The following contemporary reviews of Hawkshaw's work draw comparisons with other female writers and place her poetry in a literary and cultural context. Original spelling and punctuation is retained throughout.

Reviews of ‘Dionysius the Areopagite’, with Other Poems (London: Jackson and Walford; Manchester: Simms and Dinham, 1842)

North of England Magazine 2, no. 11 (December 1842): 121–2.

We think not so, fair lady! and yourself are strong evidence in favour of our opinion that the elements of poetic feeling are more widely extending their influence, where so far they have been the least anticipated. Poetry is not dead but sleepeth, and though Shakesperes [sic] and Miltons are not to be met with in our daily walks, yet we have a long list of high names not discreditable to any age or country. There is much poetry in the prose of the present day, and we feel strongly inclined to believe that the love of the good and true, of nature, and of art as her faithful imitator, is strongly growing up among us. We have faith in the present age, and in the progress of humanity, and this little book has strengthened our belief.