Manchester Memoirs, Vol. liv. (1910), No. 9. 17 



to read : " I entrust them to you," she says, "as they may 

 lose them, and I wish to have them returned." On 

 September 22nd she wrote to Mr. Nicholson : — 



" As you always express an interest in Felicia's compositions, I 

 have copied for you a piece she lately made (' The Angel of the Sun ') 

 which is one of her great favorites. The subject is quite original and 

 I am sure its sentiments will accord with your own. Your approba- 

 tion of ' War and Peace ' is most grateful to its Authoress. I certainly 

 must think it a wonderful production, and I am anxious to hear from 

 Mr. W. Roscoe respecting its publication as he promised to take upon 

 himself the measures for that purpose." 



In December, 1809, Mr, Nicholson had a visit from 

 George Browne, who had returned from the wars wounded 

 and disillusioned, and being temporarily out of conceit 

 with a military life, was looking for civil employment. 

 This gave Mr. Nicholson an opportunity of trying to 

 check Felicia's military ardour, or rather her expression 

 of it in poetry. 



" What our young heroine will say [to her brother's change of 

 career], I cannot tell. But I think his measures and her own 

 disappointed hopes of victory will operate more powerfully than any 

 preaching to convince her that politicks are unworthy of her Muse. I 

 will explain my meaning. The ' England and Spain,' ' The Call of 

 Liberty,' ' The Wreath of Loyalty,' and the ' War and Peace ' are all 

 wonderful Poems, and especially in the first and last there are most 

 interesting passages which will always be admired and enjoyed ; but I 

 must own my fears that many of the personal and temporary allusions 

 will not add to their interest when the passing scenes are faded and 

 the charming Author is more known. In my opinion 'tis on the 

 cultivation and expression of the tender sensibilities of innocence and 

 nature — the sympathetic feelings and descriptions of afflicted virtue,— 

 and the conscious possession and glowing raptures of Affection and 

 Piety that her talents will still shine brightest and that her own delight 

 will be secure. ' The Silver Locks,' ' The Lamenting Mother and 

 Daughter ' in the ' War and Peace ' — and above all ' The Angel of 

 the Sun ' affect and interest me. There are very great beauties of 

 invention which happily introduce the finest ideas in most melodious 

 language. ' The Invocation to Futurity,' — ' The Address of Celestial 

 Mercy and Angelic Love' and that of ' The Angel of the Sun ' with 

 all the delicate moral and pious applications which result, will one day 

 meet with their deserved admiration. But 'tis as well perliaps that 



