menced writing in order to contribute to the support of her family Her first attempt was a novel, which was successful, and then she became one of the most popular contributors to a journal established at Paris, called "The Publiciste." In 1807, while suffering under an illness brought on by over-exertion, which compelled her to give up writing, the only resource of her mother and herself, she received an article written in happy imitation of her style, accompanied by an anonymous letter, in which she was informed that till her health should be restored, a similar article should be sent to her for each number of the Publiciste. These articles came with the utmost regularity; and on her recovery, she discovered the writer of them to be M. Guizot. He had heard of her, read and admired her writings, and they soon became friends. In 1812, Mademoiselle de Meulan married her benefactor; and though she was fourteen years older than her husband, their union was a very happy one. The purity and severity of her moral nature exercised great influence over her husband; and she also assisted him in his literary labours. The perfect accord of their sentiments rendered this easy for her, and he thus gained for himself increased honour and fame. She died in 1827. Her first works were novels, called "The Contradictions," and the "Chapel of Ayton." She afterwards published "Essays on Literature and Morals." In 1821, she gave to the public a work for youth, called "Raoul the Scholar," which has been translated into English, and enjoyed extensive circulation. This was followed by "Letters on Domestic Education," the best monument Madame Guizot has left of her talents and fame. Among all the French female authors, no one has more consistently and constantly advocated the cause of truth and good morals than this excellent lady.
GUIZOT, ELISE MARGARETTA,
Was born in Paris, in 1804. Her father, James Dillon, sprang from a branch of the Irish family of that name, which followed James the Second in his banishment to France. He married Henrietta de Meulan, sister of Pauline, the first wife of M. Guizot Madame Dillon was left a widow at an early age, with small means, and the charge of two children, Elise and Pauline. She, however proved herself equal to this difficult situation. Frugal, simple in her tastes, gifted with an hereditary quickness of intellect, she brought up her daughters in a most admirable manner. Elise, from the dawn of her understanding, manifested unusual aptness for acquirement, and extraordinary love for study. Upon the death of her mother, which occurred while she was a very young girl, she assumed the responsibility of managing the family and bringing up her sister Pauline. These duties she discharged with zeal and discernment, until the illness of her aunt, Madame Guizot, of the preceding sketch, for whom she entertained a peculiar affection, required her society and skill as a nurse, during an excursion to the baths of Piombieres. Madame Guizot was much older than her husband, whom she loved with that affection peculiar to woman, which regards the advantage of its object Setting aside personal considerations, she felt that her husband's happiness would be secured, if at a proper time after her death he could obtain the hand of a young lady whose mind and character she herself had formed, and whose tastes and habits were, as she knew, per-
