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center">Memoir of Miss Jane Porter
'Grave, historical, and chaste'
Nothing is more just than the sentiment so well expressed by Lord Bacon, that mind is power. The intellectual superiority of this country forms, therefore, its highest praise; since, instead of being restricted to mankind, it here includes that sex in whose persons are united the attractions and endearments of civilised life. England may truly pride herself on possessing an order of females to be found in no other land, who at once adorn the virtues and extend the renown of that nation to whose intelligence and felicity they so much contribute.
The family of the lady whose portrait now embellishes the present work[*], and who herself is acknowledged an author of rank, are already known for their literary taste. According to the statement first made public by the late Mrs Robinson, they are 'maternally descended from two ancient families in Northumberland;' but their father was a native of Ireland, and embraced the profession of a soldier. His daughters are represented as having received the elements of knowledge 'north of the Tweed,' where the eldest of them, the subject of this passing sketch, is believed to have in reality perfected the formation of her mind.
Deprived of their father at an early stage of life, it devolved on their mother not only to watch the progress of their infant years, but to assist in urging them forward to that distinction at which her children have since arrived. She first encouraged that genius, and gloried in that spirit, to the display of which her family owe alike their respectability and fame. Maternal love has never been more energetically exerted than by this excellent mother; nor has any mother found greater cause to rejoice in the result of her cares, as exemplified in the affection and prosperity of her offspring.
Mrs Porter came with her family to town, many years ago, with the design of introducing the present Sir Robert Ker Porter to the Royal Academy, which he attended for the purposes of improvement in that pictorial school. Attracted by the graces and talents of the subject of the present sketch, together with those of her sister, their residence soon became the favourite resort of persons of genius and literature. It is alluding to this fact, that one of the most accomplished poets of modern times, then continually in the habit of visiting them, thus describes the feelings which their society had imparted to him.
[250] Blest pair! how fast the rosy-pinion'd hours
Fled, when wit, sense, and harmony, combining,
Beneath your friendly roof their witching pow'rs,
Awhile my spirit charm'd from sad repining.
'Encompassed by ingenious friends,' Miss Jane Porter soon began to try the strength of her talents, by contributing to one or two magazines no longer in existence. Her first great work, 'Thaddeus of Warsaw,' did not appear till after she had ascertained the reception which her writings were likely to experience in the world; and its success has proved that she did not judge too partially of her literary skill. Every person who is endued with intellectual sensibility will agree, with the critic, that it 'is a work of genius,' which must 'receive the precious meed of sympathy from every reader of unsophisticated sentiment and genuine feeling;' and, also, that it 'inculcates virtuous and magnanimous sentiments.'
This work, exhibiting 'a new species of composition,' has reached to a sixth edition, in four volumes; and has been followed by the romance of 'The Scottish Chiefs,' in five volumes, from the same pen.
Between the publication of these works, however, Miss Porter sent into the world two volumes of 'Aphorisms of Sir Philip Sidney; with Remarks.' Of all the authors whom Miss Porter has adverted to, it appears that Sir Philip Sidney, who when living was 'the secret wish of many a female heart,' is eminently her favourite one. Whether his fair commentator will ever add to literary biography her 'projected life of Sir Philip Sidney,' of which she here speaks, forms a question which she only can answer; but the present writer has reason to believe that such a performance must for several years have occupied her attention.
The age of chivalry is not past. Animated by the noble spirit of the age, 'soaring upward,' Miss Porter has caught much of the virtue of the hero whose character she has contemplated with such admiration. Hence the high and magnanimous style of thinking and feeling which distinguish and dignify her works; hence, indeed, her writings at once soften and improve the heart, while they elevate and ennoble the mind.
Literature is indispensible to society. With this conviction as to the actual state of the public taste, and particularly as it applies to the female sex, it is gratifying to narrate the literary career of a lady whose volumes bear the uniform stamp of pure morality, sound sense, and just taste. Persevering in her amiable course, Miss Porter will have the satisfaction of reflecting that she has not lived in vain; and, what must be still dearer to such a mind, that she has employed with honour those talents for whose application she must hereafter be made accountable.
* The proprietors of the BRITISH LADY'S MAGAZINE are indebted to Miss Porter herself for the drawing from which the annexed portrait has been engraved; having politely acceded to their request, through the medium of a literary friend. [complete]
[*] Posting of portrait pending permission to reproduce.
Provided by Julie A. Shaffer, January 2000
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