wrote. They are filled with the tender affection of a devoted wife and mother. She was the daughter of the famous painter Maratti. She died in 1740.
MARCET, JANE,
An Englishwoman, deservedly distinguished for her great scientfic acquirements, and for the use to which she has devoted her extraordinary talents and learning. "With that apologetic air which modest science is wont to assume in her communications with ignorance," Mrs. Marcet offered her first work, "Conversations on Chemistry," to the English public, about the year 1810. No work on science in the English language, we might almost say in the world, has been more useful in imparting its knowledge. Its clear elucidation, and its admirably simple method, have undoubtedly contributed, in a great degree, to render chemistry popular.
Mrs. Marcet soon issued another of her excellent works, "Conversations on Natural Philosophy;" which was followed by "Conversations on Political Economy," in 1827; and soon after appeared her "Conversations in Botany." All these possess great merit, and have become text-books in the schools of the United States, as well as in this country. It is curious to notice the way in which American men have availed themselves of these treasures of intellect without remuneration, or even acknowledgments to the author. Taking these books, and merely giving on the title-page, "By the author of Conversations," &c., they have added "Adapted to the use of Schools," and paraded their own names in full, without an intimation there, or in the preface, that these scientific text-books were the productions of a lady! "Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates," is the command of rod respecting woman. In regard to the subject of our sketch, this just tribute has been wholly withheld; yet few scientific writers have so well merited the praise and gratitude of all who read the English language.
Mrs. Marcet's "Conversations on Political Economy" gave the author more decided claims to a highly cultivated and philosophical mind than either of her other works; but the doctrines discussed have yielded to so many mutations and modifications, that her theory in her own country, and especially in America, now receives nothing more than a partial recognition. Still, the praise is due to Mrs. Marcet of being the first writer who made "political economy" popular. Before her work appeared, the science was hidden from the public mind in the huge tomes of dull and dignified authors; now it is a study in our common schools.
Mrs. Marcet's style is an admirable vehicle for her ideas—clear, vigorous, excellent English; in short, "proper words in their proper places." Her latest work is "Conversations on Land and Water."
MAREZOLL, LOUISE,
Has written some interesting works; the best, perhaps, is a "History of the Swiss Revolution," which has been noticed with commendations by the German critics. She was also for several years editor of a periodical—"The Women's Journal," which met with much success.
