Palmer, Samuel (1805 – 1881) – ‘The Lonely Tower’ (L.12); an illustration to Milton’s ‘Il Penseroso’.

'The Lonely Tower' (L.12); an illustration to Milton's 'Il Penseroso'. Etching. 1879. Signed. State VI of VII. As published by R Ansdell for The Etching Club in 'Il Penseroso', 1880. This print illustrates the lines directly following on from those in 'The Bellman' (L.11) ... 'Or let my lamp at midnight hour, / Be seen in some high lonely tow'r, / Where I may oft out-watch the Bear, / With thrice great Hermes'. 'The Lonely Tower' is an even more personal work than 'The Bellman', the tower being closely related to the tower on Leith Hill near the spot Palmer's first son had died in 1862 and which stands above the village of Abinger where he was buried. Palmer could see the tower from the window of his studio at Furze Hill House, Redhill, his last home. 6.5x9 inches.