that from the lowest depths of degradation the true penitent may be raised, if she will, like Mary Magdalene, turn from her sins and love the Lord Jesus Christ. From the moment when Mary Magdalene heard those sweet words from the Saviour, "Thy sins are forgiven," she seems to have devoted herself to his followers; and at the cross, and at the sepulchre, she proved that her faith was as firm and devoted as her love was true and holy. According to the apostle St. John, Mary Magdalene was the first person who reached the sepulchre on the eventful morning, "when it was yet dark;" she first discovered that the stone was taken away from the sepulchre; and to her the risen Saviour first made himself manifest. This female disciple was honoured above even the beloved John; for he and all the other disciples were taught by her that Jesus had risen from the tomb.
MARY OF ANJOU,
Daughter of Louis the Second, King of Sicily and Duke of Anjou, was the wife of Charles the Seventh, and the mother of Louis the Eleventh of France. She was a woman of a very heroic character, and though insulted and neglected by her husband, during the latter part of their married life, she applied all the powers of her great mind to secure the crown to him. She died in 1463, aged fifty-nine. She was a devoted mother, and superintended herself her children's education.
MARY OF BRABANT,
Daughter of Henry the Third, Duke of Brabant, married Philip the Bold of France, in 1274. She was accused of poisoning her husband's eldest son, by a former marriage; but was deemed innocent because of the knight, who was sent by her brother to challenge her accusers, proving victorious. She was a woman of a cultivated mind, and possessed great influence. She died in 1321.
MARY OF FRANCE,
Is one of the first of her sex who wrote French verses, and she holds a distinguished rank among the Anglo-Norman poets. Her learning, her enlightened opinions, and the courage she shewed in speaking the truth to ears little accustomed to hear it, place her far in advance of her age. It is to be regretted that the writings of this celebrated woman have thrown no light on her private life, or the name and rank of her family. She was born in France, and probably in Normandy, in 1200. She came to England, where she composed all her works, and died about 1268. Her first productions are lays in French, relating the adventures of valiant knights. There are fourteen of them; she also wrote a hundred and three fables, which shew great penetration into character, deep reflection, and are written in an easy and unaffected style.
MARY OF HUNGARY,
Daughter of Philip, King of Spain, married, in 1521, Louis, King of Hungary, who was killed in battle five years after. She was made governess of the Netherlands by her brother, Charles the Fifth, where she behaved with great courage, and opposed, successfully, Henry the Second of France. She was a friend to
