Women of History

<h3>MARGARET, DUCHESS OF NEWCASTLE.</h3> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_131" id="Page_131"></SPAN></span></p> <p class="heading">[1620.]<br/> BALLARD.</p> <p><ANTIMG src="images/it.jpg" alt="T" width-obs="78" height-obs="72" class="floatl" />HE youngest daughter of Sir Charles Lucas, and the wife of the Marquis of Newcastle, had, from her infancy, a natural inclination to learning, and spent so much of her time in study and writing, that it is much to be lamented she had not the advantage of an acquaintance with the learned languages, which would have extended her knowledge, refined her genius, and have been of infinite service to her in the many compositions and productions of her pen.</p> <p>In 1643, she obtained leave of her mother to go to Oxford, where the court then resided, and was made one of the maids of honour to Henrietta Maria, the royal consort of King Charles I.; and when the queen, by her rebellious subjects, was unhappily forced to leave England and go to her native country, she attended her thither. At Paris she met with the Marquis of Newcastle, then a widower, who, admiring her person, disposition, and ingenuity, was married to her in that place in the year 1645. She was said to be the most voluminous dramatic writer of our female poets, that she had a great deal of wit, and a more than ordinary propensity to dramatic poetry. Mr Langbaine tells us that all the language and plots of her plays were her own, which is a commendation <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_132" id="Page_132"></SPAN></span> preferable to fame built on other people's foundation, and will very well atone for some faults in her numerous productions. [A catalogue of this lady's works, "tragicomical, poetical, romancical, philosophical, and historical," both in prose and verse, would occupy pages.]</p> <p>Her person was very graceful, her temper naturally reserved, and she seldom said much in company, especially among strangers. She was most indefatigable in her studies and contemplations; truly pious, charitable, and generous; an excellent economist; very kind to her servants, and a perfect pattern of conjugal love and duty.</p> <div class="figcenter p4"> <ANTIMG src="images/i009.jpg" width-obs="268" height-obs="148" alt="Decoration" /></div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />