Dramatic Romances

Grove, Surrey, May 20, 1811), a friend of Browning's,

distinguished as a poet and as a Colonial statesman and

ruler. His first volume of poems was published in 1832.

Some verses of his in Blackwood's, 1837, attracted much

attention to him as a rising young poet. In 1841 he

was called to the bar, and in 1841 went out to New

Zealand among the earliest settlers. There he lived for

thirty years, filling several important official positions.

His unceremonious departure for New Zealand with no

leave-takings was the occasion of Browning's poem, which

is said by Mrs. Orr to give a lifelike sketch of Domett's

character. His "star" did, however, rise again for his

English friends, for he returned to London in 1871. The

year following saw the publication of his "Ranolf and

Amohia," a New Zealand poem, in the course of which

he characterizes Browning as "Subtlest Asserter of the

Soul in Song." He met Browning again in London, and

was one of the vice-presidents of the London Browning

Society. Died Nov.12, 1877.