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William Lisle Bowles

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Rev. William Lisle Bowles (24 September 1762 - 7 April 1850) was an English poet, literary critic, and cleric.

William Lisle Bowles

William Lisle Bowles (1762-1850). Courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

William Lisle Bowles
Born 24 September 1762
King's Sutton, Northamptonshire
Died 7 April 1850 (aged 87)
Occupation vicar
Nationality English

Life[]

Overview[]

Bowles was born at King's Sutton, Northamptonshire, of which his father was vicar, and educated at Winchester and Oxford. He was for the most of his life Vicar of Bremhill, Wilts, and became Prebendary and Canon Residentiary of Salisbury. His first work, published in 1789, was a little volume containing 14 sonnets, which was received with extraordinary favor, not only by the general public, but by such men as Coleridge and Wordsworth. It may be regarded as the harbinger of the reaction against the school of Pope, in which these poets were soon to bear so great a part. Bowles published several other poems of much greater length, of which the best are The Spirit of Discovery (1805), and The Missionary of the Andes (1815), and he also enjoyed considerable reputation as an antiquary, his principal work in that department being Hermes Britannicus (1828). In 1807 he published a Life of Pope, in the preface to which he expressed some views on poetry which resulted in a rather fierce controversy with Byron, Campbell, and others. He also wrote a Life of Bishop Ken. Boles was an amiable, absent-minded, and rather eccentric man. His poems are characterised by refinement of feeling, tenderness, and pensive thought, but are deficient in power and passion.[1]

Youth and education[]

Bowles was born at King's Sutton, Northamptonshire, of which his father was the vicar. Both his father and mother, as he tells us in his autobiographical preface to Scenes and Shadows of Days Departed, were descended from old and much-respected families.[2]

In 1776 he was placed at Winchester School, under Dr. Joseph Warton, who, discerning his taste for poetry and general literature, did his best to foster it by encouragement and training. On the death of his old master, Bowles wrote a monody which expresses his regard for his character.[2]

On leaving Winchester he was elected in 1781 a scholar of Trinity College, Oxford, of which Joseph Warton's brother, Thomas Warton — professor of poetry at Oxford and eventually poet laureate — was the senior fellow. In 1783 the young student, by his poem entitled "Calpe Obsessa, or the Siege of Gibraltar," carried off the chancellor's prize for Latin verse. Here, however, any signal distinctions at the university seem to have ended. It was not until 1792 that he obtained his degree.[2]

About 1787, the year of his leaving college, Bowles fell in love with Miss Romilly, niece of Sir Samuel Romilly; but his suit, probably for want of sufficient means on his part, was rejected. After a while he formed a second attachment, but the hopes to which it gave rise were unhappily cut short by the lady's death. Bowles then turned for consolation to poetry.[2]

Career[]

Having entered holy orders he first officiated as curate of Donhead St. Andrew in Wiltshire. In 1792 he was appointed to the rectory of Chicklade in Wiltshire, which he resigned in 1797, on being presented to the rectory of Dumbleton in Gloucestershire. In the same year he was married to Magdalene, daughter of Dr. Wake, prebendary of Westminster, whom he survived.[2]

In 1804 he became vicar of Bremhill, Wiltshire, where, greatly beloved by his parishioners, he generally resided till near the close of his life. In 1804 he was also made prebendary of Stratford in the cathedral church of Salisbury, of which in 1828 he became canon residentiary. 10 years earlier he had been appointed chaplain to the prince regent.[2]

Sonnets[]

During a tour through the north of England, Scotland, and some parts of the continent, he composed the sonnets which brought him before the public. The little volume was published at Bath in 1789, under the title of Fourteen Sonnets: Written chiefly on picturesque spots during a journey. Their success was extraordinary, the first small edition being speedily exhausted,[2] while Coleridge, then in his 17th year, expressed his delight at the restoration of a natural school of poetry, a tribute which he confirmed later by celebrating the praise of Bowles in a fine sonnet.[3]

His Verses to John Howard appeared in 1789, and were reprinted in 1790. In 1805 this collection had passed into an illustrated 9th edition. Coombe Ellen and St. Michael's Mount were published in 1798; The Battle of the Nile appeared in 1799; The Sorrows of Switzerland in 1801; The Picture in 1803; The Spirit of Discovery, his longest poem, in 1804; Bowden Hill in 1806; The Missionary of the Andes in 1815; The Grave of the last Saxon in 1822; Ellen Gray in 1823; 'Days Departed' in 1828; 'St. John in Patmos' in 1833; Scenes and Shadows of Days Departed, with an autobiographical introduction, in 1837; and The Village Verse-Book, a series of hymns composed by himself for the use of children, in the same year.[3]

