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According to the Rossetti Archives, the text on the left side is in Rossetti's own handwriting. It reads: “'Miss Rossetti can point to work which could not easily be mended.' Times." The quotation is not quite accurate. The review in question, which appeared on 11 January 1865 under the heading "Modern Poets," compares Christina Rossetti's work to that of another up-and-coming woman poet, Jean Ingelow. The latter's work is described as "too nebulous," but then Christina's work, although more "finished," is seen to succeed by being less ambitious in the "choice of subject." As Rossetti teasingly notes, these remarks have put his sister out of countenance. Christina had indeed been "given to outbursts and tantrums" as a child (see McGowran vi), and it is typical of a brother to remember this at such a time.

Bibliography

"Gabriele Rossetti." Rossetti Archive Web. 10 July 2022.

McGowran, Katharine. Introduction. Selected Poems of Christina Rossetti. Rev. edition. Ware, Herts: Wordsworth Poetry Library, 2001. v-xxiii.

"Modern Poets." The Times. 11 January 1865: 12. Times Digital Archive. Web. 10 July 2022.

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Created 10 July 2022