Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/461

 O'LEARY. 457 progress in his studies, as he published his first perform ance before he had reached the age of twenty-one. This was a Treatise on the Glaucoma and Cataract, printed in Dublin, in 1750, and frequently quoted with great respect by professor Baron Haller. He was elected a member of the Royal Irish Academy, in 1785, and soon after an honorary member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Dublin. He was eminently learned in the language, antiquities, and history of the ancient Irish, and wrote a “History of Ireland,” in two vols. 4to, which is held in the highest estimation; also, an “Intro duction to the Study of the History and Antiquities of Ireland,” with plates; “Ierne defended,” a letter to the Antiquarian Society; and “A Dissertation on the Ancient Arms of Ireland,” sent to the Irish Academy. He died at Limerick, in June 1807, and was much regretted by a l l who knew him. KANE O‘HARA, The author o f the laughable burletta o f “Midas,” was a native o f Ireland, and the younger brother o f a genteel family. He had a n exquisite taste i n music, and uncommon skill i n the burlesque. He died June 17, 1782, having for some years been deprived o f his eye-sight. He also wrote “The Two Misers,” a musical farce; “The Golden Pip pin,” and “April Day,” both burlettas; and altered Tom Thumb, originally written b y Fielding, t o i t s present form. ARTHUR O'LEARY, A Roman Catholic chergyman, who would have con ferred honour o n any profession b y the benevolence o f his character, was a native o f Ireland, which country h e quitted when young for France; studied a t the college o f St. Malo, i n Britanny, and a t length entered into the Franciscan order o f Capuchins. He then officiated for some time a s chaplain t o the English prisoners during the