Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/195

Rh their religion established by law, she prevailed with him to go to Holland, and travelled with him over the seventeen provinces, where, on account of his relations, they met with an unusual kind reception; letters being sent, without their knowledge, to Brussels, Ghent, Liege, and other considerable places, recommending Mrs. Berkley in a very particular manner, as one who, had she been of the catholic church, would have deserved the title of saint.

After this, they were both fixed at the Hague, where she was soon known, and acquired the friendship of persons of the highest rank, till about the time of the revolution, when they returned into England, and retired to Spetchley, his country seat.

Her knowledge and virtue made her, everyday, more acquaintance in that country. She contracted an intimate friendship with doctor Stillingfleet, bishop of Worcester, who said, upon several occasions, that he knew not a more considerable woman in England. Nor was she less esteemed by many other excellent persons. Mr. Berkley dying in the year 1693, she applied herself wholly to devotion, reading, acts of charity, and the offices of friendship; particularly she took upon her the care of her late husband's protestant relations, as if they had been her own, providing for them, even at her death, and was also very kind and obliging to all the rest of his family.

While she continued at Spetchley, she kept an hospitable table, to which the neighbouring clergy were always welcome. She paid true respect to those who were in low circumstances, heartily esteeming them for the sake of their functions and labours. She frequently made them presents of the most useful books, and to some generously lent money, expecting only to be Rh