state of her political relations, and this penetration was accompanied by decision. She was moderate in her prosperity, and steadfast in misfortune She used to say that calamities are wholesome, to prevent our becoming overbearing in prosperity. She possessed the power of gaining the affections of those around her, and of making herself feared when she thought it necessary. She was affable to all, and generous towards those who had offended her. She was fond of the arts and sciences, and she always distinguished men of talent and learning. She was a rare combination of the manly virtues of a prince, with the mild and humane spirit of a woman."
AMALTHÆA,
The name of the sibyl of Cumæ, who is said to have offered to Tarquin the Second, or The Proud, king of Rome, B. C. 624, nine books, containing the Roman destinies, and demanded for them three hundred pieces of gold. He derided her, for supposing that he would give so high a price for her books; she went away and burning three of them, returned and asked the same price for the other six; this being again denied, she burnt three more, and offered the remaining three, without lessening her demand. Upon which Tarquin, consulting the pontiffs, was advised to buy them. These books, called the "Sibylline Oracles," were in such esteem, that two magistrates were created to consult them upon extraordinary occasions. The books, and the story about them, were probably fabrications of the priests of Rome, to impose on that superstitious people, and increase their own importance, by occasionally quoting and interpreting these oracles. The story is also of importance in showing the spiritual influence the mind of woman exerted over that proud nation which owed its greatness to the sword. Even there the strength of man was fain to seek aid from the quicker intellect and more refined moral sense of woman.
AMASTRIS,
Daughter of Oxathres, the brother of Darius Codomannus, the last king of Persia, was given in marriage by Alexander, after his return from India, to Craterns, from whom she was separated about B. C. 323. Dionysius, the tyrant of Heracles, was her next husband, to whose prosperity hex; influence, wealth, and talents greatly contributed. At his death, B. C. 306, he left to her the government of the state, and the guardianship of their three children. She next married Lysimachus, and after living with him for some time at Heracles, followed him to Sardls, where he divorced her, in order to marry Arsinoë, the daughter of Ptolemy the First, king of Egypt. She then returned to her kingdom of Heraclea, and was murdered by her two sons, who had governed the state badly during her absence. Thus sadly terminated the career of this woman, who displayed singular talents for government, and whose memory is preserved in the name of the city Amastris, which she founded on the coast of Paphlagonia.
AMBOISE,
Frances d', daughter of Louis d'Amboise, is celebrated for the Improvement she introduced in the manners and sentiments of the Bretons. She was wife of Peter the Second, duke of Brittany,
