are in general judiciously chosen; but nothing can be more commonplace than the manner in which she treats them. In endeavouring to render the heroines of her plays generous and noble, she degrades all her heroes. We perceive the weakness of a timid pencil, which, incapable of painting objects in large, strives to exaggerate the virtues of her sex; and these monstrous pictures produce an interest that never rises above mediocrity. Nevertheless, we meet with some affecting situations, and a natural and easy versification; but too much facility renders it negligent, diffuse, and prosaic. Her tragedies are entitled "Arria and Pœtus;" "Cornelia, Mother of the Gracchi;" "Tomyris, Queen of the Mussagetes;" "The Death of Caesar;" and a comedy called "The Falcon." She also wrote three operas, which were successful.
BARNARD, LADY ANNE,
Daughter of James Lindsay, fifth earl of Balcarres, of Fifeshire, Scotland, was born December 8th. 1760; and married in 1793, to Sir Andrew Barnard, librarian to George the Third. She died without children in 1825. She wrote "Auld Robin Gray," one of the most perfect, tender, and affecting of all the ballads of humble life. The authorship of this song was unknown for a long time. Lady Anne Barnard wrote very little, and never anything equal in true pathos or poetry to this first ballad.
BARONI, ADRIANNE BASILE,
A native of Mantua, Italy, sister of the poet Basile. She was so much admired for her beauty, wit, and accomplishments, that volumes were written in her praise. Her daughter Leonora possessed equal charms, and met with equal admiration; and in 1639 a collection of poems in Latin, Greek, Spanish, Italian, and French, was published, in which her beauty and perfections were portrayed. She resided long at Rome, where she appeared occasionally as a singer. She also wrote some poetical trifles. She was celebrated for her vocal powers.
BARRY, MARIE JEANNE VAUBENIER,
Countess du, was born at Vancouleurs, near the native place of Joan d'Arc, in 1744. Her reputed father was an exciseman of the name of Vaubenier. After his death her mother went with her to Paris, where she was placed in a convent, but soon left it to work at a fashionable milliner's. When she was about sixteen she became mistress to Count Jean du Barry; and soon after was presented to Louis the Fifteenth of France, who was immediately fascinated by her beauty. In order that she might appear at court, Guillaume du Barry, brother of Count Jean, consented to the king's desire, and married her, after which she was introduced to the court as Countess du Barry. Her influence over the king was excessive and of long duration, and she often used it to lead him to commit acts of injustice and imprudence. After the death of Louis the Fifteenth, Madame du Barry was shut up in a convent; but Louis the Sixteenth allowed her to come out, and restored to her the pension and residence left her by the late king. She showed herself grateful for this kindness, when Louis the Sixteenth and his family were imprisoned; for she came, regardless of