Controversy[]

In 1806, not in 1807 (as is erroneously stated by Gilfillan and others), Bowles issued in 10 volumes his memorable edition of Alexander Pope, with a sketch of his life and strictures on his poetry. His comments on Pope's life are undoubtedly written in a severe, if not a hostile spirit. It has been justly urged, that while he omitted no detail that could harm Pope's memory, he either left out or mentioned coldly such facts as did him honor. These errors drew upon the biographer stinging assaults from Byron both in verse and prose. Bowles's estimate of Pope as a poet gave rise to a long controversy, in which much bitterness was displayed.[3]

Later life[]

He was an active but lenient magistrate. In character he seems to have been ardent and impulsive, but genial and humane. Thomas Moore, in his journal, gives some interesting particulars of him, illustrating his keen susceptibility to impressions, his high-church principles, his love of simple language in the pulpit, together with certain eccentricities, such as his constant refusal to be measured by a tailor.[3]

His health had failed some time before his death, which took place when he was 88 at the Close, Salisbury.[3]

Writing[]

Poetry[]

The Encyclopædia Britannica says that Bowles is "noted principally for his Fourteen Sonnets (1789), which expresses with simple sincerity the thoughts and feelings inspired in a mind of delicate sensibility by the contemplation of natural scenes."[4] The Sonnets even in form were a revival, a return to an older and purer poetic style, and by their grace of expression, melodious versification, tender tone of feeling and vivid appreciation of the life and beauty of nature, stood out in strong contrast to the elaborated commonplaces which at that time formed the bulk of English poetry.

The simplicity and earnestness of Bowles had all the charm of novelty and contrast. His pensive tenderness, delicate fancy, refined taste, and, above all, his power to harmonize the moods of nature with those of the mind, were his chief merits. He was a true though not a great poet, having neither depth of thought nor vigor of imagination. The qualities of his early sonnets are common to all his poetry, though in his longer works they frequently sink into a graceful feebleness.[3]

Poetics[]

Bowles's proposition that "images drawn from what is beautiful or sublime in nature are more sublime and beautiful than images drawn from art, and that they are therefore per se more poetical, and that passions are more adapted to poetry than manners," is by no means refuted by Campbell's assertion that "the exquisite description of artificial objects and manners is no less characteristic of genius than the description of physical appearances." Bowles never denied that many artificial objects are beautiful. Byron's instances, in opposition to Bowles, go chiefly to show that certain natural objects are less interesting than certain artificial ones, and that by laws of association the latter at times, especially when unfamiliar, strike us more than the former, though intrinsically superior, when custom has lessened their effect. The doctrine of Bowles is not shaken by either of his principal antagonists. If it exclude Pope from the small band of the very highest poets, his critic nevertheless declares that in the 2nd rank none were superior to him.[3]

Other prose[]

Besides his poetical claims, those of Bowles as an antiquary are by no means inconsiderable. Of his labours in this capacity his Hermes Britannicus, published in 1828, is perhaps the most important. He wrote largely also upon ecclesiastical matters. Upon crime, education, and the condition of the poor he addressed a letter to Sir James Mackintosh. His sermons, though scarcely eloquent, have a rare union of dignity with simplicity of style.[3]

Of his numerous productions, in addition to his poems, the following, besides those already named, may be cited as representative:

  • The Parochial History of Bremhill, 1828.
  • Life of Bishop Ken, 1830.
  • Annals and Antiquities of Lacock Abbey, 1835.
  • A few Words to Lord Chancellor Brougham on the Misrepresentation concerning the Property and Character of the Cathedral Clergy of England,'Salisbury, 1831.
  • The Cartoons of Raphael.
  • Sermons preached at Bowood, 1834.[3]

Critical introduction[]

by Henry Austin Dobson

It was the candle of Bowles that lit the fire of Coleridge. We have it on record in the Biographia Literaria that to the author of "The Ancient Mariner", bewildered at 17 between metaphysics and theological controversy, and utterly out of sympathy with the artificialities of the Popesque school, the early sonnets of Bowles came almost in the light of a revelation. In a copy preserved at South Kensington he writes of them later as "having done his heart more good than all the other books he ever read excepting his Bible."

Those who to-day turn to the much-praised verses will scarcely find in their pensive amenity that enduring charm which they presented to the hungry and restless soul of Coleridge, seeking its fitting food in unpropitious places. They exhibit a grace of expression, a delicate sensibility, and above all a "musical sweet melancholy" that is especially grateful in certain moods of mind; but with lapse of time and change of fashion they have grown a little thin and faint and colorless.

