Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/393

 MACARTNEY. $89 delight and approbation with which a discerning public viewed his advances in the art, may be judged from this proof, that the Dublin Society, 3rd of December, 1807, after a critical examination of his performances, presented this youthful artist (then under twenty-one years) with a diploma, signifying, in the most honourable and flattering terms, their unlimited patronage and approbation. He finished a superb window for the cathedral of Lismore;— had proceeded on one of much larger dimensions for that of Tuam, and, anxious to finish i t , by his incessant exer tions, his bodily powers failed. The heat and fumes o f the furnace, brought o n a fever and inflammation o f the brain, and deprived the world o f a life, both benevolent and useful. He expired o n June 14th, 1812, i n the twenty-sixth year o f his age, respected, admired, and beloved. He, however, communicated the principles o f his art t o his three sisters, who completed the windows o f Tuam cathedral o n his model, and still preserve and prac tise their brother's profession i n his native city. JAMES M*ARDELL. This eminent mezzotinto engraver was born i n Dublin about 1710, which h e left a t a n early period o f life, and went t o London. He was justly considered a s one o f the ablest artists i n his branch o f engraving, that ever prac tised the art. The number o f his plates i s very consi. derable, the major part o f which are portraits o f persons o f distinction, by the principal painters o f his time. He also scraped a few plates from historical subjects, b y Vandyck, Murillo, and Rembrandt, some o f which are extremely fine. He died i n London, 2nd June, 1765. GEORGE, EARL of MACARTNEY, The son o f George Macartney, Esq. o f Auchinleck, i n Scotland, was born i n Ireland i n 1787, and was educated