several times with her bodkin, addressing to the lifeless Cicero, all the time, the most opprobrious language. What a contrast is here presented to the character of Octavia, the last wife of Marc Antony;—she was a true woman!
GABRIELLE DE BOURBON,
Daughter of Count de Montpensier, married, in 1485, Louis de la Tremouille, a man who filled with honour the highest offices of the state, and who was killed at the battle of Pavia in 1525. Her virtues were very great; and some published treatises remain as proofs of her devoted piety. She passed her time chiefly in solitude; for she had formed a resolution to withdraw from the court, whenever her husband's duties, as an officer in the king's army, compelled him to be absent. Charitable, as well as magnificent in her tastes, no person in want ever left her unsatisfied. She employed an hour or two daily with her needle; the rest of her time was spent in reading, writing, in her devotional duties, or in instructing the young girls by whom she liked to surround herself. She also took great care of the education of her son, who amply repaid all her trouble, but who unfortunately was killed at the battle of Marignan in 1515; and she died of grief at his loss in 1516. Her works are a "Contemplation of the Nativity and Passion of Jesus Christ;" "The Instruction of Young Girls;" and two other religious works.
GABRIELLI, CATHARINE,
One of the most celebrated singers of the eighteenth century was born at Rome in 1730. As soon as her great talent was discovered, (by accident,) she received instructions from Garcia (la Spagnaletto) and Porpora. In the year 1747, she sang at the theatre of Lucca, where she was generally admired. Francis the First called her subsequently to Vienna. Metastasio gave her the last finish, especially with regard to the recitative. The operas of this poet gained more celebrity by her than by any other musician. An anecdote is told concerning the extreme capriciousness of this lady. The viceroy of Sicily invited her one day to dine with him and the highest nobility of Palermo. When she did not make her appearance at the appointed hour, he sent a messenger to inform her that she was expected by the party. She was found reading on her sofa, and pretended to have entirely forgotten the invitation. The viceroy seemed inclined to forgive this impoliteness; but when, during the' opera, she acted her part with the utmost negligence, and sang all her airs sotto voce, he threatened her with punishment; yet his displeasure seemed to have no other effect but to render her still more stubborn; she declared that she might be forced to scream, but not to sing. She was committed to prison for twelve days; during this time she gave costly entertainments, paid all the debts of the prisoners, and, with great charity, spent large sums of money among them. The viceroy being obliged to yield, she was released amidst the shoutings of the poor. When offered an engagement at the theatre of London, she said, "I should not be mistress of my own will; whenever I should have a fancy not to sing, the
