Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/233

Rh ; and the princess in particular demonstrated, that she was thoroughly satisfied in her mind, and could be happy without a crown. When she became princess of Wales, she was so prudent as to keep fair with both the parties, which then divided the royal family. George I. her father-in-law, had a sincere esteem for her; she in return paid him very great respect; and when she became queen, contributed all in her power to make her subjects happy. The king let her into a share of affairs, and left her regent of the kingdom in his absence."

To a large compass of knowledge, and great reach of thought, she joined a polite address, the most easy and elegant manner of adducing the sentiments of others, or conveying her own: she not only studied books, but the nature and reason of things; and was a great proficient in the science, or wisdom of life, both public and private, knowing how to subdue her own passions, and guide those of others.

her residence in France, is ranked with the painters of that kingdom. She is thus mentioned in the Letters on the French Nation. Rosalba, "At present better known than any of the preceding. What pity that her pieces should not be everlasting! The finest piece in Crayons, that ever issued from mortal hands, is the Venus in M. Pompadour's collection. The piece she drew for her reception into the French academy, in 1720, was a woman holding a crown of laurels, most elegantly