The Diadem: A Book for the Boudoir edited by Miss Louisa H. Sheridan.

SHERIDAN (Louisa Henrietta), later Lady Louisa Henrietta Wyatt

Published by London: Published by Smith Elder and Co. Cornhill, 1828

About this Item

Folio, 360 x 270 mms., pp. vi [vii Contents, viii list of illustrations], 67 [68 colophon], with engraved frontispiece, extra vignette title-page and eleven engraved plates, all finely coloured by hand, bound in publishers' elaborate maroon morocco stamped in gilt and blind, a little rubbed at edges and worn at foot of spine, light foxing internally but a very good copy. The compiler of this miscellany, The Diadem (1838), and one of the authors of multiple pieces within it, is Louisa Henrietta Sheridan (1810-1841). During her all too short life she was a poet, an editor, a harpist, and a composer. In a volume of Lady Blessington's published correspondence, there is a valuable account of Sheridan's life, and some reproduced letters, in which it is said that she is "known to the public as a popular writer … in Annuals and Magazines; she has written a number of clever and lively pieces, in prose and verse, and several detached tales and sketches … She married Sir Henry Wyatt, rather in advanced life, and died a few years ago. … This accomplished lady was a good musician, an excellent linguist, and notwithstanding habitual ill health, was fond of society, and generally a favourite, on account of her agreeable qualities and amiable disposition; she was remarkable for her conversational powers, the readiness of her wit, and sprightliness of fancy… She edited 'The Comic Offering,' which was commenced in 1831; and 'The Diadem, a Book for the Boudoir,' which appeared in 1838. … " (The Literary Life and Correspondence of the Countess of Blessington (1855), ed. by R. R. Madden, vol. 2, p. 320). This copy of The Diadem (1838) is an inscribed presentation copy from the poet and historian Agnes Strickland (1796-1874) to her sister Sarah Gwillym, née Strickland (1798-1890), as a gift to brighten up and welcome her to her new residence, the inscription reading, "To / Sarah Strickland Gwillym / A gift for her new home / From / Her affectionate sister / Agnes Strickland / Reydon Hall / Suffolk". It is also an association copy, as Agnes Strickland was one of the contributing authors to the miscellany. Her poem "The Sultan's Daughter and the Slave" appears on pages 17 to 20, accompanied by an engraved illustration depicting the daughter of the sultan and her slave, the former being lavishly bejewelled and sumptuously attired in (presumably) several layers of shimmering silk. Copies of Sheridan's miscellany The Diadem were not as a rule issued with hand-colouring to the illustrations. The other copy I have examined in full (digitally) is the one held by the state library at Hamburg, Germany, none of whose illustrations are coloured. Sarah Strickland married Richard Gwillym, Vicar of Ulverston, in 1844. Probably therefore the presentation of this volume from Agnes to Sarah was made that year. Notably, a panoply of women writers contributed to The Diadem. Agnes Strickland appears first among the women authors, followed by one Miss Smith "of the Down House", then the Hon. Mrs. J. C. Westenra, Mrs Heaton Champion de Crespigny, Mrs. Fitzroy Howard, Mrs. Baron Wilson, the Countess of Blessington, Louisa H. Sheridan herself, Lady Thompson, and Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. Seller Inventory # 10447

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Diadem: A Book for the Boudoir edited by...

Publisher: London: Published by Smith Elder and Co. Cornhill

Publication Date: 1828