THE

LITERARY LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE

OF

THE COUNTESS OF BLESSINGTON.

BY

R. R. MADDEN, M.R.I.A.

AUTHOR OF

"TRAVELS IN THE EAST," "INFIRMITIES OF GENIUS," THE MUSSULMAN," 66 SHRINES AND SEPULCHRES," "THE LIFE OF SAVONAROLA," ETC.

"L'homme marche vers le tombeau, trainant apres lui, la chaine de ses expériences trompées."

SECOND EDITION.

VOL. I.

LONDON:

T. C. NEWBY, PUBLISHER, 30, WELBECK STREET,

CAVENDISH SQUARE.

1855.

HARVAR UNIVERSITY LIB A

05767

J. BILLING, PRINTER, WOKING, SURKEY.

CONTENTS OF VOL. I.

INTRODUCTION.

Early origin-Pedigree of the Sheehy family-Notice of maternal

grandfather-Career of Edmond Power-Marriage of Marguerite

Power-Captain Farmer's death-Coroner's inquest, and ver-

dict of the Jury

CHAPTER I.

Notice of the Earl of Blessington-His origin, early career-First

and second marriage, &c.

CHAPTER II.

Departure of the Blessingtons from London, on a Continental

tour, September, 1822

CHAPTER III.

Byron and the Blessingtons at Genoa

CHAPTER IV.

The City and Bay of Naples-The Blessingtons, and their society

in Naples, June, 1823, to February, 1826

CHAPTER V.

Departure from Naples Sojourn in Rome, Florence, Milan,

Venice, and Genoa-Return to Paris-February, 1826, to June,

1829.

PAGE

1

44

74

82

92

112

CHAPTER VI.

Return to Paris, in June, 1828-Residence there-Death of Lord

Blessington-Departure of Lady Blessington for England, in

November, 1830

CHAPTER VIII.

The Break-up at Gore House

CHAPTER VII.

Conversational powers of distinguished persons-Seamore Place

and Gore House-Literary circles-Rival salons of Holland

House, and Réunions at the Countess of Charleville's-Residence

of Lady Blessington at Seamore Place, from 1832 to 1836; and

at Gore House, Kensington Gore, from 1836 to April, 1849

. 150

CHAPTER IX.

Arrival of Lady Blessington in Paris, the middle of April, 1849—

Her last illness and death, on the 4th of June following-No-

tice of her decease

PAGE

133

CHAPTER XII.

Lines addressed to Lady Blessington by various persons

. 191

CHAPTER X.

Notice of the career, literary tastes, and talents of Lady Blessington 225

.

. 211

CHAPTER XI.

Notice of the writings of Lady Blessington-Connection with the

Annuals-Results of her literary pursuits

. 250

. 292

CHAPTER XIII.

Notice of Count Alfred D'Orsay-His origin, some account of his

early life-The close of his career, and observations on his

talents, and the application of them

. 315