Of Bowles’s remaining works it is not necessary to speak. He was overmatched in his controversy with Byron as to Pope, and the blunt

Stick to thy sonnets, Bowles,— at least they pay

of the former must be accepted as the final word upon the poetical efforts of the cultivated and amiable Canon of Salisbury.[5]

Recognition[]

Coleridge commemorated him in his 1794 sonnet, "To Bowles."

His Poetical Works were collected in 1855 as part of the Library Edition of the British Poets, with a memoir by George Gilfillan.

His poem "Time and Grief" was included in the Oxford Book of English Verse, 1250-1900.[6]

Publications[]

Poetry[]

  • Fourteen Sonnets: Elegiac and descriptive; written during a tour. Bath, UK: Richard Cruttwell, for C. Dilly, London, 1789
    • enlarged as Sonnets: Written chiefly on picturesque spots; during a Tour. Bath, UK: Richard Cruttwell, for C. Dilly, London & J. Rann, Oxford, 1789
    • enlarged again as Sonnets, (Third Edition), with other poems. Bath, UK: R. Cruttwell, for C. Dilly, London, 1794
    • corrected as Sonnets, and other poems. Bath, UK: R. Cruttwell, for C. Dilly, London, 1796; enlarged again, 1796
    • enlarged again as [httpz://archive.org/details/sonnetsotherpoem01bowl Sonnets, and other poems, by the Reverend W. L. Bowles ... 6th Edition. To Which is Added Hope: An allegorical sketch on recovering slowly from sickness]. Bath, UK: R. Cruttwell, for C. Dilly, London, 1798, 1800.
  • Verses to John Howard, F.R.S.: On his State of Prisons and Lazarettos. Bath, UK: Printed by R. Cruttwell & sold by C. Dilly, London & C. Rann, Oxford, 1789.
  • The Grave of Howard: A poem. Salisbury, UK:E. Easton, for C. Dilly, T. Hookham & J. Dodsley, London, 1790.
  • Verses on the Benevolent Institution of the Philanthropic Society, for Protecting and Educating the Children of Vagrants and Criminals. Bath, UK: Printed by R. Cruttwell & sold by C. Dilly, T. Becket, T. Hookham & J. Johnson, London, 1790.
  • A Poetical Address to the Right Honourable Edmund Burke. London: Printed for C. Dilly, 1791.
  • Elegy Written at the Hot-Wells Bristol, Addressed to the Rev'd William Howley. Bath, UK: Printed by R. Cruttwell & sold by C. Dilly, T. Becket, T. Hookham & J. Johnson, London, 1791.
  • Monody, Written at Matlock, October, 1791. Salisbury, UK: Printed by E. & J. Easton & sold by C. Dilly, London & R. Cruttwell, Bath, 1791.
  • Elegiac Stanzas: Written during sickness at Bath, December, 1795. Bath, UK: Printed by R. Cruttwell & sold by C. Dilly, London, 1796.
  • Hope, An Allegorical Sketch, on Recovering Slowly from Sickness. London: Printed for C. Dilly, Cadell & Davies, and Cruttwell, Bath, 1796.
  • St. Michael's Mount: A poem. Salisbury, UK:B.C. Collins for T. Adams, Shaftesbury & sold by C. Dilly, London, 1798.
  • Coombe Ellen: A poem, eritten in Radnorshire, September, 1798. Bath, UK: Printed by R. Cruttwell & sold by C. Dilly and Cadell & Davies, London, 1798.
  • Song of the Battle of the Nile. London: Printed for T. Cadell, Jun. & W. Davies, and C. Dilly, 1799.
  • Sonnets, and other poems. London: Printed for T. Cadell, Jun. & W. Davies, & C. Dilly, 1801.
    • Volume I, 1800 (Sonnets and other poems, 1798, reprinted);
    • Volume II, 1801 (includes "Song of the Battle of the Nile", " Coombe Ellen", and "St. Michael's Mount").
  • The Sorrows of Switzerland: A poem. London: Printed for T. Cadell, Jun. & W. Davies, J. Mawman; and R. Cruttwell, Bath, 1801.
  • The Picture: Verses written in London, May 28, 1803, suggested by a magnificent landscape of Rubens. London: Printed by W. Bulmer for Cadell & Davies, and James Carpenter, 1803.
  • The Spirit of Discovery, or, The Conquest of Ocean: A poem, in five books, with notes, historical and illustrative. Bath, UK: Printed by R. Cruttwell & sold by Cadell & Davies, and Mawman, London, 1804.
  • Bowden Hill, The Banks of the Wye, Cadland, Southampton River. Southampton, UK: Printed by Baker & Fletcher, 1806.
  • Poems (never before published): Written chiefly at Bremhill, in Wiltshire, Vol. IV. London: Printed for Cadell & Davies; and Cruttwell, Bath, 1809.
  • The Missionary: A poem. London: Printed by J. Innes & sold by J. Murray, 1813; Philadelphia: M. Carey, 1815
    • corrected and enlarged, London: J. Murray, 1815
    • republished as The Missionary of the Andes. N.p., 1822
    • republished as The Ancient Missionary of Chili. London: James Bulcock, 1835.
  • The Grave of The Last Saxon; or, The legend of the curfew: A poem. London: Printed for Hurst, Robinson & Co., and Archibald Constable, Edinburgh, 1822.
  • The Ark: A dramatic oratorio, written expressly for musical effect. Bath, UK: Printed by R. Cruttwell, [1824?].
  • Days Departed, Or, Banwell Hill: A lay of the Severn Sea. London: Murray / Bath, UK: R. Cruttwell, 1828
    • republished, with a revision of Ellen Gray, as Days Departed, or Banwell Hill, a Lay of the Severn Sea, including the Tale of the Maid of Cornwall; or, Spectre and prayer-book. London: Murray, 1829.
  • The Poetical Works of Milman, Bowles, Wilson, and Barry Cornwall. Paris: A. & W. Galignani, 1829.
  • St. John in Patmos: a poem, by one of the old living poets of Great-Britain. London: J. Murray, 1832
    • enlarged as St. John in Patmos; Or, the last apostle: A sacred poem, from the Revelations, by the Rev. W.L. Bowles, to which are added some minor poems of early youth. London: J. Murray, 1835.
Posthumous
  • The Poetical Works of William Lisle Bowles (edited by George Gilfillan). (2 volumes), Edinburgh: J. Nichol, 1855; New York: D. Appleton, 1855. Volume I, Volume II.
  • The Poetical Works of Bowles, Lamb, and Hartley Coleridge (edited by William Tirebuck). London: Walter Scott, 1887.
  • Fourteen Sonnets / Monody Written at Matlock / Coombe Ellen (edited by Donald H. Reiman). New York: Garland, 1978.
  • Hope, an Allegorical Sketch / St. Michael's Mount / Ellen Gray (edited by Reiman). New York: Garland, 1978.
  • Poems and The Missionary (edited by Donald H. Reiman). New York: Garland, 1978.
  • Sonnets, and other poems; and The spirit of discovery (edited by Donald H. Reiman). New York: Garland, 1978.

