SOURCE: "See, and Believe," in Essays in Criticism, Vol. IX, No. 2, April, 1959, pp. 188-95.

In the following review of Seeing is Believing, Davie commends the development of Tomlinson's verse, calling the collection a "landmark. "

[Seeing is Believing] is Tomlinson's third collection of poems, but the first that is both substantial and representative. His first, published quite some years ago by the Hand & Flower Press, contains, as they say, 'prentice-work', promising, intelligent and various, but now interesting chiefly because it shows the poet casting about for the style he wanted. In The Necklace, fifteen poems published four years ago by the Fantasy Press, the style has been achieved completely, but appears a specialized instrument for very special purposes. Special, and limited. Of course. But not at all so limited as people thought. The proof is in this collection, where what is recognisably the same style has been adapted, refined...