Page:A cyclopaedia of female biography.djvu/606

 call for the exercise of her peculiar talents and acquirements. May it be long before such another occasion for their exercise as the recent one arises. Under the name of the "Nightingale Fund," a national subscription has been raised, which it is intended to appropriate to the establishment of an institution for training nurses for the sick. The subscriptions at the last announcement had reached sixty thousand pounds.

NITOCRIS, by Herodotus, is supposed by some to have been the wife or at least the contemporary of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Assyria. She contributed much to the improvement of Babylon, and built a bridge to connect the two parts of the city divided by the Euphrates, and also extensive embankments along the river. She gave orders there should be an inscription on her tomb, signifying that her successors would find great treasures within, if they were in need of money; but that their labour would be ill repaid if they opened it without necessity. Cyrus opened it from curiosity, and found within it only these words:—"If thy avarice had not been insatiable, thou never wouldst have violated the monuments of the dead!"

Other historians suppose her to have been the wife of Evil-Merodach, son and successor of Nebuchadnezzar, who also governed during the lunacy of his father. She was a woman of extraordinary abilities, and did all that she could by human prudence to sustain a tottering empire. She lived in the sixth century before Christ.

NOE, CANEDI MADDALENA, a native of Bologna. Early in life she had the opportunity at her native city of acquiring a knowledge of literature and science, for which she manifested decided abilities. She was admitted to that celebrated university, and then, after going through the regular studies, attended a course of law lectures. In this science she became so thoroughly versed, that the faculty determined to bestow a degree upon her. This was done on the 26th. of April, 1807. The college of lawyers, in endowing her with the doctoral ring, presented her with a black velvet gown, embroidered in gold with laurel leaves, and in the centre, woven in gold letters, these words, "Collegium Doctorum Jusis Archigymnasii Bonon, dat merenti." Shortly after this she married, and has since lived in the most retired domestic privacy. Nor has the remembrance of her laurels or literary triumphs diminished in the least the mildness and modesty which are an essential part of her character.

NOGAROLA, ARCO D'ANGELA, Verona, was very learned in the Holy Scriptures, and made metrical translations of some of the poetical books. She was a remarkably beautiful and virtuous woman. She lived contemporary with the celebrated Isotta. She has left some epistles elegantly written.

NOGAROLA, ISOTTA, lady of Verona. She was well acquainted with philosophy, theology, and the learned languages; and her reputation