Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 1.djvu/482

Rh but he was there in 1737, when he was deprived of his sight by an accidental cold. This deprivation rendering him incapable of his profession, he amused himself with writing his comedy, called "The Sharper," which was acted five times at Smock alley, and obtained him the notice of Dean Swift.

From this period his life partook of all the inconveniences that usually result from confined circumstances, and an inability to procure the means of subsistence by a profession. He, however, obtained from the late king a pension of forty pounds a-year during bis life; and, in the year 1746, procured a sum of money by performing a part he was so well qualified for by nature, namely, Tiresias the blind prophet, in "CEdipus," This performanee was for his own benefit at Drury Lane theatre. He afterwards was settled at the Latin school at Kilkenny. The time of his death we are wholly unacquainted with.

He is the author of a Latin Poem, called "Templum Veneris, sive Amorum Rhapsodiæ;" and of three dramatic pieces, whose titles are, 1. "Tamar, Prince of Nabia," T. 1799; 2. "Hermon, Prince of Choræa," T. 1746; 3. "The Sharper," C. 1750.  

a man of extraordinary talent, but neglected to improve it by due application (by no means an extraordinary ease). He was held, however, in great estimation, and, we are told, "he most justly deserved the name of a fine artist." He was a man possessed of a benevolent heart, was born in Dublin, in 1771, and died, greatly lamented, in that city, in 1810.  

eminent scholar, and a prelate of the church of Ireland, was born at Dublin, in 1693. His father, Dr. Clayton, was minister of St. Michael's, Dublin, and dean of