A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Carlemigelli, Aspasie

4120136A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography — Carlemigelli, Aspasie

CARLEMIGELLI, ASPASIE,

Was born in Paris, in 1775, and was the daughter of one of the Prince de Conde's footmen. Her childhood was rendered so miserable, by the bad treatment she received from her mother, that she never spoke of it afterwards without the utmost horror. Obliged very early to labour for her own support, and left unprotected by her parents, she fell so violently in love, that she became dangerously ill, was thought deranged, and was sent to an asylum for the insane. But in her strongest paroxysms she never lost her judgment; and the physicians were accustomed to entrust her with the care of the other insane persons. She was released, but imprisoned again in 1793, for having spoken against the revolution. She was soon set free again; but they had taken from her all that she possessed, and, tired of her miserable life, she cried aloud in the streets, "God save the king!" But though she was again tried, she was acquitted.

Aspasie then endeavoured to obtain the condemnation of her mother, but in vain. She next turned her fury against the deputies who had caused so much bloodshed, and attempted the life of two. She was tried for this, and boldly avowed her intention. She would allow no one to defend her, and heard her condemnation with the greatest impassibility. She was guillotined, in 1798, at the age of twenty-three.