_Lines on Woman_ (Vol. viii., p. 204.).--The four beautiful lines which
W. V. cites are the conclusion of a poem entitled "Woman," written by Eton
Barrett. About the close of the last century, Eton Barrett and his younger
brother Richard Barrett were at a private school on Wandsworth Common. My
brothers and I were their schoolfellows. The Barretts were Irish boys; I
think (but I speak very doubtfully) from Cork. Eton Barrett was a boy of
more than ordinary talent. He was a genius among the lesser lights around
him. I remember his writing a play with prologue and epilogue, which was
performed before the master and his family, &c., with so much success, that
the master prohibited any future dramatic performances, fearing, that he
might incur blame for encouraging too much taste for the theatre. Our
master gave up his school before the year 1800. Eton Barrett, a great many
years ago, published a little volume of poems, of which "Woman" was one. I
do not remember that I ever met him since our school-days. I have heard
that he adopted Tory politics in Ireland, and that his brother attached
himself to O'Connell, and conducted some newspaper; but this is mere
report. Allow me to take this opportunity for observing, that many of the
communications to "N. & Q.," such as those in which matters of fact are
stated, ought, it may justly be urged, to be authenticated by the signature
of the contributor. I feel the truth of this so strongly, that, though I do
not sign my name, yet I have thought it right to make myself known to you,
so that you know the person who contributes under the signature