Page:A cyclopaedia of female biography.djvu/664

 The first portion of her history, contained in Genesis, chap. xxiv. (any synopsis would mar its beauty,) has won for her unqualified approbation; while commentators and divines are almost as unanimous in censuring her later conduct. But is this censure deserved? Let us examine carefully before we venture to condemn what the Bible does not.

Rebekah must have been either perfectly assured she was working under the righteous inspiration of God, or she was willing to bear the punishment of deceiving her husband rather than allow him to sin by attempting to give the blessing where God had withheld it. That the result was right Is certain, because Isaac acknowledged it when, after the deception was made manifest, he said of Jacob—"Yea, and he shall be blessed."

When, to avoid the murderous hatred of Esau, Jacob fled from his home, the Lord met him in a wondrous vision, where the promise made to Abraham and to Isaac was expressly confirmed to this cherished son of Rebekah; thus sealing the truth of her belief and the importance of her perseverance; and not a word of reproof appears on the holy page which records her history. She did not live to see her son's triumphant return, nor is the date of her decease given; but she was buried in the family sepulchre at Macpelah; and as Isaac had no second wife, she was doubtless mourned. It has been urged that because her death was not recorded, therefore she had sinned in regard to her son. No mention is made of the death of Deborah, or Ruth, or Esther—had they sinned?

There are no perfect examples among mankind; but in the comparison of Isaac and Rebekah, the wife is, morally, superior to her husband; and appears to have been specially entrusted by God with the agency of changing the succession of her sons, and thus building up the house of Israel. Sec Genesis, chapters xxvi. xxvii. xxviii.

RECAMIER, JEANNE FRANCOISE JULIE ADELAIDE BERNARAL, born at Lyons in 1778, and was probably the most beautiful and graceful woman of her day. She married in 1795, M. Recamier, a man of large fortune. Her house, at that time, was resorted to by all the marked characters of Europe; and her drawing-room celebrity is perhaps the first of the age. Her father was imprisoned for some treasonable dealings with the Chouans, in his capacity of administrator of the ports. Madame Recamier solicited his pardon from Napoleon, who granted his aquittal [sic], but refused to reinstate him. This fascinating woman was accustomed to obtain everything she asked for, and she could never forgive Bonaparte for resisting her, though on a point where, what her party termed his severity, seemed reasonable and necessary. Her friends deny this statement, and declared that she never demanded more than her father's liberty; and that the real origin of the animosity manifested by her to the hero, was an ill-conditioned jealousy on his part, which made him vexed at all admiration bestowed on others, even when a pretty woman was its object Madame Recamier was fondly attached to the celebrated Madame de Stael, and courageously proved her friendship by going to Coppet at a time when it was intimated to her that this measure would prevent her returning to