In the memoir of this gifted woman, written by Lucy Aiken, her kindred in genius as well in blood, we find this beautiful and just description of the subject of our sketch:—
"To claim for Mrs. Barbauld the praise of purity and elevation of mind may well appear superfluous. Her education and connections, the course of her life, the whole tenour of her writings, bear abundant testimony to this part of her character. It is a higher, or at least a rarer commendation to add, that no one ever better loved 'a sister's praise,' even that of such sisters as might have been peculiarly regarded in the light of rivals. She was acquainted with almost all the principal female writers of her time; and there was not one of the number whom she failed frequently to mention in terms of admiration, esteem, or affection, whether in conversation, in letters to her Mends, or in print. To humbler aspirants in the career of letters, who often applied to her for advice or assistance, she was invariably courteous, and in many instances essentially serviceable. The sight of youth and beauty was peculiarly gratifying to her fancy and her feelings; and children and young persons, especially females, were accordingly large sharers in her benevolence: she loved their society, and would often invite them to pass weeks or months in her house, when she spared no pains to amuse and instruct them; and she seldom failed, after they had quitted her, to recall herself from time to time to their recollection, by affectionate and playful letters, or welcome presents.
In the conjugal relation, her conduct was guided by the highest principles of love and duty. As a sister, the uninterrupted flow of her affection, manifested by numberless tokens of love—not alone to her brother, but to every member of his family—will ever be recalled by them with emotions of tenderness, respect, and gratitude. She passed through a long life without having lost, it is said, a single friend."
BARBE DE VERRUE,
A French improvisatrice, was an illegitimate child born of obscure parents. The count de Vemie adopted her after she became famous and gave her his name. She was called a troubadouresse, or female troubadour; and she travelled through towns and cities singing her own verses, by means of which she acquired a considerable fortune. She sung the stories of Griselidis; of William with the Falcon; of Ancassin and Nicolette; and a poem entitled. The Gallic Orpheus, or Angelinde and Cyndorix, which related to the civilization of the Gauls. Barbe lived to a very advanced age, travelled a great deal, and, although not beautiful, had many admirers. She flourished in the thirteenth century.
BARBIER, MARY ANN,
Born at Orleans, cultivated literature and poetry with much success. She settled at Paris, where she published several tragedies and some operas. It has been said that her name was only borrowed by the Abbé Pellegrin; but this is a mistake. Mademoiselle Barbier had 'talents and learning; and the Abbé Pellegrin was never anything more to her than her friend and adviser. She died in 1746. The conduct of the tragedies of Mademoiselle Barbier is tolerably regular, and the scenes well connected. The subjects
