BYRNE. 297 caprice which was unhappily a constitutional infirmity, and which settled a short time before his death into con- firmed insanity.-And imany, who as friends or employers have been gratified while sitting to him, or with him, by his animated flow of conversation, and evident excellence of feeling, may perhaps feel pleased should this slight tribute to hiş memory happen to meet their observation. MISS BYRNE WAs a prototype of her illustrious countrywoman, Con- stantia Grierson, as in the dead languages we are told "she was critically correct,"and was equally well grounded in the modern. Her attainments were not solely literary; the minor, (though perhaps to many) the more interesting and attractive accomplishments of music and its sister arts were her's in perfection. She was possessed of a con- siderable fortune, but she viewed riches as the means of doing good to others, and her conspicuous superiority to the generality of her sex, was obscured by her excessive diffidence and unconsciousness. She was likewise emi- nently conspicuous in the exercise of every christian virtue. She was the eldest daughter of the late Robert Byrne, Esq. of Cabinteely, and died at the premature age of nineteen, in 1814, at the island of Madeira, whither she had repaired for the benefit of her health. " When age, all patient, and without regret, Lies down in peace, and pays the general debt, Tis weakness most unmanly to deplore The death of those who relish life no more: But when fair youth, that every promise gave, Sheds her sweet blossom in the lasting grave, All eyes o'erflow with many a streaming tear, And each sad bosom heaves the sigh sincere."
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