ns, with a reference to her art; and
deferred the complete development of the character of Lady Macbeth, till
she should be able to illustrate it by the impersonation and commentary
of that grand and gifted actress; but the task having fallen into other
hands, the analysis of the character has been almost entirely rewritten,
as at first conceived, or rather restored to its original form.

This little work, as it now stands, forms only part of a plan which the
author hopes, if life be granted her, to accomplish;--at all events,
life, while it is spared, shall be devoted to its fulfilment.

CONTENTS.

Page
INTRODUCTION 8

CHARACTERS OF INTELLECT.
Portia 53
Isabella 83
Beatrice 99
Rosalind 110

CHARACTERS OF PASSION AND IMAGINATION.
Juliet 119
Helena 153
Perdita 172
Viola 181
Ophelia 187
Miranda 207

CHARACTERS OF THE AFFECTIONS.
Hermione 219
Desdemona 240
Imogen 259
Cordelia 280

HISTORICAL CHARACTERS.
Cleopatra 302
Octavia 341
Volumnia 345
Constance of Bretagne 357
Elinor of Guienne 387
Blanche of Castile 389
Margaret of Anjou 396
Katharine of Arragon 407
Lady Macbeth 437

CHARACTERISTICS OF WOMEN.

INTRODUCTION.

_Scene--A Library._

ALDA.

You will not listen to me?

MEDON.

I do, with all the deference which befits a gentleman when a lady holds
forth on the virtues of her own sex.

He is a parricide of his mother's name,
And with an impious hand murders her fame,
That wrongs the praise of women; that dares write
Libels o