Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/128

114 or ostentation, but for use. She wished to enrich her mind with valuable knowledge; and it contained the best Latin, French, and English books, of which she could at that time acquire the possession. Her works were of the devotional kind, and for the most part translations. One was the Fourth Book of Dr. John Gersons Treatise on the Imitation of Christ, translated from the French: another was entitled. The Mirror of Golde for the Sinful Soule. It had been originally written in Latin, under the title of Speculum Aureum Peccatorum but it was from the French that the countess of Richmond made her translation. She likewise drew up, at the desire of the king her son, and by his authority, orders with regard to the precedence of great and noble ladies at public processions, and particularly at funerals.

But it is not on her character as a writer, that the countess's real reputation is grounded. This must be sought for in her munificent institutions, for the encouragement of piety and learning. She appointed and endowed two public lectures in divinity, one at Oxford, and the other at Cambridge. At the last university, she made provision for a preacher, to deliver at least six sermons every year, in several churches belonging to the dioceses of London, Ely, and Lincoln; and she founded a free grammar-school at Winborne, in Dorsetshire. These were only the beginnings of the lady Margaret's benefactions. In 1506, she completed the foundation of Christ's College, Cambridge, and provided so plentifully for it, out of her own lands and possessions, that her revenues alone afford a maintenance for a master, twelve fellows, and forty-seven scholars. A judgment may be formed of the succeeding usefulness and tion