She went abroad for her health, and died in Frankfort, in 1847. She was buried there in the cemetery, one side of which is set apart for the Jews, the people of her faith. The stone which marks the spot bears upon it a butterfly and five stars, emblematic of the soul in heaven; and beneath appears the inscription—"Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates."
Her works do indeed praise her. She died at the early age of thirty-one, and was never at leisure to pursue literature as her genius would have prompted, had not her spirit been so thoroughly subjected to her womanly duties. She seems always to have striven to make her life useful. She shows this in writing chiefly for her own sex; and her productions will now be stamped with the value which her lovely character, perfected and crowned by a happy death, imparts. She could not speak for some time before her decease; but having learned to use her fingers, in the manner of the deaf and dumb, almost the last time they moved, it was to spell upon them feebly—"Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him."
AIGUILLON, DUCHESS D',
Niece of the Cardinal de Richelieu, was the first lady of high rank whose house was opened to all men of letters. There men of talent were received, together with the greatest noblemen of the court. These assemblies had much influence on the manners of the French. The duchess was a woman of intelligence, piety, and the greatest generosity. After the death of Richelieu, under the direction of the devout Vincent de Paul, she united in all benevolent works. She endowed hospitals, bought slaves to set them free, liberated prisoners, and maintained missionaries in France and distant countries. She died in 1675.
An English writer, was the only daughter of Dr. Aikin, the brother of Mrs. Barbauld. Like her father and aunt, she devoted herself to literature. Her principal works are: "Epistles on the Character of Women," "Juvenile Correspondence," "The Life of Zuinglius, the Reformer," and a "History of the Court of Queen Elizabeth." She lived in the latter part of the eighteenth and the early part of the present century. Her "Memoir" of her father. Dr. John Aikin, is a beautiful tribute of filial affection. She was enabled, by the careful education he had given her, to enjoy the pleasures of mental intercourse with him; and how well she repaid his care, this monument she has constructed to the memory of his genius and goodness is a touching and enduring proof. At the close of the Memoir, she describes the feebleness which oppressed his body, while yet his mind could enjoy, in a degree, the pleasures of intellect; and in such a way as necessarily made him entirely dependent on female care and society.
The writings of Miss Aikin are attractive from their quiet, good sense, refined taste, and kind spirit always exhibited. Her last work, "The Life of Addison," was somewhat severely criticised in regard to the accuracy of dates, and some other matters, of minor importance when compared with the value of this contribution to the memory of a good man and an accomplished scholar. The
