemporary Reviews of this Volume
There appear to have been very few reviews of Poetical Effusions. One brief notice appeared in the Monthly Review in February 1815. A later brief comment appeared in Notes and Queries in 1908.
The Monthly Review, No 76. (February 1815), p. 211. Art. 13 Poetical Effusions, by Isabella Lickbarrow, Kendal. 8vo. Pp 127. Richardson. 1814.
The introduction to these verses is written with a simplicity and humility which are sufficient to mollify the severest critic; and the composition, though not brilliant, display much chastened feeling, and a poetical perception of the beauties of nature.
Notes and Queries: A Medium of Intercommunication. Tenth Series - Vol X, p. 403. William E. A. Axon. Manchester. July-Dec, 1908. London.
The name of Isabella Lickbarrow of Kendal does not readily come to the mind when one thinks of British poetesses. Her book of verses “Poetical Effusions, by Isabella Lickbarrow, Kendal. Kendal: & Co. Sold by J. Richardson, 91, Royal Exchange, London, and by all other booksellers. 1814,” was printed by subscription to “assist the humble labours of herself and her orphan sisters by raising from the generosity of the public a little fund, which would increase their family comforts and better their condition in life.”
She appears to have belonged to the class of uneducated poets and, while thanking friends who had enabled her to obtain books to read, demurs to any charge of plagiarism if coincidences are found among the many books she has not read. The list of subscribers including this of Mr. J. Dalton, Manchester (the famous chemist, who took four copies); Mr. De Quincey, Gasmere; R. Southey, Esq., Keswick; and W. Wordsworth, Esq., Rydal Mount.
The verses of Isabella Lickbarrow are not remarkable for their inspiration. Perhaps the best thing in the book are some lines
[“The Fate of Newspapers “ is quoted in its entirety].
The Westmorland Advertiser had a friendly feeling towards its lady laureate, and subscribed for five copies of the “Poetical Effusions.” Let us hope that the result of the publication was to make life easier for Isabella Lickbarrow, although it has not secured her the immortality of Sappho.
Prepared by Hailey Fischer, University of Nebraska, April 2018
© Hailey Fischer, 2018