Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/228

214 her own advantage. She would place her very enemies so as not only to frustrate their mischievous plans, but even to make them instrumental in the attainment of the purposes she had in view. Her eloquence was instructive, soft, and blandishing; she gained the good-will of every company in which she appeared: her very adversaries were compelled to admire her, at least, while she was present.

But on the side of her heart, she appears in a much less advantageous light. Her actions were seldom free from fraud, malice, and cruelty. These qualities she had gradually acquired through the embarrassments attending her first adventures.

As a private person, she appears to very little advantage, and we may consider her intercession with the grand-duke in behalf of her first husband, as the last struggle of expiring principle. As grand-duchess, her actions were influenced by her connection with the house of the Medici. They, however, often appear dubious, so that it is impossible to determine whether she was induced to them through political prudence, or a good disposition. The many chasms in the most important and interesting epoch of her history, render it very difficult, upon the whole, to exhibit a true picture of her character. Yet, from what is known of her, we are forced to lament that a woman endowed with qualities to shine forth among the best of her sex, should not have been placed in a situation, where she might have employed them for the happiness both of herself and others.

Her stature was somewhat above the middle size; perfect harmony prevailed in all her person. Her countenance bespoke meekness, tempered with a little cast of cunning, and happily blended with a gloss of ness,