A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Southey, Caroline Anne
SOUTHEY, CAROLINE ANNE,
Better known in the literary world as Caroline Bowles, an English poetess of fine genius and tender piety, was born about the close of the last century. Her father was of an eminent family in the county of Wilts., and vicar of a parish in Northamptonshire: he gave his daughter an excellent education. Her talent for poetry was cultivated by her elder brother, the Rev. William Lisle Bowles, himself a master of the Christian lyre. Miss Bowles profited by these advantages and encouragements, and in 1820 her first work, "Ellen Fitzarthur," was published. Her next was "The Winter's Tale, and other Poems," in 1822, which was well approved. In 1836, "The Birthday, and other Poems," "A Collection of Prose and Poetical Pieces," "Solitary Hours," &c.
In 1839, Miss Bowles became the second wife of Robert Southey, the poet whom she tended, during his declining and infirm age, with the tenderness and sweet sympathy which kindred taste, admiring affection, and Christian love inspired. He died in 1843. Mrs Southey has written little under her present name, but her early productions are sufficient to place her among the best poets of her sex.
"All high poetry must be religious," says Professor Wilson; and who that is conscious of possessing a soul that longs for immortality but feels the truth of this doctrine? There is an aspiration in every mind for something higher, better, lovelier than can be found on earth; and it is the holiest office of poesy to embody in language those vague yearnings for happiness and purity; and paint, on the dark and torn canvas of human life, transparent and glowing pictures of heavenly beauty and tranquillity. Few writers have done this with more effect than Mrs. Southey. There is a sincerity, a devotedness, ay, and an enjoyment too, in her religions musings, which shows that Christian feeling has elevated the poetic sentiment in her heart till she can sing of the "better land" with the sure and sweet conviction of its reality and blessedness. In private life Mrs. Southey is the Christian lady, doing good and communicating happiness in her domestic pursuits as she does by her literary talents.