Page:A cyclopaedia of female biography.djvu/181

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CAR. CAS.
169

fine talents in the cause of religion, instead of wasting them upon literary vanities. In another, we hear her exposing the pretensions of that religion, which does not follow men into the circle in which they live; and loudly questioning, whether piety can at once be seated in the heart, and yet seldom force its way to the lips.

Mrs. Carter is an eminent example of what may he done by industry and application. Endowed by nature with no very brilliant talents, yet by perseverance she acquired a degree of learning which must be considered as surprising. The daughter of a respectable country clergyman, with a large family and limited income, by her unaffected piety, moral excellence, and literary attainments, she secured to herself the friendship and esteem of the great and the wealthy, the learned and the good. In early youth her society was sought by many who were elevated above her in a worldly point of view; and instead of the cheerless, neglected old maid, we view her in declining life surrounded by

"That which should accompany old age,
As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends."

Her friends were numerous, distinguished for wealth and rank, as well as talents and learning. Mrs. Montague, Mrs. Vesey, Miss Talbot, the first and dearest, and Mrs. Chapone, were among her most intimate associates.

CARTISMANDUA,

First Queen of the Iceni, and afterwards of the Brigantes of Britain, is chiefly known in history for treacherously betraying Caractacus, her step-son, who had taken refuge in her dominions, to the Romans, and for discarding her husband Venusius to marry his armour-bearer, Vellocatus. When her subjects revolted against her, she solicited aid from the Romans, who thus obtained possession of the whole country. But she at last met with the reward of her perfidies; being taken prisoner by Corbred the First, King of Scots, and buried alive, about the year 57.

CASSANA, MARIA VITTORIA,

An Italian painter, was the sister of the two Venetian artists, Nicolo and Giovanni Agostino Cassana. She died in the beginning of the 18th. century. She painted chiefly devotional pieces for private families.

CASSANDRA,

Daughter of Priam, King of Troy, was regarded as a prophetess; and, during the siege of Troy, uttered various predictions of impending calamities, which were disregarded at the time, but verified in the event. During the plunder of the city, B.C 1184, she took refuge in the temple of Minerva, where she was barbarously treated by Ajax. In the division of the spoil, she fell to the lot of Agamemnon, who brought her home, and by this act so excited the jealousy of Clytemnestra, that she devised with her paramour, the means of murdering both her husband and his fair captive. Cassandra is said to have been very beautiful, and to have had many suitors in the flourishing time of Troy. Her prophetic ravings have been introduced with great effect in the works of several poets and dramatists.