ABSTRACT
It deals with theological problems, and expresses some phase of the author’s spiritual experience with great force and vividness. It also furnishes a remarkable instance of the ease with which Mr. Browning puts into melodious verse the elaborate niceties of a metaphysical argument, diversifying it with picturesque and humourous descriptions. Some of the pictures of country people and rural life are as faithful and minute as those of Crabbe.1… And we are confident that Mr. Browning’s dramas and lyrics will long continue to find appreciative readers, and that, as culture and taste and love of pure art make progress, the number of his constant admirers will steadily increase. If we are mistaken, he must be consoled with the phrase from Milton which is expected to soothe all great and unpopular poets; for he may safely rely till the end of time upon his ‘fit audience, though few.’
