Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/131

Rh It was her ambition to unite Brittany to France; and on the death of its duke, Francis II. she effected her purpose by the marriage of Charles VIII. with Anne, his daughter and heiress. The brilliancy of this action was diminished by the restitution of Roussillon and la Cerdaigne, to the king of Spain, without exacting the payment of the money lent upon it. It is said a monk, who was her confessor, gained by Ferdinand, made her believe, that the soul of her father could not come out of purgatory till this was done. It is more rational to believe this wise princess was either influenced by political motives, now unknown—or felt that it was just.

On the death of Charles VIII. in 1498, the duke of Orleans mounted the throne: and it was supposed Anne would suffer from his resentment; but Lewis nobly declared, that the king of France could not revenge the duke of Orleans. He did not even deprive her of the place she held in council.

F.C.

Deprived of fortune and personal advantages, Madame de Beaumer took infinite pains to supply that loss, by cultivating her understanding. She was nearly related to Marshal Belle Isle; but we do not find that she received any succours from him—for, after spending many years in extreme poverty in Holland, this poor lady ended a miserable life there, in 1766.

She assisted, some time, at the Journal des Dames; and there is a little work of hers in 12mo. which is called Œuvres Melees. Amongst