POEMS by the Revd. Henry Rowe, LL.B. Rector of Ringshall in Suffolk. ROWE, Henry. Poetry

Two volumes bound in one, pp. [3]-14, [iv], 135; [vi], 128; probably wanting half title in first volume (present in vol. II); both titles with what looks like remains of binder's glue in inner margin; occasional spotting; rebound in modern half calf. First and only edition. Henry Rowe (d. 1819) claimed to be descended from Nicholas Rowe and to be a 'near relation' to Samuel Rogers; in 1808 and 1810 he published two other books of poems, but this is his principal work. When he died in 1819 the Gentleman's Magazine (ii p. 284) had a short obituary with some details of his life. We know he went to Eton (there is a poem here on the college, I pp. 3-13), but the obituary may be in error when it claims that he went on to King's Cambridge, as there is no mention of him in Venn; he probably went to Brasenose, Oxford, because Foster has an entry for a man of that name, and these volumes include a poem on a distant view of the city. The verse here is very old-fashioned in theme as well as language, with odes and addresses to royalty, as well as standard classical allusions and invocations to the muse. But there are also touches which are quite charming (a poem on a little girl playing with her shadow) and some which are personal, such as an ode 'on the loss of vision', for it seems that he was virtually blind by this date. The book was issued by subscription, and is prefaced by a list which includes many titled folk, among them Sir George Beaumont and several Dukes and Earls, and the Provost of Eton. Scarce: ESTC online lists just twelve copies.