Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/735

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OF CELEBRATED WOMEN.
721

that slipper: Rhodope being found, was conducted to the king, and by him created queen of Egypt.

Biographia Classica.



RICCOBONI (MARIE LABORAS DE MEZIERES), the Wife of Francis, the Son of a Madame Riecoboni who wrote ingeniously,

Was an actress on the Italian theatre, at Paris, from which she retired in 1761. She is accounted one of the first female writers of France; and from her extended reputation, and her knowledge of the English language, is almost as well known in England as in her own country. She has written many things, but chiefly novels, which are entertaining, animated, and sentimental. Her works ran through many editions during her life, and filled sixteen volumes.

Madame Riecoboni, according to the peculiar fashion of female writers in France, has given some account of her person and character, in the following manner:

"My stature," says she, "is tall, my eyes are black, and my complexion fair; my physiognomy announces candour. When conversing with those I love, my air is lively and gay, but cool and reserved towards strangers. I treat those whom I despise, with contempt and severity, nor have I any thing to say to those with whom I am unacquainted. I am indolent, and lose all my vivacity under the least fatigue of body or mind. My life is uniform and simple, which procures me the blessing of perfect health, which has not been in the least impaired, in spite of much chagrin, and a long and sad subjection. My temper is uneven, depending entirely upon the situation of my mind; my feelings are strongly marked upon my countenance. I

have