Thomas Collins BANFIELD (3 April 1802 – 24 November 1855, Irish-born philologist and economist).

An autograph sonnet, apparently unpublished, signed and dated with the author’s place and date of birth. [Np: no date]. 1 page of ‘J Whatman’ wove paper bi-folium, quarto (10 5/8 x 9 inches; 270 x 228 mm), the first page with elaborate lithographed border providing two areas into which text can be added, the lower area with autograph ‘Sonnet’ followed by 14 lines, ‘Thos Banfield’ and ‘Castle Lyons 3d Apl. 1802’ [his birthplace and date of birth], all in Banfield’s hand; the smaller upper area with the author’s name in an attractive gothic script (? by another hand), the remaining pages blank.

Condition: some splits and tears, repaired with archival paper repair tape (see images).

For most of his adult working life, Banfield was based in Austria and Germany, but travelled to Britain regularly. He is now best known for his work as an economist, but he was also a philologist. Also, he was a compiler of a work celebrating the best of British poetry: The Beauties of the Poets of Great Britain (Brunswick: 1829).

 

The text:

‘Sonnet

As in these climes where Heaven with loveliest blue

Benignant beams on Nature’s sweetest scene;

In softened splendor, radiant but serene

Fondly I gazed until their vivid light

Grew dazzling like the sun with noontide ray,

Beneath whose beams, plants droop, & waters bright

Weep their frail forms in dewy tears away.

The flowers, when night descends with cooler Kiss,

Wake from the languor of excessive bliss,

The tear returns to cool its burning source,

But memory mirrors on each piercing look

Scathing the heart, that no relief will brook,

Pleased that ev’n night checks not its wasting force.

Thos. Banfield

Castle Lyons 3d Apl. 1802.’

 

For comparison: see the Yale archives online where there is a signed autograph letter written by Banfield, in German, in 1832.