to read and write, and sew; and her intellectual progress has been rapid and satisfactory. In 1841, we hear it said of her, that "It is pleasing to observe an insatiable thirst for knowledge, and a quick perception of the relations of things. In her moral character, it is beautiful to behold her continual gladness—her keen enjoyment of existence—her expansive love—her unhesitating confidence—her sympathy with suffering—her conscientiousness, truthfulness, and hopefulness.
She is remarkably correct in her deportment; and few children of her age evince so much sense of propriety in regard to appearance. Never, by any possibility, is she seen out of her room with her dress disordered; and if by chance any spot of dirt is pointed out to her on her person, or any little rent in her dress, she discovers a sense of shame, and hastens to remove, or repair it.
She is never discovered in an attitude or an action at which the most fastidious would revolt; but is remarkable for neatness, order, and propriety.
There is one fact which is hard to explain in any way, namely, the difference of her deportment to persons of different sex. This was observable when she was only seven years old. She is very affectionate; and when with her friends of her own sex, she is constantly clinging to them, and often kissing and caressing them; and when she meets with strange ladies, she very soon becomes familiar, examines very freely their dress, and readily allows them to caress her. But with those of the other sex it is entirely different, and she repels every approach to familiarity."
In 1846, we are told that "Laura often amused herself during the past year, by little exercises in composition." And again, in 1850, that "Her progress has been a curious and an interesting spectacle. She has come into human society with a sort of triumphal march; her course has been a perpetual ovation. Thousands have been watching her with eager eyes, and applauding each successful step, while she, all unconscious of their gaze, holding on to the slender thread, and feeling her way along, has advanced with faith and courage towards those who awaited her with trembling hope. Nothing shows more than her case the importance which, despite their useless waste of human life and human capacity, men really attach to a human soul. They owe to her something for furnishing an opportunity of showing how much goodness there is in them; for surely the way in which she has been regarded is creditable to humanity."
BRINVILLIERS, MARIE MARGUERITE, MARCHIONESS DE,
Was a woman whose singular atrocity gives her a species of infamous claim to notice in this collection. She was born at Paris in 1651, being the daughter of D'Aubrai, lieutenant-civil, of Paris, who married her to N. Grobelin, marquis of Brinvilliers. Although possessed of attractions to captivate lovers, she was for some time much attached to her husband, but at length became madly in love with a Gascon officer, named Goden St. Croix. This young man had been introduced to her by the marquis himself, who was adjutant of the regiment of Normandy. Her father, being informed of the affair, imprisoned the officer, who was a mere adventurer.
