Page:A cyclopaedia of female biography.djvu/594

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MUL. MUR.

was turned to aid him. Under the name of Helen Berkley, she wrote a series of articles which became very popular, and were translated into German, and republished in London. The success of these productions induced Mrs. Mowatt to write in her own name; and "she was accused by a wise critic of copying the witty Helen Berkley!" Her desultory writings were numerous and various. Unfortunately, the publishing business in which Mr. Mowatt was engaged proved unsuccessful, and new trials came upon them.

Being told that nothing would be so productive as dramatic writings, Mrs. Mowatt, in 1845, wrote her first comedy, called "Fashion," which was brought out with much splendour at the Park Theatre, New York. Its success was brilliant; and in Philadelphia it was performed with equal eclat. In less than two months after, she accepted the offer of an engagement from the manager of the Park Theatre, and made her debut in New York in the Lady of Lyons. Her success was complete, and her vocation was decided upon.

After a series of profitable engagements in the principal cities of the Union, Mr. and Mrs. Mowatt embarked for this country; and in December, 1847, she made her first appearance before a foreign audience in Manchester. Her success was such, that a London engagement at the Princess's Theatre followed, where she performed for several weeks. A brilliant engagement in Dublin was soon after completed; since which time, her professional career continued to be successful in England, till interrupted by the loss of her husband, who died in London, in February, 1851. Mrs. Mowatt is slight and graceful in form, with a lovely countenance possessing all the principal requisites of beauty. In character she is "brave-hearted in adversity, benevolent, unselfish, and devoted."

MULOCH, DIANA MARIA,

Is known as the author of several works, published anonymously, which, if they have not the elements of extensive popularity, possess great attractions to readers of cultivated mind and intellect. This lady was born at Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, in 1826, and at the age of twenty-three published her first novel, "The Ogilvies," a charming tale, in spite of its occasional colloquial simplicity, and tendency to give too great a prominence to the expression of feelings and emotions; it is rich in both pathos and humour, and shews in the writer an earnestness of purpose, and power and depth of thought quite remarkable in the first work of a young writer. "Olive," another novel, which appeared in 1850, gives evidence of intellectual growth; this was followed, in 1851, by the "Head of the Family, a story of middle class Scottish life." Next came a very graceful and imaginative fairy tale, called "Alice Learmont," and after that "Agatha's Husband;" again a novel. "Avillion, and other Tales," in three volumes, and several books for young people, including "Rhoda's Lessons," "Cola Monti," "A Hero," "The Little Lychetts," and "Bread upon the Waters," are also the produce of Miss Muloch's pen; besides fugitive tales and poems contributed to periodicals.

MURATORI, TERESA,

Was born at Bologna, in 1662. She early evinced a taste for the fine arts, particularly music and drawing. She was the daughter