In 1801, the works were published in two volumes, at the expense of Baron Maseres, to do honour to her memory, and also to prove that women have minds capable of comprehending the most abstruse studies. Her eulogy was pronounced in Italian by Frisé, and translated into French by Boulard. In her genius she resembled Mrs. Somerville.
AGNESI, MARIA TERESA,
Sister of the above, was a great musical genius, born at Milan 1750. She composed three operas, "Sophonisba," "Ciro," and "Nitocri."
AGNODICE,
An Athenian virgin, who disguised her sex, to learn medicine. She was taught midwifery by Herophilus, an eminent physician, was born in B. C. 506, and when employed, always discovered her sex to her patients. This procured her so much practice, that the male physicians accused her of corruption before the Areopagus. She confessed her sex to the judge, and a law was immediately made, allowing all free-born women to learn midwifery.
AGNOULT, COUNTESS D',
Is only known as a writer by the name of Daniel Sterne. Madame Dudevant, a woman of unquestionable, though very ill-directed genius, among other eccentricities, adopted the undignified measure of renouncing her sex, as far as possible, by not only entering the lists of fame under a masculine name, but often assuming masculine apparel. False shows and seemings are always unworthy of a strong or healthy mind; unless there are extraordinary circumstances making concealment for a time justifiable; but for one who might be a champion, to desert his or her party, merely because it is physically the weakest, to appear in the uniform of the more powerful, shows certainly a want of "spirit, taste, and sense." To repeat this unwomanly and senseless proceeding was a fault in Madame d'Agnoult: it has lost even the grace of novelty, and the talent of the authoress—author, if she wish it—causes a regret that she is not satisfied to be herself. This lady belongs to a family of rank, and is distinguished not only for literary abilities, but possesses a fine taste in the arts, "which has been developed by her travels in Italy. Reversing the career of most imaginative writers, she began as a critic—having contributed, in "La Presse" of 1842-43, several articles that attracted much attention. The novel "Nelida," which appeared in 1846, has been received by the reading public with great favour—having been translated into German, English, and Spanish. She has also produced several political and critical essays, besides various romances.
AGOSTINA, THE MAID OF SARAGOSSA.
Spain can boast of having produced heroines from the earliest records of history. The glorious memory of the women of Saguntum and Numantia, in the time of the Romans, and of Maria Pacheco, widow of the celebrated Padilla, may be paralleled in our days by the fame of Agostina of Saragossa.
This illustrious maiden exposed her life for her king and country at the memorable siege of Saragossa in 1808. General Lefevre
