Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Marshall, Jane
MARSHALL or MARISHALL, JANE (fl. 1765), novelist and dramatist, was employed by the publisher John Newbery [q. v.] as a writer for the young. She published in October 1765 a sentimental novel entitled 'The History of Miss Clarinda Cathcart and Miss Fanny Kenton.' It is dedicated to Queen Charlotte, and is in epistolary form. A second addition appeared in 1760, and a third in 1767. In 1767 also appeared 'The History of Alicia Montagu, by the Author of Clarinda Cathcart,' 2 vols. 12mo. Both met with a favourable reception. She afterwards wrote a comedy in prose called 'Sir Harry Gaylove,' and sent the manuscript to Lord Chesterfield and to Lord Lyttleton, who damned it with faint praise. It also went the round of the leading theatrical managers. Garrick refused to read it; Colman did not think the plot interesting enough for the stage, but allowed that the play had merit; Foote, the manager of the Edinburgh Theatre, seems to have accepted it, but he delayed its production so long that Jane Marshall determined to publish it by subscription. It appeared in 1772 as 'Sir Harry Gaylove, or Comedy in Embryo,' printed in Edinburgh, with a prologue by the blind poet, Dr. Blacklock, and an epilogue by Dr. Downman, and a preface by herself. Among the subscribers was James Boswell. It is a poor and amateurish piece, written like her novels under the influence of Richardson.
In 1788 appeared from her pen 'A Series of Letters for the Improvement of Youth.'
[Gent. Mag. 1765. p. 485; Notes and Queries, 3rd ser. iv. 327; Watt's Bibl. Brit.; Baker's Biog. Dram.; Allibone's Dict.]