Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/186

172 and most popular theatrical performance was Rosina, acted at Covent-garden, 1782. Few pieces have been equally successful, or have maintained their attractions so long. Her last work was Marian, brought out in 1788, but with inferior success to the former. New Biographical Dictionary, &c.

published a 4to. volume of poems, in 1792, "Reliques of Irish Poetry, consisting of heroic Poems, Odes, Elegies, and Songs, translated into English Verse, &c. published with a view to throw some light on the antiquities of her country, to vindicate, in part, its history, to prove its claim to scientific as well as military fame, and to awaken a just and useful curiosity on the subject of its poetical compositions." The pieces which she has selected unquestionably possess very great merit. They are distinguished by numerous instances of that sublimity, pathos, and charming simplicity which are discoverable in the artless compositions of early times. She was peculiarly fitted for this task; as she possessed very respectable poetical talents, heroic and elevated sentiments, a lively and bold imagination, and an elegant and cultivated taste; to which must be added an enthusiastic zeal for the literary honours of her country; which some may think she has carried to an excess, in the encomiums which she passes on the Irish language and music; and in her claims, for Ireland, to a more early civilization, refinement, and cultivated genius, than any other nation in Europe.