Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are
Not the usual start to one of my Blogs, but all will be revealed. Now a well-known children's rhyme set to music (the melody was Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman), it originated as a poem first published in 1806. The author was Jane Taylor (1783-1824), who also wrote the book I have just read.
Taylor and Hessey - 4th edition 1816
For once, I could not pin down a first edition. That the little book sold well can be seen in the fact that there were three editions in 1815, this 4th and a 5th in 1816, and another, 6th, edition in 1817. In fact, it went through at least 13 editions up to 1832. On the title page it also stated, One of the authors of 'Original poems for infant minds' and 'Hymns for infant minds'. These give us a clue as to the audience Miss Taylor was writing for.
Born in London, Jane Taylor lived with her family in Lavenham, Suffolk; her mother was the writer Ann Taylor, who wrote seven works of moral and religious advice. Between 1796 and 1816, Jane lived in Colchester. Her sister recalled that soon after our removal to Marazion, Jane resumed writing the Tale she had commenced at Ilfracombe (1813-1814); and late in the same year it was sent to press under the title of 'Display'. The favour with which this little work was received, and more especially the high praise bestowed upon it by a few individuals, whose judgement and sincerity could not be questioned, produced a very desirable effect upon her mind; for it gave her, in some degree, that confidence in her own powers which she so much needed. Although long advised to write for more mature readers, Jane baulked at the idea of using prose to express her opinions on grave subjects; thus, she determined to use verse as a safer medium. Her Essays in Rhyme appeared in 1816 and she accepted the editorship of the religious Youth's Magazine. She wrote numerous short pieces - moral tales, personal essays and poems for the publication. She died in April 1824 of breast cancer at the age of 40, her mind still teeming with unfilled projects. She was buried in Ongar churchyard in Essex. After her death, her brother Isaac collected many of her works and included a biography in The Writings of Jane Taylor in five volumes (1832).
So, what of Display? It has a very simple message - nothing but religion will cure the love of - DISPLAY. It is the story of two young lady friends. Emily Grey and Elizabeth Palmer, 18 and 19 years-old respectively. They live in the small town of Broadisham. Emily was a realist: whatever she did, said, or looked, was in earnest: she possessed the grace of SIMPLICITY. Elizabeth, on the other hand had a disposition to display. A family called Leddenhurst move into Stokely Park, a nearby mansion, with their governess friend, Miss Weston. They are all intelligent Christians: they knew religion to be the most important of all concerns, and they uniformly acted as though they believed it. Of course locals saw them as "quite methodists" (I can't seem to get away from Methodism!)
Essentially, whilst Emily is welcomed with open arms, Elizabeth is 'seen through' and her spasmodic attempts to be 'Christian' are unfruitful. Elizabeth would have been really agreeable, if she could but have forgotten to be charming. She was truly as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal! Emily sets about becoming a real Christian, and Elizabeth sets her heart on marrying a young officer, Lieutenant Robinson: religion, friends, reputation, were hastily thrown into one scale, and Lieutenant Robinson's gold epaulets into the other. The latter won. The marriage proves a disaster - Robinson is an idle layabout who has to leave the army and be set up by his uncle and Mr Leddenhurst as a linen draper.. A shopkeeper's wife is anathema. to Elizabeth, but, luckily, the practical and moral Christian support of her friend Emily is there to help and slowly turn Elizabeth's eyes toward Bible readings and the true path. Emily's faults though not extirpated, were subdued; and her once uncertain virtues, shone out with the steady light of Christian graces. Her good nature was now charity - her sensibility, benevolence - her modesty, humility - her sprightliness, cheerfulness...her mind was now under the settled, habitual influence of religion. Great fun at a dinner party, then! By the end of the book, Elizabeth has also been led on, by Robinson's sister Rebecca - step by step, as she was able to bear it, till she saw her making real progress both in the knowledge and practice of religion. Thank the good Lord for Emily and Rebecca.
Along the way we are introduced to Betty Pryke - sharp, neat, compact, conceited looking person with a flaming profession of religion; and Susannah Davy, was a person of a very different description: she was an humble, serious, and superior young women. It becomes abundantly clear which character finds favour with the author.
There is an interesting mention of cricket - Robinson liked to watch matches (anything to get off work).
A simple tale with a simple credo; the author clearly meant it when she wrote, is there is not something in the Christian religion...the willingness to resign life, the peaceful serenity at the thought of death, and the humble joy in the prospect of a heaven of holiness. Go Elizabeth!
N.B.
The Monthly Review of March 1816, wrote: We have been rather undecided whether we should notice this pleasing little book under the class of Novels, or under that which is headed Religious. In the one case we should have praised it as replete with wholesome advice and the most rational inducements to piety - in the other, it wins our approbation by the simplicity and interest of the tale, the truth with which the characters are drawn, the natural liveliness of its scenes, and the excellence of its moral.
The Eclectic Review of August 1815, wrote: We never met with any composition so completely and beautifully simple both in sentiment and style.
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