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 Beginning at a very early age as a poetess, with marked Nationalistic opinions, she was also a capital translator from German, French, Danish, and Italian, and an essayist of great merit. A varied life was hers, full of colour and movement; she influenced, or was influenced by, most of the leading men of her time, including the Young Ireland party, of which she was the life and soul.

Her husband. Sir William Wilde, was quite as clever as she was, though in a different way, and their house at Merrion Square was the rallying place for all who were eminent in science, art, or literature. Dr. Shaw, the versatile, sarcastic Fellow of Trinity College, and a brilliant writer for the Press, was frequently seen there on Saturday afternoons; the "Sham Squire," in other words, Mr. W. J. Fitzpatrick, the well-known biographer, seldom failed to show his melancholy, aristocratic face; Dr. Tisdall gave some of his delightful and mirth-inspiring recitations; Sir Robert Stewart brightened the dimly lit rooms with his cheery presence, and among this distinguished throng moved the tall figure of Speranza, a very queen of society, inspiring and inspired.

Writing in one of her essays about the faults of celebrated men of her time, Lady Wilde says with equal truth and eloquence:—

"Of what value to the world are the petty details of their weaknesses and failings? We want