Page:A cyclopaedia of female biography.djvu/718

 principally in the schools. She possessed considerable knowledge of the written language, and still greater familiarity with the coloquial [sic] of the Chinese, and devoted joyfully and successfully be time and talents to the mission. During the last year of her life a new school-house had been erected, and a school gathered under her care of twenty Chinese boys and six girls, besides her own four children. Her prospects of usefulness had never been greater than during this year. But in the midst of her highest hope, which children were seeking instruction, and the heathen were inquiring the way to Christ, her life was suddenly cut short. She died on the 27th. of November, 1847, soon after the birth of her fifth child.

Under a secret conviction that her end was near, she had "set her house in order," and was prepared for the event, while, at the same time, she prosecuted her daily duties with her usual cheerfulness, and laid out plans for labour which would have required long life to perform. During Mrs. Shuck's eight years' residence in China she did much to help her husband in his work, besides giving direct instruction. Her aid and ready sympathy were always offered to the stranger or the afflicted, and she was constantly employed in acts of kindness and charity.  SIDDONS, SARAH, most eminent English tragic actress, was born, in 1756, at Brecknock, and was the daughter of Roger Kemble, manager of company of itinerant players. At the age of fifteen she became attached to Mr. Siddons; and her parents refusing their consent to her marriage, she went to reside with Mrs. Greathead, of Gaft Cliff, as an humble companion. In her eighteenth year she married Mr. Siddons, and returned to the stage. In 1775, she made her first appearance on the London boards, but was unsuccessful. Time, however, matured her powers; and, after an absence of seven years, spent partly at Bath, where she was much admired, she reappeared at Drury Lane in 1782; and from that time her course was a perpetual triumph. In 1812, having acquired an ample fortune, she withdrew into private life. She died, June 9th., 1881. Mrs. Siddons possessed considerable talents as a sculptor. A medallion of herself, and a bust of her brother, John Kemble, are among her works. Her character was irreproachable.  SIDLAR, LUISE, artist of Germany, is a native of Weimar. She has attained considerable celebrity in her profession.  SIGOURNEY, LYDIA HUNTLEY, born in Norwich, Connecticut, in the year 1791. She was the only child of her parents, and consequently was brought up with great tenderness. Her parentage was in that happy mediocrity which requires industry, yet encourages hope; and the habits of order and diligence in which she was carefully trained by her judicious mother, have no doubt been of inestimable advantage to the intellectual character of the daughter.

She early exhibited indications of genius. Perhaps the loneliness of her lot, without brother or sister to share in the usual sports of childhood, had an influence on her pursuits and pleasures. We an by no means in favour of establishing precocity of intellect as the