Poetry of the Anti-Jacobin Comprising the Celebrated Political and Satirical Poems, of the Rt. Hons. G. Canning, John Hookham Frere, W. Pitt, the Marquis Wellesley, G. Ellis, W. Gifford, the Earl of Carlisle, and Others. by Charles 1770-1827 [Editor] Edmonds — Summary & Review

This collection gathers the political and satirical poetry originally published in The Anti-Jacobin and its successor periodicals during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Edited by Charles Edmonds, it features works by prominent figures such as George Canning, John Hookham Frere, William Gifford, and others who used poetry as a weapon against the spread of French revolutionary ideas and their English supporters. The Anti-Jacobin was conceived as a government-aligned literary effort to defend the British constitution, monarchy, and established social order against what its contributors saw as the dangerous, immoral, and chaotic doctrines of Jacobinism.

The poems are often parodies or imitations of contemporary and classical works, such as Dr. Darwin's "Loves of the Plants" or Horace's odes, repurposed to mock revolutionary zeal, radical reformers, and opposition politicians like Charles James Fox. The collection includes biting satires on Jacobin principles — highlighting their hypocrisy, violence, and social disruption — alongside patriotic war songs celebrating Britain's naval strength and resistance to French invasion. Contributors did not shy away from severe and sometimes indecorous satire, attacking Whig leaders as traitors and enemies of the state, while also employing wit, literary skill, and classical references to bolster their arguments.

The volume also contains dramatic works like "The Rovers," a German-influenced play blending romantic intrigue with political commentary, and didactic poems such as "The Progress of Man," which philosophically trace human development from nature to civilization, critiquing social ills and revolutionary ideas. Political events, speeches, and meetings are often referenced or parodied, providing a vivid picture of the turbulent political climate.

Throughout, the contributors' loyalty to established institutions is clear, even as their satire exposes the follies and dangers of radicalism. The work documents the interplay of literature, politics, and public opinion in a time of war and revolution, preserving a spirited and partisan voice that helped shape British resistance to Jacobinism. The editor’s extensive notes clarify historical context, authorship complexities, and literary allusions, inviting readers to appreciate both the political import and artistic merit of the poems.

While the satire is severe and partisan, the collection remains engaging for its sharp humor, classical learning, and vivid portrayal of a nation grappling with revolutionary ideas and internal dissent. It offers a window into how poetry and satire served as active tools in political debate and national defense during a pivotal era.