The Lives of the Poets of Great Britain and Ireland (1753) - Vol. IV | Page 7

served them; that the most severe critics upon the
Tory writings, were the Tories themselves, who never considering the
design, or honest intention of the author, would examine the
performance only, and that too with as much severity, as they would an
enemy's, and at the same time value themselves upon being impartial
against their friends. Then as to gratitude, or generosity, the Tories did
not approach to the Whigs, who never suffered any man to go
unrewarded, however dull, or insignificant, provided he declared

himself to be for them; whereas the Tories had no general interest, and
consequently no particular, each person refusing to contribute towards
the benefit of the whole; and if it should happen, that she should perish,
through want, in a Jail, they would sooner condemn her folly, than pity
her sufferings.'
This did not deter our poetess from voluntarily preferring herself before
the Court of King's Bench, as the author of the Atalantis.
When she was examined before the secretary (then lord Sunderland) he
was assiduous to know from whom she had got information of some
particulars, which they imagined were above her own intelligence. Her
defence was with much humility and sorrow, at the same time denying
that any persons were concerned with her, or that she had a farther
design than writing for her own amusement, and diversion in the
country, without intending particular reflexions, or characters; when
this was not believed, and the contrary urged against her by several
circumstances, she said, 'then it must be by inspiration, because
knowing her own innocence, she could account for it no other way.'
The secretary replied, 'that inspiration used to be upon a good account,
and her writings were stark naught.' She, with an air of penitence,
'acknowledged, that his lordship's observation might be true, but that
there were evil angels, as well as good, so that nevertheless what she
had wrote, might still be by inspiration.'
In consequence of this examination, our authoress was close shut up in
a messenger's house, without being allowed pen, ink, and paper.
However her council sued out her Habeas Corpus at the King's-Bench
Bar, and she was admitted to bail.
Whether those in power were ashamed to bring a woman to her trial,
for writing a few amorous trifles, or our laws were defective, as was
generally conjectured, because she had disguised her satire under
romantic names, and a feigned scene of action, she was discharged,
after several times exposing her in person, to cross the court before the
Bench of Judges, with her three attendants, the Printer, and two
Publishers.

Not long after this a total change of the ministry ensued,
the
statesmen to whom she had been obnoxious were removed, and
consequently all her fears upon that score dissipated; her native gaiety,
and good humour returned, and she again employed herself in writing a
tragedy for the stage, and resolved never more to deal in politics, as
being much out of the natural sphere of a woman, she was persuaded it
was folly in one in her station, to disoblige any party by a pen, equally
qualified to divert all. Being advanced to the autumn of her charms, she
conversed with the opposite sex, in a manner very delicate, sensible,
and agreeable, and when she felt that time had left his impression upon
her brow, she did not court praise and flattery. The greatest genius's of
the times conversed freely with her, and gave her daily proofs of
esteem, and friendship, except Sir Richard Steele, with whom it seems
she was at variance; and indeed Sir Richard sufficiently exposed
himself by his manner of taking revenge; for he published to the world
that it was his own fault he was not happy with Mrs. Manley, for which
omission he publickly, and gravely asked her pardon.
Those are the most material incidents in the life of our poetess; a lady,
who was born with high powers from nature, which were afterwards
cultivated by enjoying the brightest conversation; the early part of her
life was unfortunate, she fell a sacrifice to a seducer, who laid the
foundation for those errors she afterwards committed, and of those
sufferings she underwent; she had a high relish for the pleasures of life;
she was extremely susceptible of the passion of love, and treated it with
a peculiar vivacity.
Her dramatic works are
0. The Lover, or The Jealous Husband; acted at the Theatre-Royal 1696.
This play did not succeed in the representation.
0. The Royal Mischief, a Tragedy; acted by his Majesty's Servants in the
Theatre in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields 1696. This was exhibited with
general applause.
0. Lucius, the First Christian King of Britain, a Tragedy; acted at the
Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane by his Majesty's Servants, and
dedicated to Sir Richard Steele. She has