[Lady Byron Vindicated by Harriet Beecher Stowe]@TWC D-Link book
Lady Byron Vindicated

CHAPTER V
18/26

O God! forgive her."' As we have been obliged to review accusations on Lady Byron founded on old Greek tragedy, so now we are forced to abridge a passage from a modern conversations-lexicon, that we may understand what sort of comparisons are deemed in good taste in a conservative English review, when speaking of ladies of rank in their graves.
Under the article 'Brinvilliers,' we find as follows:-- MARGUERITE D'AUBRAI, MARCHIONESS OF BRINVILLIERS .-- The singular atrocity of this woman gives her a sort of infamous claim to notice.
She was born in Paris in 1651; being daughter of D'Aubrai, lieutenant- civil of Paris, who married her to the Marquis of Brinvilliers.
Although possessed of attractions to captivate lovers, she was for some time much attached to her husband, but at length became madly in love with a Gascon officer.

Her father imprisoned the officer in the Bastille; and, while there, he learned the art of compounding subtle and most mortal poisons; and, when he was released, he taught it to the lady, who exercised it with such success, that, in one year, her father, sister, and two brothers became her victims.

She professed the utmost tenderness for her victims, and nursed them assiduously.

On her father she is said to have made eight attempts before she succeeded.

She was very religious, and devoted to works of charity; and visited the hospitals a great deal, where it is said she tried her poisons on the sick.' People have made loud outcries lately, both in America and England, about violating the repose of the dead.


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