Page:A Compendium of Irish Biography.djvu/293

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Lancashire about 1550, and was educated at Cambridge. Entering the Church, he married Archbishop Loftus's sister-in-law, and was shortly afterwards (1581) appointed Dean of St. Patrick's. In combination with his Chapter, he made some disgraceful demises of the property of the Church — one afterwards endorsed by Dean Swift as "A lease of Coolmine, made by that rascal, Dean Jones, and the knaves or fools of his Chapter, to one John Allen . . for £2 per annum, now worth £150." In 1584 he was appointed to the see of Meath, and on Archbishop Loftus's death in 1605 was promoted Archbishop of Dublin and made Lord-Chancellor. The consecutive parliamentary history of Ireland may be said to date from his time — the Journal of the House of Commons commencing l8th May 1613. His legal functions were not onerous; but the obstinancy of the Catholics in adhering to their religion aroused his ire; and he treated "recusants" with unrelenting severity. He caused extensive repairs to be made in his Cathedral of Christ Church, The Archbishop died 10th April 1619, and was buried in St. Patrick's, where his monument may be seen. This prelate is thought to have been the author of An Answer to Tyrants Seditious Declaration sent to the Catholics of the Pale in 1596, which remains in manuscript in Marsh's Library, and in that of Trinity College, Dublin. Both he and his son Roger, created Viscount Ranelagh, were engaged in bitter disputes with Lord Howth. Letters from both parties occupy considerable space in the Calendar of State Papers, Ireland, 1608-10 (London 1874). 76


Jordan, Dorothea, a distinguished actress, was born near Waterford in 1762. Her maiden name was Bland. When but sixteen she went on the stage, appearing in Dublin in Mr. Daly's company under the assumed name of Miss Francis, so as not to hurt the susceptibilities of her father's relatives. The charms of her manner, her graceful figure, her talents, and her voice, captivated the public, and it was not long before she came to be acknowledged one of the foremost British actresses. She appeared in London in October 1785, as Mrs. Johnson. Hazlitt, in his criticisms of the stage, writes of her: "Her face, her tones, her manner, were irresistible; her smile had the effect of sunshine, and her laugh did one good to hear it; her voice was eloquence itself — it seemed as if her heart was always at her mouth. She was all gaiety, openness, and good nature; she rioted in her fine animal spirits, and gave more pleasure than any other actress, because she had the greatest spirit of enjoyment in herself."3 In 1790 she became the acknowledged mistress of the Duke of Clarence (afterwards William IV.), and for twenty years they lived happily together. About 1811, partly in consequence, it is said, of her extravagance, a separation took place, and an annuity of £4,400 was secured to her upon certain conditions. In August 1815 she was obliged to fly to France from her creditors, and at Versailles, under the name of Johnson, in the greatest privacy, she awaited in vain some settlement of her affairs. She died at St. Cloud the 3rd July 1 816, aged about 54. Sir Jonah Barrington bears the highest testimony to Mrs. Jordan's disposition and accomplishments. Mrs. Jordan had nine children by the Duke of Clarence, who were granted the titles and precedency of the younger issue of a marquis. The sons were well provided for in the army, the navy, or the Church; the eldest was created Viscount FitzClarence, and eventually Earl of Munster, whilst the daughters made brilliant marriages. 3 22 54 199


Jumper, Sir William, a distinguished naval officer, was born at Bandon about the middle of the 1 7th century — his commission as Second Lieutenant being dated 29th November 1688. Six years afterwards his high reputation gained him the command of the Weymouth. Besides other important services, he captured off the coast of Ireland several French privateers, and in 1695 some French vessels in the Channel. He served under Sir George Rooke in the expedition against Cadiz, was instrumental in the reduction of Gibraltar, and signalized himself in a naval engagement off Malaga. Returning from the Straits with Sir Cloudesley Shovel in 1707, he arrived at Falmouth in safety on the 22nd October, the same day that Sir Cloudesley and part of his fleet were lost on the Scilly Isles. He was knighted, and in 1714 was appointed resident Navy Commissioner at Plymouth, and died 12th March 1715. 349


Keane, John, Lord, a distinguished military officer, was born at Behnount, County of Waterford, 1781. He entered the army when but twelve, obtained a company in the 44th Foot in 1799, and served in Egypt and at Martinique. In 1812 he was appointed to the command of a brigade in the Peninsular army, and signalized himself by his prudence and bravery at Vittoria, the Pyrenees, Nivelle, Orthez, and Toulouse. At the peace of 1814 he was made a major-general; was afterwards sent out to a command in the war

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