Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/268

254 display it. The king of Prussia, who had long desired to see the philosopher of Ferney, on her death, refused to hear any more excuses. "I have yielded to madame Chatelet, on the score of a twenty year's friendship," said he; "but I also have known you a long time."

In a dedication to her, Voltaire says; "one reason why we should esteem women of letters is, because they study from taste and inclination only; while, with us, it must be acknowledged, it is often from vanity or interest.—It is true, that a woman who should neglect the duties of her family and station, to cultivate the sciences, would be blameable, let her progress be what it would: but the same spirit which leads to the knowledge of truth, will instruct us in the performance of duty."

means of a faction, the former was obliged to take sanctuary in a temple, and the latter raised to the throne. Chelonis, far from sharing in her husband's good fortune, retired into the same temple with her father, and dwelt there with him in mortification and penance. Afterwards he was permitted to retire to Tagea, whither Chelonis also accompanied him. Cleombrotus, in his turn, being dethroned, Leonidas was restored to his kingdom; but Chelonis, no longer sensible of her husband's fault, determined to share his misfortune with him, though she had no share in his prosperity.

Leonidas, with an armed force, went to the place where his son-in-law was sheltered, and, in the most passionate