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the indigent in a time of scarcity: these stores remained unexhausted at her death, but were afterwards employed according to the original purpose.

Ballard's British Ladies-Biographium Fæmineum, Sc.

ELIZABETH BURNET.

ELIZABETH, eldest daughter of sir Richard Blake, knt. (of an ancient and respectable family), and of Elizabeth, daughter of Dr. Bathurst, a physician of eminence in London, was born November 8th, 1661. At eleven At eleven years of age she displayed a passion for theological enquiries, and read with great application the books that were put into her hands, which, falling short of the vivacity and sublimity of her conceptions, failed to satisfy her mind. Her friends, observing the effect produced by her studies, checked this presage of genius, by discouraging the confidence of the youthful philosopher in her own penetration and powers.

Having been educated in great privacy and retirement, she was, in her eighteenth year, married to Robert Berkley, of Spetchley, grandson of sir Robert Berkley, a judge during the reign of

Charles I. This connection was principally effected through the influence of Dr. Fell, bishop of Oxford, who was guardian to the young man, and entrusted with the care of his education. Dr. Fell was accustomed to declare, that the most essential service he had ever performed for his pupil, was in promoting his marriage with this lady.

Elizabeth, on coming into the family of her husband, found his mother, a woman of exemplary life, to be a zealous member of the church of Rome. This circumstance led her to attend more particularly to the subjects in dispute between the Catholics and the Reformers, that she might the better be enabled to guard herself and her husband against the arguments and insinuations of the Romish clergy. The mother of her husband, who was deserving of his respect, held great influence over his mind; a circumstance which rendered Elizabeth, whose penetration and sagacity were superiór to her years, particularly careful and delicate to avoid any discussions or reflections which might tend to produce disgust, disturb the family harmony, or wound the feelings of either party. The discretion and good sense with which she conducted herself, in a situation thus critical, procured her just admiration,

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and conciliated the esteem of the family of her husband. Her conduct is perhaps still more worthy of praise, since her moderation originated not in indifference to the subjects in dispute; but while tenacious of her own opinions, she judged properly, that their effects upon her character, her temper, and her manners, would not fail to prove their best recommendation. A residence in the country afforded her much leisure, which she improved by study and by exertions of benevolence. Books, the offices of devotion, the instruction of the poor, and the cares of her family, fully occupied and divided her time. Beloved and respected by all who surrounded her, six years thus glided away in studious and tranquil retirement.

During the reign of James, when the apprehensions of the Protestants daily received increase, Elizabeth prevailed on her husband, after the death of Dr. Fell, whose influence, opposed to that of the relations of Mr. Berkley, had hitherto kept him steady to his principles, to quit England and pass over to Holland. They accordingly made the tour of the Seventeen Provinces, in which, on account of their family and connections, they were received with distinguished kindness. Letters had, without their knowledge, been transmitted to Brussels, Ghent, and Liege, and

to the Catholics dispersed through the provinces, recommending Mrs. Berkley more particularly to their notice as a woman whose piety and virtues had, notwithstanding her errors, almost entitled her to the character of a saint. After their tour through the provinces, they fixed at the Hague, where, esteemed and caressed by persons of the first talents and rank, they continued to reside till the period of the revolution, when they returned to their native country, and their seat at Spetchley.

In this retreat Mrs. Berkley resumed her former manner of life, and improved hourly in every laudable acquirement. Her virtues and talents procured her the approbation and friendship of the most respectable persons of the country and times, among whom may be named Dr. Stillingfleet, bishop of Worcester; also the dean of that church, Dr. William Talbot, afterwards bishop of Durham : Dr. William Lloyd, the successor of bishop Stillingfleet, likewise treated her with singular marks of attention and respect. In 1693 she became a widow by the death of Mr. Berkley, who was interred with his ancestors at Spetchley.

During her widowhood, she prosecuted, with a more undivided attention, her former pursuits

and occupations, while to the protestant relations of her deceased husband she was a kind and beneficent patroness. Her income, which was liberal, and managed with strict economy, enabled her to gratify the benevolence of her heart. She kept at Spetchley an hospitable table, to which the neighbouring clergy were more particularly welcome to those whose circumstances were narrow, she made presents of books, and even assisted them with loans of money, to be repaid when in their power, without taking for the debt any security. Mr. Berkley having in his will bequeathed a large sum of money, to be raised out of his estate, for the erection of an hospital at Worcester, his widow did all in her power towards its completion and establishment: beside which she took upon herself several charges, in relation to the affairs of her husband, beyond what was required of her by the laws, in the payment of debts and legacies. Having engaged Mr. Berkley, during his life-time, in the establishment of schools for the children of the poor, she devoted large sums after his decease towards their increase and perfection.

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She had great facility with her in which she took delight, and which she had early employed in various kinds of composition. It was

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