Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/280

266 alluded to is that of Monaldeschi, her favourite, whom she ordered to be assassinated, for an act of unfaithfulness as a lover, and of treachery as a subject, though she was no longer a queen, in the great gallery of Fontainbleau, and almost in her own presence.

Christina, from her youth, had been taught to consider herself as a prodigy, and thought that events and their agents ought to bow before her. Of this the expressions constantly used in her letters are a proof, with respect to those with whom she was displeased; for she scarce ever signified her displeasure without threatening the life of the offender.

She went to Rome, after this to Sweden (her appointments being very ill paid) where she was not very well received; from Sweden to Hamburgh, where she continued a year, and then again to Rome; from Rome she returned to Hamburgh; and, on the death of Charles Gustavus, in 1660, returned to Sweden, it is said, with an intent to resume the government; but this could not be admitted on account of her change of religion, upon which she went back to Hamburgh, and from thence again to Rome. She intended another journey to Sweden; but it did not take place, any more than an expedition to England, where Cromwell did not seem well disposed to receive her; and, after many wanderings and many purposes of wanderings more, at last died at Rome.

Fond of business, and of acting an important part in every event, she was always solicitous to enter into the intrigues of a court, or to mediate between its factions; and by this means, as well as by exacting the deference due to a queen when she was so no longer, spent her time in a manner unworthy of her former character.

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