BANIM, Joπn, an Irish novelist of great power and ability, was born at Kilkenny in 1798. He received a good education, and at a very early age gave evidence of remarkable genius. In his thirteenth year he entered Kilkenny College, where many other eminent Irishmen have received their training, and devoted himself specially to drawing and painting, in which he became so proficient that he resolved to adopt the profession of an artist. He accordingly proceeded to Dublin and studied for two years in the schools connected with the Royal Society, where he obtained high prizes. For some time afterwards he taught drawing in his native town, and while doing so had the misfortune to fall violently in love with one of his pupils. His affections were returned, but the parents of the young lady interfered and removed her from Kilkenny. She pined away and died in two months. The occurrence made a deep impression on Banim’s mind, and this, together with his exposure to the weather on the night of her funeral, caused a severe illness which completely shattered his health. After a partial recovery he set out for Dublin and settled finally to the work of literature. He published a poem, The. Celts' Paradise, and had some success as a writer for the stage. During a short visit to Kilkenny he married, and at the same time planned, in conjunction with his brother Michael (born 1796), a series of tales illustrative of Irish life. He then set out for London, the great centre of literary activity, and supported himself by writing for magazines and for the stage. A volume of miscellaneous essays was published anonymously in 1824, called Revelations of the Dead Alive. In April 1825 appeared the first series of Tales of the O’Hara Family, which achieved immediate and decided success. One of ...