ton's Philosophy, for the use of Ladies, in Six Dialogues on Sight and Colours." These publications appearing when Miss Carter was only twenty-one, gave her immediate celebrity, and brought her into correspondence with most of the learned of her day. Among others. Bishop Butler, author of the "Analogy," Archbishop Locker, Dr. Johnson, Sir Joshua Reynolds, and Burke. Dr. Johnson said, when speaking of an eminent scholar, that "he understood Greek better than any one he had ever known except Elizabeth Carter." Among the numerous friends who appreciated the talents of this amiable lady, was one friend of her own sex. Miss Catharine Talbot, who was kindred in feeling, as well as gifted with genius to sympathize in the pursuits of Miss Carter. A correspondence by letter was soon established between these two ladies, which continued for nearly thirty years, and was only terminated by the death of Miss Talbot, in 1770. A portion of these letters have been published, in four volumes, forming a work of much interest, and teaching by its spirit of Christian philosophy many valuable lessons to their own sex, especially to young ladies.
Miss Carter was never married, and, after becoming matronly in years, she assumed the title of a married lady, and was styled Mrs. Elizabeth Carter. There are in her familiar letters many particulars of her daily habits of life, and also expressions of her opinion on subjects connected with which every person is more or less interested. Among other things she often remarked that varying her occupations prevented her from ever being tired of them; and accordingly she hardly ever read or worked for more than half an hour at a time, and then she would visit, for a few minutes, any of her relations who were staying in her house, in their respective apartments, or go into her garden to water her flowers. Before this period she had, however, studied very assiduously.
Her regular rule was, when in health, to read two chapters in the Bible before breakfast, a sermon, some Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, and after breakfast something in every language with which she was acquainted; thus never allowing herself to forget what she had once attained. These occupations were of course varied according to circumstances, and when she took exercise before breakfast her course of reading was necessarily deferred till later in the day.
Her constitution must have been strong to have enabled her to take the very long walks to which she accustomed herself; but she suffered greatly from headaches, not improbably arising from her over-exertion of body and mind in early youth, and the not allowing herself sufficient repose to recruit her over-tasked strength. At one time of her life she was wont to sit up very late, and as she soon became drowsy, and would sleep soundly in her chair, many were the expedients she adopted to keep herself awake, such as pouring cold water down her dress, tying a wet bandage round her head, etc. She was a great snuff-taker, though she endeavoured to break herself of the habit to please her father. She suffered so much, however, in the attempt, that he kindly withdrew his prohibition.
Mrs. Carter was not much more than thirty when she undertook to finish the education of her youngest brother Henry, which had been commenced by her father. She completed her task so
