Lives of Celebrated Women

Excerpt: "e;It is an oft-quoted proposition of Rousseau, that "e;the glory of woman lies in being unknown."e; If this be true, we shall deserve little credit for placing before the world these brief sketches of a few of the sex who have acquired celebrity among mankind. We are disposed to think, however, that the oracular words of the Genevan philosopher-though they may coincide with the despotism of the lords of creation, who would arrogate, not merely the sceptre of power, but the trump of fame, entirely to themselves-like most other oracles, are liable to many exceptions."e;