BLAKE, WILLIAM (1757-1827).--Poet and painter, _b._ in London, was from earliest youth a seer of visions and a dreamer of dreams, seeing "Ezekiel sitting under a green bough," and "a tree full of angels at Peckham," and such he remained to the end of his days. His teeming imagination sought expression both in verse and in drawing, and in his 14th year he was apprenticed to James Basire, an eminent engraver, and thereafter studied at the Royal Academy. Among his chief artistic works were illustrations for Young's _Night Thoughts_, Blair's _Grave_, "Spiritual Portraits," and his finest work, "Inventions to the Book of Job," all distinguished by originality and imagination. In literature his _Songs of Innocence_ appeared in 1789, _Songs of Experience_ in 1794. These books were literally made by Blake and his heaven-provided wife; poems and designs alike being engraved on copper by B. and bound by Mrs. B. In like fashion were produced his mystical books, _The Book of Thel_ (1789), _The Marriage of Heaven and Hell_ (1790), _The Gates of Paradise_, _Visions of the Daughters of Albion_, _Europe_, _The Book of Urizen_ (1794), _The Book of Los_ and _The Book of Ahania_ (1795). His last books were _Jerusalem_ and _Milton_. His earlier and shorter pieces, _e.g._ "The Chimney-Sweeper," "Holy Thursday," "The Lamb," "The Sun-flower," "The Tiger," etc., have an exquisite simplicity arising from directness and intensity of feeling--sometimes tender, sometimes sublime--always individual. Latterly he lost himself in clouds of mysticism. A truly pious and loving soul, neglected and misunderstood by the world, but appreciated by an elect few, he led a cheerful and contented life of poverty illumined by visions and celestial inspirations. BLAMIRE, SUSANNA (1747-1794).--Poetess, was of good Cumberland family, and received the sobriquet of "The Muse of Cumberland." Her poems, which were not collected until 1842, depict Cumbrian life and manners with truth and vivacity. She also wrote some fine songs in the Scottish dialect, including "Ye shall walk in Silk Attire," and "What ails this Heart o' Mine." BLESSINGTON, MARGARET (POWER), COUNTESS of (1789-1849).--Married as her second husband the 1st Earl of B., with whom she travelled much on the Continent, where she met Lord Byron, her _Conversations_ with whom she _pub._ in 1834. This is the only one of her books which has any value. The others were slight works on Travel, such as _The Idler in Italy_, annuals, and novels. She became bankrupt and went to Paris, where she lived under the protection of the Count d'Orsay.