Manuscript in Simpson's hand containing fair copies of 26 poems in a variety of genres, many labeled as "Imitations" of published pieces. Titles include "Dedication: To Miss Sally Leaper;" "A Monody in Imitation of Milton's Lycidas;" "The Almshouse: An Elegy in Imitation of Jerningham's Magdalen and Nun;" "A Song Written at School;" "The Servants: A Tale;" "The Degree below Mediocrity;" "To Aurelia--Written Immediately upon Perusal of Pope's Eloisa to Abelard;" "Lorenzo, in Imitation of Parnell's Hermit; and "The Charms of Contentment." "The Happy Quadrumvirate: A Tale" is annotated with the names of the friends described and the comment, "Written when really happy on a suppositious plan of a journey to Oxon." and This group of poems is followed by a short verse and the note: "Stephen Simpson and Miss Sarah Leaper were married in St. Werburgh's by the Revd. Mr. Hope on the 27th of June 1776." The volume concludes with "Edwin," signed and dated "21 April 74."
Description:
Front flyleaf signed, "Ste. Simpson.", Spine title reads "Poems.", and Binding: contemporary (?) full calf; banded and gilt-stamped spine. Red morocco label.
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain., Great Britain, and Coventry (England)
Subject (Topic):
English poetry, Occasional verse, English, Weavers, Working class, Books and reading, and Intellectual life