have none of them;" but other biographers have been less merciful, and the year 1783 is generally fixed as that of her birth.
Her father, Robert Owenson, was descended on his mother's side from the family of Sir Malby Crofton, of Longford House, Sligo. Miss Crofton eloped with a stalwart young farmer, and was consequently "cut" by her own relations. Her only son, Robert, inherited from her a very beautiful voice, and a rich Galway Squire, Mr. Blake, took such an interest in him that he brought him to London, and had him taught music under the celebrated composer, Dr. Arne. Owenson, who was a handsome young man with a commanding presence, was bitten by a mania for the stage, but failed to make much impression as an actor, though he sang, and danced an Irish planxty in the character of Teague with great success. He married Miss Jane Hill, of Shrewsbury, who was his exact opposite in every respect, an ardent disciple of Lady Huntingdon^ and with a perfect horror of the stage. Nevertheless, when her husband was offered the deputy managership of the Theatre Royal, Dublin, he eagerly accepted it, and did not tell his wife until after the articles had been signed. Mrs. Owenson found some consolation in her exile by visiting a friend of hers, the wife of a Wesleyan minister, who lived at Portarlington. It was after one of these visits, that she and her two
