hearted publisher, who, hearing she was pressed for money, consented to oblige her. "What do you ask, madam?" said he; "the book is prettily written as far as I see, but it is not a master-piece." "Fifty Louis," replied she; "since you are so frank, I confess that I am under the most urgent necessity to procure this sum."
The good man feared the risk; but his better feelings prevailed, and he counted her out fifty golden Louis. The rest of the sum she made up from money she had reserved from her housekeeping supplies, determined to live frugally till her next account day. When the messenger returned, she placed in his hands the two thousand one hundred and fifty livres; and in a fortnight had the pleasure of a letter from M. De Fonbelle, assuring her of his safety and gratitude, while on the same day her volume appeared in print. It was received with so much approbation, that she was induced to bring out, in succession, her other more admired works.
This anecdote has been detailed, as it honours Madame Cottin more than even her literary reputation. How noble, to take the first steps in the career of authorship from no sordid motive, nor even from a vain desire of renown, but solely to save the life of an innocent victim of injustice! Her other works were all brought out for the indulgence of her wish to succour the indigent, and never did a lower motive inspire her genius. Her written works are like her entire life—an exposition of the noblest sentiments. The eloquence and fervour with which she expresses the most secret feelings of the heart, have been much admired, particularly by her own sex. Her authorship commenced from the irrepressible desire to occupy her time innocently, and improve her own mind. The last work she undertook was on religion; and she had also commenced one on education; a painful disease prevented her from finishing either. The latter was the only one of her works for which she was anxious to gain a favourable reception with the public. Singular as it will now seem, she disapproved, in general, of women appearing as authors; but in her solicitude for this work on education, she honoured the true and instinctive promptings of female genius—to teach. Madame Cottin died, after a severe illness of three months, August 25th., 1807.
Her works have been collected, and published at Paris. The following are the names of the principal of them:—"Claire d'Albe," "Malvina," "Amelie de Mansfield," "Matilda," and "Elizabeth, or the Exiles of Siberia;" this last is considered her best work.
COUTTS, ANGELA GEORGINA BURDETT,
Is distinguished as possessing more wealth than any other private woman in the world; and a far higher distinction is hers also, that she is using her immense riches in the noblest works of charity.
Miss Burdett Coutts is the youngest daughter of Sir Francis Burdett, Bart., late of Bramcote, county of Warwick, a philanthropist and reformer, whose political career is well known. Her mother was Sophia, youngest daughter of Thomas Coutts, Esq., the opulent banker of the Strand. The family of Burdett, enriched by alliances with the houses of Camville of Arrow, Bruin of Bramcote, and Fraunceys of Foremark, can be traced to one of the soldiers of the Conquest. But whatever the ancestry of Miss Burdett Coutts might have been, it can confer no honour on her name so noble as do her own benevolent deeds. She was born April 26th., 1814, and
