Delphi Complete Works of Ann Radcliffe (Illustrated) (352 page)

In her own peculiar style of composition, Mrs. Radcliffe has never been approached. Her success naturally drew forth a crowd of imitators, who produced only cumbrous caricatures, in which the terrors were without decorum, and the explanations absolutely farcical. No successful writer has followed her without calling to aid other means, which she would not condescend to use. The Author
of
“ The Monk” mingled a sickly voluptuousness with his terrors; and Maturin, full of “ rich conceits,” approached the borders of the forbidden in speculation, and the paradoxical in morals. She only, of all writers of romance, who have awed and affected the public mind, by hints of things unseen, has employed enchantments purely innocent; has forborne to raise one questionable throb, or call forth a momentary blush. This is the great test not only of moral feeling, but of intellectual power; and in this will be found her highest praise.

St George Hanover Square Church, Mayfair, London — Radcliffe’s final resting place

The church in Radcliffe’s time