The Corvey Novels Project at the University of Nebraska
— Studies in British Literature of the Romantic Period —
Francis Lathom
Francis Lathom. Astonishment!!! A Romance of a Century Ago
London: T. N. Longman and O. Rees, 1802.
Contemporary Reviews
Has not Mr. Lathom almost thrown away his time in attempting this work, knowing, as he does, that 'every character in common life has been so twisted, twirled, and strained, into every possible shape and variety, that some of the principal personages in every novel are, at least, cousins, if not more nearly related to some of the most prominent characters in any other you happen to open?' We really give it as our opinion, that this observation of the author is a just one; and we think, that, from amongst the most prominent characters which every novel abounds in, it is a pity some better ones had not been selected to ingraft into the two volumes before us.
Monthly Review, Vol. 43 (Apr 1804): 441.
Under 'Monthly Catalogue: Novels'
Art. 24 - Astonishment!!! A Romance of a Century Ago. By Francis
Lathom.
2 Vols. 12 mo. 9 s. Boards. Longman and Rees.
We must confess that this production deserves its title, since the want of probability in various parts excites our astonishment at the author: but it calls forth another sentiment when we contemplate the immorality of his pages, which is conveyed in a two-fold manner, by description and by sentiment.
Flowers of Literature (1803): 442.
Astonishment!!! A Romance of a Century Ago. By Francis Lathom.
2 Vols. Longman & Rees.
Astonishment is not a misnomer, for there is much mystery and intricacy in the tale. We would wish to see banished from our literature those hobgobliana, which the German school first suggested, and which Mrs. Ratcliffe [sic], by her superior talents, rendered popular. The author, though not destitute of merit, is certainly very far from enchanting the fancy, like The Romance of the Forest.
Notes: This title is also mentioned in an introductory section on 'Novelists' in Flowers of Literature for 1803: 'The last NOVEL-WRITER we shall notice is Mr. LATHOM: our readers must know that, in novels as in many other articles of literature, or of household furniture, there is a kind of fashion; at one time all ghosts, castles, corridores [sic], or monsters; at another, some likeness of human life. Mr. LATHOM has tried both the marvellous and the natural romance. In his marvellous romance, whose essence is much ado about nothing, he has adopted that kind of work which the German school first suggested, and the genius of Mrs. RADCLIFFE rendered popular. His novel resembles hers only in scenery, which lies in France and Italy, in woods and monasteries; but he is a very distant follower of her exquisite productions. In Mrs. RADCLIFFE's mysteries we find motives for most of the contrivances; but, in Mr. LATHOM's productions, there is mystery without any other motive than the love of mystery. The Romance of the Forest, a creation of genius, enchants and transports the fancy; while Astonishment!!! excites only wonder, and merely attracts the curiosity. Mr. LATHOM, in his natural novel, has, without exhibiting much force of character, produced many laughable incidents, broad farce, and a great variety of practical jokes: this industrious author has, however, shown himself with more advantage in his dramatic production, which is greatly superior to his other literary works. His Wife of a Million, although extravagant, is still an amusing woman, of uncommon spirit and ingenuity. It has been performed, with success, at three different theatres: its plot is well contrived, and its incidents truly dramatic. Hence, though not very eminent as a novel writer, Mr. LATHOM may be deservedly ranked amongst the modern dramatists, to whom we shall draw the attention of our readers' (pp. xlviii-xlix).
Chronicler's Note: I could not find this second review from Flowers of Literature, either in microfilm or online.
Romance Readers and Romance Writers: A Satirical Novel (1810):
x.
By Sarah Green, 3 vols.
London: T. Hookham, Jr. and E. T. Hookham.
FRANCIS LATHOM has favoured the world with alternately a novel and a romance for, I believe, the last twenty years; and, from the surprising rapidity with which these fictions have been wrought up, I conceive that this slave to literature lives only upon the produce of his brain. These productions tell sad tales of this gentleman's abilities: they nourish and support him, no doubt, but they are sickly and wearisome to other people. Yet I must remember that this genius writes for his bread, and that the number of his loaves are multiplied by the number of volumes that he manufactures. Then let me intreat you, gentle, benevolent, and christian reader, to peruse in pity the romances of Francis Lathom, for he no doubt "prays," and I will bear witness that he "works" manfully for "his daily bread."
If six months pass without my seeing in the daily papers a new work advertised, from the pen of FRANCIS LATHOM, author of The Mystery, Astonishment!!!, Men and Manners, &c. &c. &c., I shall verily conclude that he has not consumed with prudence, and in a direct and unvarying proportion, the produce of his latest production; and that his appetite, like that of most dullards, has been infinitely more keen than his wit.