Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/750

736 himself, in order to preserve his life. He was instigated to this by Madame Roland, who, trusting to her innocence and her sex, remained at home. But she was denounced, and although claimed by her section, and even under its protection, was arrested and carried to prison. At the end of a few days she was set at liberty, under pretext that the necessary forms were not complied with; but this was only to render her more completely miserable, as she had no sooner put her foot within her own door, than she was once more seized and conveyed to another place of confinement.

During her imprisonment, she wrote Historical Memoirs, which were afterwards destroyed, and her eloquent, and as it were single-hearted Appeal to impartial Posterity, which must ever remain a testimony of her great talents, and enthusiastic pursuit of what she deemed her duty. They possess the perspicuity and naiveténaïveté [sic] of truth. It is impossible not to respect and admire her. In this retreat she also wrote a remonstrating Letter to Robespierre.

Intrepid and serene, though aware of her danger, no circumstances altered the equanimity of her soul.—With flowers, of which she was always fond, books, and her pen, she passed unrepiningly hours of suspense which might leave a philosopher impatient. She strove to occupy and amuse herself; and had made it a priciple, never to lament idly what she could not avoid, or sink under circumstances. She wrote well in English and Italian, and studied the literature of each country. She begged of a friend to procure her laudanum, as she considered her fate as decided, when the period arrived, to disappoint her executioners, not to expedite her own death. She, however, considered of it better before the time came. When in the presence of any