Ere the renewal of the horrid ceremonies of death were permitted, again the voice of mercy, of expostulation, and even of entreaty, was heard; but the trial was vain, and the cool and collected manner with which the woman still declared her determination unalterable, chilled and startled the most courageous. Physical pangs evidently excited no fears in her; her singular creed, the customs of her country, and her sense of conjugal duty, excluded from her mind the natural emotions of personal dread; and never did martyr to a true cause go to the stake with more constancy and firmness, than did this delicate and gentle woman prepare to become the victim of a deliberate sacrifice to the demoniacal tenets of her heathen creed.

R.

RIGBY, MISS,

HAS not contributed as much to our current literature as many other English authoresses but the few volumes for which the world is indebted to her, place her in the very first class among writers of tales and travels. It chanced that the elder sister of this lady married an Esthonian baron, who has established his residence on his family estates; - she was induced to visit this expatriated relative, and hence we obtained "Letters from the Baltic," published in 1841. This work at once made its way with the public and the reviewers. Solid information and novelty of description conveyed in the most graceful style, brightened by wit, animated by the enthusiasm of an artistic taste, such are the attractive qualities of "Letters from the Baltic." We know of no other book that gives so clear, so true, and so detailed an account of life in the Russian Empire In 1846 she published "Livonian Tales," a well written and interesting work. Since then Miss Rigby has charged her name, she is now Lady Eastlake; her husband, a gentleman of great acquirements and cultivated taste, is now, or has been, President of the Royal Academy.

S.

SALE, LADY,

WIFE of Sir Robert Sale, has distinguished herself greatly for the noble courage with which she bore the dangers and sufferings incident to the terrible war in Afghanistan, the generous assist

ance she rendered others, and the salm good sense and unshaken faithfulness which characterize her record of the siege of Cabul and the retreat and destruction of the British army. Her work was published in 1843-"A Journal of the Disasters in Afghanistan." The book must be read to form a correct idea of Lady Sale's character, and of the heroic fidelity to daty which lives in the soul of a woman. Sir Robert Peel said, when addressing Parliament on the subject of that war, "We are now acknowledging military services; but I never should excuse myself, if, in mentioning the name of Sir Robert Sale, I did not record my admiration of the character of a woman who has shed lustre on her sex-Lady Sale, his wife."

SANDFORD, MRS.,

WIFE of the Rev. John Sandford, wrote a little work much commended on its appearance · "WOman in her Social and Domestic Character." This was reprinted in Boston in 1832. At that time few works on the subject of woman's duties and influence had appeared since Mrs. More and the Rev. Mr. Bennet wrote their stiff treatises. Mrs. Sandford keeps religion constantly in view, and thus inculcates moral goodness as the cardinal quality of worth for the sex. So far, her work is excellent; but she falls into the grave error which every English writer has done in making reason and physical power superior to moral goodness. She constantly describes woman as inferior to man. While such is the tone of British writers their works will do little for the cause of Christianity. That the Saviour's precepts are more generally and perfectly obeyed by women than by men, no person will question; if to be a Christian and do good is the highest glory of humanity, above physical strength, which is held in common with animals, above mental power, which, without this moral goodness, is used in the service of devils, then woman's nature is the superior; and those who teach otherwise are really promoting the kingdom of darkness — the reign of licentiousness and infidelity.

SEWELL, ELIZABETH M.,

Is sister of the Rev. William Sewell, A. M.; Professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of Oxford, and well known as the author of "Hawkstone," and as the editor of her works. Miss Sewell's first publication was anonymous "Stories on the Lord's Prayer," about 1843. The next, "Amy Herbert," established her reputation as a graceful and useful writer, both in England and America. It was followed, at intervals, by "Gertrude," "Margaret Percival," in two volumes, "Laneton Parsonage," and "The Earl's Daughter;" besides, she united with her brother, the Professor, and the Rev. W. Adams, in bringing out a volume called "The Sketches," consisting of stories, of which she wrote "Walter Lorimer." She is also author of a little volume entitled " Is it a Dream?" All her works have been republished in the United States and widely circulated. Pious sentiment is the predominating characteristic of the writings of this amiable lady. Belonging to

Modern French novels bear a reproach, which, as far as male writers are concerned, they fully deserve, of revolting coarseness and of ambiguous morality. In justice to French women, it must be observed, that from the first of these charges they are entirely free,- and from the last most generally. They never throw aside, as their brother authors do, conscience as an inconvenient weight. They cannot always be acquitted of absurdity in metaphysics, but their aims tend to what is right. These observations are not meant to be applied to those ladies who, taking upon themselves the name and garb of men, have approximated their views and delineations to the male standard of propriety.

CHALLIE, MADAME DE,

Is distinguished among the living authoresses of France, not only for devoting herself to the highest regions of moral and political philosophy, but for having succeeded in producing a work which is admitted by enlightened judges to be classed among the most distinguished writings of the day. We allude to the book called " ESSAI SUR LA LIBERTE, L'EGALITE, ET LA FRATERNITE.” which was published in Paris, July, 1850. title, it must be confessed, is rather appalling; associated as it is with so much that is absurd, and so much that is horrible; but we can encourage the reader to pass over this scare-crow, and

