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 and rose to an intimate intercourse with him. One day, happening to stoop, he let fall a miniature, which represented so beautiful a face that the king eagerly inquired about the original. After stimulating his curiosity by affecting a discreet reserve, he acknowledged it to be the likeness of his niece. In subsequent conversations he artfully praised this young lady, and so wrought upon the sovereign that he resolved to take her for his wife. This honourable proposal being transmitted to Venice, she was adopted by the state, and sent as a daughter of the republic—a mode often adopted by that oligarchy for forming alliances with foreign powers. The fine climate and rich soil of Cyprus—an island so favoured by nature, that the ancients dedicated it to the queen of beauty and love—had made it always a coveted spot of earth, and on the death of James, which took place soon after his marriage with Caterina, the Venetians conceived the idea of obtaining it. Through their influence, Caterina was proclaimed queen, and afterwards as easily persuaded to abdicate in favour of the state of Venice. After various forms, and overpowering some opposition, Cyprus was annexed to the republic. On the 20th. of June, 1489, Caterina returned to her country and family, where she passed so obscure a life that no historian has taken the pains to note the period of her death.

Her name remains in the archives of Venice, because through her means a kingdom was acquired. Her features enjoy immortality, for she was painted by Titian.

CORNARO, HELENA LUCRETIA, Venetian lady, was the daughter of Gio Baptista Comaro, and educated in a very different manner from her sex generally: she was taught languages, sciences, and the philosophy of the schools, difficult as it then was. She took her degrees at Padua, and was perhaps the first lady who was made a doctor. She was also admitted to the university at Rome, where she had the title of Humble given her, as she had that of Unalterable at Padua. She deserved both these appellations, since all her learning had not inspired her with vanity, nor could anything disturb her calmness and tranquility of mind. She made a vow of virginity, and though all means were used to persuade her to marry, and dispensation obtained from the Pope, she remained immoveable. She exercised upon herself the discipline of flagellation, fasted often, and spent nearly her whole time in study and devotion.

Persons of note who passed through Venice were more desirous to see her than any of the curiosities of that superb city. The Cardinals de Bouillon and d'Etreés were commanded by the King of France to call on her, on their journey through Italy, and examine whether what was said of her was true; and they found that she fully equalled her high reputation all over Europe. Her severe studies impaired her health, and she died in 1685.

As soon as the news of her death reached Rome, the academicians, called Infecondi, who had admitted her to their society, made innumerable odes and epitaphs to her memory. They celebrated a funeral solemnity in her honour, in the college of the Barnabite friars, with the highest pomp and magnificence; and one of the academicians made a funeral oration, in which he expatiated on all her great and valuable qualities.