proof of his respect for Saxburga by bequeathing to her the administration of the affairs of the kingdom, a step the more remarkable as it was quite without precedent. Saxburga is the solitary instance of a Queen-regnant during the entire dominion of the Anglo-Saxons. During the brief period that she held this power, she proved herself in every respect worthy to discharge the duties of the office. An old chronicler describes her as "levying new forces and preserving the old in their duty, ruling her subjects with moderation, and overawing her enemies; in short, conducting all things in such a manner that no difference was discernible except that of sex." But this was a difference, in those rude times, altogether fatal to the continuance of her rule. She was displaced from her high office by her rebellious subjects, as some say, at the end of two years, and henceforth she disappears from the page of history, unless she be the Queen Saxburga mentioned in a Welsh record, who, when the yellow plague, which lasted about eight years in Britain, had ceased its ravages, came back from Germany, whither she had fled, with many others, and founded a new settlement In "Nowry," on Northumberland. The date of this event is somewhat uncertain.
SCACERNI-PROSPERI, ANGELA,
Of Ferrara, is descended from a family In which learning and learned men abounded. Carefully educated at home by her father, she was, in her early youth, well versed in general history, geography, geometry, and the French and Latin languages, and also displayed a turn for the fine arts. Her parents removed from Ferrara and resided for some time in Tuscany, where Angela had still greater opportunities for mental improvement, of which she took advantage. She was received into the Academy Clementina of Fine Arts in Bologna, and having returned with her father to her native country, was enrolled among the members of the Academy Ariostea. Then, having become the wife of the Count Michel Fausto Prosperi, and the mother of several children, she devoted herself entirely to her domestic duties. She is universally beloved by all who know her, and her country willingly grants to her that veneration and respect which belong to her merits. She is an easy, harmonious, and graceful writer. Her works consist of many lyric poems, songs, epigrams, and sonnets, written with great sweetness and learning, and a touching elegy on Guido Villa, formerly President of the Hospital of St James and Anna in Ferrara.
SCACRATI-ROMAGNLI, ORINTIA,
Was born at Cesena, and, from her girlhood, has been distinguished for intelligence. In youth her beauty was remarkable; this, added to her highly cultivated mind, made her society sought for in the most brilliant circles. She was endowed with great penetration into character, tact, and discretion. Circumstances led her to a country life for some years; she there devoted herself to literature, and wrote several dramatic pieces. She afterwards established herself at Rome, where she enjoyed the admiration of all, and the esteem of a large circle of friends. To foreigners she exercised a generous hospitality, and her name is known to many illustrious travellers of other nations. Her works, in four volumes, were published in 1810.
