Page:A cyclopaedia of female biography.djvu/372

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350
GRO.

of passion in its intensist forms—of love and hate, jealousy, despair,—were some of the finest pieces of tragic expression ever witnessed. As Anna Bolena, Norma, Semiramide, Udegonda, Lacrezia Borgia, Elrira, in "Il Pnritana," etc., she thrilled and electrified her auditors in a way never to be forgotten. And yet, amid all her blaae of triumph—beautiful, accomplished, almost worshipped as she was—one night well ask the question—was she happy? Married early, says report, to M. de Meley, a French gentleman, whose name she does not appear to have ever borne, and from whom she was quickly divorced, she afterwards became attached to Signor Mario, who succeeded Rnbini on the operatic stage; with him she went to New York, and after performing a professional tour through America, finally settled at Florence, being, it is said, the wife of the accomplished tenon.

Of her history it has been well said that "you may read it in the wild dramatic story of a passionate life; it resembles her acting. But why follow it beyond the stage—that stage whereon she walks as one fresh from the temple of genius, with the wand ready to thrall the spirits at her audience, with the voice that might 'charm down angels from their spheres'—full, rich, voluptuous, rife with soul and melody, and in its beauty and freshness more eloquent than Wisdom's self? So does Guilia Grisi triumph in her mystic art!"

GROSS, AMALIE VON,

Better known under her nomme de plume, Amalie Winter, was born in 1803, at Weimar. Her maiden name was Leebach. In early life she became acquainted with Goethe, and her taste and mind were formed under the influence of that remarkable man. She appeared as an authoress at the age of thirty, by contributing to a popular annual. In 1838, she published "Pictures of German Life," and afterwards novelettes; "Pictures of Women," "Recollections of a Berlin Doll," "Recollections of a Leaden Soldier," "Fairy Tales of Nature," and "The Diadem and Sceptre." She has written a great many minor tales and poems.

GROTIUS, MARY,

Daughter of Baron Reigesberg, of Zealand, was married to the renowned Hugh Grotius, July, 1608. She proved herself worthy of her illustrious husband; was his confidant and counsellor in all his pursuits, and by her fortitude and persevering affection sustained him in every reverse of fortune. When, in 1619, he was sentenced, for his political writings, to imprisonment for life in the fortress' of Louvestein, she petitioned to accompany him. This was granted on condition that if she went into the prison she should never come out She agreed to this, but finally was allowed to go oat twice a week. In prison, Grotius devoted himself entirely to his literary pursuits, while his true wife was studying how to effect his liberation. She accomplished this in the following manner.

She had been permitted to borrow books of his friends for him, and when he had used the books, they were carried hack in a chest in which his linen was carried to and from his laundress. The first year his guards were very exact in examining the chest; but being used to find nothing in it besides books and linen, they grew remiss, and did not take the trouble to open it. Madame Grotius observed this, and proposed her plan. She represented to