Non-fiction[]

Juvenile[]

Edited[]

Letters[]

  • A Wiltshire Parson and His Friends: The correspondence of William Lisle Bowles (edited by Garland Greever). London: Constable, 1926; Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1926.


Except where noted, bibliographical information courtesy the Poetry Foundation.[7]

See also[]

Sonnet_at_Dover_Cliffs_July_20th_1787_-_William_Lisle_Bowles

Sonnet at Dover Cliffs July 20th 1787 - William Lisle Bowles

References[]

  • PD-icon Marston, John Westland (1886) "Bowles, William Lisle" in Stephen, Leslie Dictionary of National Biography 6 London: Smith, Elder, pp. 69-70 . Web, Nov. 9, 2017.

Notes[]

  1. ↑ John William Cousin, "https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/A_Short_Biographical_Dictionary_of_English_Literature/Bowles,_William_Lisle Bowles, William Lisle]," A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature, 1910, 44. Web, Dec. 15, 2017.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Marston, 69.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Marston, 70.
  4. ↑ William Lisle Bowles" Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2012, Web, Apr. 24, 2012.
  5. ↑ from Henry Austen Dobson, "Critical Introduction: William Lisle Bowles (1762–1850)," The English Poets: Selections with critical introductions (edited by Thomas Humphry Ward). New York & London: Macmillan, 1880-1918. Web, Feb. 29, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Time and Grief," Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900 (edited by Arthur Quiller-Couch). Oxford, UK: Clarendon, 1919. Bartleby.com, Web, May 4, 2012.
  7. ↑ William Lisle Bowles 1762-1850, Poetry Foundation, Web, Aug. 11, 2012.

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PD-icon This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain, the Dictionary of National Biography (edited by Leslie Stephen & Sidney Lee). London: Smith, Elder, 1885-1900. Original article is at: Bowles, William Lisle

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