returned to England; and soon after published "The Romance of Real Life," a translation of some of the roost remarkable trials, from "Les Cause Célèbres."
In 1786, Mrs. Smith, finding it impossible to live longer with any degree of comfort with her husband, resolved to separate from him; and, with the approbation of all her most judicious friends, she settled herself in a small house near Chichester. Her husband, becoming involved in fresh difficulties, again returned to the continent, after sonic ineffectual attempts to induce her to return to him. They sometimes met after this, and constantly corresponded, Mrs. Smith never relaxing her efforts to afford him assistance, or bring the family affairs to a final arrangement; but they never afterwards resided together.
In her seclusion at Wyhe, her novels of "Emmeline," "Ethelinde," and Celestina," were written. These were very successful. In 1791, she went to reside near London; and, during the excitement caused by the French revolution, she wrote "Desmond," which was severely censured for its political and moral tendency. "But she regained public favour," says Mr. Chambers, "by her tale, the 'Old Manor House,'" which is the best of her novels. Part of this work was written at Eartham, the residence of Hayley, during the period of Cowper's visit to that poetical retreat. "It was delightful," says Hayley, "to hear her read what she had just written; for she read, as she wrote, with simplicity and grace." Cowper was also astonished at the rapidity and excellence of her composition. Mrs. Smith continued her literary labours amidst private and family distress. She also wrote a "History of England," and a "Natural History of Birds," in 1807; "Conversations," and several other works. Her first publication was a volume of elegiac "Sonnets" and other Essays, in 1784. She died at Telford, in Surrey, October, 18th, 1806, in her fifty-eighth year. Her husband had died the preceding year. As a mother, she was most exemplary.
SMITH, ELIZABETH,
Was born, in 1766, at the family seat of Burnhall, in the county of Durham. She understood mathematics, drawing, Hebrew, Syriac, Arabic, Persian, Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, German, and French. Her "Fragments," "Translation of Job," and "Translation of the Life of Klopstock," have been published. She also wrote poetry. She died in 1806, aged thirty years.
SMITH, ELIZABETH OAKES,
Was born near Portland, Maine. Her maiden name was Prince, and she traces her descent, from both father and mother, to the early Puritans. Her genius began to develop itself very early; even before she could write she used to compose little stories and print them; at the age of eight she was carrying on an extensive correspondence with imaginary persons, and also keeping a journal. Yet, with all this, she was a very lively and playful child, possessing n large family of at least a dozen dolls, and also showing herself a very expert little needle woman. Her religious feelings were early excited to action, and, when a mere child, she would pass most of the night in prayer for herself or some of her relations who happened to sin against her code of morals; and occasionally she would