The

he will find the utmost interest, and the most instructive views, from the clear good sense and enlightened intellect that has dictated the essay. Madame de Challié shows these three principles originally implanted by God in the bosom of man, afterwards obscured and corrupted by the vices of Paganism, at last purified and restored in the human life of Christ, and from that time exercising an ever-increasing influence. At this moment, when every month produces a sterile revolution, when patent theories for communities to exist independent of religion, self-denial, activity, and all elevating sentiments, are every day propounded, we hail with respect a book which pleads in every page with convincing reasoning the cause of true liberty, sound morality, and individual activity, fortified and regulated by the Christian spirit. The author deserves particular commendation. Hitherto English women have claimed the dignity of ethical and scientific treatises, while the French women of the present day, however witty and intelligent, have distinguished themselves in the comparative trifling department of the novelist. Madame de Challié has opened the way to a more thoughtful and a more important field of literature, where we trust she will be followed by some of her ingenious compatriotes. We translate the following from the French reviewers of the Essay:

"When we learn that this book, consecrated to the explanation of the highest metaphysical and moral truths, is the work of a very young woman, who gives to such studies the short time that she spares from a life modestly devoted to domestic duties, we feel encouraged as to the state of society, some of whose phases appear so unsound. There are yet many strong and pure minds, who, in the obscurity of the fireside, maintain in the bosom of families the feeling and the love of rectitude; and counterbalance in this way, the disorderly passions which walk abroad. Man, with all his pretensions to moral energy, is often weak - his heart is drawn different ways by contrary impulses- and his understanding swayed by a thousand uncertainties. Woman asks strength and enlightenment from God; she finds in her faith a perspicacity and firmness that all the science in the world cannot give. In every age, in every crisis of our history, Christian women have exercised a powerful influence on French society; this influence they will still exerciseit is even by them that the materialism which threatens us will be overcome- we will see realized the words of St. Paul, "Quench not the Spirit."

CRAON, PRINCESS DE,

Is author of several novels and tales that have been popular with a certain class the exclusives of Parisian readers. The most popular of her works are "Le Siége d'Orleans;""Une Soirée en Famille;" and "Thomas Morus."

F.

FOA, EUGENIA,

Is a writer of works for children, and much esteemed for her services in the cause of education. No branch of literature is more appropriate to female genius than this, apparently humble, but in effect most important art of preparing suitable reading for juvenile minds. Madame Foa's works are sound in morals and agreeable in style.

R.

ROBERT, CLEMENCE,

Is a Parisian and one of the most popular contributors to public amusement among the writers of the Roman Feuilleton. Her stories are for the most part interesting; - generally they are based upon some historical event. "Vincent de Paule" is one of the best, in which the evangelical piety of that facer of the fatherless is beautifully described. It would be useless and impossible to give a catalogue of all the productions of so fertile a pen, but we will mention some of the most noted of her tales-"Louise de Lorraine;" "Anne de Mantoue;" "Le Capitaine Mandrin;" "Le Cardinal Wolsey ;""Jeanne de Castille." The style of this lady is clear and expressive; her sentiments are always delicate and refined. There is in the minds of many, a brand of impropriety upon French novels-this, with one or two notorious exceptions, is just only when applied to the writings of FrenchMEN-the romances of the lady authors are almost universally free from any taint of indelicacy, and their morality is based upon the truths of religion.

S.

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SOR, CHARLOTTE DE,

Is a writer of romances and tales for the annuals. Her best works are said to be "Le Berger Roi;" "Le duc di Bassano;" "Napoleon en Belgique;" "La plus heureuse femme du monde ;" and "Souvenirs de duc de Vincenze."

V

VALMORE, MADAME DESBORDES,

Is a writer of good abilities. She has been particularly successful in poetry of a plaintive style. Some of these tender little effusions are true offsprings of genius. She has also written several tales which have won favourable notice.

VALDOR OR WALDOR, MELANIE,

DERIVED from her father a learned bibliopolist, an early taste for books. Breathing naturally the atmosphere of a literary society, she has grown up under intellectual influences, and has secured a very respectable place among the Parisian women of letters. Her tales have had considerable popularity; some of the best are "Alphonse and Juliette;" " Pages de la Vie Interieure ;" "La Rue aux Ours;" and ". 'Auguste."

Various names may be added to the foregoing list:-Mesdames ARAGON; D'AYZac; DE BRADY; DUPRIN; D'HAUTPOUL; SAINT-OUEN; SEGALAS; SOUMET; SENANCOURT ; ULLIAC-TREMADEURE; and VOIART: these are all named in M. de Vericour's Modern French Literature," as living female writers of some note. None of their works have reached America, nor have we been able to learn sufficient respecting the books or their authors to warrant any particular account of either.

We might also give the names of several Socialist women distinguished for their eloquence in the clubs during the years 1848-9. Such meetings being now suppressed, these women have no way of publicly displaying their talents, as the journals are not free. So far as we have seen the speeches of these female politicians reported, they invariably appeal to religious sentiment, to the example and precepts of Jesus; yet, probably, few have ever read the Bible, or know its real requirements. In this ignorance is the source of those troubled fountains which overwhelm every system of French policy. The mothers of France do not understand the need of truth" in the inner parts" — the conscience. The Bible has been withheld from them; the dogmas of the church or the teachings of the priest are substituted instead of the idea of responsibility to the Lord of heaven and earth. His revealed Word - which Rome acknowledges to be true- has never been allowed to circulate in France; not one family in a thousand have a copy in their homes. Therefore the moral sense

of woman is darkened, and she lends her aid to Men have promote evil, believing it to be good. established the law of force to regulate society, and that of wisdom is banished from the land. Nearly half a million of Frenchmen are soldiers, taken from those employments which they ought to follow and support the females of each household; instead of which the women are left to do "man's work." Is it strange then that they begin to claim also his rights?

"The great misfortune of the villages (he might have added of the whole country) is the degradation of the women through labours which belong to men," says Aimè Martin. Nothing will ever raise the moral condition of France till she restores woman to her own employments, provides for female education, and gives the Bible to her people.