CYNISCA (Daughter of Archidamas, King of Sparta) lived about 440 B. C.
Was the first woman who entered into the Olympic games. She bore away the prize of the race, and the Lacedemonians erected a statue to her in their city.
D.
DACIER (ANNE), Daughter of Tanneguy le Fevre, Professor of Greek at Saumur, in France; born 1651; died at the Louvre 1720, aged 69.
M. Le Fevre did not intend to make his daughter a scholar, but he had a son whom he educated with the greatest care, and when he gave him his lesson, she sat by at her needle. The young man one day hesitated in his answer, and his sister, then about 10 or 11, prompted him what to say, though seemingly intent on her work. The father heard, and overjoyed at the discovery, resolved to take her under his tuition. She, however, severely repented her officiousness, being confined to regular lessons, and deprived of the amusements and employment suited to her early habits; but her reluctance was soon overcome by his commendations, which were such, that from a scholar she became a confidante, was consulted in all his designs, and an assistant in all his compositions. Her brother was seized with emulation, and they studied together with great success. She learnt Latin, Italian, and Greek; in eight years was able to study the last without a master, and began to be dissa-
