A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Ranelagh, (Catherine, Countess of)
RANELAGH (CATHERINE, COUNTESS OF), Daughter of the Earl of Corke, and Sister to the Hon. Robert Boyle, died 1691.
Bishop Burnet observes, that she lived the longest, on the most public scene, and made the greatest figure in all the revolutions of these kingdoms for above fifty years, of any woman of that age. That she employed it all in doing good to others, in which she laid out her time, her interest, and her estate, with the greatest zeal, and the most success, that he had ever known. She was indefatigable, as well as dexterous in it; and as her great understanding, and the vast esteem she was in, made all persons in their turns of fortune, desire and value her; so she gave herself a clear title to employ her interest with them, for the service of others, because she never made use of it to any end or design of her own. She was contented with what she had; and though twice stript of it, never moved on her own account, but was the general intercessor for all persons of merit or who were in want. This had in her the better grace, and was both more christian and more effectual, because it was not limited within any narrow compass of parties or relations. "When any party was down," continues the bishop, "she had credit and zeal enough to serve them, and she employed that so effectually, that in the next turn she had a new stock of credit, which she laid out wholly in that labour of love in which she spent her life. And though some particular opinions might shut her up in a divided communion, yet her soul was never of party. She divided her charities and friendships, both her esteem as well as her bounty, with the truest regard to merit and her own obligations, without any difference made upon the account of opinion. She had, with a vast reach of knowledge and apprehension, an universal affability and easiness of access; an humility, that descended to the meanest persons and concerns; an obliging kindness, and readiness to advise those who had no occasion for any farther assistance from her; and with all those and many other excellent qualities, she had the deepest sense of religion; and the most constant turning of her thoughts and discourses that way, that has been perhaps in our age. Such a sister became such a brother; and it was but suitable to both their characters, that they should have improved the relation under which they were born to the more exalted and endearing one of Friend."
They both died of a good old age; Mr. Boyle a few days after his beloved sister, with whom he had resided in Pall-mall for twenty-three years.