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THE CONGRESS OF WOMEN
During her last season in Paris, our countryman, Mr. Ticknor, called on her. Though prostrated by illness, she discoursed eloquently on America, and her face grew luminous as she said: “ You in America are the advance guard of the human race—you have the future of the world.” She died in Paris, July 14, 1817. but fifty- one years of age.
I have given but a glimpse of the career and character of one of the most remarkable women of modern times—a unique character, combining the highest gifts of intellect with the woman’s heart of tenderness, sympathy and devotion. Doubtless she had faults, but remembering her noble and lovable characteristics, we may hesitate in passing trivial judgment upon this remarkable woman, who was one of the pro- foundest ethical thinkers, “the leader of the reaction against the materialistic philosophy of the Revolution ”—a woman whose intellect towered so high that a century full of great names has not obscured it. To the women of today she has great significance. She inaugurated a new era of vigorous writers among women, of which the present century has furnished many examples. Every gifted woman who has nobly used her talents has brightened this era for us, and we acknowledge Madame deStael one of the great women of the past, whose fame and whose triumphs illumine the world today.