The Original Poems of Edward Edwin Foot, of Her Majesty's Customs, London

In Short

This volume presents a curated selection of poems by a customs officer, ranging from solemn meditations on maritime tragedy to loyal celebrations of British royalty. It includes a serialized narrative poem, Jane Hollybrand; or, Virtue Rewarded, which follows the classic arc of working-class morality rewarded by aristocratic favor. Published through a modest subscription model, the book serves as a time capsule of 19th-century optimism, reflecting the author’s deep-seated belief in social order, the dignity of labor, and the enduring power of romantic and patriotic sentiment.

The Story

The book’s trajectory moves from the expansive and cosmic to the personal and local. It opens with somber, descriptive verse that contemplates the "plumbless deep" of the ocean, where ships go to perish and secrets of the past are buried beneath the sands. These early poems dwell on the fragility of life and the melancholy remnants left behind after a storm. From these heavy, elemental waters, the collection shifts to the sunlit, orderly world of Victorian pageantry. The author turns his attention to the arrival of Princess Alexandra in England, describing a festive, floral-strewn London that celebrates the union of the royal couple with a fervor that bridges the gap between the monarchy and the public.

This theme of national hope continues into a series of poems dedicated to the birth and christening of the young prince. Here, the author reconciles the loss of the Prince Consort with the arrival of a new generation, framing the royal family as the center of a national narrative defined by love and duty. However, the collection does not remain exclusively in the clouds or the palace. It descends to the pastoral life of the English countryside, where the author observes the cycle of the seasons and the plight of the "little faithfuls"—the sheep destined for the butcher. He reflects on their innocence and the irony of their utility to human commerce, a moment of startlingly grounded observation amidst his more decorative verse.

The final major arc is Jane Hollybrand; or, Virtue Rewarded, a narrative poem in six chapters. It tells the story of Jane, a humble country girl, and Arnold, a lord’s son. Their love is tested by distance and the social chasm between them, yet it remains steadfast through the trials of time. Along their journey, they encounter gipsies who prophesy their eventual union, and Jane’s father, George, survives a violent robbery at the hands of men who are eventually brought to justice. The story culminates in a joyful reunion that confirms the gipsy’s prediction: Jane’s patience and virtue are rewarded, and the lovers are united in a scene of domestic bliss. The book concludes with a humble, reflective epilogue in which the author pays tribute to the critic William Gifford, a fellow native of his hometown, offering a final nod to those who paved the way in the "unmerciful arena" of letters.

How It Unfolds

The depths of the sea The collection begins with a somber vision of a shipwreck, detailing the remnants of the Dundee as it vanishes into the "eternal gulf of death." The author lingers on the imagery of gold coins and sunken jewels, suggesting that the ocean floor holds the history of centuries in its silent, watery grave.

The royal procession The tone shifts to the bright, energetic celebration of Princess Alexandra’s arrival in London. The author depicts the city as a unified, jubilant entity where steeples peel and flags wave in honor of the "beauteous bride" and her royal consort.

The cycle of life A meditative section focuses on the pastoral landscape, contrasting the hunters’ excitement with the quiet, tragic fate of the sheep in the field. This segment serves as a moral check, reminding the reader of the blood spilled to grace the tables of the squire and his guests.

The romantic quest The narrative poem Jane Hollybrand introduces the central romance, establishing the devotion between the noble Arnold and the virtuous Jane. The plot moves through seasons of separation, the intervention of a prophetic gipsy, and the resolution of social obstacles.

A final tribute The book closes by turning away from the author’s own work to honor William Gifford. The author expresses regret for not having discovered Gifford’s satirical brilliance sooner, framing his own efforts as a humble, respectful bow to a literary predecessor.

The People

The figures in these poems are often archetypes of their era, defined by their social roles or their moral standing. Jane Hollybrand is the quintessential virtuous maiden whose primary virtues are patience and unwavering loyalty; her journey is one of endurance, waiting for her noble suitor to return and fulfill his promise. Arnold Mountjoy acts as her benefactor and lover, a man of status who defies the rigid expectations of his station to pursue a love that transcends class. He is marked by his "generous ear" and his desire to secure Jane’s future against the whims of fate.

George Hollybrand, Jane’s father, represents the hardworking, God-fearing peasantry who, despite being victims of violence at the hands of "unholy men," remain steadfast in their faith. His struggle with the robbers who steal his stores emphasizes the vulnerability of his class, yet his triumph in the justice court asserts the presence of law and moral order. The Gipsy woman acts as a catalyst for the narrative’s hopeful resolution, serving a functional role in the story by confirming the couple's future and providing a sense of destiny. In the broader scope of the collection, the Royal Family—the Princess and the infant Prince—appear as symbols of national continuity, objects of the author’s deep, almost reverent affection.

In Its Own Voice

The author views the ocean as a storehouse of lost history, visible only to the imagination:

Oh! could we see the ocean’s bed, (Strewn o’er, no doubt, with mangled bones, And where there are no bones, instead Lie gems of rare and precious stones—

The author captures the frantic, fearful nature of the sheep as they perceive the hunters approaching the field:

And stand aghast-like—stark and still— Until the yelpers have flown past, Until the hunters cross the hill, And then again seek their repast.

In the narrative poem, the author describes the passage of time and the inevitable separation of the lovers:

But now alas! alas! that dreadful pow’r Had usher’s in the last and pitiable hour, When that dissyllable—that dread “farewell” Will fall from Arnold like a deathful knell!—

What It's Really About

The book is a testament to the belief that virtue, regardless of station, is the ultimate currency of life. The author argues that both the "humble cot" and the "kingly domicile" are governed by the same divine and moral laws. The central questions are how to maintain hope in the face of inevitable loss—whether through shipwreck or the death of a prince—and how to find meaning in the mundane tasks of daily existence. It is an argument for the stabilizing power of loyalty, the necessity of patience, and the idea that the "sturdy limbs" of a humble life are just as significant as the grand, passing spectacles of the elite.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate the earnest, unironic voice of the Victorian era will find this a fascinating document. It is not a work of high-modernist complexity, but rather a sincere expression of a man who viewed his writing as a "product of his leisure hours," intended to secure his place among his peers. The language is dense with 19th-century conventions, and the reader must be prepared for long stretches of rhyming couplets that favor moralizing over psychological interiority.

However, the book stays with you because of its raw, transparent desire to be understood. The author’s honest admission of his "humble and obscure position in life" makes the poems feel like a conversation across time. You will encounter the difficulties of his era—a rigid class consciousness and a tendency toward flowery, sometimes repetitive, patriotic sentiment—but you will also find moments of startling, grounded observation, particularly in his descriptions of the English countryside and the harsh realities of maritime life. For those interested in the social history of the "everyman" of the 1860s, this collection provides a window into the aspirations, fears, and quiet joys of a reader and writer who believed that even a small, modest volume could hold its own against the "gloomy recesses of oblivion."