Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/743

Rh illustrious by her birth, celebrated for her many amiable virtues, and whose literary productions are highly esteemed by those who read books of piety and devotion. Brought up in a convent, she contracted an inclination very early for retirement, and chose a religious life in preference to any other; though her exquisite beauty, birth, fortune, and accomplishments, were such as could not fail of ensuring her the admiration and attention of the world. In vain did her friends endeavour to oppose this resolution; her father, though much afflicted, could not resist the prayers and tears of a daughter he so tenderly loved, but consented to it, as her happiness seemed so much to depend on the choice she had made. She was soon after professed in the Benedictine convent, at Montargis, where her virtues, talents, and superior understanding, procured her the esteem and veneration of all the community; the oldest and gravest among them reposing their secrets in her breast. She was soon after named Abbess of the community of Caen, a dignity which she declined accepting with great humility; but was, at length, obliged to yield to the repeated entreaties of the superiors of that convent. Mlle. de Rohan, without any ambition, or the least presumption, was the only one who appeared ignorant of her superior excellencies. She conducted her flock with meekness, humility, and tenderness. Her heart was tender and susceptible; her mind elevated and sublime, with a firmness not to be shaken, of which she gave singular proofs in maintaining the rights and privileges of the Abbey. But the sea air not agreeing with her constitution, and her health being considerably injured,