Professor, in the university of Bologna, in 1758. She was the daughter of a creditable tradesman in Milan, and famed for her knowledge of the scholastic languages; and a profound treatise on analysis, which, besides eulogies, transmitted to her from all scientific societies, obtained her the professorship. She had an inclination, from her childhood, to enter into the austere order of the blue nuns; and, after the death of her father, who was averse to it, pursued this intention, and sacrificed, to what she considered her duty, all those enjoyments, to which her fine qualities and literary acquirements had already made her way. A translation of her work, by the name of Analytical Institutions, we have understood is speedily to be published.
AGREDA, (MARY DE) of Agreda, in Spain. Born 1602, died 1665.
Superior of a convent of nuns, founded by her mother. She supposed herself commanded and inspired by God, to write the History of the Virgin Mary. She accordingly began; but an enlightened confessor, who supplied the place of her own, during a short absence, desired her to desist, and burn what she had written. She obeyed; but, on the return of the other, was persuaded to re-commence the work; and, on her death, she gave a written attestation, that all had been revealed to her by the Almighty. The Inquisition at Madrid, after mature consideration, permitted her books to be printed, which they were, first in that city, and afterwards at Lisbon, at Perpignan, and at Antwerp. With all their strange and wild conceits, they had influence enough to disturb, for a long time, the peace of three kingdoms, Spain, France, and Italy. The Inquisi-
