Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/306

292 divine assistance, and perpetually changing metre and harmony, performed her difficult task. The most honourable testimony was given by the examiners to her merit, and signed with their own hands. She was conducted by three noble Roman ladies, who were deputed, on the 3d of August, to the capitol, which was magnificently adorned and illuminated. Many noble foreigners were present, amongst the rest, the duke of Gloucester. Kneeling she received the crown, and was seated, with all usual honours, on the throne prepared.

This lady, who is since dead, used to compose in public for many years afterwards. When a subject was proposed, she called a musician, who played some air of her choosing, when she would deliver, with appropriate action, perhaps some hundred verses (sometimes in one measure, sometimes in another, as it suited her taste, or the feelings of the moment prompted. How they would look on paper is not decided, as they were in general spoken so fast that they could not be taken down in writings and she was not able to repeat them but when the fit came upon her, which was in general in company. She was a fine and beautiful woman, with the marks of great feeling and good-nature in her countenance, but not irreproachable in her conduct. She did not live with her husband; and used to talk on moral and religious points, as if her conduct was without blemish.

the daughter of George Baptista Cornaro, and educated in a very singular manner: for she was taught languages ancient and modern, and sciences, as boys are