Page:A cyclopaedia of female biography.djvu/156

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134
BRO.

This exceeds the progress of any one on record, in America or any other country. She soon became serious, and then religious; and was baptized in January, 1818. In June, 1820, she undertook to teach a school at Creek-path, near her father's house. She sbowed the greatest zeal in the cause of enlightening her countrywomen; those of all ages came to learn something of her. She established religious exercises in her father's house, and brought many to Christianity. She was not contented with the measure of information she had acquired, but intended to push her studies into higher branches of knowledge, which she knew to exist; but while she was contemplating great things for herself and her nation, her health began to decline. She had probably injured herself by too close application to her studies. The change from flying through the groves and paddling the canoe to such a sedentary life, which she must have severely felt, together with her anxiety for the conversion of her family, particularly of a brother, who had died the preceding year, aggravated her disease. She bore her sickness with great resignation, and her piety made a deep impression on the hearts of all who knew and loved her. She died July 18th., 1823, and was buried at Creek-path, beside her dear brother John, whom she had been instrumental in converting to Christianity.

BROWNE, MARY ANNE,

Was born in 1812, at Maidenhead, Berkshire. She began to publish at the age of fifteen, and her poems even then showed great genius. Her father removed to Liverpool in 1830; and in 1842, Miss Browne was married to James Gray, a Scotch gentleman, and a nephew of James Hogg, the shepherd poet She died at Cork, in 1844. Her first work was "Mont-Blanc;" her others were, "Ada," "Repentance," "The Coronal," "Birth-Day Gift," "Ignatia," volume of "Sacred Poetry," and a great number of fugitive pieces, in prose as well as verse. She was as well known by those among whom she lived for her active benevolence, as for her poetical talents, being eminently pious, gentle, and benevolent. There is very little display of that sort of tender and flowery description, which may be termed sentimentalism, in the poetry of Miss Browne. She is reflective, serious, and, at times, sublime. Human nature, as its passions and changes, hopes, fears, and joys, are displayed in books and in social life, seems to have been her study, rather than "running brooks" or "flowery meads." Hence, her style is modelled on the manner of the old bards; and though her poetry never reaches the height she evidently sought to attain, it is excellent for its pure taste and just sentiment; while a few instances of bold imagination show vividly the ardour of a fancy, which prudence and delicacy always controlled.

BROWN, FRANCES,

Was born in 1816, at Stranerlar, in the county of Donegal, Ireland, where her father was postmaster. She lost her eyesight when she was eighteen months old, yet, from her assiduity in acquiring knowledge, she can compete with many educated women in attainments. Her poems are considered very good; and she has received the title of "The Blind Poetess of Ulster," which awakens in the popular mind of her own country-people pity for her mis-