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

1. The Lover, or The Jealous Husband; acted at the Theatre-Royal 1696.
This play did not succeed in the representation.

2. The Royal Mischief, a Tragedy; acted by his Majesty's Servants
in the Theatre in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields 1696. This was exhibited with