William Wordsworth (visiting Paris) to Helen Maria Williams, [15 October 1820], 'I had the honour of receiving your letter yesterday Evening, together with the several copies of your tender and beautiful Verses ... Allow me this opportunity of expressing the pleasure I shall have in possessing this little tribute from yourself - as also, the gratification which the perusal of both the Poems [including 'The Charter'] has afforded me.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: William Wordsworth Manuscript: Unknown
"Horatio Nelson's copy of Helen Maria Williams's Sketches of the State of Manners and Opinions in the French Republic Towards the Close of the Eighteenth Century (1801) ... has very little marking and only a few actual notes in it, but all his notes correct the author on matters of fact ..."
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Horatio Nelson Print: Book
'[Carter] is sympathetic to women of different views, like Charlotte Smith or Helen Maria Williams whose books she finds "too democratical" but praises as "exprest with decency and moderation" and "very prettily written".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Carter Print: Book
'Thought the following remarks in Miss Williams was exceeding applicable to the manufacturers of Sheffield: "There is a spirit in that class, in all countries more favourable to inquiry & consequently more hostile to unconditional submission" Vol 2 p.227.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Hunter Print: Book
'Miss Williams "Tour" is very entertaining; besides describing the scenery (which she does in a masterly manner) she gives short sketches of the government of the different cantons & compares the state of Switzerland to Paris.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Hunter Print: Book
Letter to Mrs F--R (formerly Miss Ourry) April 11 1795 ??Innovation disconcerts us; new lights blind us; we detest the Rights of Man, and abominate those of Woman. Think then how I am prepared to receive your friend H.M.W.?s* new publication; though I admire her style, and confess that nobody embellishes absurdity more ingeniously. I am greatly inclined too to respect the purity of religious principles. Yet when I think of the associates with whom her political bigotry has connected her, I think I hear the Syrian leper entreating the prophet?s permission to bow a little occasionally in the house of their god Rimmon. [footnote] *Helen Maria Williams before she forsook her country and her principles'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Anne Grant [nee MacVicar] Print: Book
'He had dined that day [30th May 1784] at Mr. Hoole's, and Miss Helen Maria Williams being expected in the evening, Mr. Hoole put into his hands her beautiful "Ode on the Peace": Johnson read it over, and when this elegant and accomplished young lady was presented to him, he took her by the hand in the most courteous manner, and repeated the finest stanza of her poem; this was the most delicate and pleasing compliment he could pay.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Johnson Print: Unknown
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c. 1 October 1795, 'Of Citoyenne Rolands appeal I have read the first only. at present the politics of France puzzle me — there is little ability at the head of affairs — Louvet may mean well — but the decree of 5th Fructidor is an oppressive one. Lanjuinais is almost the only man of whom I entertain a tolerable opinion. of all possible villains what think you of Barrere? have you read Helen Williams’ letters & Louvet account of his escape?'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Isaac D'Israeli to John Murray (1815):
'I have just finished Miss Williams's narrative [...] I consider it a [italics]a capital work[end
italics], written with great skill, talent, and care; full of curious and new developments, and
some facts which we did not know before. There breathes through the whole a most attractive
spirit, and her feelings sometimes break out in the most beautiful effusions [...] it must be
popular, as it is the most entertaining [book] imaginable; one of those books one does not like
to quit before finishing it.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Isaac D'Israeli Print: Book
Isaac D'Israeli to John Murray (1815):
'I have just finished Miss Williams's narrative [...] I consider it a [italics]a capital work[end
italics], written with great skill, talent, and care; full of curious and new developments, and
some facts which we did not know before. There breathes through the whole a most attractive
spirit, and her feelings sometimes break out in the most beautiful effusions [...] it must be
popular, as it is the most entertaining [book] imaginable; one of those books one does not like
to quit before finishing it.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Isaac D'Israeli Print: Book
