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OF CELEBRATED WOMEN.
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continued to the last. The morning of her execution, conversing with the lieutenant of the Tower on what she was going to suffer, he endeavoured to comfort her by the shortness of its duration. "The executioner, indeed," replied she, "I am told, is very expert; and I have but a slender neck," grasping it with her hand, and smiling. The queen's brothers, and three gentlemen of the bed-chamber, also fell victims to the king's suspicions, or rather were sacrificed to hallow his nuptials with Jane Seymour.

Female Worthies, Modern Europe, &c.


BONA, an Italian Peasant in the Valteline, Died 1466.

While this young woman was tending her sheep, she was met by Peter Brunoro, a Parmesan officer of note, who remarking her vivacity and noble mien, took her with him as his mistress. He delighted to be accompanied by her to the chase, and all manly diversions. She went with him to serve the great Sforza, against Alphonso, king of Naples, his first master. He afterwards entered again into the service of the latter; but, being one of those roving spirits by which the age of chivalry is characterised, he sought again to return to Sforza; was discovered in the attempt, and sent to prison. Resolute to deliver him, Bona engaged the princes of Italy, the king of France, the duke of Burgundy, and the Venetians, to give her letters to Alphonso, soliciting his freedom. At such instances he was obliged to grant him his liberty, which he not only obtained through the means of Bona, but

the