intrusted them to the management of a near relation; but Mary, not being satisfied with the conduct of the business, took them into her own hands.  The exertions she made, and the struggle into which she entered however, in this instance, were ultimately fruitless.  To the day of her death her father was almost wholly supported by funds which she supplied to him.  In addition to her exertions for her own family, she took a young girl of about seven years of age under her protection and care, the niece of Mrs. John Hunter, and of the present Mrs. Skeys, for whose mother, then lately dead, she had entertained a sincere friendship.

The period, from the end of the year 1787 to the end of the year 1790, though consumed in labours of little eclat, served still further to establish her in a friendly connection from which she derived many pleasures.  Mr. Johnson, the bookseller, contracted a great personal regard for her, which resembled in many respects that of a parent.  As she frequented his house, she of course became acquainted with his guests.  Among these may be mentioned as persons possessing her esteem, Mr. Bonnycastle, the mathematician, the late Mr. George Anderson, accountant to the board of control, Dr. George Fordyce, and Mr. Fuseli, the celebrated painter.  Between both of the two latter and herself, there existed sentiments of genuine affection and friendship.

CHAP.  VI.

1790-1792.

Hitherto the literary carreer of Mary, had for the most part, been silent; and had been productive of income to herself, without apparently leading to the wreath of fame.  From this time she was destined to attract the notice of the public, and perhaps no female writer ever obtained so great a degree of celebrity throughout Europe.

It cannot be doubted that, while, for three years of literary employment, she “held the noiseless tenor of her way,” her mind was insensibly advancing towards a vigorous maturity.  The uninterrupted habit of composition gave a freedom and firmness to the expression of her sentiments.  The society she frequented, nourished her understanding, and enlarged her mind.  The French revolution, while it gave a fundamental shock to the human intellect through every region of the globe, did not fail to produce a conspicuous effect in the progress of Mary’s reflections.  The prejudices of her early years suffered a vehement concussion.  Her respect for establishments was undermined.  At this period occurred a misunderstanding upon public grounds, with one of her early friends, whose attachment to musty creeds and exploded absurdities, had been increased, by the operation of those very circumstances, by which her mind had been rapidly advanced in the race of independence.