Her second work, "A Few Days in Athens," published in 1822, is dedicated to Jeremy Bentham. In this she endeavours to prove the truth and utility of the Epicurean doctrine—that pleasure is the highest aim of human life. It is written with vigour, and the classic beauty of its style won much praise; but its tendency is earthward.
After travelling in Greece and elsewhere, Miss Wright returned to America in 1825, and settled at Nashoba, Tennesee, with the avowed intention of cultivating the minds of some negroes whom she emancipated, and thus proving the equality of races. Her philanthropy was doomed to disappointment. She finally abandoned her plan; came to the eastern cities and began a course of lectures, setting forth her particular views of liberty. In New York, she was much followed and flattered by many persons, who formed "Fanny Wright Societies," with notions of "reform" similar to the present communists of France. Rarely did an American woman join her standard, and so Miss Wright could find no true friend; for between the sexes there can be no real bond of generous sympathy without Christian sentiment hallows the intercourse. Miss Wright left America for France, where she had before resided. Here she married M. Darusmont, a man who professed her own philosophy; the result has not been happy for her. They separated some years ago, she returning with their only child, a daughter, to America, where she owns landed property, and has recommenced her philanthropic labours on behalf of the coloured race. She Seeks to prove that the slave may be made worthy of freedom, and she does this at her own care and cost. There is no doubt that she has sought to do good, and it is a sad thought that such a mind should have been so misdirected in its early formation. We have been told by a lady who lately conversed with Madame Darusmont, that she ascribes her errors of opinion (there is no substantial charge against her purity of conduct) to the misfortune of her early training; that she has freed herself from many of these errors, and we hope she will yet be redeemed from the heavy servitude of infidelity, and find that true liberty and happiness which the Gospel only can give the human soul.
DASCHKOFF, CATHARINE ROMANOWNA,
Princess of, was descended from the noble family of Worenzoff, and was the early friend and confidant of Catharine the Second, of Russia. She was born in 1744, and became a widow at the age of eighteen. She endeavoured to effect the accession of Catharine to the throne, but at the same time, was in favour of a constitutional limitation of the imperial power. In a military dress, and on horseback, she led a body of troops to the presence of Catharine, who placed herself at their head, and precipitated her husband, Peter the Third, from the throne. The request of the Princess Daschkoff to receive the command of the imperial guards, was refused She did not long remain about the person of Catharine. Study became her favourite employment; and, after her return from abroad, in 1782, she was made director of the Academy of Sciences, and president of the newly-established Russian Academy. She wrote much in the Russian language, and promoted the publication of the Dictionary of the Russian Academy. She died at Moscow, in 1810.
