, a learned English lady, the only daughter of Dr. Edward Baynard,
, a learned English lady, the only
daughter of Dr. Edward Baynard, a gentleman of an ancient
family, and an eminent physician in London, was born at
Preston, in Lancashire, in 1672. Her father, who discovered
her early capacity, bestowed great care on her education, and
was rewarded by the extraordinary proficiency she made in
various branches of learning not usual with her sex^ She?
was well acquainted with philosophy, mathematics, and
physics. She was also familiar with the writings of the
ancients in their original languages. At the age of twentythree she had the knowledge of a profound philosopher,
and in metaphysical learning was a nervous and subtle
disputant. She took great pains with the Greek language,
that she might read in their native purity the works of St.
Chrysostom. Her Latin compositions, which were various, were written in a pure and elegant style. She possessed an acute and comprehensive mind, an ardent thirst
of knowledge, and a retentive memory. She was accustomed to declare, “that it was a sin to be content with a
little knowledge.
” To theendowments of the mind she
added the virtues of the heart she was modest, humble,
and benevolent, exemplary in her whole conduct, and in
every relative duty. She was pious and constant in her
devotions, both public and private; beneficent to the
poor; simple in her manners; retired, and rigid in her
notions and habits. It was her custom to lay aside a certain portion of her income, which was not large, for charitable uses; to this she added an ardent desire and strenuous efforts for the mental and moral improvement of
those within her circle and influence. About two years
previous to her death, she seems to have been impressed
with an idea of her early dissolution which first suggested
itself to her mind while walking alone among the tombs,
in a church-yard and which she indulged with much
complacency. On her death-bed she earnestly entreated
the minister who attended her, that he would exhort all
the young people of his congregation to the study of wisdom and knowledge, as the means of moral improvement
and real happiness. “I could wish,
” says she, “that all
young persons might be exhorted to the practice of virtue,
and to increase their knowledge by the study of philosophy; and especially to read the great book of nature,
therein they may see the wisdom and power of the Creator, in the order of the universe, and in the production
and preservation of all things.
” “That vr omen are capably
of such improvements, which will better their judgments
and understandings, in past all doubt, would they but set
sjbout it in earnest, and spend but half of that time in study
thinking) which they do in visits, vanity, and folly.
It would introduce a composure of mind, and lay a solid
basis for wisdom and knowledge, by which they would be
better enabled to serve God, and to help their neighbours.
”
These particulars are taken from her funeral sermon,
preached at Barnes, where she died in her 25th year, June
12, 1697, by the rev. John Prade, and reprinted in that
useful collection of such documents, “Wilford’s Memorials.
” She was interred at the East end of the churchyard of Barnes, with a monument and inscription, of which
no traces are now to be found, but the inscription is preserved in Aubrey.
, a learned English lady, the daughter of Mr. Robert Murray of the
, a learned English lady, the
daughter of Mr. Robert Murray of the Tullibardin family,
and allied by the mother’s side to the Perth family, was
born in London, Jan. 4, 1622. Her father was preceptor
to Charles I. and afterwards provost of Eton college, and
her mother was subgoverness to the duke of Gloucester
and the princess Elizabeth. Anne was instructed by her
parents in every polite and liberal science; but theology
and physic were her favourite studies. She became so
particularly versed in the latter art, and in the practice of
surgery, that she was consulted by the first personages in
the kingdom: and the reputation of her skill was also diffused over Holland, whence many persons came for her
advice. She was a faithful royalist, and a sufferer in the
cause of Charles. On March 2, 1656, she was married to
sir James Halket, a worthy and amiable man, to whom she
bore four children, one of which, Robert, her eldest son,
only survived. During her first pregnancy she wrote,
mder the apprehension that she should not survive her
delivery, a tract, containing excellent instructions, entitled
“The Mother’s Will to the Unborn Child.
” She was
fourteen years a wife, and twenty-eight a widow. She was
an acute theologian and a profound student. Her learning,
simplicity, unaffected piety, exemplary conduct, and sweetness of manners, conciliated universal respect and esteem.
She left twenty-one volumes, principally on religious subjects, some in folio, and others in quarto, from which a
volume of “Meditations
” was printed at Edinburgh in