her second marriage, she prepared her "Botany" and "Chemistry for Beginners;" and also published a course of lectures on education, which had been addressed to the pupils of the Troy Seminary, and which now constitutes, under the title of the "Female Student, or Fireside Friend," one of the volumes of the "School Library," published by the Messrs. Harper.
A larger and smaller "Natural Philosophy, for Schools," a "Geology for Beginners," with a larger Chemistry, soon followed; and a translation of Madame Madame Necker de Saussure's "Progressive Education," by Mrs. Willard and Mrs. Phelps, with notes, and "The Mother's Journal" as an appendix, by the latter, was published in 1838. Her next work was a small volume, "Caroline Westerly, or the Young Traveller," which constitutes volume sixteen of Harpers' "Boys' and Girls' Library for Beginners." The works we have enumerated were all written by Mrs. Phelps within about eight years, during the first two of which she was connected with the Troy Female Seminary, and much occupied by important duties connected with its supervision. During the six remaining years, she resided in Vermont, where she became the mother of a son and daughter, and presided over the household affairs of her home with tact and ability equal to those who make housekeeping the chief pursuit of their life. The only book published by Mrs. Phelps since she has been actively engaged in education, is "Ida Norman, or Trials and their Uses," which was written for the benefit of her pupils. Some of her addresses at the public examinations and commencements of the Institute have been published, and we understand that it is her intention soon to issue a volume of her addresses to her pupils, on moral and religious subjects.
In her girlhood, Mrs. Phelps wrote occasional poetry, and commenced a record of her reading, observations, and the events of her life, which she has continued to the present time; and probably, had she chosen to court the muses rather than cultivate the sciences, she might have been equally successful. But it is as a teacher that her fine talents and good influence have been most beneficial to her sex and to her country. The office of instructress to the young, is a mission of great power and responsibility, which Mrs. Phelps has fulfilled, and still continues to fulfil, in a manner deserving high honour. It was for her pupils that her scientific works were prepared; no woman in America, nor any in Europe, excepting Mrs. Marcet and Mrs. Somerville, has made such useful and numerous contributions to the stock of available scientific knowledge as Mrs. Phelps. Yet had she not been a teacher, and found the need of such works, it is very doubtful whether she would have prepared them.
PHERETIMA,
Wife of Battus, King of Cyrene, and the mother of Arcesilaus, who was driven from his kingdom in a sedition, and assassinated. After her son's death, she recovered the kingdom by the aid of Amasis, King of Egypt; and to avenge the murder of Arcesilaus, she caused all his assassins to be crucified round the walls of Cyrene, and she cut off the breasts of their wives, and hung them near their husbands. It is said she was devoured by worms; which probably had reference to the remorse she must have felt for her cruelties. She lived about 624 B.C.
