Susan Evance Biography

Little is known about Miss Evance, apart from two volumes of poetry, published in 1808 and 1818 respectively. Somewhere between these publications she married a Mr. Hooper, and it is suggested she had children, and a brother in the navy.
Although reviews of her first collection were favourable, the second volume received little attention and, sadly, she dropped out of sight - and was quickly forgotten.

Her first volume (1808) has an 'Advertisement by the editor', which reads:

TO introduce the following poems to the attention of the public, will require very few observations.- In the present day of literary light and liberality, it is a rare circumstance if merit of any kind long escape notice and approbation.- The sentiments diffused through the following compositions, as well as the style and language in which they are written, will, I conceive, at least please the ear; may they affect and amend the heart.
The melancholy strain of some pieces in the following collection, has a sanction in the mournful
Sonnets of Charlotte Smith; but this excess of feeling, though often highly interesting, ought to be seldom or never admitted.- I know of no situation in life in which it can be right to indulge the petrifying gloom of lonely wretchedness, or the deep horror of wild despair.- The afflictions which we are called to endure, are to be regarded by us as the acts of a merciful and affectionate Being, calculated to teach us important lessons of virtue, and to prepare us for a happier state of existence.
If the satisfaction and pleasure I have enjoyed in the perusal of these poems, shall, by their publication, be more generally diffused, I shall rejoice to have employed my influence in bringing them before the public.

JAMES CLARKE.Organford- Dorset,
20th Oct.1808